Daywatch: Gaming Board stops construction at Bally's Chicago casino site
The Illinois Gaming Board issued a stop work order yesterday at the planned Bally's Chicago casino site in River West after it was discovered that the construction project was using an unauthorized subcontracted waste hauler previously alleged to have had ties to organized crime.
D&P Construction, a Melrose Park company which provided dumpsters used at the 30-acre site, was hired by the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a minority-led general contracting partnership constructing Bally's Chicago $1.7 billion permanent casino complex.
'Today we were informed by IGB that the contractors working on the Bally's Chicago site were utilizing an unapproved vendor and were issued a stop work notice,' a Bally's spokesperson said in a statement yesterday evening. 'We appreciate the diligence and action of IGB. This is the process at work. We look forward to working with the IGB to eliminate the possibility of it happening again.'
Read the full story from the Tribune's Robert Channick.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a look yesterday's May Day rally, a deal over Chicago's Columbus statues and a homecoming for Chicago Sky players.
Today's eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History
It's the latest move by Trump and his administration to utilize federal powers to control or hamstring institutions whose actions or viewpoints he disagrees with.
Thousands gathered for a rally on May Day, a celebration with Chicago ties that commemorates the labor movement. The group marched to Grant Park in the afternoon, as hundreds of thousands turned out for rallies around the world, many united in anger over Trump's agenda, including aggressive tariffs and immigration crackdowns. This year's rally and march comes nearly 140 years after the Haymarket Affair and just over 100 days into Trump's second term.
Related:
Photos: Thousands march through downtown Chicago for May Day
The Chicago Park District announced yesterday they reached a deal to end a lawsuit brought over the removal of Christopher Columbus statues from city parks during 2020 protests.
A pair of Cook County Jail detainees are alleging sheriff's deputies encouraged a third inmate to tie them up and sexually assault them at knifepoint after one of them complained about forced sexual encounters with a guard in the jail complex.
The alleged misconduct is outlined in a lawsuit filed yesterday, which contends the attack came after one of the inmates had made a prior complaint about a nonconsensual sex with a female correctional officer.
A federal judge yesterday postponed the retrial of of ex-AT&T Illinois boss Paul La Schiazza on bribery counts related to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, allowing the new U.S. attorney in Chicago to consider next steps in the case and avoiding the possibility that Madigan would be sentenced in the same courthouse while La Schiazza's jury was deliberating.
A Harvey alderwoman has been charged with misdemeanor offenses after being forcibly removed by police during Monday's City Council meeting, according to the city.
The driver of a car that barreled through a building used for a popular after-school camp in central Illinois, killing three children and a teenager, was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and may have had a medical emergency, police said yesterday.
The biggest day of the Chicago White Sox season finally is at hand.
After an 8-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers yesterday, the Sox will debut their new Chicago Bulls-themed alternate uniforms, celebrating what the team's website described as two 'iconic' franchises.
Like the vintage Reese's commercial in which someone accidentally gets peanut butter in his chocolate while another person gets chocolate in his peanut butter, this is a melding of two franchises that was bound to happen.
The Chicago Cubs have touted a diverse offense that isn't reliant on home runs to win games.
But long balls certainly help and were pivotal in the Cubs' 8-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates yesterday at PNC Park.
The Chicago Sky's preseason opener in Baton Rouge, La., will offer a rare return to the past for three of their youngest stars.
The game is part of a new WNBA series to bring preseason games to college markets of its top stars. This year's slate will include games hosted at Iowa, Oregon and Notre Dame to feature top alums such as Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu, Jewell Loyd, Arike Ogunbowale and Jackie Young.
After Blue Island officials temporarily shut down Harry's Long Bar following a fight involving patrons outside the establishment, the owners are stepping up evening security measures.
Also around the area this weekend, comedian Laura Peek is at Zanies and the farmers markets open for summer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
a few seconds ago
- New York Times
Some Chinese Weigh Painful Question: Stay or Flee Under Trump?
Ever since immigration raids swept Los Angeles in June, Han Lihua, 46, has spent much of his time hiding in his apartment, skipping his Amazon delivery shifts and scrolling on social media to look for nearby sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. In 2022, he fled China, where he ran an independent student newspaper and taught high school literature. He crossed the treacherous Darién Gap on the border of Colombia and Panama before crossing the Southern border of the United States illegally in early 2023. Now, with the Trump administration carrying out a sweeping immigration crackdown, he is among the Chinese immigrants who say fear has eclipsed their fragile new lives, forcing difficult questions about whether the United States can offer them a better situation after they fled an authoritarian government. 'Everyone is so afraid,' Mr. Han said. 'I didn't expect this would happen in the United States.' Since China reopened its borders in January 2023 after Covid lockdowns, more than 63,000 Chinese nationals like Mr. Han have fled and crossed the U.S. southern border without authorization, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, making them the fourth-largest group by nationality after migrants from Venezuela, Haiti, and Ecuador. Under Trump's policies, however, illegal crossings along the southern border have dropped dramatically, reaching 6,000 arrests in June, a low not seen in decades. Most Chinese immigrants fled strict censorship, growing political repression or Beijing's zero-Covid policies, which often shut down entire cities for weeks, if not months, trapping people in their homes with little access to food, medical care or work. Those who spoke out against the policies could face harassment or detention. But with the Trump administration's escalating immigration enforcement, many Chinese immigrants like Mr. Han now confront a question they never imagined they would face: Should they stay or leave? Huang Xiaosheng, a Los-Angeles-based Chinese immigration lawyer, described the situation as 'much harsher' since May, when the Trump administration set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests a day. Securing bail has become nearly impossible, he said. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Business Insider
11 minutes ago
- Business Insider
The Week That Was, The Week Ahead: Macro & Markets, August 3, 2025
Everything to Know about Macro and Markets The S&P 500 (SPX) fell 2.4% last week, snapping a multi-week winning streak and logging its worst weekly drop since late May. Also, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) lost 2.9% and the Nasdaq-100 (NDX) slid 2.2%. Weak jobs data, new U.S. tariffs on dozens of trading partners, and Amazon's (AMZN) unimpressive earnings weighed on investor sentiment. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Markets Stumble on Weak Jobs Report, Tariffs The July nonfarm payrolls report showed just 73,000 jobs added, far below the expected 110,000. Also, the unemployment rate rose from 4.1% to 4.2%. In response, Trump fired Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, accusing her of manipulating the data. Meanwhile, Trump rolled out new 'reciprocal' tariffs through executive order. While the U.S. secured trade agreements with the UK and the EU, other nations saw steep new rates, ranging from 10% to 41%. Switzerland, for example, was hit with a 39% tariff, while India and Japan saw rates of 25% and 15%, respectively. The new tariffs are set to begin on August 7. As a result, markets pulled back after a strong run, with investors now facing growing concerns over global trade tensions and a slowing labor market. Still, expectations for Fed rate cuts in September and the prospect of a pending tax bill may offer some relief ahead. A Big Week Ahead Trade tensions are back in the spotlight this week as the U.S. moves ahead with import duties set to take effect August 7. Meanwhile, trade talks with China have resumed ahead of a key review on August 12, when a pause in tariffs is set to expire. Any progress or failure could spark sharp market reactions. Next, all eyes will be on the ISM Services PMI due Tuesday. This report will show how service-sector activity and consumer demand held up in July. The report follows last week's weak jobs data and may offer further signs of an economic slowdown. Later in the week, Fed Chair Jerome Powell will speak at the Kansas City Fed's annual policy forum. Investors will be watching closely for any signals on the timing of future rate cuts. Meanwhile, corporate earnings remain a key market driver. With over half of S&P 500 companies having reported Q2 results, strong results, especially from big tech, have helped keep stocks near record highs. Reports due next week from Disney (DIS), McDonald's (MCD), Palantir (PLTR), and AMD could set the tone for the days ahead. Stocks That Made the News ▣ SoFi Technologies (SOFI) impressed investors with its market-beating second-quarter revenue and earnings. The company raised its outlook for 2025. It now expects net revenue of about $3.375 billion for the full year, above the previous high-end estimate of $3.310 billion. ▣ PayPal (PYPL) stock fell even after delivering better-than-expected second-quarter results. PayPal President and CEO Alex Chriss attributed this to 'continued strength across many of our strategic initiatives ranging from PayPal and Venmo branded experiences to PSP and value-added services.' ▣ Microsoft (MSFT) stock soared after the tech giant reported its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings results. The earnings were fueled by rising demand for cloud and AI services. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms (META) also reported strong second-quarter financial results that blew past Wall Street forecasts. ▣ Amazon stock declined even after delivering better-than-expected second-quarter results. The selloff was due to the subdued outlook and lofty expectations from Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud division, which failed to impress to the extent rival Microsoft (MSFT) Azure did with its June quarter performance. ▣ Exxon Mobil (XOM) gained after the oil giant posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Strong fuel margins and cost controls helped offset lower crude prices. ▣ Chevron (CVX) reported mixed Q2 results, beating on earnings but missing revenue estimates. The company saw weaker oil and gas production but reaffirmed its full-year guidance, pointing to strength in downstream operations. Upcoming Earnings and Dividend Announcements The Q2 2025 earnings season is past its peak, but many earnings releases are scheduled for the next few days. Reports in focus this week are coming from Palantir Technologies (PLTR), Hims & Hers Health (HIMS), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Lucid Group (LCID), Super Micro Computer (SMCI), Rivian Automotive (RIVN), Energy Transfer (ET), Uber Technologies (UBER), Walt Disney (DIS), and SoundHound AI (SOUN), among others.
USA Today
29 minutes ago
- USA Today
Which way will Senate swing in 2026? Here are 11 pivotal races that will decide.
From the South to the Great Lakes, contested primaries and open Senate seat battles will determine who's serving for President Trump's last two years. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's agenda in the second half of his second term will hinge on whether Republicans can maintain control of Congress in next year's midterm elections. In the Senate, where the GOP currently has a slim 53 to 47 majority, being the party in charge is vital for the president and his ability to pass key legislation priorities, confirm nominees, including any potential Supreme Court vacancies. Heading into 2026, congressional Republicans look to keep their legislative advantage but face the challenge of precedent. Often, the party that does not hold the White House – Democrats, currently – fares better in midterm congressional elections. In need of a pick me up after last year's bruising presidential and congressional elections, Democrats are trying to flip the upper chamber back to blue by winning a handful of states scattered from the South to the Great Lakes. More: What to expect when you're expecting a GOP trifecta For their part, Republicans trying to defend their majority in next November's races must first weather some base-splitting primaries, in which established GOP incumbents hope to hold on against challengers from inside their own party. Here are 11 Senate races to watch across the country heading into the 2026 midterm elections. 1. North Carolina More: Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announces run for Senate in a win for Democrats North Carolina's two-term senior senator, Republican Thom Tillis, announced in June he would not be seeking reelection. His news, which Tillis called 'not a hard choice,' came as debates over Trump's sweeping tax, spending and policy bill engulfed Congress and pitted GOP members against one another. The news was music to Democrats' ears. Already a top target for the liberal party in next year's midterms, the North Carolina race was set to be one of the most competitive Senate battles in 2026, even with Tillis on the ballot. More: After Lara Trump opts out, president endorses RNC Chair Whatley for NC Senate race Now, the open seat has attracted high-profile contenders on both sides of the aisle. Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, announced his campaign formally on July 28, following weeks of speculation. On the Republican side, Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, said she considered jumping in. However, after she announced July 24 she would not run for the seat in North Carolina, President Trump gave his backing to Republican National Committee chair and former North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley. Primary elections in the state will be held March 3. 2. Michigan In Michigan, another retiring incumbent has set the stage for a toss-up race next year. Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat, announced in January he would not seek a third term representing the Great Lakes State in the Senate. More: Michigan's Gary Peters won't run for US Senate reelection next year His absence leaves the race open for either party's taking. Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman with Trump's endorsement, is his party's expected nominee. Rogers ran in 2024, narrowly losing to Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin. Among Democrats, Rep. Haley Stevens and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow lead the pack of 2026 candidates. Primary elections in the state will be held Aug. 4, 2026. 3. Georgia Georgia's Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff must fend off a pack of conservative lawmakers in order to hang onto his seat in 2026. Alongside fellow Georgia Democrat Sen. Raphael Warnock, Ossoff's win in a Jan. 2021 runoff election secured him a first term in Congress and his party a chamber majority. Once again, his race will be key in determining whether Democrats win control of the Senate. Republicans looking to unseat him include Rep. Buddy Carter, a former pharmacist who represents the Savannah area. Carter was first to throw his red hat in the ring. But others, including Rep. Mike Collins, have since joined the contest. Both Carter and Collins are coveting Trump's support, an endorsement that could carry weight with Georgia's deep red electorate pockets. Georgia's primary elections are set for May 19. 4. Texas Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn stands a good chance of winning a fifth term against a Democratic challenger next November, in the red-leaning Lone Star State. But first, he must make it through what is promising to be a tough primary against the state's attorney general, Ken Paxton. Cornyn has served in the Senate since 2002, but early polls showed him down double digits to Paxton. More: Texas AG Ken Paxton's wife files for divorce 'on biblical grounds' National Republicans have expressed concern that Paxton, who has faced indictments, impeachment and, more recently, a very public divorce, could cost the GOP their safely held Texas seat in a general election. Democrat and former Rep. Colin Allred, who ran unsuccessfully against Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024, has announced his campaign for 2026. Texas state Rep. James Talarico has said he is 'seriously considering' a run as well. More: Former congressman Colin Allred launches 2026 campaign for US Senate Primary elections in the Lone Star State are scheduled for March 3. 5. South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has also drawn a GOP challenger in his 2026 bid for reelection. Paul Dans, the original author of Project 2025, a sweeping conservative agenda to overhaul the federal government, announced his entrance into the race at an event in Charleston July 30. More: Lindsey Graham gets Republican challenger: Project 2025 author to announce Senate bid The primary contest will likely pit MAGA voters in the Palmetto State against one another. Though Graham has previously been a regular target of criticism from Trump − displeased by the lawmaker at times breaking from the GOP leader − he is currently an ally to the president and has already received Trump's 'complete and total endorsement.' Dans' primary challenge will be an uphill battle. Should Graham come out on top, he is heavily favored to win a fifth term representing the Palmetto State. A pack of Democrats are vying to face Graham or Dans in the general, though South Carolina is generally considered a safely red seat. Both party primaries will be held June 9. 6. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, is about to wrap her fifth term in the Senate, and while she has yet to formally announce her bid for reelection, many colleagues expect her to run again. Her position as one of the upper chamber's most independent voices has kept her in favor, and in office, with her left-leaning state, though Democrats still see this upcoming race as one of their top pick-up opportunities if two-term Gov. Janet Mills decides to run. Collins has garnered a reputation for being one of the few congressional Republicans willing to tell Trump no. She voted against two of his major legislative priorities this summer – a sweeping tax and spending bill, as well as a $9 billion cut to public broadcasting and foreign aid funding – and has openly criticized some of the president's nominees. More: 'See you in court.' Trump, Maine governor clash in tense exchange at White House Willingness to oppose Trump typically comes with the president's full public ire – and often a MAGA-aligned primary opponent. However, Collins is the only Republican senator to have won a state in which Democrats won the popular vote in 2024. Her unique position seems to, at least for now, have kept Trump from speaking out against who many view as the GOP's best chance to keep their seat in Maine. Several Democratic candidates have announced campaigns against Collins, including David Costello, who ran unsuccessfully against Maine's Independent Sen. Angus King in 2024. All eyes are most focused on Mills, the state governor who has also tussled with Trump but hasn't yet said if she will run. Maine will have its primaries on June 9. 7. Minnesota Minnesota's Democratic Sen. Tina Smith announced earlier this year her plan to retire at the end of her current term, calling the decision "entirely personal." With the state's blue tilt, Smith's seat has a good chance of staying in Democrats' hands. More: 'Entirely personal': Democrat Tina Smith to not seek reelection in 2026 Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Annie Craig are among the frontrunners for their party's nomination. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris' running mate, opted back in February not to run for Senate. On the Republican side, former NBA player Royce White is running again, after losing his bid against Sen. Amy Klobuchar in 2024. Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze has also announced his campaign for the GOP nomination. The Minnesota primaries will be held Aug. 11. 8. Ohio The Buckeye State represents one of Democrats' few pick up opportunities, and even then it will not be an easy flip. Republican Sen. Jon Husted was picked by Ohio's governor to fill the seat vacated by Vice President JD Vance at the start of the year, and Husted will be on the ballot next November to keep his spot. Ohio has become reliably red in recent years, making the fight to flip it tough for Democrats. Their best shot likely is former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, who lost his bid for reelection last year to Sen. Bernie Moreno. Axios reported that Brown met with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in late July, as part of the top Senate Democrat's efforts to lobby Brown to run again. 9. New Hampshire Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire announced she would not be seeking another term in 2026 either. Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, who launched his campaign in April, is widely seen as a strong contender to succeed Shaheen. More: Former GOP Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown running for Senate in New Hampshire Republican Scott Brown, a former Massachusetts senator and ex-ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa under Trump's first term, is among a handful of candidates competing on the GOP side. Like Minnesota, Cook Political Report has rated New Hampshire's race leaning Democrat. 10. Iowa In Iowa, Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican, has the advantage, with Cook Political Report rating her race likely Republican. Three Democrats so far have launched bids in hopes of beating those odds: Nathan Sage, the former chamber of commerce director from Knoxville; state Rep. J.D. Scholten; and state Sen. Zach Wahls. More: Iowa Democratic Rep. and minor league pitcher J.D. Scholten to run against Sen. Joni Ernst Trump's sweeping tax, spending and policy bill, passed into law earlier this summer, is expected to be a defining issue in Iowa's race. Ernst was one of 50 Senate Republicans who voted in favor of the legislation, which her Democratic opponents decried as a move "to gut Medicaid for hundreds of thousands of Iowa children and families." The primary in Iowa is scheduled for June 2. 11. Nebraska Nebraska is widely seen as a Republican stronghold with incumbent GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts, though there could be a surprisingly competitive race in 2026 with Independent candidate Dan Osborn jumping back into a statewide election. More: Nebraska independent Dan Osborn could be poised to shake up U.S. Senate Osborn came within seven percentage points of beating Sen. Deb Fischer in 2024, a closer-than-expected margin in the GOP-dominated state. Osborn, a former labor leader, is a registered Independent but received campaign contributions from Democrats in his last campaign (money he told NBC he did not ask for). Ricketts, a former Nebraska governor and part owner with his family of the Chicago Cubs, is running for a full term after being appointed to the job in January of 2023 upon the resignation of Republican Sen. Ben Sasse.
