Good afternoon, Chicago.
Lawyers for four ex-ComEd executives and lobbyists convicted in a scheme to bribe then-House Speaker Michael Madigan argue in a new court filing that the entire prosecution was built on a “rotten foundation” and the charges should be dismissed in light of a key Supreme Court ruling in June.
The motion filed late Tuesday lays out in the starkest detail yet how defense attorneys for the so-called ComEd Four view the impact of the high court’s ruling in the bribery case of a former Indiana Mayor James Snyder, which said the federal bribery statute known as 666 does not criminalize “gratuities,” which are favors or gifts given to a public official without any agreement ahead of time to take some kind of official action.
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Why sweaty corn is making it even more humid in the Midwest
This hallmark of Midwestern summer might be growing stickier thanks to climate change and the steady march of industrial agriculture. Read more here.
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TikTok viral trend ‘underconsumption core’ elevates sustainability. Will it last?
In recent weeks, the concept of “underconsumption core” has gone viral on TikTok — the land of influencers, shopping hauls and short-lived fads. It echoes an earlier trend in which users discouraged others from mindless buying. Read more here.
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With Patrick Scales requiring back surgery, the Chicago Bears need a long snapper — and local product Scott Daly could be top choice
The Bears are set to sign long snapper Scott Daly — a Downers Grove South product — to the practice squad, and he will be elevated to the game-day roster for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field. Read more here.
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Column: The joy and music / one couple has discovered / from writing haikus
The musical duo Jenny and Robin Bienemann will host a concert this weekend at FitzGerald’s devoted to the haiku. Read more here.
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Gunman in Trump assassination attempt saw rally as ‘target of opportunity,’ FBI official says
The new details were disclosed as FBI officials, in the latest in a series of briefings about the investigation, revealed that they had yet to uncover a motive for the July 13 attack in Butler, Pennsylvania, despite conducting nearly 1,000 interviews. Read more here.
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