Today we said goodbye to Ray Long Chicago Tribune. A special reporter. I called him “The Franchise.” We rolled through Madiganistan in 2019 reporting on an alderman’s wild blunder. In 2024 we chronicled corrupt Chicago history. He visited my grandma when she was dying. Great man.

UPDATE: On Monday, after our story on Johnson’s lobbying team was published online, one of the lobbyists we highlighted in the story filed paperwork with the Illinois secretary of state’s office to register the city of Chicago as one of his clients.

Bridget Hatch Gregory Royal Pratt Jeremy Gorner Chicago Tribune Thank you all for the kind words! The Tribune team is still strong. Please keep reading!

Yes, I retired today from ⁦Chicago Tribune⁩ I enjoyed my 27-plus years at the paper! The Trib team remains strong! Keep reading!

Ray Long, an icon of Chicago and Illinois journalism, walked out the door for his last day. Anyone living in this state should appreciate his dogged reporting and aggressive fight against corruption. Please salute my friend and colleague.

Happy Bobby Bonilla Day: Bonilla is set to collect another $1.193 million from the Mets today

JB Pritzker selects former deputy governor and Chicago lawmaker Christian Mitchell as running mate. By Jeremy Gorner chicagotribune.com/2025/07/01/gov…

In July 1: Tax hikes for gas, Zyn and betting. Out: Hotel mini shampoos, Olivia Olander reports. chicagotribune.com/2025/07/01/jul…

50 years old.

Elevating a former top aide with legislative and executive experience — and a life story different from his own — Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday announced Christian Mitchell would be his third term running mate. trib.al/GdjJa1n

R.I.P. (Rest in Pizza) 🍕 🙏🏻 Founder of Champaign institution Papa Del’s passes away at 79. wcia.com/news/champaign…

For the first time in nearly 90 years, the Chicago Cubs will have two outfielders in the starting lineup at the All-Star Game. trib.al/fUVepsH

According to police 18 people shot, four killed in the shooting

Patrons were hit outside the Artis Lounge, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, where local rapper Mello Buckzz had planned the party, according to social media. No identities for the deceased had been released as of Thursday morning. trib.al/vIptFHJ

BREAKING: Michael Madsen, a character actor best known for playing sneering tough guys in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" and "Kill Bill: Vol. 2," passes away from cardiac arrest, according to his manager. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/m…

Michael Madsen, ‘Reservoir Dogs’ Actor, Dies at 67 hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-n…

Michael Madsen could effortlessly dominate a scene with a withering look or a perfectly timed slice of dialogue. What a brilliant, complex, versatile actor. RIP.

By Dawn's Early Light. This morning along the Chicago River on Independence Day. #weather #news #ilwx #4thofJuly #FourthOfJuly

ZERO shootings or murders in New York City on July 4th. The last time in recorded history that happened was…never…

Rip Big Bobby Jenks! So sad to hear this news, unreal. Your presence and confidence was unmatched in that 2005 Clubhouse. You were a young player that competed at the highest level. Unfazed by the Big moments. God Bless your family! 🙏🏾#GoneToSoon