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It’s Thursday and the 41st birthday of our flagship program, “Chicago Tonight.” Today, we bring you the latest stories from the U.S. Senate, the suburbs and City Hall. |
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Sen. Dick Durbin appears on "Chicago Tonight" on May 23, 2023. (WTTW News) |
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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Wednesday he will not seek a sixth term in the U.S. Senate, setting off a scramble for a rare open seat that will reshape Illinois politics. Durbin, 80, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, will end his political career after serving 14 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and 30 years in the Senate.
In a video posted to social media, Durbin said he loved being a senator and struggled with whether to retire. “But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch,” said Durbin, who would have been 88 at the end of his next term in office. He will leave office in 2027.
More context:
Durbin, a native of East St. Louis, is likely the last Democrat to be elected to the Senate with roots outside the Chicago area. While the city and surrounding suburbs have grown more reliably Democratic, Republican politicians have cemented their hold on central and southern Illinois.
Several prominent Illinois Democrats have quietly been preparing for Durbin’s retirement, including U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly.
This morning, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the seat, making her the first official entrant in the soon-to-be-crowded race.
While Illinois Democrats rushed to release statements praising Durbin for his 44-year political career, Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi signaled the party will attempt to win back a Senate seat 10 years after former U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, the last Illinois Republican to serve in the Senate, lost his bid for reelection. Republicans have been locked out of statewide office since 2019.
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Victims, Keely Roberts, left, Sheila Gutman, center, and Dana Ruder Ring react during the sentencing hearing for Robert E. Crimo III., at the Lake County Courthouse, in Waukegan, Ill., Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh, Pool) |
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Nearly three years after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Illinois history, victims from the Highland Park parade shooting and their loved ones hoped to finally confront the man responsible, but he refused to attend his own sentencing hearing.
Despite his absence, the sentencing hearing for Robert Crimo III, 24, began Wednesday more than a month after he abruptly pleaded guilty to killing seven people and wounding 48 others during the 2022 parade festivities. The sentencing hearing will continue Thursday.
The sentence Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti will hand down is likely to be a formality: life in prison without the possibility of parole, a requirement after Crimo pleaded guilty to 21 counts of first-degree murder — three for each of the seven people killed — and 48 counts of attempted murder.
Crimo refused to attend Wednesday’s hearing, opting instead to remain in his cell at the Lake County Jail, just as he did for some pre-trial hearings and portions of jury selection.
Before any sentence can be issued, victims and their family members were invited to share impact statements about how the shooting has affected their lives.
What they said:
“I first thought it was stupid kids putting firecrackers off too close to a crowd,” said Dana Ruder Ring, who was in attendance with her husband and three kids, “but then quickly realized the sound was not stopping and in that moment, essentially, it went from watching a parade to utter chaos.”
“It was a scene I haven’t seen probably ever in my career," Jeremy Smiley, a doctor working at Highland Park Hospital, testified Wednesday. “That initial feeling, quite frankly, of walking in and seeing someone like my kids’ age sick like that. That’ll never leave me.” |
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The Juneteenth flag is raised in Chicago during a ceremony on June 17, 2024. (WTTW News) |
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A task force formed by Mayor Brandon Johnson nearly a year ago to determine whether and how the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans will start meeting this summer to craft a plan to tackle the thorny issue.
The 40-member task force will be charged with developing “Chicago’s first comprehensive reparations study, a critical step forward in acknowledging, addressing and repairing generations of harm experienced by Black communities,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
The announcement represents a “pivotal moment in our city’s history and my administration’s ongoing pursuit to repair the generations of harm our people have endured,” Johnson said in a statement.
Twenty-five members of the task force will be appointed by the mayor and the City Council’s Black Caucus, led by Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th Ward). Fifteen spots on the task force will be set aside for Chicagoans who apply to serve, officials said.
Applications, which include “a short application to ensure a diverse and inclusive representation,” will be accepted through May 20, officials said.
Read more about how to apply here. For more information, email equity.opportunities@cityofchicago.org. |
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More From WTTW News |
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A Chicago fire captain, David Meyer, 54, died from injuries after a garage collapsed from a fire in the West Side’s Austin neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
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Riot Fest, which will be held Sept. 19-21 at Douglass Park, announced its lineup for the three-day rock festival's 20th anniversary year with headliners Green Day, Blink-182, Weezer and Jack White.
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Back in the Day: April 24, 1942 - Richard M. Daley Is Born |
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On this day 83 years ago, the longest-serving mayor in Chicago history, Richard M. Daley, was born. He was raised in Bridgeport as the eldest son of Richard J. Daley who would serve as Chicago’s mayor for 21 years from 1955 to his death in 1976. The younger Daley’s career in politics started in the Illinois State Senate, as the Cook County state’s attorney, and then in 1989, as mayor of Chicago. He was sworn in on his birthday and served for 22 years (just beating his father’s record) before leaving office in 2011.
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This Week’s Arts and Culture Events |
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Each Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city's must-see cultural events.
Want to ponder the rise of fascism in Germany? How about visit the year’s biggest art fair, view short films, or learn a new definition of “Black magic?” April ends with a shower of cultural possibilities, so run around out there and get wet.
“Berlin” – Court Theatre
This world premiere is one of the most-anticipated shows of the season. Based on a series of graphic novels, “Berlin” stages a kaleidoscope of human drama set during the last days of the Weimar Republic. Charles Newell returns to Court Theatre to direct an adaptation by the marvelous Mickle Maher. Another must-see from Hyde Park’s Tony Award-winning theater. In previews, through May 11.
“Diary of a Black Illusionist” – Chicago Magic Lounge
Chicago is loaded with magic acts, yet it’s still rare to see an African American magician on the stage. Walter King Jr. – also known as Spellbinder – hails from the West Side and is starting a residency titled “Diary of a Black Illusionist.” Wednesdays.
CineYouth Film Festival – Facets
This year, Facets celebrates 50 years of cinema in Chicago, and the CineYouth Film Fest marks 20 years of showcasing the next generation of filmmakers. 79 short films made by young people dig into documentary, animation and stories of Chicago. There’s also workshops and Q&A’s with the youthful creatives, who are all 22 years of age or younger. And it’s free. April 25 - 27.
EXPO Chicago – Navy Pier
Every April, this contemporary art fair blooms at Navy Pier. If you’ve got dough, you can even buy the art. 170 galleries from 30 countries convene in Festival Hall for the one weekend a year where you can see what’s happening around the world, art-wise, in one eye-opening setting. There’s always plenty to love and a few things to hate, and the people-watching is off the charts. April 24 – 27. |
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The trees are blooming, and the city is getting green again. What's your favorite thing about spring in Chicago? |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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