🌱 Firefighters Injured In Crash + Air Quality Improvement Expected

It's Friday, Chicago! Before a busy holiday weekend begins, let's catch up on the latest headlines, including:

• Illinois officials react to Thursday's Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
• The DuSable Black History Museum honors a longtime local activist.
• The Yankees broke a significant tie with the White Sox this week in MLB history.

But first, today's weather: Humid with a stray t-storm. High: 86 Low: 72.

Here are the top 4 stories today in Chicago:

1. Air quality alerts continued Thursday in Chicagoland and across the Midwest due to lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires. “Unhealthy” air is expected to “gradually improve” this weekend in the city. (NBC)

2. Three Chicago firefighters and two other people were injured Thursday when an ambulance crashed into a West Side building, ABC reports. The incident was reported in the 2300 block of West Harrison Street. (ABC)

3. Chicago officials “condemned” the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action programs, deeming them “unconstitutional" in a ruling this week. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the decision “only sets us back.” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth tweeted, “Diversity always makes us stronger. Period.” (Paid source: Tribune)

4. Conor Bedard was officially drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday. "It's incredible. I can't put into words," the “generational talent” told reporters after the pick. "Growing up, they were going on their runs, winning Cups. You see the United Center going crazy and all of Chicago getting behind them. I'm so happy to be part of the Blackhawks organization." (ESPN)

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Today in Chicago:

• Fourth of July weekend festivals kick off in Bartlett, Evergreen Park and Mt. Prospect. (Times vary)
• Hear live music at the South Shore Cultural Center. (6:30 p.m.)
• See a midnight screening of “The Mummy” at Music Box Theatre. (11:59 p.m.)

In partnership with T-Mobile:

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From my notebook:

• Chicago Public Schools announced plans to remove lead paint from 80 buildings this summer. (WBEZ)
• Mamie Till Mobley was honored Thursday at the DuSable Black History Museum. The teacher and activist is also the mother of Emmett Till. (CBS)
• The Yankees surpassed the White Sox for most perfect games in Major League Baseball history Wednesday, when New York pitcher Domingo Germán recorded 27 straight outs in Oakland. (FOX)

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You're all caught up for June 30! See you tomorrow for a weekend edition.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her writing has been recognized with awards from the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.