🌱 Chicago Blackhawks Owner Passes + Teen Arrested For Robbery Spree

Hey, friends! It's Thursday in Chicago and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

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Now, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and humid. High: 87 Low: 74.

Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Rocky Wirtz, the principal owner of the Chicago Blackhawks and a driving force behind the team's three-time Stanley Cup victories, passed away at the age of 70 after a brief illness. He took over ownership from his father in 2007 and leaves behind a legacy of success on the ice, though his tenure was marred by a cover-up of alleged sexual assault involving a team video coach. Despite the controversy, Wirtz was praised by sports executives and fans alike for his contributions to building a championship franchise, and he will be remembered as a passionate businessman and a devoted family man. (Chicago Patch)
2. A 14-year-old boy is facing charges for a series of armed robberies in Chicago, with a total of seven hold-ups occurring within an hour early on Tuesday. The juvenile was arrested on the 2400 block of West Belmont Avenue shortly after the incidents, and he now faces 12 counts of armed robbery, along with misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass to a vehicle and battery. The spree involved victims ranging from a 29-year-old man to a 45-year-old man and took place between 1:50 a.m. and 2:35 a.m. The young suspect is currently in police custody, and further details have not been released. (Patch)
3. Downtown Chicago will witness a substantial police and fire presence during a public safety exercise and simulation as part of the 2023 National Homeland Security Conference being held in the city. The event includes "first responder" demonstrations like a "live water rescue incident" and an "active threat response incident" on the Chicago River. The public is advised to expect simulated gunfire and explosions in the vicinity of Michigan Ave. to DuSable Lake Shore Dr., and East Wacker to North Water St., including the Riverwalk, and a portion of East Wacker Drive will remain closed until 4:00 p.m. (NBC Chicago)

Today in Chicago:

Thursday, July 27

• Help This Garden Grow Release Party At Harold Washington Library Center, Chicago Public Library (6:00 PM)
• Bill MacKay & Ryley Walker At Judson & Moore Distillery (7:00 PM)
• Girl Named Tom At Rialto Square Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking to fill your social calendar next month? Check out the list of concerts happening in Chicago at the link! (WGN TV Chicago)
• This Saturday, PAWS Chicago's Adoption Center is hosting a special one-night-only Pup Pop Up event, featuring foster pups like Osmond, Carter, Georgia, and Cheesecake, providing a unique opportunity for potential adopters to meet them. Join the event on Jul. 29, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. (PAWS Chicago via Instagram)
• Mass timber gains popularity as American cities embrace its environmental benefits. Join the event at Chicago Architecture Center on Aug. 9 at 6:00 p.m. to explore innovative timber projects like 2100 North Southport. (Chicago Architecture Center via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• 2023 Joint Chamber Networking Event (July 27)
• NEWCITY Hosts Wedding Banned for “Sounds of Summer” Concert Series Benefitting ALS Therapy Developme (July 27)
• 2023 Armitage - Halsted Sidewalk Sale (July 29)
• 2023 Armitage - Halsted Sidewalk Sale (July 30)
• Menu Engineering and Storytelling (July 31)
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Other featured classifieds:

• The intermix of Anxiety & Depressive Disorders (Details)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow for another update!

— Kaytlyn Smith

About me: Kaytlyn Smith is a managing editor at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.