New charges in the Highland Park mass shooting

Plus, former Gov. Pat Quinn eyes a run for Chicago's mayor. Here's what you need to know today.

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 Wednesday, and the suspect in the Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park faces new charges today. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Google’s takeover of the Thompson Center may also be a new lease on life for the downtown area   Mayor Lori Lightfoot today announced three years of NASCAR races through the streets of the downtown area. So where exactly will the race take place? The Chicago Sun-Times reports the “race would be run on a 2.2-mile course north of Roosevelt Road, along Columbus Drive, South DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Michigan Avenue, as far north as Jackson Boulevard.” Even before the mayor formally announced today’s agreement with NASCAR, City Council members who represent parts of downtown said they were not thrilled.  “The Administration has allegedly been negotiating this event with NASCAR for many months now, yet they intentionally excluded members of the City Council who represent the impacted area from those conversations,” Ald. Brendan Reilly wrote in an email to the Sun-Times. [Sun-Times] 2. Google’s takeover of the Thompson Center may also be a new lease on life for the downtown area   Chicago has long sought to become something of a Midwestern hub for tech workers. And today’s news that Google will buy downtown’s Thompson Center for $105 million goes a long way in certifying the city’s appeal to the industry. Google will occupy the entire building, putting it on the “ground floor of revitalizing and breathing new life into the very heart of this city,” said Karen Sauder, head of Google’s Chicago operation. That “revitalizing” quote really stands out, as Chicago’s downtown area has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions over whether the city’s prime economic engine will run like it used to. Will Google turn things around? For the state, Gov. JB Pritzker said the agreement will allow his administration to consolidate space downtown it currently leases, saving $1 billion over the next 30 years. [Chicago Sun-Times] 3. Remember Pat Quinn? Sounds like he’s going to run for mayor of Chicago   Former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said he will decide by the end of summer whether to join the crowded field of candidates seeking to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot, reports veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman at the Chicago Sun-Times. Quinn supported Lightfoot over County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the 2019 mayoral runoff. But “that was before Lightfoot reneged on her campaign promise to fight for and abide by a two-term limit for the mayor of Chicago,” Spielman reports.  Quinn also says he has a problem with Lightfoot’s combative management style. “You have to bring people together — not divide folks. It’s very important that we have everybody in and nobody feels left out. That was my philosophy as governor. That’s the best philosophy for a mayor. And too often, a lot of folks feel that they have been left out,” he said. [Chicago Sun-Times] 4. Chicago Public Schools will ‘strongly’ recommend masks for the next academic year   But the nation’s third-largest school district will not mandate masks, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said today.  Speaking before the Chicago Board of Education, Martinez said “the district’s weekly, in-school testing program will continue, and take-home tests will be available to students as well,” reports the Chicago Tribune. Students are set to return to classrooms on Aug. 22. [Trib] Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union accuses Mayor Lori Lightfoot of retaliating against two teachers who protested against the proposed move of a controversial scrap shredder. [Chicago Sun-Times] 5. Indiana Republicans advance a ban on nearly all abortions   Indiana’s Senate could vote as early as Friday on a bill that bans nearly all abortions and adds felony criminal charges for doctors who perform illegal procedures. Senate Republicans also placed limits on when people can receive abortions in cases of rape and incest — up to eight weeks of pregnancy for people ages 16 or older and 12 weeks for those younger than 16. [Indianapolis Star] The move to further restrict abortions in cases of rape and incest comes after a 10-year-old rape victim traveled to Indiana from Ohio for an abortion. The doctor who performed the procedure, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, says she has been harassed and is worried about her own safety and the safety of her family. [NPR] SPONSORED BY ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY Do Work That Makes The World Better. Advance your career in public service with a master’s in public administration from Roosevelt University. In the MPA program, you’ll master the management and decision-making skills to lead with confidence. Focused Tracks: Health care Government Administration Non-Profit Administration At Roosevelt, you’ll meet public sector leaders who can become mentors throughout your career. Are you ready to change business for the better?   Learn More. Here's what else is happening Nearly 800,000 doses of the monkeypox vaccine will soon be available for distribution, U.S. health regulators announced today. [AP] Amazon workers file a complaint alleging racial discrimination at Joliet warehouse. [WBEZ] State Sen. Darren Bailey, the GOP nominee for Illinois governor, is suddenly shy about discussing former President Donald Trump. [Chicago Tribune] The Mega Millions jackpot is at $1.025 billion. NPR answers some pressing questions you might have. [NPR] Oh, and one more thing... My condolences to those mourning the loss of the Choco Toco.  The “ice cream but a taco” treat will be discontinued as its maker, Klondike, faces an “unprecedented spike in demand across our portfolio,” according to a representative for the company. But folks in Chicago can still get a version of the frozen dessert at the Lonesome Rose restaurant and bar in the Logan Square neighborhood, reports Block Club Chicago. “Sure, Lonesome Rose’s version is more expensive than the original, which typically only costs a few bucks at most, but it could satisfy your craving — and their horchata ice cream is fantastic,” the website reports. [Block Club Chicago] Tell me something good It’s almost August? Where did the summer go? While we still have time to enjoy the warm weather, I’d like to know what is your favorite song of the summer?  Linda A. Padgurskis writes:  “I love ‘Heat Waves’ by Glass Animals, ‘All Summer Long’ by Kid Rock, ‘ The Boys Are Back in Town’ by Thin Lizzy and ‘ Santa Monica’ by Everclear.” And Gary McDowell writes:  “My father-in-law introduced me to the bop that is ‘Camuflash’ by Ivy Queen - apparently he and the Prospect Heights Natural Resources Commission won a prize at the Arlington Heights Fourth of July parade marching to that on a constant loop. I had the great pleasure of translating the lyrics for him.   “What did they march to in the Prospect Heights Parade? Grateful Dead.   “Honorable mention has to go to Tove Lo for ‘No One Dies From Love.’ The video alone is fantastic and well worth a watch.” 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. 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