Accused Highland Park shooter to appear in court – Chicago Tribune

Good morning, Chicago.

The man accused of killing seven people at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade is due back in court today, his first appearance since he was indicted on more than 100 felony counts. Robert Crimo’s case is scheduled for case management conference, which is often a routine hearing intended to ensure that evidence is being shared and attorneys are working through potential pretrial issues.

Tuesday’s appearance will be Crimo’s first in a Lake County courtroom since early August, when he entered a not guilty plea to 117 felony counts for the deaths of seven people and the wounding of dozens more at the July 4 parade. Over the last three months, he has been named in a dozen lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of parade shooting victims.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

COVID-19 tracker | Monkeypox tracker | Afternoon briefing | Compare gas prices | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy | Today’s eNewspaper edition

It all started with one parent’s complaint about a book in the children’s section of the Lincolnwood library this summer. What happened next is a scene being played out at board meetings in schools and libraries across the country as parents, activists, politicians and educators argue over programming and materials dealing with gender and sexuality at public institutions in an escalating battle about who has the right to make the call.

Last week, that debate took an explosive turn at the Lincolnwood Public Library Board meeting when police were called, the meeting was cut short and staff were left thinking about their safety at work. In interviews and in emails obtained through a public records request, the Tribune learned the fiery meeting was weeks in the making.

In one of the Chicago area’s tightest congressional battles, an incumbent Democrat is looking to solidify his spot in Congress against a south suburban GOP challenger in a race that has touched on social wedge issues, from pandemic mask mandates and a state crime bill to abortion rights and a suburban library drag show.

Afternoon Briefing

Daily

Chicago Tribune editors’ top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon.

After beating fellow Democratic incumbent Marie Newman in the primary election, U.S. Rep. Sean Casten seeks his third term in a newly reconfigured 6th Congressional District, a win that could set him up for an extended run in the House. On the ballot opposite him, Republican Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau has tried to make a name for himself as mayor by opposing Pritzker’s pandemic restrictions and vowing to oppose aspects of the so-called SAFE-T Act set to eliminate cash bail statewide and change the ways local police can cite people for certain crimes.

For nearly two years Tom Powell Jr. has talked politics on his popular TikTok channel, debating and mocking one foil after the next. The comment section can get rough, and Powell said it has occasionally devolved into violent threats.

But the vitriol always stayed within the platform. Until last week.

The Chicago Bulls bench earned praise during the first week of the season for defining the style and intensity of the team’s identity this season.

But two weeks into the season, the bench also has helped disguise a key challenge for the Bulls — an inability to start games on a strong note.

Walk up to Zazas Pizzeria in East Lakeview, and there, in neon, glares a warning to all Chicago pizza partisans: “New York Style.” While confrontational to some, this also quickly clues one into what to expect, namely a very thin crust cut into slices that are easy to fold.

But while Zazas does serve New York-style pizza, it looks almost nothing like the standard Manhattan pizza joint that dishes out floppy oversized slices. “I created a no-flop guide for all of our employees to make sure that it doesn’t happen,” co-owner and chef Brett Nemec said. “We are always cautious of anything that’s floppy.”