Good afternoon, Chicago. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker defended Illinois’ sanctuary laws for immigrants in the U.S. without legal permission before a House committee today and pointed at congressional Republicans and Democrats for using the issue to try to score political points rather than enacting comprehensive immigration reform. “The vast majority of immigrants contribute to our communities, pay taxes and abide by the law. We should value their entrepreneurship, ingenuity and hard work. Both political parties are to blame for America’s broken immigration system. I hope that this committee chooses (to) be part of the solution by pursuing bipartisan comprehensive federal immigration reform,” the state’s two-term governor said in remarks submitted to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Before Pritzker’s opening statement, U.S. Rep. James Comer, the committee’s chair, accused Pritzker, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the two other Democratic governors testifying, of allowing “criminal illegal aliens to roam free in American communities” as he sat in
front of posters of undocumented immigrants charged with violent crimes. The hearing that began at 9 a.m. Chicago time, continued into the afternoon. Watch it in full here. Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/latest-headlines and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices. Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History news Emergency responders surround a JetBlue plane which rolled off a runway onto a grass area while landing at Logan Airport, Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool) A JetBlue flight landing at Boston’s Logan International Airport rolled off the runway and into the grass today, an airport spokesperson said. More top news stories: business Yvonne Dubinskis of Oak Park checks in for a staycation at Sable at Navy Pier on June 6, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) The number of international guests staying at Chicago hotels is down amid tensions between the Trump administration and other nations, and economic uncertainty is discouraging business travel. More top business stories: sports New Blackhawks coach Jeff Blashill walks toward the stage for an introductory news conference at the United Center on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) Experience can make the best teachers. And the Chicago Blackhawks definitely will have lessons to learn from new coach Jeff Blashill’s staff. More top sports stories: eat. watch. do. A presenter dressed in a traditional Vejigante costume dances during the 46th Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade on June 8, 2024, in Humboldt Park in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune) Here are our picks for events in and around Chicago this weekend. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: nation & world Anti-ICE protesters march in downtown San Antonio, Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said today he has ordered the deployment of more than 5,000 Texas National Guard troops, along with more than 2,000 state police, to help local law enforcement manage protests against President Donald Trump and the ongoing federal immigration raids. More top stories from around the world: |