Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Wednesday, June 7, 2017.
- Mike Quigley: Russians hacked the Illinois State Board of Elections’ voter database files
Russian operatives hacked into the Illinois State Board of Elections’ voter database system in 2016, according to Democratic congressman Mike Quigley. Quigley, who’s a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told the Tribune editorial board that Russian hackers managed to get into the database and could go further next time. “I believe they’re on the doorstep to hacking into our voting systems. That is my educated guess,” Quigley said. “I’m not saying I know they’ll do this, (but) think about what you could do. You could check and say, ‘Oh no, all these people already voted, or these people voted absentee.’ Once you get into that, then there’s all kind of mischief.” [Tribune]
- Report: Billionaire Bluhm family did not bid against Tronc for the Sun-Times
Billionaire Neil Bluhm’s family was interested in bidding against the Tribune’s parent company, Tronc, to purchase the Sun-Times, but did not file a bid by the Monday deadline, according to Robert Feder. Hedge fund manager Thane Ritchie also decided against bidding for the Sun-Times, which shares an owner with the Reader, to make way for former alderman Edwin Eisendrath’s bid. Eisendrath is still in the running, and is backed by the Chicago Federation of Labor. [Crain’s Chicago Business] [Sun-Times] [Robert Feder]
- Passenger stung by scorpion on flight from Mexico City to Chicago
A passenger was stung by a scorpion on an Aeromexico flight from Mexico City to O’Hare International Airport on Monday evening. Paramedics were waiting at customs, but according to an airline spokesman, the passenger showed “no adverse reaction to the sting” and left in stable condition. [Sun-Times]
- 30 percent of local Michelin-starred restaurants closed in five years
A Michelin star is one of the highest honors in the culinary world, but earning one is no guarantee that a restaurant will be successful over the long term. Forty local restaurants have received a Michelin star since the Chicago guide launched in 2011, and 12 of those have since shuttered. Among them: 42 Grams, Graham Elliot, Moto, Charlie Trotter’s, and Avenues. [DNAinfo Chicago] - J.B. Pritzer wins the AFL-CIO’s endorsement
The Illinois AFL-CIO has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker. There are nearly 900,000 AFL-CIO members in the state, so the labor union’s endorsement is coveted by Democrats. “Pritzker has the vision and background to put Illinois on the right track by empowering working families, not shifting more power and wealth to corporate class,” union president Michael T. Carrigan said. [Sun-Times[
- Liquor license hearing for controversial River North bar ends in just 60 seconds
The highly publicized city liquor commission hearing on controversial River North bar and restaurant Bottled Blonde lasted less than a minute Tuesday morning, when attorneys for both sides agreed to a July 11 continuance. The city of Chicago may revoke Bottled Blonde’s liquor license after numerous complaints from neighbors. [Eater Chicago]