How far right are Illinois Republicans?

Plus, extraordinary testimony in today's Jan. 6 hearing. Here's what you need to know.

To view this email as a web page, click here. Today's Rundown is brought to you by WBEZ members and   by Hunter Clauss   Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, and polling places will remain open until 7 p.m. for Illinois’ primary election. And if you’re in line and have nothing else to do, the teaser trailer for “Hocus Pocus 2 ” dropped. Here’s what you need to know today. 1. Today’s primary election could show how much support is behind the far right in Illinois   One of the big races to watch tonight is the GOP primary for governor, which could have major ramifications for Illinois politics. The campaign of state Sen. Darren Bailey, a downstate Republican who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump over the weekend, could redefine the Illinois Republican Party, which has long supported socially moderate, sometimes-fiscally conservative governors.  Polls in recent months show Bailey ahead of Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, whose gubernatorial bid received an astonishing $50 million from hedge fund billionaire Kenneth Griffin.  And that brings us to another major point about the governor’s race: “It’s shaping up to be one of the most cash-flush gubernatorial campaigns in at least a quarter century of American politics, thanks to the deep pockets of Illinois’ richest men,” report my colleagues Dave McKinney and Tina Sfondeles. [WBEZ] 2. Trump, knowing supporters were armed at a Jan. 6 rally, still wanted them to march to the U.S. Capitol, aide testifies   Trump was told a crowd that gathered for a rally on Jan. 6, 2021, was armed and could be dangerous, but he wanted security to be lifted and wanted attendees to march to the U.S. Capitol, according to Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Those are just some of the many shocking details Hutchinson discussed during today’s surprise public hearing from the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. At one point, Hutchinson testified that Trump became so “irate” that he wasn’t being driven to the U.S. Capitol after the rally that he tried grabbing the steering wheel of the presidential limo and lunged at a Secret Service agent. “I’m the f-ing president. Take me up to the Capitol now,” Trump said, according to Hutchinson.  Closing out today’s hearing, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., raised concerns about possible witness tampering. [Washington Post] 3. California voters will be asked to add abortion rights to the state’s constitution. The same could happen in Illinois.   With the end of Roe v. Wade, California lawmakers this week put a state constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would explicitly protect the right to abortion and contraceptives. Supporters say amending the state’s constitution would prevent Republicans from restricting reproductive rights should they take the majority in the statehouse and the governor’s office. Vermont earlier this year became the first state to move forward with such a plan. [Washington Post] In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker has called for a special legislative session in response to the Supreme Court overturning Roe. Among the possible plans that Democrats could pursue is “an advisory referendum on the November ballot testing Illinois residents’ appetites to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution,” reports Crain’s Chicago Business. [Crain’s] 4. Chicago seeks to lure companies from states where abortions are banned or will be restricted   World Business Chicago, the city’s economic development agency, has sent letters this week to the heads of Fortune 500 companies in states where reproductive rights will be banned or severely restricted, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.  “Residents of those states — including those who work at your company — may suffer as a result of this decision,” said the letter, which was sent to 300 CEOs. “Families and individuals can now be punished for private health care decisions. Not to mention, many lives will be upended as people are stripped of [a] 50-year-old right.” The letter is also expected to be highlighted in a full-page ad this week in The Wall Street Journal. Michael Fassnacht, CEO of World Business Chicago, told the Sun-Times that he has had “ongoing conversations” with CEOs about how they cannot build a great corporate culture if local laws “don’t respect all their employees.” [Sun-Times] 5. Some Chicago beaches and about half of the city’s public pools will be closed amid a lifeguard shortage   The Chicago Park District today said it has only hired 55% of the number of lifeguards it needs to open all beaches and public pools. As a result, only 37 of the city’s 77 public pools will open this summer, and parts of Calumet Beach and North Avenue Beach will be closed, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Swimming will also be prohibited at 12th Street Beach. Several major cities across the nation are facing lifeguard shortages. Officials blame the hiatus of training programs during the pandemic that disrupted the pipeline of applicants. Another possible factor is the robust job market that gives teenagers more options. [Sun-Times] But in Chicago, the park district’s reputation fell after a WBEZ investigation uncovered allegations of abuse and harassment dating back years. [WBEZ] SPONSORED BY ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY Launch your meaningful career as a teacher. Fill the need for dedicated teachers in Illinois. For over 50 years, Roosevelt University has had a heart for educators. If you want to get certified as a teacher, no school will help you more. Teacher Licensure Programs in: Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Middle School Education Secondary Education Special Education We want you here, so you can get out there, shaping lives in the classroom. Learn more today. Here's what else is happening At least 51 people are dead after dozens of migrants making their way to the U.S. were found trapped in a tractor trailer in San Antonio. [Texas Public Radio] Moscow “cannot and should not win” after an airstrike on a Ukrainian mall killed at least 18 people, said French President Emmanuel Macron. [AP] At least 42 cases of monkeypox have been diagnosed in Chicago, but the viral illness remains rare. [Chicago Tribune] Beginning July 1, Illinois’ grocery tax will be suspended and Chicago’s minimum wage for non-tipped workers will increase. [NBC 5] Oh, and one more thing... WBEZ’s pop-up store is back, meaning you’ve got another chance to snag a “Take it WB-Easy” shirt! Longtime readers know the “Take it WB-Easy” shirt began with me selling bootleg WBEZ merch in the alley behind the Popeyes in Edgewater. But you can now find it (legally) on the more convenient World Wide Web.  The station’s pop-up store also has several other neat items, like a summer tumblr and (of course) tote bags. [WBEZ] Tell me something good What are your plans for the Fourth of July weekend?  Erik Engelhart writes:  “Planning on doing some trap and skeet target practice on the 4th, followed by some fishing, then a massive cookout with tons of Mexican and American food!” And Paul Teodo writes:  “Go to Fitzgerald’s American Music Fest. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Great vibe. Great music. Great food. Go for all four days. One day. Or parts of any of the days. Outstanding and reasonable. In Berwyn.”  Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.  therundown@wbez.org | @whuntah Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I'll see you tomorrow.  — Hunter Clauss P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive The Rundown in your inbox. 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