Good morning, Chicago.
A federal judge in Texas on Monday ordered a temporary pause on the Biden administration’s new protections that would allow immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens a path to citizenship.
The administrative stay issued by U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker comes after 16 states, led by Republican attorneys general, challenged the program Friday in a lawsuit that claimed the policy would encourage illegal immigration.
President Joe Biden announced the program in June. The pause comes one week after DHS began accepting applications.
The order puts the program on hold for at least two weeks while the challenge continues.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Illinois Supreme Court sides with GOP, upholds unconstitutionality of ban on slating candidates
In a setback for Illinois Democrats and Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Supreme Court has upheld a downstate judge’s ruling that found unconstitutional a Democrat-passed law preventing the slating of legislative candidates for the November election in races where political parties did not field contenders.
![Former House Speaker Michael Madigan, center, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Jan. 3, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ctc-l-madigan-courthouse-2024.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Attorneys for ex-Speaker Michael Madigan want sex harassment, other ‘controversial’ evidence excluded from trial
Lawyers for former House Speaker Michael Madigan have asked a federal judge to exclude a laundry list of potentially prejudicial evidence from his upcoming racketeering trial, including details about controversial gaming legislation, Madigan’s influence over hiring at Metra, and payments made to a political operative who was accused of sexual harassment.
In a 41-page motion filed Monday, Madigan’s legal team said extensive pretrial publicity — including the Tribune’s ongoing series on Illinois’ “Culture of Corruption” — is already undermining Madigan’s right to a fair trial, and adding “irrelevant” evidence about sensitive or peripheral topics would only make it worse.
![Suzanne Mak speaks to her daughter kindergartner Addie Mak on her first day of school at Hamilton Elementary School in Lake View Monday, Aug. 26, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ctc-l-cps-back-to-school-19_203726130.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Parent groups gather for morning festivities, commiserating after drop-off on CPS’ first day of school
As the school year begins, it’s easy to focus exclusively on the kids: school supply shopping, forming a carpool, meeting teachers and signing up for after-school activities. But what’s it like for the parents as they say goodbye until pickup time? For some, at least, it’s a mixed bag: commiseration, celebration and some morning parent parties.
![Family members of Abnerd Joseph walk past a photo of Joseph as they arrive at a news conference at the law offices of Romanucci and Blandin in Chicago on Aug. 26, 2024.](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CTC-L-abnerd-joseph-laws02_203768534.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Family of assistant principal fatally shot in Loop high-rise last year demands answers and expands its civil lawsuit
The family of Abnerd Joseph, an assistant principal who was shot and killed inside a residential building in the Loop last year, has filed a civil lawsuit against the building’s homeowners association, the family and their attorneys announced.
White Sox shooting
Chicago White Sox An image from the Chicago White Sox game shows a fan waving for help in the aisle, center, after two fans were hit by bullets in the outfield seating area at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chicago White Sox)
A year after two women were injured by gunfire at Guaranteed Rate Field, one files lawsuit
Nearly a year after two women were shot in the bleachers of Guaranteed Rate Field, a lawsuit was filed against the White Sox and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority alleging that negligent security practices allowed a firearm to be brought inside the ballpark last season.
![Chicago White Sox's Dominic Fletcher dives safely back to first after unsuccessfully trying to stretch his single into a double as Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson takes the throw from shortstop Trey Sweeney during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CTC-Z-Tigers-White-Sox-Baseball_203798206.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Chicago White Sox suffer 20th sweep of the season and loss No. 101, falling 6-3 to the Detroit Tigers
At 31-101, the Sox are 70 games under .500 for the first time in franchise history. The 101 losses are tied for the third-most in franchise history along with the 1948 and 2023 teams.
![Labor Day brunch at Reunion (Kristen Mendiola)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CTC-L-FOOD-LABOR-DAY-04.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Labor Day 2024: 18 parties and restaurant specials in Chicago to enjoy as summer winds down
As summer winds down, Labor Day offers a last chance to make the most of the warm weather by eating and drinking outside. Spots throughout the city are hosting big gatherings including pig roasts, shrimp boils and cooking competitions where diners can vote for their favorite burgers or jollof rice. There are opportunities to enjoy an extra day off with a bottomless brunch or pick up snacks to feed a crowd in your backyard.
We’ve done the work for you, so relax and take advantage of these 18 Labor Day parties and specials.
![American author and journalist Tom Wolfe in New York, late 1965. (Jack Robinson/Hulton Archive)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ctc-l-Tom-Wolfe-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Column: Taking another ride with Ken Kesey, Tom Wolfe and a bunch of Merry Pranksters in ‘Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test’
Tom Wolfe’s “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” was a book Rick Kogan first read shortly after it was published in 1968. It was the basis for what his high school called a “senior project,” a 20-page essay. He does not remember what grade he got for this chore but it hooked him on Wolfe.
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TV for fall: Our top 20 shows coming down the pike, including a hospital comedy from creator of ‘Superstore’
Here’s a snapshot of the coming weeks. It’s a fever dream of adaptations because Hollywood’s love affair with IP (intellectual property) continues unabated, writes Tribune critic Nina Metz.