This past week in Chicago was marked by heightened tensions following immigration protests that echoed throughout the community.
On Wednesday, advocates were alerted to the detention of individuals at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office on the Near South Side.
In response, a group of organizers and local aldermen gathered to protest, resulting in confrontations with federal agents.
City Council members have since announced plans to hold a hearing to investigate the Chicago Police Department’s handling of the situation during the demonstration.
As part of the broader immigration discourse, local advocates are also preparing to challenge President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban that restricts travelers from 19 countries.
In national politics, President Trump was busy this week engaging with global leaders.
After a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, he asserted that trade talks between the two nations would continue.
However, a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin took a more serious turn as Putin indicated he would respond to recent drone attacks on a Russian airfield attributed to Ukraine.
During a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump suggested that efforts toward peace in Eastern Europe were not the best immediate course of action.
Amid these international engagements, the relationship between President Trump and his former advisor Elon Musk deteriorated, leading to a sharp exchange on social media.
In his frustration, Trump threatened to cut federal contracts linked to Musk’s companies, Starlink and SpaceX.
Back on the domestic front, the Trump administration has initiated an investigation into former President Joe Biden’s use of an autopen for signing pardons and other documents.
In Chicago, the local political scene continues to evolve as Mayor Brandon Johnson urged aldermen to implement a city grocery tax before the current state levy expires.
In a separate legal matter, a jury found Crosetti Brand guilty of first-degree murder for the brutal slaying of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, who was killed while trying to protect his pregnant mother.
Tragically, Chicago police confirmed that Officer Krystal Rivera, a mother and experienced officer, was accidentally shot and killed by a fellow officer during an armed confrontation in the Chatham neighborhood.
Meanwhile, in Springfield, Illinois, lawmakers have finalized the state budget, amounting to $55 billion.
The budget was balanced through a mix of spending cuts and an estimated $800 million in tax increases, which include hikes on tobacco products, vaping, and online sportsbooks.
The passage of this budget concludes a legislative session marked by mixed outcomes for Governor JB Pritzker.
In sports news, Jerry Reinsdorf confirmed he is not selling the Chicago White Sox just yet.
On Thursday, it was announced that Reinsdorf had reached a long-term investment agreement with billionaire Justin Ishbia, who is set to obtain a controlling interest in the team by 2029 at the earliest.
In other developments, the Chicago Fire announced plans for a privately financed $650 million soccer stadium at The 78, while the Chicago Sports Network finally launched its broadcasting service on Comcast.
In the upcoming weekend, the Chicago Sky will face off against the Indiana Fever in the United Center, marking a historic moment as the first professional women’s basketball game at the venue.
However, fans hoping to see another anticipated match between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark will have to wait as Reese is sidelined due to a quadriceps strain.
Although the weather appears promising, residents are advised to stay indoors this weekend due to smoke from Canadian wildfires causing poor air quality in Chicago, making it rank among the worst in the nation.
For further engagement, readers can check out the Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz from June 1 to 7 and explore past editions for previous highlights.
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