Good morning, Chicago.

A Mexican band’s van crashed on Route 31 in McHenry on July 12, hospitalizing nine people as band members helped each other until emergency crews arrived.

Two members—driver Jesus Ortega, who underwent surgery at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, and Carlos Cruz, who suffered a fractured femur—remain in hospital while the group is raising $10,000 to cover medical expenses and replace damaged equipment.

Digable Planets, a Brooklyn hip-hop group that released two key albums, played at Millennium Park on Thursday at Pritzker Pavilion.

The band played songs like 'Pacifics' with local shout-outs and ended the show a few minutes after 9:00 p.m.—officials said they went over time—leaving fans disappointed.

Rep. Lauren Underwood sent a letter Thursday asking ICE officials for answers after witnesses reported that on July 9 an unmarked truck rammed a car near a youth center in Joliet and four uniformed men pointed automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants.

She expects a full briefing by Sunday—she said the incident was a reckless violation that endangered community safety.

Justin and Anna Ward said that lawmakers did not pass rules to regulate intoxicating hemp this spring, leaving their family farm in a gray zone — the lack of clear guidelines now lets hemp-derived products be sold without testing or age limits.

Lawmakers and industry leaders continue to work on new rules that would put safety checks in place as debates over hemp and cannabis rules go on.

A Lisle-based nonprofit called MARK-9 has helped retired police dogs like Hogyn get up to $500 a year for needed health care—covering issues like arthritis after their departments stopped paying.

The group has supported over 400 retired K-9s since 2014 and provides funds for checkups and medications.

Three tenants in Pilsen withheld up to 20% of their rent in 2023 after reporting water leaks and rat infestations in their building—leading to a two-year legal fight against Pilsen Rentals that ended in a confidential settlement forcing them to move out in April 2024.

Their case highlighted the limits of tenant protections in Chicago.

Chicago Grit bicycle racing series began Friday in West Dundee — a course was designed by an Olympic cyclist — and will resume today at 10 a.m. in Lake Ellyn as more races in the suburbs continue until July 27 in Chicago.