Herbie Hancock brings jazz back home to Chicago

Good morning, Chicago. ✶

🔎 Below: Herbie Hancock is set to host the International Jazz Day All-Star concert today, here in his hometown, with millions expected to tune in live. We caught up with the legendary piano man and musical innovator.

🗞️ Plus: A major development in the "Broadview Six" case, what to know about SNAP cuts starting Friday and more news you need to know.

📝 Keeping score: The Cubs beat the Padres, 5-4; the White Sox bested the Angels, 3-2; the Stars fell to Gotham FC, 2-0; the Fire lost to St. Louis, 2-1.

📧 Subscribe: Get this newsletter delivered to your inbox weekday mornings.

⏱️: An 8-minute read

TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️

Partly sunny with a chance of showers and a high near 53.

TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎

Sun-Times file photos

Feds drop conspiracy charge against ‘Broadview Six’ ICE protesters

By Jon Seidel

Charge dropped: Federal prosecutors Wednesday unexpectedly dropped the controversial conspiracy charge at the heart of their case against remaining members of the Broadview Six but stopped short of fully clearing the four protesters, who face trial in May.

Key context: The surprise move in one of the most well-known cases to emerge from Operation Midway Blitz transforms a high-stakes felony prosecution into a misdemeanor matter, with each of the four defendants now looking at a maximum penalty of one year in prison if convicted of forcibly impeding a federal agent. The dropped conspiracy charge carries a maximum of six years in prison.

Remaining defendants: Charged are former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw, 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and Andre Martin, a member of Abughazaleh’s campaign staff. 

More on immigration: 

• Thirteen Illinois-based nonprofits say the U.S. Department of Justice is “quietly gutting” legal aid services for low-income immigrants.
   
• As the U.S. Supreme Court mulls ending protections for migrants, Chicago advocates warn families could face a crisis.
   
• The chair of an accountability panel examining the impact of Operation Midway Blitz called on Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to prosecute federal immigration agents for misconduct.
  

READ MORE

WATCH: ‘BROADVIEW SIX’ CASE EXPLAINED ▶️

SCOTUS 🇺🇸

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Top Illinois Democrats lambast Supreme Court ruling on voting rights

By Tina Sfondeles

Voting ruling: Former President Barack Obama and key Illinois Democrats, including Gov. JB Pritzker and Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, are condemning Wednesday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to dilute a Voting Rights Act provision, which is likely to lead to redistricting across the country and could help Republicans continue to control the House.

Key context: The high court struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana, diluting a Civil Rights-era law aimed at increasing minority representation in Congress and elsewhere. In the 6-3 ruling, the court’s majority found the Louisiana district represented by Democrat Cleo Fields relied too heavily on race. Justice Samuel Alito called the map "an unconstitutional gerrymander."

At issue: The ruling is likely to impact elections in 2028, since many filing deadlines for this year’s elections have passed, including in Illinois. But Louisiana may have to change its redistricting plan to comply with the ruling. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, said Wednesday that a proposed state constitutional amendment on redistricting will not advance this legislative session.

READ MORE

SNAP JUDGMENT 🥦

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file

SNAP food assistance cutoffs begin Friday — here’s what you need to know

By Elvia Malagón

Major losses: The state estimates that 120,000 Illinoisans will begin losing federal food assistance beginning Friday as part of an overhaul of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. 

Work requirements: New and expanded work requirements for SNAP participants, as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax bill that passed last summer, call for "able-bodied" people to work or volunteer 80 hours a month — about four hours a day — to stay in the program. If a person is subject to those rules and doesn’t meet them, they lose benefits after three months.

Stay informed: We've got information on how to apply for an exemption, to find a food pantry or to volunteer; what to do if your benefits stop; and more. Click here.

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MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

• Not-guilty plea in student’s death: Family and friends of Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman watched Wednesday as Jose Medina, accused of killing Gorman, pleaded not guilty just over a month after the slaying.

• Wounded officer improving: A gravely wounded Chicago police officer, shot in the face during the same hospital ambush that killed his partner, John Bartholomew, is showing signs of improvement, the police union president told the Sun-Times.

• Mormon church sues podcaster: Long critical of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, John Dehlin, who helped reveal accusations that a one-time Mormon figure in the Chicago area molested children, is now being sued by the institution.
  
• Costco customer’s lawsuit: Thousands of companies have started filing claims for tariff refunds from the federal government. One customer has sued in Chicago federal court to prevent Costco from "double recovery," benefiting twice from the refund process.
  
• Brookfield Zoo labor strife: Workers voted to authorize a strike after rejecting the zoo’s "last, best and final offer." Negotiations will continue Friday morning, but if no agreement is reached, more than 200 union members would go on strike.
  
• Illinois and IBM: More than a year after it became the first Fortune 500 company to join the planned Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park on the South Side, IBM agreed to open a new FutureNow Chicago delivery center at the park that will create 750 full-time jobs.
  
• Obama Center tickets: On May 6, when ticket sales open, thousands will likely flood the Obama Presidential Center website to secure admission. Here’s what you need to know about planning your trip.

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU 🗣️

What summer activity or event has a big circle on your calendar and why?

Respond to this newsletter (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.

ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.

• 5 years of the TEAACH Act: In 2021, Illinois became the first state to require that a unit of Asian American history be taught at public schools, as part of the Teaching Equitable Asian American Community History Act. Grace Pai of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago, education consultant Smita Garg, and Laura Ouk of Noble Schools will discuss. 
  
• Anupy Singla: The cookbook author and star of WTTW's Indian as Apple Pie joins the show.

Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.

• More on Broadview Six: Kat Abughezaleh, a former congressional candidate and one of the defendants, talks about the case.
  
• Maycember: Callers weigh in on how they juggle the demands of May, a month for end-of-school events, teacher appreciation days — and how to say "no" to some obligations.

LISTEN LIVE 🎧

FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈⚾🏀

• Stadium saga: The Bears held a virtual meeting with the NFL’s Stadium Committee on Wednesday, providing updates on potential sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond, Indiana.
  
• Craig Counsell’s milestone: The Cubs manager celebrated his 900th MLB victory Wednesday with a shot of Malört.
  
• Sox standout: Righty Davis Martin’s hot start to a potential breakout season is built on trust.
  
• Sky analysis: After two years in Chicago, the Angel Reese era now feels like a dream, writes Alissa Hirsh. Columnist Steve Greenberg argues Reese’s match with Atlanta may be built to last.
  
• College basketball: Reporter Joe Henricksen ranks the 20 best men's college basketball players from Illinois this past season.

CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭

PLAY NOW

BRIGHT ONE 🔆

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Herbie Hancock brings home to Chicago an international jazz concert

By Erica Thompson

Herbie Hancock is having a Chicago moment.

On Thursday, the legendary piano player will add another milestone to his storied career during UNESCO International Jazz Day, which he co-founded. Hancock and another jazz icon, Kurt Elling, are co-artistic directors for the All-Star Global Concert at Lyric Opera House, where they will perform alongside more than 40 other artists.

The show will be livestreamed on YouTube at yt.be/jazzday, and free tickets are available at chicagojazzalliance.org for a watch party at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.

The concert culminates a month of jazz programming in Chicago, which is a first-time host for the global celebration.

"It’s going to be close to my heart," says Hancock, 86, who now lives in West Hollywood, and will also attend a Hancock family reunion in the city.

When it comes to explaining Chicago’s role in jazz — “I’m not a wordsmith,” he says — he plans to let his music do the talking.

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Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia

 
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