Your Daily Guide

Takeaways From Gubernatorial Drinking Game, er, Debate

During his only face-off against Gov. JB Pritzker, Republican Darren Bailey challenged viewers to a game: drink every time Pritzker mentions President Donald Trump. Pritzker did mention the president (who endorses Bailey) often, eventually telling Bailey: “Drink up.” [Politico]

• Other topics discussed: the SAFE-T Act, immigration enforcement, and how to keep the Bears in Illinois.

Endeavor and Rush to Merge

Endeavor Health and Rush University System for Health announced plans for a merger, which would include 12 Chicagoland hospitals. If it goes through, all hospitals under the umbrella will include the name “Rush” — “Endeavor” will disappear. The move would create one of Illinois’ largest health systems. [Tribune 🔒]

• Meanwhile: Safety-net hospitals are struggling. [City Cast Chicago]

NITA Needs You

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority now supports everyday operations of CTA, Metra, and Pace, including scheduling and fares. It replaced the Regional Transportation Authority last month. Take their survey by FRIDAY about what transit services and investments matter to you. [WTTW, NITA]

Kroger Layoffs and a Kroger Lawsuit

Mariano’s parent company Kroger is laying off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it leans more into AI. Meanwhile, Albertsons, which owns Jewel-Osco, is suing Kroger for more than $9 billion over the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger that died in 2024. [NBC 5, Crain’s]

• On the horizon: A Trader Joe’s takeover in Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Pope Leo Has Lung Cancer — What’s Next?

Chicagoland Catholics are praying after Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis. It’s believed to be in early stages following the removal of a nodule from his lung. It’s not clear whether Leo will undergo further treatment, but he’s expected to be hospitalized for the next several days. [ABC 7]

• A young(er) pope: Leo’s plans now face new urgency. [New York Times]

Where ‘Midway Blitz’ Federal Prosecutions Stand

Twenty-six of 33 people accused of federal non-immigration crimes relating to “Operation Midway Blitz” have been cleared. (Many were accused of assaulting or resisting agents.) Two pleaded guilty. Track all known cases here. [Sun-Times]