Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and today I learned there’s more than one Chicago accent. Here’s what you need to know today.
1. Highland Park parade shooting suspect rejects plea deal
Prosecutors said Robert Crimo III had agreed to plead guilty to seven counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2022 mass shooting, but he fell silent during a hearing today when the judge asked if the agreement outlined by Lake County prosecutors was what he’d discussed with his lawyers, David Struett and Sophie Sherry report for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Court was briefly recessed, and when Crimo returned his lawyers said their client no longer wanted to go ahead with a change of plea.
Prosecutors said Crimo, who at one point was representing himself in the case, had agreed to plead guilty to a total of 55 counts, prosecutors said.
He was to be sentenced to natural life, without the possibility of supervised release, for the murder charges. This would be served consecutively with a 30-year term for other charges.
The court hearing was highly anticipated, with victims and their families filling a section of the gallery that held about 70 people. They had come anticipating to read statements before the court on how the massacre affected their lives.
“Instead we were yet again shown his complete and blatant disregard for humans or anyone,” Leah Sundheim, whose mother, Jacquelyn Sundheim, died in the shooting, told the Sun-Times. [Chicago Sun-Times]
The court ruled today that a crucial federal bribery law aimed at state and local officials does not also criminalize after-the-fact rewards known as “gratuities,” my colleagues Jon Seidel and Dave McKinney report.
The ruling in the appeal of former Portage, Ind., Mayor James Snyder’s corruption conviction gave the court the opportunity to study a law known as the “federal program bribery” statute. That law applies to any state or local government agent who “corruptly solicits … anything of value … intending to be influenced or rewarded in connection with any business” worth $5,000 or more.
The high court’s decision to take up the Snyder case interrupted the momentum federal prosecutors here had built through a series of corruption trials in 2023. Not only were allies of Madigan set to be sentenced in January for a nearly decadelong scheme to bribe the former Illinois speaker of the House, but Madigan himself had been set to go to trial this spring.
Instead, Madigan’s trial is now set for October and could be delayed further. Sentencing hearings are also on hold for the Madigan allies. [Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ]
The study found that not only did perceptions of safety remain unchanged, but rates of discipline infractions were the same between schools with and without officers, my colleagues Sarah Karp and Nader Issa report.
Dozens of schools have removed one or both of their officers the past few years, and the district plans to pull all remaining cops this fall.
The shift comes after student activists insisted officers escalated conflicts, disproportionately policed Black children and put them in danger of being thrust into the criminal justice system for in-school behavior.
Many high schools worried removing their officers would mean losing important adults who had relationships with students, helped with discipline and made parents feel their kids’ schools were safe. [WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Wheaton residents are fighting for a traffic signal to safely cross a dangerous road
There have been a total of 165 car crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists between 2013 and 2023 in the western suburb, including elderly pedestrians from the Marian Park Apartments crossing the street to reach the shopping plaza on the other side, Jessica Alvarado Gamez reports for WBEZ.
This perilous road has brought the surrounding community together. For years, families from the Marian Park Apartments and St. Francis High School have expressed their concerns about the dangers of Roosevelt Road and demanded action from Wheaton and state officials. They’ve said lives are at stake.
Earlier this year, the city and state agreed to install a pedestrian crosswalk and traffic signal on Roosevelt Road where it intersects with driveways from St. Francis High School and the shopping plaza near Target. But the installation is two years away.
The cost of the installation of the traffic signal, roadway lighting and any necessary electrical connections is estimated to be more than $800,000, based on 2024 estimated expenses provided by the city. [WBEZ]
For most moviegoers, “Sundance” conjures the ski-town winter film festival, an annual champion of independent film founded by Robert Redford and named after one of his most famous onscreen characters.
But as WBEZ contributor Graham Meyer writes, the Sundance Institute also functions as an incubator of independent films.
Both Sundance the presenter and Sundance the producer will be on display as a satellite event unspools in Chicago this weekend, the first time a U.S. city has hosted such a one-off. Sundance Institute x Chicago, as organizers are calling it, will screen movies and convene panels for a long weekend from Friday to Sunday, with the hope of connecting and growing the film scene in Chicago — and maybe galvanizing a project or two.
Four films, each of which had a successful world premiere at the Park City festival in January, have showings at the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago and at the Davis Theater in Lincoln Square. [WBEZ]
Here’s what else is happening
- A Cook County agency is employing an Indiana politician who pleaded guilty in a federal case. [WBEZ]
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of President Joe Biden’s administration in a case about government communication with social media companies regarding their content-moderation policies. [NPR]
- The FDA warned the baker behind Sara Lee and Entenmann’s products not to claim foods contain allergens when they don’t. [AP]
- Kenya’s president withdrew a controversial tax bill after mass protests. [CNN]
Oh, and one more thing …
This summer, brush up on your local history with tours that highlight everything from architectural styles to underground critters.
WBEZ contributor Lauren Viera put together a selection of tours that show different slices of the Chicago area as part of this year’s Summer Guide. Whether you want to explore outside your neighborhood, fire up your kids’ summer brains or simply try something different, this list has something for you.
For example, Auburn Gresham–based historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas of TikTok fame runs neighborhood bus tours through North Lawndale, Englewood and Bronzeville.
And local guide Mike McMains’s “Underground Chicago (Plus Rats!) Tour” is a 90-minute exploration of the city under the city. [WBEZ]
If you’re looking for more suggestions for things to do this season, text FUN to 312312 for a weekly pick from our summer guide.
Tell me something good …
Instead of a long trip this summer, I’m planning to take shorter, day- or weekend-long trips around the Midwest by train. So I’m wondering, what are your favorite quick getaways in the Chicago area?
Keith writes:
“I’d like to suggest the new Amtrak Borealis train to the Twin Cities. Estimated trip time is 7hr 26mn. You’ll arrive at St Paul’s Union Depot, a station similar to Union Station in Chicago.
You just missed the Twin Cities Jazz Festival but there is plenty to do and see. You can head to Minneapolis via the Green Line Light Rail Train, which can be boarded in front of Union Depot.
I grew up in Chicagoland (Gary, IN), came here for college, and made the Twin Cities home. People who visit are often surprised at how much this area has to offer, as well as the quality of those offerings. Whatever your pleasure, it’s here.”
Carrie writes:
“For a recommendation, the Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area of Michigan is one of the best little corners anywhere. We’re so lucky to have it within arm’s reach from Chicago! Very doable (~5 hr) drive, or if you time it just right, you can find cheap direct flights to Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport, The Cutest Airport On Earth. Plus, the flight is a really speedy & beautiful hop over Lake Michigan.”
And Robert writes:
“New Buffalo, by car, train and for the youthful vacationer, bicycle or bring it with and discover Berrien County Michigan.”
Feel free to email me, and your response may be included in the newsletter this week.
