A seismic shift in the GOP race for governor

Plus, a guide to free summer events in Chicago. Here's what you need to know today.

To view this email as a web page, click here.   by Hunter Clauss   Hey there! It’s finally Friday, and I’m celebrating in T-minus 15 minutes by turning off my phone and washing my brain out with a repeat viewing of The Northman because what’s not to like about a Viking tale of revenge? Anyway, here’s what you actually need to know today. 1. Richard Irvin trails a downstate farmer in the GOP primary race for governor   A new Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ poll has found a “potentially seismic shift in the Republican race for governor” — state Sen. Darren Bailey has a 15-percentage-point lead over Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin with less than three weeks before the Illinois primary. The survey found 32% of respondents said they’d vote for Bailey if the primary were held this past week. Only 17% chose Irvin. “If the numbers hold, it would represent a brutal repudiation by Illinois’ Republican voters of Irvin, his array of mainstream party endorsements and, most pointedly, his $50 million benefactor, Chicago hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin,” my colleagues Dave McKinney and Tina Sfondeles report. [WBEZ] 2. Protests against gun violence to be held in Chicago and several other cities across the nation tomorrow   Protesters calling for more gun restrictions are expected to gather across the nation, hoping to further build momentum and put pressure on Congress to act. In Chicago, demonstrators are slated to meet around noon tomorrow in downtown’s Federal Plaza. The demonstrations come after the House this week passed several gun-control measures, such as increasing the minimum age to buy most semiautomatic rifles to 21. But the legislation is unlikely to overcome a Republican filibuster in the Senate.  The nationwide protests are organized by March for Our Lives, which was created by the student survivors of the 2018 mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Fla.  Since that shooting, “more than 115,000 students have been exposed to gun violence on K-12 campuses during regular hours,” reports The Washington Post. [WaPo] 3. Inflation soared again last month   The Labor Department said today that consumer prices in May were 8.6% higher than a year ago — the largest increase since 1981. The reacceleration of inflation comes as many Americans struggle with higher prices on gas, rents and everyday items. And inflation remains a major challenge for the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve, which is hoping to cool down inflation and stabilize the economy without triggering a recession.  Small business owners are especially concerned about the U.S. heading into an economic downturn after the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. And a recession would be yet another major hardship for low-income households that have been disproportionately impacted by inflation. [NPR] 4. The big takeaways from last night’s Jan. 6 hearing   In case you missed or were not able to watch last night’s primetime hearing, NPR rounds up the biggest revelations presented by House lawmakers investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.  Behind-the-scenes and up-close video of what happened that day “made a strong case that former President Donald Trump was the central character responsible for what happened,” NPR reports.  Aide after aide to former President Donald Trump testified on camera that his claims of a stolen election were false. That included Trump Attorney General Bill Barr and Ivanka Trump, the former president’s daughter and former senior adviser. In another video, former campaign adviser Jason Miller said he told Trump in “pretty blunt terms that he was going to lose.” And in text messages obtained by investigators, Fox News host Sean Hannity told then-White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, “No more stolen election talk” and that the 25th Amendment possibility of the Cabinet removing Trump from office was “real.” [NPR]  The next hearing will take place on Monday at 9 a.m. CT. WBEZ will air live coverage that you can find at 91.5 FM, online at wbez.org and on the WBEZ app. 5. Aurora’s Pride Parade is back on   The Sunday parade appeared to be doomed after Aurora officials revoked the parade’s permit, saying not enough police officers volunteered for overtime shifts to provide security.  Organizers went to court yesterday but were unsuccessful at getting their permit back. But then city officials announced enough officers came forward after they were “offered a triple-time financial incentive,” reports the Aurora Beacon News. Parade organizers sparked a heated debate last month when they asked local officers to not wear their uniforms as they marched in the parade. Instead, officers could carry banners and wear T-shirts that identified them. The organizers said some people were uncomfortable with uniformed cops in the parade because of the long history of police abuse against the LGBTQ community. But critics said the move went against the Pride Parade’s goal of creating an atmosphere of acceptance and tolerance. [Aurora Beacon News] WBEZ CHICAGO Let’s raise a glass to Friday! One time my colleagues and I peer pressured a temporary boss at WBEZ into buying us margaritas one Friday afternoon. It was, perhaps, the single greatest moment of my career at the station, especially considering we didn’t get written up. I’m reminded of this modern day Ayn Rand tale because it’s $5 Friday, the day where we celebrate the collective power of small, monthly donations to WBEZ. To make it even more interesting, the station is throwing in a new WBEZ pint glass so you can enjoy that cold beverage in style. All you have to do is donate $5 a month.  Here's what else is happening Misconduct by corrections staff in Illinois prisons receives scant discipline. [WBEZ] Chicago’s City Council is urged to create a guaranteed income program for Black men who are unemployed and likely to suffer from violence. [Chicago Sun-Times] Waukegan police extracted another false confession from a Black teenager, a lawsuit claims. [WBEZ] Three Chicago Public Schools graduates look back on their time in school through comedy. [WBEZ] Oh, and one more thing... My colleagues at WBEZ put together a guide to free summer events that reminds me of how Chicago can be awesome when we’re not buried under several inches of snow. This extensive guide begins with this week’s Chicago Blues Fest at Millennium Park and ends with the “easy, breezy rock” of Earth Mother, part of the Concerts in the Park series, in late July.  And if you see something missing, feel free to hit us up. All summer long, WBEZ will be curating this list of recommended concerts, performances, art shows, neighborhood fests and other cultural highlights. [WBEZ] Tell me something good I’m thinking of taking a little weekend vacation, and I wanted to know if you had any recommendations for places that aren’t terribly far and perfect for a quick getaway from the city. Phoebe in Pullman writes:  “Every year, my grandma takes my cousins and I up to Spring Green, Wisconsin, for two plays at the truly fantastic American Players Theater, which I cannot recommend enough for the talent, production quality and overall experience.  “We stay in the calm and comfortable Spring Valley Inn (which has a pool, sauna and good Old Fashioneds!), visit the charming shops in lovely downtown (Arcadia Books, Convivo and Bird of Paradise Tea are my top 3) and get delicious pie from The Shed restaurant.  “The rolling Driftless region landscape is a fun departure from typically flat Chicagoland, and nestled into the nearby hills are two famous house museums — including Frank Lloyd Wright’s first Taliesin. 10/10 weekend getaway!” And Elaine writes:  “If you are looking for a place to just get away and relax, a favorite of mine is the Lincolnway Inn in Franklin, Illinois. Beautifully renovated home with stunning rooms, a gorgeous outdoor pergola seating area and quiet Zen area to relax. Breakfasts are to die for. The Nachusa Grasslands are nearby where you can see the impressive bison herd there. If you're looking to get away from the city for a bit, this is the place.” Thanks for all the recommendations this week. I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but it was nice hearing from y’all. therundown@wbez.org | @whuntah Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I'll see you on Monday. — Hunter Clauss P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive The Rundown in your inbox. VIEW OUR BROADCAST SCHEDULE ©Chicago Public Media Inc 848 East Grand Ave, Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611 Please do not reply to this email. If you need assistance, you may contact us here. You are receiving this email because you are a WBEZ member or signed up to receive email communications from us. You can unsubscribe from The Rundown here. 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