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Rash of Mass Shootings Stirs US Fears Heading Into Summer

Two people were killed and at least 30 others wounded in mass shootings overnight in three states, authorities said Saturday, stoking concerns that a spike in U.S. gun violence could continue into summer as coronavirus restrictions ease and more people are free to socialize.

Biden Urges G-7 Leaders to Call Out and Compete With China

Leaders of the world’s largest economies unveiled an infrastructure plan Saturday for the developing world to compete with China’s global initiatives, but they were searching for a consensus on how to forcefully to call out Beijing over human rights abuses.

Teachers Wary of New Laws Limiting Instruction on Race

In response to a push for culturally responsive teaching, Republican lawmakers and governors have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law.

US Closes Trump-Era Office for Victims of Immigrant Crime

The Biden administration said Friday it has dismantled a Trump-era government office to help victims of crimes committed by immigrants, a move that symbolizes President Joe Biden’s rejection of former President Donald Trump’s repeated efforts to link immigrants to crime.

AMA Doctors Meet Amid Vocal Backlash Over Racial Equity Plan

The nation’s largest, most influential doctors’ group is holding its annual policymaking meeting amid backlash over its most ambitious plan ever — to help dismantle centuries-old racism and bias in all realms of the medical establishment.

The Week in Review: Chicago, Illinois Fully Reopen

The city and state are fully reopened after a long 15 months. The remap fights heat up. A former alderman may have secretly recorded former House Speaker Michael Madigan. And an elected school board is on the agenda in Springfield.

Chicago Jumps to Fifth in Annual Ranking of US Park Systems, With Equity Added to Metrics

Chicago gets high marks for access, with 98% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park versus the national average of 55%.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Puts Elegant Spin on Season’s Third Live Concert

“Overture,” the final entry in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s springtime series of three different programs was performed live in Orchestra Hall on Thursday.  Remaining performances are Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. 

Lightfoot Asks State Lawmakers for ‘More Time’ as Pivotal Elected School Board Vote Looms

As state lawmakers prepare to return to Springfield for a pivotal vote on whether Chicago Public Schools should be run by an elected school board, Mayor Lori Lightfoot asked members of the Illinois House to delay a vote approved by the Illinois Senate.

Man Charged With Tossing Explosive Device at Naperville Restaurant Pleads Guilty

Diego Vargas, 26, entered a guilty plea on Thursday on a single count of maliciously attempting to damage and destroy a building by means of an explosive device, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

Mount Recyclemore Sends a Message to G-7 Leaders About the Towering Problem of Electronic Waste

The towering sculpture, constructed near the site of this weekend’s G-7 summit, sounds the alarm about the growing problem of electronic waste.

Lightfoot Won’t Commit to Up-Or-Down Vote to Rename Lake Shore Drive for DuSable

While celebrating the full reopening of Chicago on Friday morning as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she does not support the push to rename Lake Shore Drive, again calling it an “iconic” name with national recognition.

Chicago Police Officer Charged in Connection to Jan. 6 US Capitol Breach

Karol Chwiesiuk is facing five misdemeanor charges, including disorderly conduct, disrupting government business and entering a restricted building, according to a federal complaint filed Friday.

Legislators, Students Push for K-12 Asian American Studies

Illinois would become the first state to require public schools to teach Asian American studies if the governor signs a bill that cleared the state Legislature. Lawmakers have proposed similar mandates this year in Connecticut, New York and Wisconsin.

In US, Pride Month Festivities Muted by Political Setbacks

For many, the top political priority is passage of the Equality Act, which would extend federal civil rights protections to LGBTQ people.