Perjury trial opening arguments set for former top Madigan aide

Good morning, Chicago.

Opening arguments in the perjury trial of Democratic insider Tim Mapes are finally set to begin today, when prosecutors are expected to outline allegations that he lied to a federal grand jury to protect his powerful former boss, ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Jurors were chosen Tuesday afternoon after a longer-than-expected selection process. U.S. District Judge John Kness originally had expressed hopes that attorneys could present their opening remarks as early as Monday.

In all, 56 prospective jurors were interviewed before the final 12 were chosen along with three alternates. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks.

The jury includes an ultrasound technician, a meteorologist for a local TV station, and a man who volunteered to pass out campaign signs for Chicago mayoral candidate Paul Vallas.

Read the full story by the Tribune’s Megan Crepeau and Ray Long.

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The Obama Foundation raised $311 million in contributions and grants in 2022, according to the foundation’s annual IRS filing. That’s the largest sum the foundation has raked in since it got started in 2017. Net assets at the end of the year stood at $925 million.

Tensions rose in contract talks between the United Auto Workers union and Stellantis on Tuesday with the union president accusing the company of seeking concessions in contract talks when the union wants gains, as a September strike threat looms.

A union spokesman said singling out Stellantis doesn’t mean the UAW has picked a company as a strike target, and it could choose Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

Stellantis idled its Jeep plant in Belvidere earlier this year. Ford operates an assembly plant on Chicago’s Southeast Side.

The personal data of about 2,000 patients was leaked earlier this year following a security breach in the Lurie Children’s Surgical Foundation’s billing software.

Patients affected by the breach saw their Social Security numbers leaked to a still-unknown party, along with their names, dates of birth and addresses.

Chicago-based Molson Coors announced its first spirits acquisition, of Kentucky-based bourbon and rye whiskey-maker Blue Run Spirits, as it continues efforts to expand its product offerings beyond beer.

Just before she was shot and killed by a man who was a stranger to her, 9-year-old Serabi Medina walked to a nearby ice cream truck to buy something with money given to her by a friend of her father.

She came back with two ice creams, one for her and one for her dad.

Shortly after, her father heard a shot fired and ordered the girl back to their apartment. As Serabi rode a scooter back toward the vestibule of her building, prosecutors alleged, Michael Goodman emerged from the building across the street, followed the girl toward her home and shot her in the head.

Two years after videos showing a Chicago police officer grabbing and restraining a woman walking her dog at North Avenue Beach went viral, prosecutors dropped charges against the former officer who resigned following the furor over the on-duty incident.

As Waukegan officials grapple with challenges of holding back-to-back Fiestas Patrias parades and simultaneous festivals Sept. 17, the bickering organizers of the two celebrations continue to insist they should be the sole planner.

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Fiestas Patrias celebrates the independence of Mexico and other Latin American countries. Mexico declared its independence from Spain on Sept. 16, 1810.

The Chicago Bears held a low-intensity, non-padded practice Tuesday at Halas Hall, working back into the groove of training camp as they turn their attention to Saturday’s preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field.

Here’s the rundown of all that happened on the field as well as what was said during interviews at Halas Hall.

When you travel to Wisconsin and hit the back roads in search of Dairyland, what do you find?

Curving and sometimes hilly roads through green pastures help you understand the true meaning of bucolic. Mooing cows stand ready for their close-ups. Roadside cheese shops hawk curds so fresh they squeak. There are farms that offer tours and pizza nights, and a museum where you might get to see a calf being born. And there are places to eat that turn all the local bounty into remarkable meals.