The Rundown: First lawsuits filed in Highland Park shooting

Plus, the story behind James Madison’s crystal flute. Here’s what you need to know today.

highland park
Scenes from a makeshift memorial on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, that was created to honor those who lost their lives at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ
highland park
Scenes from a makeshift memorial on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, that was created to honor those who lost their lives at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. Manuel Martinez / WBEZ

The Rundown: First lawsuits filed in Highland Park shooting

Plus, the story behind James Madison’s crystal flute. Here’s what you need to know today.

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Hey there! Do people really have ice cream coffee in the morning instead of regular coffee? Is that one step past drinking iced coffee? Anyway, here’s what you need to know today.

1. The first lawsuits are filed over the Highland Park mass shooting

The families of three people killed in the mass shooting, as well as dozens of people injured, are suing gun maker Smith & Wesson, two gun stores, the man who’s been charged in the shootings and his father, reports my colleague Lynn Sweet at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Attorney Anthony Romanucci, who is part of the legal team behind the lawsuits, said the shooting was “predictable and preventable,” adding the “shooter was the type of a young consumer susceptible to Smith & Wesson’s deceptive and unfair marketing, and was enabled by his father.”

In one lawsuit, attorneys say the suspect’s father “enabled the shooter’s thirst for violence by sponsoring his FOID application, despite his knowledge that the shooter was disturbed and threatened violence.” [Sun-Times]

2. Hurricane Ian pounds Florida’s western coast

Hurricane Ian is shaping up to be one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S. in decades. It made landfall in Florida today just shy of Category 5, the most severe status, with sustained winds of 150 mph and a storm surge over 7 feet high in Naples.

“This is going to be a nasty nasty day, two days,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said this morning. [NPR]

All of Florida’s fastest growing metropolitan areas could be hit by Hurricane Ian. As more people move to Florida, the destruction from major hurricanes could become more costly, NPR reports. [NPR]

Meanwhile, evacuating from the path of hurricanes can be too expensive for many Florida residents. [NPR]

3. Every known Illinois resident charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection

The most consequential trial so far stemming from the attack on the U.S. Capitol is underway this week, with the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers facing the rare Civil War-era charge of seditious conspiracy.

More than 800 people have been arrested in connection to the insurrection in almost every state, including 32 residents in Illinois, reports my colleague Jon Seidel at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Among them is Karol J. Chwiesiuk, a Chicago police officer who is accused of sharing pictures of himself inside the office of Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon.

Prosecutors also say Chwiesiuk bragged in text messages about his role in the insurrection. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. The number of migrants bused to Chicago from Texas nears 1,500

Chicago officials say they have welcomed a total of 1,452 migrants since Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began sending people from the southern border to the city almost a month ago.

“Illinois is a welcoming state,” a spokesman for the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services told the Chicago Tribune. “We are committed to assisting each family and individual, providing human services with respect and dignity.” [Chicago Tribune]

Meanwhile, the Biden administration hopes small changes will help speed up the process for many people seeking asylum in the U.S. One of those changes is allowing asylum officers to decide who can remain in the country, a power currently held by immigration judges.

“Migrants will be interviewed 21 to 45 days after they apply for asylum, far faster than the years it can take in the existing immigration court system,” reports The New York Times. [NYT]

5. Wait, James Madison had a crystal flute?

Superstar singer and rapper Lizzo played former President James Madison’s crystal flute during a concert last night in Washington, D.C.

“It’s crystal. It’s like playing out of a wine glass,” Lizzo told fans as she urged them to remain patient while she handled the artifact.

I don’t know about you, but I had no idea Madison had a crystal flute. So what’s the story with it?

“A French fluter made the ornate instrument in 1813 specifically for Madison in honor of his second inauguration,” reports NPR.

The Library of Congress says “it’s possible that the flute was one of a handful of valuables that former first lady Dolley Madison took with her from the White House as she fled just before British troops set fire to Washington, D.C., in 1814.” [NPR]

Here’s what else is happening

  • More than 194,000 Russians have fled since President Vladimir Putin ordered as many as 300,000 civilians into military service. [AP]
  • The family of one of Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims is speaking out against a new Netflix series about the serial killer. [Hollywood Reporter]
  • An Illinois lawmaker vowed to block $50 million for a controversial, proposed high school in Chicago. [WBEZ]
  • Cook County voters will be asked whether to raise property taxes for forest preserves. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

I am already deep into the Halloween spirit. And so are my friends at Curious City, who want to know if your house is haunted.

“Tell us your stories or even your suspicions about the would-be ghosts who share your home (or business),” the team writes. “If your story makes us shiver, Curious City might come out to see you and your otherworldly visitors.”

You can fill out this Google form or leave a voicemail message at 888-789-7752. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

I’m not sure what I’m going to be this year for Halloween, so what are you dressing up as?

Gary McDowell writes:

“This year might be the year I commit my husband and I to my dream ‘couple’s costume’ of Yzma and Kronk from Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove. My husband looks a lot like Kronk, and I’m boney and haggard like Yzma, so every time I tell friends this idea they immediately think it’s perfect. Not sure I could do Eartha Kitt justice, however.

“I did actually try to buy costumes when we lived in San Francisco, but the package was stolen from outside our apartment. I hope the costumes found their way to someone in need, and I am cheered at the thought of Yzma and Kronk strolling around the Castro.”

And Renee Slade writes:

“My kids are now 15 and 12 years old, and they still get excited about family Halloween coordinated costumes! (It’s actually something that we talk about all year, bouncing ideas off each other and negotiating with each other.)

“This year, we’re doing insurance characters: Aflac Duck, Geico Gecko, Jack from State Farm and Flo from Progressive. Past years have included superheroes, The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars characters, Harry Potter, Hamilton, Cat in the Hat, movie snacks (popcorn, soda, candy) and others.”

Feel free to email or tweet me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.