🌱 Interstate Shooting + Drought Conditions + Casino Approved

It's Friday, Chicago. Let's get to today's top stories, including:

• How to celebrate Juneteenth this weekend.
• A Cubs star returns to the lineup after almost a month on the injured list.
• A new Rainbow Cone location is opening soon.

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and beautiful. High: 69 Low: 56.

Here are the top 3 stories in Chicago today:

1. Two people were shot Thursday afternoon on I-290 near the Kedzie Avenue exit, WGN reports. Both were transported to hospitals but the extent of their injuries was unknown. (WGN)

2. Several parts of Cook County are experiencing “severe drought,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Conditions are the worst they’ve been since 2012, the National Weather Service reports. (NBC)

3. Bally’s was approved for a temporary casino to open this summer in River North, the Tribune reports. A permanent location will be constructed over the next three years at the Freedom Center. (Paid source: Tribune)

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Today in Chicago:

• The Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix returns to Navy Pier. (3 p.m.)
• Refine Collective hosts its annual Juneteenth Freedom Market at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (5 p.m.)
• Hear live music in Millennium Park. (6:30 p.m.)
• The Music Box Theatre kicks off its week-long tribute to Wes Anderson with a screening of “The Royal Tenenbaums.” (7 p.m.)
• See “The Nightmare on Elm Street” at ChiTown Movies. (11 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cody Bellinger is back with the Cubs after going on the injured list May 15. (ESPN)
• An Original Rainbow Cone location will open on Michigan Avenue later this month. (NBC)
• Ravinia concert ticket holders can ride the Metra to the venue for free this summer. (WGN)
• Bulls dance team the Luvabulls will host audition clinics the weekend of July 7, with final auditions set for later this summer. (NBA)

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Featured events:

• 60th Chicago Book and Paper Fair (June 17)
• 2nd Annual Lakeview East Adopt and Shop (June 17)
• A Graduate Degree Designed for You: Learn More at an Info Session (June 21)
• SongShop Live presents “Better Together” Concert Feat. Various Artists (June 21)
• Blues Brunch with singer Stacy Brooks & Mike Wheeler Band at The Lyric Theater (June 24)
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That's all for today! The Patch newsletter will be back Wednesday, June 21.

— 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 feature articles have been recognized with awards from the 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.