1 big thing: Bailey vs. Pritzker

Photo of a man behind a podium speaking at a rally. 

2. Alexi looks to return to Springfield

3. Tips and hot links 

4. Trump-backed Miller wins GOP primary

Do you see yourself with a new career? 

5. Casten dispatches Newman 

Happy Wednesday. It's National Parchment Day. So celebrate by putting some pizza rolls in the oven.

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 84.

🗳 Situational awareness: This newsletter is all about yesterday's primary election.

💭 Our thought bubble: The 2022 primary election quickly became the Trump sideshow, but these statewide matchups are going to be intriguing. Old names, fresh faces and a ton of money. Welcome to Illinois politics.

Today's newsletter is 887 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Editor's note: Today's second story was corrected to state the last time a Republican won an election for Secretary of State was 1994, not 1998.

🎙 Monica is looking forward to interviewing Gov. Pritzker today.

🪧 Justin wants to be there when Streets and San removes all the campaign signs. We should go out and cheer them on. 

Want free Axios swag? Refer your friends to Axios Chicago and get cool merch like stickers, totes, hats, T-shirts and more!

Chicago

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng and Justin Kaufmann.

Axios Chicago

1 big thing: Highland Park shaken

2. What we know about Crimo

3. What they're saying 

Photo of an American flag towel laying on the ground. 

4. Tips and hot links 

Illustration of a restaurant-style neon sign featuring the Axios logo, and reading "Tips & Hot Links."

Fresh openings from the job board 

It's Tuesday, the first day of the Chicago Park District's limited outdoor swimming pool season. 

Only 22 outdoor and 15 indoor pools are open this year due to staffing shortages. Find them here. 

⛈ Today's weather: Hot and muggy, with a chance of thunderstorms and a high of 92.

Situational awareness: Due to the complex and late-breaking nature of yesterday's mass shooting in Highland Park, we are taking the rare step of focusing most of the newsletter on it. Warning: sensitive content below.

Today's newsletter is 845 words — a 3-minute read.

Monica is transfixed by the fascinating story the Tribune's Tracy Swartz has reported on her great-grandfather's 1935 death and possible murder in Humboldt Park.

Justin's friend, writer Jay Ferrari, was at the parade yesterday with his family. He sums up his profound thoughts here. 

1 big thing: Griffin flees to Miami

2. Podcast Spotlight: "Caropop"

3. Chart of the Day: EV popularity


4. Tips and hot links

Illustration of a humongous Willis Tower looming over the earth and sending out small lightning bolts from its antennas.

Fresh job openings around town

5. Your favorite salads 

6. Where in the world is ... Justin?

Happy Tuesday. The primary election is finally here! If you haven't already, get out and vote.

☀️ Today's weather: Warmer and sunny with a high of 85.

Today's newsletter is 938 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🚲 Monica won't comment on Ken Griffin's politics or business, but she sure loves those separated bike/pedestrian lanes he bought for the lakefront.

🗳 Justin is out on vacation but still covering the election.

1 big thing: The state of robocalls

Illustration of an incoming call spam notification on a phone behind prison bars 

2. New play takes you back to school

3. Tips and hot links

4. How to rent a private pool 

New jobs to check out

5. Teens who mean business

Happy Friday. It's National Postal Worker Day, so mail your favorite postal worker a nice card.

🌩 Today's weather: Chance of thunderstorms with high of 81.

👋 Situational awareness: We're off Monday to celebrate Independence Day and will be back Tuesday morning. Have a great holiday weekend!

Today's newsletter is 851 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🇺🇸 Monica wishes you a lovely and safe Fourth of July.

1 big thing: Pritzker sees (some) red

2. Homebuilding falling behind

Illustration of a construction crane hook with a downward arrow instead of a hook.

Illustration of the Chicago municipal device made out of Chicago-style hot dogs.

4. Food Fight: Side dishes

Now hiring: New job openings

5. Where's Justin? Counsellors Row

Happy Thursday. We've almost made it to the holiday weekend. Woo-hoo!

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny and breezy with a high of 92.

Today's newsletter is 873 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🤕 Monica is limping into the weekend after pulling a quad while running to first base in softball.

🏖 Justin is back to enjoying his vacation.

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Newsletter editions

Highland Park mourns

📞 Evading robocalls

Pritzker pushes back

🗳 Trump takes Illinois

🏢 HQ musical chairs