ABC's indefinite suspension of late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel after comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk has ignited a local firestorm over freedom of political speech under the Trump administration.

Why it matters: Chicago has deep roots in politically charged comedy, ranging from legendary Second City revues to boundary-pushing stand-up clubs.

• "As far back as ancient Greece, theater has always been a place to go to where you can be assured that the voice against the government was free," Annoyance Theatre co-founder Mick Napier tells Axios. "This makes me sick."

The intrigue: Second City has a long history of scorched-earth political comedy, including jabs at powerful mayors and disgraced governors, while also satirizing presidents like Trump.

Yes, but: When Axios reached out to Second City — which promotes its ties with Colbert, Jordan Klepper and loads of "Saturday Night Live" alumni — to comment on the Kimmel suspension and political free speech, theater officials said, "We have no comment at this time."

Yes, but, but: Hours later, the company acquiesced and said in a statement: "For 65 years, satire has been our bedrock. We punch up, never down. People can boo or walk out — but we always come back the next night. That's how free speech in comedy should work."

• "I would hope that the soul of Second City doesn't waver," Napier said. "It would be very, very sad if the platform were affected, and that would make me, personally, very sad."

The latest: Yesterday, Pritzker's campaign released a statement urging viewers to boycott not only ABC but Nexstar-owned stations like WGN-TV and WGN Radio.

• Nexstar's refusal to air Kimmel's late-night comedy show on its independent network of television stations is one of the reasons ABC took the star off the air.

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Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss vetoed a controversial grocery tax that the city council passed to plug a big budget deficit.

What they're saying: "With food prices already at historic highs, adding tax on groceries would not only deepen the economic pain for local families, it would be fundamentally unfair," Biss said in a statement.

State of play: The council may have enough votes to override the veto, but Biss isn't wrong. Grocery prices are getting more expensive.

Zoom out: President Trump spent his 2024 campaign promising Americans he'd lower grocery prices.

• Virtually all major grocery categories are now more expensive than they were a year ago, some substantially so.

For the record: A White House official notes that the annualized pace of grocery inflation (or, taking the rate and calculating it out over a year) since Trump took office is 1.8%, a figure that is less than it was in the late Biden era.

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Most Chicago diners know Evanston's Soul & Smoke for great brisket. But the celebrated barbecue restaurant also serves up great acts of generosity.

The good: Soul & Smoke owners D'Andre Carter and Heather Bublick started serving free community meals during the pandemic to address neighborhood hunger.

• In 2022, they shifted their food distribution to a "community fridge" placed in front of the restaurant at 1601 Payne St., where people can grab what they need any time.

The latest: This summer, their small fridge couldn't handle the heat and needs of Evanston's community fridge program, so Bublick searched for something bigger and more powerful.

• Enter Chicago-based food-service supply company Boelter, which donated a commercial fridge.
• Through chef Sarah Stegner, the nonprofit Chicago Chefs Cook has pledged to keep the fridge stocked through September and October with food from local restaurants on top of community donations.

You can help by: Bringing food donations to the fridge or donating dough at the Evanston Community Fridges site.

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🚨 Despite the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's unwillingness to provide full accounting of arrests, court documents show that at least 30 people in the Chicago area have been detained during "Operation Midway Blitz." (Sun-Times)

🏛️ Pilsen restaurateur, Samantha Sanchez, is facing backlash over the political views of her father, restaurateur Sam Sanchez. She says her father's support of President Trump doesn't reflect the values of her restaurants in Pilsen and Logan Square. (Block Club)

🏈 Defensive starters Kyler Gordon, T.J. Edwards, Grady Jarrett and Jaylon Johnson did not practice and are questionable for Sunday's game versus the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. (Bears Wire)

🗓️ Mark your calendar with our Event Board.

Wrigleyville Country Fest at Tin Roof & Country Club tomorrow: Wrigleyville turns country for a day with live music, BBQ, beers, and all your favorite country hits. Throw on your boots and sing along—this all-American fest is one you won't want to miss. $15.97.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

Award-winning Chicago political reporter Craig Dellimore retired from WBBM news radio this summer after more than four decades in the business.

• This gives him more time for family, hobbies and enjoyment of his adopted town of Naperville.

Now that he's not chained to his City Hall desk, we asked him to describe an ideal day in his award-winning suburb.

🍳 Breakfast: "Naperville is now touting its Block 59 development along Route 59 and First Watch is among the restaurants already open. We enjoyed, among other things, the farmhouse hash and the chile chorizo omelet."

🍕 Lunch: "Head downtown to Gia Mia. It has a nice lunch special with a variety of pizzas and salads, including a pear and caramelized onion pizza."

🤓 Afternoon activity: "Yes, there's an admission charge, but Naper Settlement is a fun outdoor museum with authentic depictions of early life in the western suburb with exhibits, activities and people in period costumes. Sometimes there are concerts."

More of Craig's perfect day

👋 Hi, it's Justin!

As I wrote earlier in the newsletter, Chicago has a long history of politically charged comedy.

• So it seems like a perfect topic for this week's quiz!

Last week, we had several winners for our Anthony Rizzo quiz. Congrats to Raymond S., Trevor D., Anne T., Sharon K., Matt A. and Conor O.

• As always, screenshot your perfect score and I'll give you a shout-out next week!

Take the political comedy quiz!