Good afternoon, Chicago.
The owner of a Chicago-area construction company with ties to the investigation of former Ald. Carrie Austin has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for bribing an employee of the Cook County assessor’s office to reduce taxes on his properties by about a million dollars.
Alex Nitchoff, 57, of Lemont, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count each of conspiracy to bribe a public official and using a facility in interstate commerce to facilitate the acts of bribery.
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DNC protest groups cry foul after city denies permits for stage and sound system at rallies near United Center
In an emergency petition filed in U.S. District Court late Wednesday, the Coalition to March on the Democratic National Convention called the move a bait-and-switch violation of their constitutional rights. Read more here.
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Kamala Harris’ move to the top of the ticket gave DNC hotel bookings in Chicago a boost, but don’t expect Taylor Swift-level crowds
So far, hotel operators say the convention hasn’t been a blockbuster event like Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, which packed downtown hotels with big-spending concertgoers for three nights last summer. Read more here.
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Wild-card standings are working against the Chicago Cubs, who get swept in Cleveland
The Cubs (59-63) were swept in a series of at least three games for the first time this season despite holding a lead in each game against the Guardians. Read more here.
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‘Chimp Crazy’ review: A real-life horror show about keeping chimpanzees as pets
Director Eric Goode previously made “Tiger King” for Netflix, and with this project he offers another excoriating look at the exotic animal industry, specifically private chimpanzee ownership in the U.S. Read more here.
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Venezuelan opposition leader rejects Brazil’s idea of redoing Venezuela’s presidential vote
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that he still doesn’t recognize Nicolás Maduro as the winner of last month’s presidential election in Venezuela. Read more here.
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