Afternoon Briefing: Pritzker signs bills giving Illinois power over health insurance prices [Chicago Tribune]

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It’s official: Chicago’s air quality is the worst in the world today.

Thick smoke from Canadian wildfires coated the city and the surrounding areas with haze as weather officials issued an air quality alert for parts of the Great Lakes, Lower Mississippi and Ohio valleys this morning.

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Pritzker signs bills giving Illinois power over health insurance prices, Affordable Care Act exchange

Illinois will soon run its own Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, and have the power to stop sky-high price increases of plans sold on it. Read more here.

More top news stories:

· Removing brain-damaging lead from day cares is aim of new Cook County initiative

· Will County judge orders Republican clerk candidate, attorney to pay $35,000 in sanctions for election fraud lawsuit

Walgreens aims to cut more costs amid weaker demand for COVID vaccines, uncertain economy

Walgreens Boots Alliance is raising its cost-savings goal by 17% to $4.1 billion after a disappointing quarter — a move that comes just weeks after it said it was eliminating 10% of its corporate workforce. Read more here.

More top business stories:

· Chicago’s minimum wage is increasing July 1. Here’s what to know.

· Electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

What’s next for the Cubs?

The Chicago Cubs’ Brexit went smoothly after splitting their two-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals in London. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

· White Sox give up the game-ending run on a wild pitch in 2-1 loss: ‘We have to push some runs across the board’

· 2023 NHL draft: Blackhawks are expected to select Connor Bedard with No. 1 pick. Here’s what else to know.

Ryan Seacrest to take over as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ host after Pat Sajak retires

Ryan Seacrest’s new gig comes just months after he signed off as co-host of “Live With Kelly and Ryan,” where he worked for six years with franchise stalwart Kelly Ripa. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

· 5 Chicago restaurants showcasing Mexican and Chinese barbecue

· Review: An intensely rebooted ‘Tommy’ explodes with life on the Goodman Theatre stage

Adventurers weigh the risks of extreme travel after Titan implosion

Where is your line? On your mental chart of risk and reward, where does yes become nope? The Titan implosion on the sea floor off Newfoundland last week has many of us considering that question. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

· Prosecutors seek death penalty against man accused of slaying 4 University of Idaho students

· Supreme Court rules state courts can play role in policing federal elections

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