Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.
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Top story
Immigrants sent by Texas officials to Chicago being evaluated by city agencies, immigration groups
About 75 asylum seekers who arrived to Chicago from Texas were being evaluated Thursday morning by city agencies and community organizations to determine their needs.
After spending the night at Chicago shelters, the individuals were taken to a city facility where the city’s Department of Family and Support Services conducted intake interviews to determine what services were needed.
“We are going to stand by our values as a welcoming city,” said Joseph Dutra, spokesman for the city’s Department of Family and Support Services. “We are going to ensure they have the services that they need.”
The group traveled to Chicago by bus as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s plan to send individuals arriving at the southern border into Democrat-led cities. Under Abbott, a Republican, Texas has spent $12 million to send immigrants from Texas to East Coast cities, according to the Texas Tribune.
In July, the Texas Tribune and ProPublica reported the Department of Justice was investigating Abbott’s border initiatives for possible civil rights violations.
U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., said Texas officials promised the immigrants — all from Venezuela — they would have access to lawyers, housing and other forms of assistance to lure them on the bus. When they arrived Wednesday, the immigrants told officials they had not eaten all day, he said.
“We need to ask the question of whether Gov. Abbott may be involved in trafficking of migrants for political gain,” García said.
Read the full story by Elvia Malagón and Tina Sfondeles here.
More news you need
- A retired Chicago police officer was shot six times after he confronted a robber at an Englewood currency exchange this morning, according to authorities. David Struett has more on the 60-year-old man’s status as of early this afternoon.
- Chicago will be ready to administer newly updated COVID-19 booster shots within days of final federal approval, which is expected this week. Dr. Allison Arwady said today that Chicago residents could start receiving the shots as soon as next Tuesday.
- R&B star R. Kelly will not take the stand in his trial on child pornography and obstruction of justice charges, the singer said today in Chicago’s federal court. On the other hand, Derrel McDavid, Kelly’s co-defendant and former manager, said he will testify in the federal trial.
- A retired mail carrier who credits pickleball, a fast-growing sport in parts of the country, with helping him overcome his addiction issues wants to know why there are so few places to play the sport in Chicago. “The game saved my life too, how many others could it save?” Leroy Archibald asked our Mitch Dudek.
A bright one
Jack Quinlan still remembered, revered decades after his death
Imagine this:
A baseball team’s beloved radio announcer leaves his neighborhood home to go to work. As he steps outside, he shouts to any child in earshot, asking if he or she would like to go to the ballgame that day.
A half-dozen or so kids hop into the car. After arriving at the ballpark, the announcer speaks with ushers to ensure the kids have seats and they’ll be looked after. Everyone has a wonderful time.
This isn’t fantasy. This happened frequently. The team was the Cubs, the neighborhood was in Evanston and the radio announcer was Jack Quinlan.
Can you believe that?
If you were one of those lucky kids, you can. But you’re in rare company. Quinlan’s daughter Sue, one of four children, can attest to the events.
“He had a red convertible, and he’d gather up the neighborhood kids, like, ‘Who wants to go to the game?’ ” said Sue, 66, who still lives in Evanston. “They’d be screaming to their moms, ‘Is it OK if I go with Mr. Quinlan?’ Everybody would pile in the car, and down Clark Street we’d go.”
Quinlan was the Cubs’ radio voice from 1955 to 1964. On March 19, 1965, in Mesa, Arizona, Quinlan was killed in a car accident. He was 38.
His death devastated many, but his legacy lives.
Jeff Agrest has more on the modern-day media members who cite Quinlan as inspiration.
From the press box
- Over these final few weeks of the season, the Cubs will aim to find a better balance between being aggressive and smart on the base paths, Maddie Lee writes.
- Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke about the Roquan Smith situation today, telling reporters he still believes the relationship can be repaired and a long-term contract is possible.
- The Bears today put receiver N’Keal Harry on injured reserve, which will keep him sidelined for at least the first four games of the season.
- Mike Clark breaks down the biggest games of the weekend on the Chicago-area high school football schedule.
Your daily question ☕
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Yesterday, we asked you: Princess Diana was a beloved icon before her tragic death 25 years ago today. What do you remember her for? Here’s what some of you said...
“Her compassion for others, her desire to be a hands-on Mum in spite of outdated royal traditions, and her desire to be human, all impressed me.” — Christine Bock
“She visited AIDS patients and treated them like human beings!” — Beverly Hajek Cooper
“When she visited AIDS patients and wasn’t afraid to touch, to hug, it helped educate people around the world and stopped some of the fear mongering. I also remember her campaign to help the victims of land mines. And of course, the joy captured in photographs of her with her two young sons at amusement parks and in other normal activities was heartwarming.” — Tammy Veach
“Her love for her children.” — Sarah Ewing
“Her kindness, her beauty, her love for William and Harry. She will always be the people of the world princess always.” — Kay Schroeder
“I remember this day vividly. I drove home from College 5 hours to go see Aerosmith when we heard the news. She is inspirational in life and death. Her humanity was always on display.” — John C Forst
“I remember Princess Diana for not only her breathtaking beauty, but for always being ‘Mum’ to her beloved sons. In their pictures together they are all genuinely smiling and happy and having a wonderful time.” — Gina Haswah
“All the peoples lives she touched by being her genuine self and her empathy and dedication for helping others. Plus, I will always remember all those magazine covers she use to be on. With every picture, she always became even more beautiful and her warmth always shone thru.” — Melody Gee
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