🌱 Jury Deliberates In ComEd Trial + West Town Burglaries Continue

Hello, Chicago! Welcome to Patch's daily briefing of the latest local headlines. In today's issue, find out why:

• Mayor Lori Lightfoot is exchanging a "war of words" with the Texas governor.
• When a centuries-old tree pre-dating Chicago's founding will be removed from Lincoln Park Zoo.
• USA Today experts said Chicago is the best in the U.S. for one summer tradition.

But first, today's weather: Breezy in the morning. High: 50 Low: 37.

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Here are the top 5 stories in Chicago today:

1. Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a letter Sunday urging Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop sending migrants from the border to Chicago. "We simply have no more shelters, spaces or resources to accommodate an increase in individuals at this level," Lightfoot wrote to Abbott, who has sent more than 8,000 migrants to the city since last August. "I know by your actions that you either do not see or do not care about the trauma these migrants have already faced under the humanitarian crisis you created." (NBC)

2. Business owners in Wicker Park and West Town tell Block Club they’re “on edge” after 10 break-ins were reported between March 17 and April 29. Four burglaries occurred on April 25 alone, leading to a police alert. (Block Club)

3. Jurors in the “ComEd Four” trial continued deliberations Monday. The federal trial is entering its eighth week and accuses three ComEd executives of a years-long bribery conspiracy involving Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. (WGN)

4. A centuries-old oak tree at Lincoln Park Zoo will be cut down today after being deemed a safety risk. The 70-foot-tall tree dates back to at least the late 1700s and predates the City of Chicago’s founding. The removal was initially scheduled for yesterday but was postponed due to weather. (ABC7)

5. The Chicago Critics Film Festival returns to the Music Box Theatre this Friday and runs through May 11. The 10th annual event will feature more than 20 screenings, selected by the city’s association of critics. (Music Box Theatre)

Today in Chicago:

• Celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” with a screening at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Wrigleyville. Additional showtimes are set for tomorrow. (3:35 p.m.)
• The White Sox take on the Minnesota Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field. The team snapped a 10-game losing streak Sunday night with a 12-9 walk off win over the Tampa Bay Rays. (6:10 p.m.)
• The Chicago Palestine Film Festival hosts a screening at the University of Chicago. (6:30 p.m.)
• House of Blues hosts a stand-up comedy showcase. (7:30 p.m.)
• It’s Musical Improv Tuesday at Annoyance Theatre. (8 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson will be sworn in as the city’s 57th mayor on May 15. (WBEZ)
• Chris Collins will return to coach the Northwestern University Wildcats for at least three more years after signing a contract extension Monday. (Sports Illustrated)
• Weather conditions are expected to improve tomorrow after several days of below-average temperatures. (NBC)
• Depictions of African history are displayed at Chicago bus shelters through May 21 thanks to artist Aïda Muluneh. (WBEZ)
• USA Today named Chicago’s July 4 fireworks display the best in the country. (CBS)

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That's all for today, Chicago! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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.