Good morning, Chicago.
A few beads of sunlight slipped past the rugged surface of the moon, and then southern Illinois plunged into darkness.
A collective, excited gasp rippled through the crowd as people stood agape with their heads tilted back.
A ring of bright light from the giant fireball delineated the moon’s shadow, and the horizon took on a yellow glow.
In just over four minutes, the main show was over, and onlookers at Crab Orchard Lake offered a standing ovation with hoots and hollers.
More than 100 miles north, thousands were welcomed at the Adler Planetarium to see the solar eclipse. Others across Chicagoland stepped outside their homes and offices to witness the astronomical event. Read coverage and see photos captured across Illinois.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Evidence markers near a Chicago police SUV as officers investigate at the scene of a shooting where an officer and at least one person were shot near the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street on Thursday, March 21, 2024. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
COPA expected to release footage of fatal March police shooting on West Side
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was expected to release video footage this week that captures a fatal shooting involving Chicago police officers in West Garfield Park last month, according to a family lawyer for the man who was killed.
Dexter Reed, 26, was fatally shot by police during a March 21 traffic stop in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street. Sources familiar with the shooting but not authorized to speak about it publicly told the Tribune that CPD officers fired more than 30 bullets at Reed.
Chicago police, U.S. Secret Service, FBI and other agencies canvass the area near McCormick Place, April 8, 2024, to provide information to businesses and residents about heightened security during this summer’s Democratic National Convention. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)
Secret Service, CPD start bracing residents, businesses for impact of this summer’s Democratic National Convention
Officials with the U.S. Secret Service, Chicago Police Department and other agencies on Monday began the process of preparing businesses and residents around McCormick Place and the United Center for the impact of heightened security during this summer’s Democratic National Convention.
While it will be months before details such as parking restrictions, street closures and other security measures affecting day-to-day life for city residents are released, agencies charged with protecting delegates and the general public during the Aug. 19-22 convention have started to meet those living and working around McCormick Place south of the Loop.
President Joe Biden, wearing cap, arrives at Soldier Field in Chicago on Monday, April 8, 2024, in advance of a fundraising event. He is greeted by U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, from left, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
In Chicago, President Joe Biden raises millions, assails Donald Trump over abortion rights
President Joe Biden came to Chicago Monday afternoon for a big money Gold Coast fundraiser where he assailed former President Donald Trump for curbing abortion rights and said the “chaos” it has caused symbolized his presidency.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks on student loan debt at Madison College, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
What to know about Biden’s latest attempt at student loan cancellation
In a visit to Wisconsin on Monday, President Joe Biden detailed a proposal that would cancel at least some debt for more than 30 million Americans. It’s been in the works for months after the Supreme Court rejected Biden’s first try at mass cancellation.
Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot attends a Village Board meting on Monday, April 8, 2024, in Dolton. Some Dolton trustees hires Lightfoot as an outside attorney as they push for investigations into the spending of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, who they allege has mismanaged village finances. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Dolton trustees hire former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as special investigator
Dolton trustees have hired former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot as a special investigator, to be paid $400 an hour and tasked with probing spending habits of Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard.
Trader Joe’s workers and supporters cheer as they announce they’re filing for a union election, April 7, 2024, in North Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Workers at North Center Trader Joe’s are first in Chicago to file for union election
The filing comes amid continued appetite for organizing amongst service industry workers. In Chicago, workers at Starbucks and REI have held successful union votes over the last two years, as have staff at coffee chains Intelligentsia and La Colombe.
People wait for trains on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the Roosevelt CTA “L” station in Chicago. Chicago’s home county has lost more than 188,000 residents since the start of the pandemic in 2020, according to the census population estimates. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
CTA said more train service would be coming. Most riders will have to wait a little longer.
In February, after years of complaints about CTA service, agency President Dorval Carter told aldermen rail service would be restored to prepandemic levels by the end of 2024. The following month the CTA doubled down, saying the agency planned to add rail service throughout the spring and summer.
But under the most recent set of train schedules that took effect Sunday, service additions were few, and CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said much scheduled service was set to remain similar to previous levels.
UConn guard Hassan Diarra (10) shoots past Purdue guard Myles Colvin during the second half of the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game, Monday, April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
UConn concludes a dominant run to its 2nd straight NCAA title, beating Zach Edey and Purdue 75-60
UConn delivered the latest of its suffocating hoops performances Monday night, smothering Purdue for a 75-60 victory to become the first team since 2007 to capture back-to-back national championships.
Iowa guard Caitlin Clark drives around South Carolina guard Raven Johnson during the second half of the NCAA championship game Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
NCAA women’s final seen by an average of 18.7 million people — the most-watched basketball game in 5 years
South Carolina’s victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa in Sunday’s NCAA championship game had a preliminary audience average of 18.7 million on ABC and ESPN. The only sporting events in the United States to draw a bigger TV audience since 2019 have been football, the World Cup and the Olympics.
The setting sun lights up the marquee outside Wrigley Field on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016. (Anthony Souffle/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Red Stars to play at Wrigley Field in the first NWSL match at the Friendly Confines
The Red Stars’ match will be the first National Women’s Soccer League game to be played at the ballpark. It’s part of an effort to make women’s professional soccer more accessible to fans in Chicago.
Geoffrey Baer, the historian of WTTW, Channel 11, has a show “Chicago Mysteries” premiering on April 16, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
WTTW’s Geoffrey Baer explores the mysteries around us
Geoffrey Baer is ever the enthusiastic, curious host, writes Rick Kogan. He says that he “hopes people will come away from this show thinking, ‘I never knew that,’ and maybe even feel inspired to explore more corners of our city and suburbs on their own.”
Lorenzo Rush Jr., Rob Lindley, Erik Hellman, Nate Burger and cast in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” at Court Theatre, directed by Charles Newell. (Michael Brosilow)
Column: Exit Charles Newell from Court Theatre, in the guise of a Rosencrantz or a Guildenstern
Tom Stoppard’s tragicomedy is the uber-play when it comes to the dramatization of people who don’t seem to matter at all. It’s a brilliant final choice for this artistic director, writes Tribune theater critic Chris Jones, who gives the play four stars.
A taco is dipped in consommé at Quesabirria Jalisco on West 18th Street in Chicago on March 20, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
Three surprising rules for sold-out tacos at Quesabirria Jalisco in Pilsen
Quesabirria Jalisco served Tribune food reporter Ahmed Ali Akbar the birria tacos he had dreamed of when he first encountered them as a viral trend on TikTok: spicy, but balanced. A rich umami flavor with a cheesy crunch. Very, very filling. He favors the beef with all the fixings: onions, cilantro, lime, a light dash of green guacamole habanero salsa or orange “bussin sauce,” and finally, dipped in the consommé.
