| Good afternoon, Chicago. A traveling show based in South Carolina, the Banana Derby has appeared at county fairs across Illinois for nearly two decades. That run is coming to an end. Gov. JB Pritzker signed the expansion of the state’s Traveling Animals Act into law. The act already banned elephants in traveling shows and circuses — now the ban applies to big cats, bears and primates as well. “In signing this bill, Governor Pritzker advanced the
dignified and compassionate care of our wild animals,” said a spokesperson for the governor’s office. 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 Surviving family members and loved ones affected by suicide walk around the 20-foot Ascending Doves sculpture in the “At Peace” memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on June 26, 2026, in Hillside. The memorial was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) Historically, the Catholic Church had denied
religious funerals inside its houses of worship as well as traditional burials for those who died in this way. Yet Catholicism — along with much of the rest of society — now offers a much more nuanced and compassionate stance, including greater outreach to those who are struggling with mental health conditions as well as increased emphasis on treatment, deterrence and spiritual consolation. More top news stories: business The North America Stevedoring Co. facility, pictured on June 25, 2026, sits along the mouth of the Calumet River on Chicago's Southeast Side. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) At the mouth of the Calumet River
on Chicago’s industrial Southeast Side, workers load steel, sugar and lumber off and onto ships. The port is the center of Chicago’s maritime economy. But labor strife here is spilling off of the docks and into City Hall, with political implications for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, himself a former labor organizer who is expected to run for reelection in less than a year. More top business stories: sports Argentina players celebrate their third goal against Cape Verde during a World Cup Round of 32 match Friday, July 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP) World Cup fever, LeBron James’ latest “Decision,” all-time Cardinals-hating Cubs guys and what to add to Leo XIV’s pope cave are among the latest topics in our summer sports smorgasbord. More top sports stories: eat. watch. do. The Anguilla cocktail, a slightly savory take on a vesper martini, featured alongside a selection of freshly shucked oysters at The Radicle. (Neil John Burger) When did a basic cocktail become a $17 commitment? While menu prices continue to climb, a handful of Chicago bars and restaurants are still serving mixed drinks at
prices that feel refreshingly reasonable. Whether you’re looking for a $7 margarita, a $10 negroni or a budget-friendly martini, these spots keep costs in check without sacrificing quality. And the deals aren’t confined to a short happy hour — they’re on the all-day regular menu. The list includes neighborhood dives, historic taverns, family-friendly pubs and even one of North America’s most celebrated cocktail bars — all with drinks priced well below what has become the city’s new normal. More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories: nation & world Rescue workers and forensic technician Joel Mirabal, back left, recover the body of an earthquake victim in La Guaira, Venezuela, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) International rescue teams, quietly acknowledging
the possibility that no more victims would be found alive after 12 days under the rubble, are preparing to depart. Local authorities are turning their focus to finding shelter for thousands of displaced people. But the recovery of the dead has become a pressing, and horrifying, task for Venezuelans still missing their loved ones. More top stories from around the world: | 
