Good morning, Chicago.
Lawyers for the ex-president of AT&T Illinois are seeking to bar key evidence in his upcoming bribery trial, arguing in a recent filing that prosecutors have failed to identify any conspiracy to “corruptly” influence then-House Speaker Michael Madigan to win passage of key legislation in Springfield.
Paul La Schiazza, 66, was charged in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in October 2022 with conspiracy, federal program bribery, and using a facility in interstate commerce to promote unlawful activity. His trial is set to begin in September.
Earlier this month, prosecutors filed what is known as a Santiago proffer, detailing the statements of co-conspirators and other evidence they intend to use to prove that there was a scheme by La Schiazza and AT&T to secretly funnel money to a Madigan-connected ex-legislator to gain a competitive edge as the utility was seeking to pass a bill ending mandated landline service.
In their 13-page response filed Friday, lawyers for La Schiazza argued that the government’s proffer “is devoid of any evidence” showing La Schiazza or any other AT&T employee knew “that seeking to influence Mr. Madigan was forbidden,” as required by current Chicago-area case law.
Read the full story from the Tribune’s Jason Meisner.
Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.
Subscribe to more newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition
![People talk outside the House Chamber while legislators are in session on Feb. 20, 2024, at the Illinois State Capitol. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-capitol-21_183534969.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
In early morning vote, Illinois House approves $53.1 billion state budget bolstered by $750 million in tax hikes
Hours after returning to Springfield from a truncated Memorial Day weekend, the House approved the budget in a 65-45 vote taken at about 2 a.m. The Democratic-controlled Senate gave its approval late Sunday on 38-21 vote, largely along party lines, after lawmakers blew through a self-imposed Friday deadline without reaching a final agreement.
![Signage is displayed during a walkthrough of the Democratic National Convention on May 22, 2024, at the United Center. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ctc-l-dnc-spring-walkthrough-07_192868062.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
DNC in Chicago will lose some luster as Democrats plan to virtually nominate President Joe Biden before convention
Less than three months before the Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago, the event is already losing a significant portion of its celebratory luster as national Democrats on Tuesday said they plan to virtually nominate President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris before the convention to comply with ballot access laws in the crucial swing state of Ohio.
Jaime Harrison, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said Tuesday that state delegations will convene virtually before Ohio’s Aug. 7 deadline for presidential candidates to be certified for that state’s ballot.
![CEO of Chicago Public Schools Pedro Martinez speaks during the Parent Mentor Program Convention at House of Hope in the Pullman neighborhood on April 23, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-CPS-parent-workers-Johnson-26_187884845.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Chicago Public Schools vows to keep budget shortfall from classrooms after pleas for increased state funding go unmet. But some schools face cuts.
Chicago Public Schools leaders’ hopes of averting an approximately $400 million deficit were dashed over the weekend, when the Illinois Senate approved a state spending plan without additional funds that the state’s largest school district, alongside Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, has sought over the past year.
But despite a “challenging financial year” ahead, CEO Pedro Martinez said at a media briefing Tuesday that CPS will maintain, if not increase, the total amount of funding provided to schools in the coming school year – which officials said will begin with more teachers, restorative justice coordinators and special education classroom assistants on staff than at the start of last school year.
![University of Chicago students and community members gather at an encampment on campus, May 1, 2024 in support of Gaza and the Palestinian people. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-encampment-significance-12_189147620.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
U. of C. withholds degrees of four seniors who participated in pro-Palestinian encampment
The University of Chicago was Youssef Hasweh’s dream school. It’s why the senior chose to work at its admissions office. He guided campus tours, answered phones for prospective students and spoke on admissions panels. The 22-year-old was set to graduate Saturday.
But just hours after he completed his final exams Friday, Hasweh received an email informing him that his degree would be withheld pending a school disciplinary process related to his involvement with the university’s pro-Palestinian encampment. Three other seniors also received an email from the university, according to student group UChicago United for Palestine.
![Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 in New York City.](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/202405281258MCT_____PHOTO____US-NEWS-TRUMP-PROBE-TRIAL-VERDICT-GET.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Trump’s hush money trial verdict could come this week. Here’s what each outcome could mean for the election.
Twelve jurors in New York City are poised to make history when they reveal the verdict in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Here’s what we’re watching for in the three scenarios that could play out.
![FILE - Pope Francis arrives for his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Pope Francis apologized Tuesday, May 28, 2024, after he was quoted using a vulgar term about gays to reaffirm the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement acknowledging the media storm that erupted about Francis' comments, which were delivered behind closed doors to Italian bishops on May 20. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Vatican_Gays_95607.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Pope apologizes after being quoted using vulgar term about gay men in talk about ban on gay priests
Pope Francis apologized after he was quoted using a vulgar and derogatory term about gay men to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests.
![Bulls guard Zach LaVine is congratulated by his teammates after scoring while being fouled in overtime of a game against the Rockets at the United Center on Jan. 10, 2024. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-BULLS-0528.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
When will the Bulls trade Zach LaVine? Why it might make sense to hold off this summer.
It has been a few months since Zach LaVine appeared in the NBA rumor mill, but the Bulls star came up in conversation this week as a potential trade target for the 76ers.
![Bill Walton raises his hands as he stands with fellow recipients of the annual National Civil Rights Museum Sports Legacy Award before the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies Monday, Jan. 21, 2019, in Memphis, Tenn. Wayne Embry, Candace Parker, and Chris Bosh were also honored. (Brandon Dill/AP)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ctc-l-billy-walton-obit-01.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Column: Bill Walton’s kindness and wonderful wackiness made us the grateful ones
An eternally kind and genuinely quirky soul, Bill Walton died Monday at 71, leaving the sports world a noticeably lesser place, writes Bill Plaschke.
Walton had battled cancer after winning two NBA titles, two NCAA championships, and the hearts of fans captivated by the energy and eccentricity displayed during his 22 years as an NBA and later college basketball television analyst.
![Dr. Orna Guralnik is the therapist, as seen in Season 4 of "Couples Therapy." (Paramount+ with Showtime)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-COUPLES-THERAPY-SEASON-4-03.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
‘Couples Therapy’ review: The least cynical reality show on TV. This time there’s a throuple.
The least cynical reality show on television, Showtime’s “Couples Therapy” is absorbing as ever in Season 4 thanks to the probing questions and insights from the show’s resident therapist, Dr. Orna Guralnik, writes Tribune critic Nina Metz.
![Jon Young, managing partner at Volo Restaurant Wine Bar, 2008 W. Roscoe St., delivers a plate of oysters to a table in the back patio, May 16, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CTC-L-FOOD-PATIO-GUIDE-volo-1.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
Patios at 35 Chicago restaurants and bars, from a spot with outdoor bumper pool to happy hour hangs
Chicagoans know to savor any and all bouts of warm, sunny weather. Parks and beaches are a natural draw, but so are restaurants and bars with outdoor seating, where we can laugh with a drink in one hand and a fork in the other amid peaceful vistas or vibrant cityscapes.
But where to snag a coveted chair? To help you out, the Tribune food team’s guide for outdoor patios contains spots where you can read or work for a spell, places with after-work happy hours to treat your team, plus patios fit for date night.
ct-ptb-brauer-reax-st-0210
Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune Georgia O’Keeffe’s “Rust Red Hills” seen through Richard Hunt’s stainless steel “Becoming” at the Brauer Museum of Art on the Valparaiso University campus in Valparaiso, Indiana, Feb. 10, 2023. (Andy Lavalley / for the Post-Tribune)
Valpo University petitions court to auction artwork for dorm renovations
Valparaiso University filed a petition Tuesday to move forward with the auction of the three cornerstone works of art from the Brauer Museum to fund freshman dorm renovations, noting a $9 million deficit and declining student enrollment.
![Some 600 stolen works of art that where gave back by the United States of America to the Italian Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage are displayed during their presentation to journalists in Rome, Tuesday, May 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)](https://i0.wp.com/www.chicagotribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Italy_US_Repatriated_Art_20419.jpg?fit=620%2C9999px&ssl=1)
US vows more returns of looted antiquities as Italy celebrates latest haul of 600 artifacts
Italy celebrated the return of around 600 antiquities from the U.S., including ancient bronze statues, gold coins, mosaics and manuscripts valued at $65 million, that were looted years ago, sold to U.S. museums, galleries and collectors and recovered as a result of criminal investigations.