The controversy over Aurora’s Pride Parade

Plus, land for public housing in Chicago is instead going to a pro soccer team. 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 Thursday, and it looks like there’s no truth to the rumor about ‘The Real Housewives of Winnetka.’ Anyway, here’s what you actually need to know today. 1. Aurora’s Pride Parade may not happen after organizers asked uniformed cops to not march   Just days before a local Pride Parade was expected to kick off, officials in the Chicago suburb of Aurora yesterday revoked a permit for the event, saying there were not enough police officers who volunteered for overtime shifts to adequately provide security. Parade organizers today went to court to appeal that decision but were unsuccessful. Now, the ACLU and the organizers say they will ask a federal judge to allow the parade to take place on Sunday. [Daily Herald] Last month, local police officers were asked by organizers to not wear their uniforms in the parade, setting off a broad debate about policing, representation and safety. Organizers said some members of the LGBTQ community are uncomfortable being around uniformed officers because of a long history of police abuse against queer people. Officers could still march with banners, T-shirts and other things that identify them, organizers said. Adding another layer to the debate is the suburb’s mayor, Richard Irvin, who is running on a law and order platform in the GOP primary for governor. Irvin, who decided to not march in the parade, criticized organizers as being hypocritical for touting acceptance and tolerance while asking officers to not wear their uniforms. [Chicago Tribune] 2. Most American adults say it’s more important to control gun violence than protect gun rights   That comes out to 59% to 35%, the widest margin in favor of controlling gun violence recorded in a decade, according to a new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. The numbers are similar to what Marist has found over the last four years since the Parkland, Fla., school shooting. When it comes to gun owners, 56% say it is more important to curb gun violence than protect gun rights. And about three-quarters of respondents said mass shootings make them more likely to vote in November. Democrats are almost 20 points more likely to say so than Republicans and independents (84%, vs. 65% for Republicans and 66% for independents). [NPR] The news comes a day after the House passed a series of new gun measures in response to recent mass shootings, such as raising the minimum age to buy semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21. Those measures are unlikely to pass the Senate, where lawmakers are negotiating on a much narrower plan to overcome a Republican filibuster. [NBC News] 3. Key questions the Jan. 6 committee will tackle as it presents its findings to the public   After nearly a year investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers will begin making their case to the public this evening in the first of six primetime hearings. NPR looks at five big questions the committee is expected to discuss during the hearings. That includes what were then-President Donald Trump, his friends, his staff and family members doing as a mob of supporters stormed into the Capitol? [NPR] WBEZ will provide special coverage of tonight’s hearing at 7 p.m. CT. You can listen at 91.5 FM, online at wbez.org or on the WBEZ app.  Meanwhile, the FBI today arrested Ryan Kelley, a Michigan candidate for governor, on charges related to the Jan. 6 attack. [NPR] 4. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans say they’ve been affected by inflation, and most expect the situation to get worse   That’s according to a poll out today from The Washington Post and George Mason University’s Schar School of Policy and Government. It also found that about three-quarters of Americans say they are cutting back on restaurants and entertainment, and postponing planned purchases. About 6 in 10 say they are driving less, cutting back on using electricity and saving less money.  More than a third of Americans say inflation has been a major financial stress, especially among low-income households. “Inflation is a regressive tax: It is very costly for the poor,” Antonio Doblas-Madrid, an economics professor at Michigan State University, told the Post. “If you’re renting, rents go up when inflation goes up, but if you’re a homeowner, your real estate starts appreciating.” [WaPo] 5. Land intended for affordable housing in Chicago is instead going to things that aren’t affordable housing   An investigation from ProPublica and WTTW is raising big questions about how Chicago officials are addressing affordable housing at a time when inflation is driving up rents and the prices of everyday items. For decades, officials with the Chicago Housing Authority have touted a plan to overhaul public housing and, they say, become a model for other cities.  But as “its rebuilding efforts have lagged over the last 15 years, the CHA has repeatedly let its land be developed for purposes other than housing,” reports ProPublica and WTTW.  “It has sold or leased property for a nonprofit tennis academy, a charter school, a police station, medical facilities, movie production space and a supermarket, according to agency records. Federal officials have signed off on the land transactions.” And, right now, city officials are planning to give a large plot of land that was promised for affordable housing (and has remained undeveloped for decades) to the Chicago Fire Football Club in a lease agreement. [ProPublica] WBEZ CHICAGO Win a trip to Costa Rica! It’s finally here: summertime in Chicagoland. And with that, the WBEZ Chicago Summer Pledge Drive! Today is the first day of our pledge drive and when you donate today, we'll enter you to win a trip to Costa Rica! You and a guest could be on your way to living that pura vida — the simple life — with five days of exploring volcanoes… hiking through lush jungles to find secret waterfalls… or relaxing on spectacular beaches. It all starts when you make a donation to WBEZ today . Here's what else is happening The Chicago police officer who got into a confrontation last year with a Black woman as she walked her dog at North Avenue Beach has resigned from the department. [Chicago Sun-Times] For the fourth time in three years, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is changing deputy mayors for public safety in the middle of a violent crime wave. [Chicago Sun-Times] Richard M. Daley, Chicago’s longest-serving mayor, was hospitalized but is said to be alert. [Chicago Sun-Times] After saving someone who fell on CTA tracks, Anthony Perry was rewarded with a 2009 Audi A8. [Chicago Sun-Times] Oh, and one more thing... Beginning July 1, Illinois residents can apply for an electric vehicle rebate of up to $4,000.  My colleague Courtney Kueppers has an easy-to-read report that does the homework for you about the ins and outs of the rebate program. Because, let’s face it, buying a car on its own can be a stressful situation.  The Illinois rebate is also in addition to a federal tax credit of up to $7,500. So you could save some serious money if you’re in the market for a new electric vehicle. [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. Toni writes:  “I love getting away to Galena. I love walking all over the town to look at the homes, going into the shops and wine tasting. I love eating lunch at the Green Street Tavern located in the DeSoto Hotel. There is so much history in Galena! The tram tour gives some interesting information.” Allison writes:  “Hunter, I’ve really enjoyed summer weekend getaways with my husband in Madison and Milwaukee. Waterfront parks, cozy brunch spots, culture if you want it, walkable downtowns … sigh. In Madison, I could spend an entire weekend at Short Stack Eatery, the farmers market and A Room of One’s Own bookstore.” And Nancy Melvin writes:  “We love the Lakeside Inn in Lakeside, Michigan, for a quick getaway at a true vintage inn! A whole first floor room dedicated to board games with a fire for cold nights. Beach is just down the dune. They have one room with fixtures that were meant for the Titanic and a few with whirlpool tubs!  “And the Cafe Gulistan is an amazing Turkish restaurant just up the road, aside from the many breakfast and lunch cafes around.” Feel free to email or tweet 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. 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. CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA'S PRIVACY POLICY