Daywatch: More than 92,000 Illinois consumers lost or dropped Obamacare

Good morning, Chicago.

More than 92,000 Illinois consumers lost or dropped their Affordable Care Act health insurance in recent months — an unusually large number — following the expiration of generous tax credits that had helped to curb the plans’ costs.

Initially, 448,568 Illinois residents enrolled in health insurance plans sold on the state’s exchange, Get Covered Illinois, during the state’s open enrollment window, which ran from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31. But in the months that followed — when many consumers started receiving their new, higher bills — 92,571 consumers disenrolled, according to data from Get Covered Illinois.

Morgan Winters, director of Get Covered Illinois, said it’s the “largest drop we’ve seen in the state for almost a decade, so that is certainly alarming,” during a meeting Monday of the Illinois Health Benefits Exchange Advisory Committee.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Lisa Schencker.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including how late Cook County property tax bills will be again this year, why a Northwestern professor was escorted out of medical conference and this week’s Chicago Theater Report.

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Gov. JB Pritzker ‘happy to call a special session’ to keep Chicago Bears in Illinois but puts onus on team

Gov. JB Pritzker yesterday opened the door to holding a special session of the General Assembly this summer to help keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois after the team late last week announced its focus was now trained on a deal to build its home stadium in northwest Indiana.

But the governor put the onus on Bears leadership to be part of any such effort following a recently completed spring legislative session in Springfield that saw two plans aimed at encouraging the team to build a new stadium in state, likely in suburban Arlington Heights, get shot down.

Cook County property tax bills will again be late, Toni Preckwinkle says

Property tax bills will be roughly two months late this year, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said yesterday, confirming the county’s long-running tax debacle will continue to stress homeowners and the public agencies like schools and libraries that rely on the money.

Aldermen push for stiffer penalties on marijuana smoking, sales around schools and parks

Aldermen advanced a proposed ordinance yesterday that stiffens penalties for marijuana-related offenses near Chicago schools and parks — and could include sharp punishments for smoking cannabis in public.

The measure would expand the city’s long-standing “safe passage” laws that already place steep minimum fines and jail sentences for weapons violations near such locations.

‘I thought it was a crock of (expletive)’: ‘Broadview Six’ grand jury transcripts released showing alleged misconduct by prosecutors

After failing to secure an indictment from a grand jury in the “Broadview Six” case last October, federal prosecutors tried again a week later but ran into immediate pushback from some members of the panel, according to transcripts of the extraordinary proceedings made public yesterday.

Northwestern professor escorted out of medical conference for passing out editorial criticizing Trump

A Northwestern University professor was among several medical experts removed from an annual American Diabetes Association event after handing out copies of a recently published editorial critical of President Donald Trump’s challenges to the United States’ medical research system.

Feds raid pawn shop where ex-New Chicago top cop sold gun

Federal agents raided a Hobart pawn shop Monday where former New Chicago Police Chief Earl Mayo allegedly sold a gun tied to an active police investigation, FBI spokeswoman Chris Bavender confirmed.

Meet the Chicago-area athletes and artist whose talent will be on display during the World Cup

On Friday, Chris Brady will step onto his biggest field yet. Brady, 22, will likely make his World Cup debut as a goalkeeper for the United States men’s national team.

The Naperville native got his start playing soccer as a kid for a local park league, then trained pre-professionally at the Chicago Fire FC’s academy program, where he now plays for the club’s top team. Brady says he wears the city’s crest with pride.

3 things we learned at Chicago Bears minicamp, including Caleb Williams’ emphasis on ball placement

Last month during organized team activities, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams stole the show with a circus throw to Rome Odunze.

On the first day of a three-day mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall, it was the defense’s time to shine — namely, cornerback Jaylon Johnson.

Chicago Theater Report: Laurie Metcalf sidesteps Steppenwolf, plus changes to Paramount’s board

Sharp-eared viewers noted that Laurie Metcalf, triumphant at the Tony Awards on Sunday night, thanked the individual actors with whom she worked during Steppenwolf’s early days, but not the storied theater company itself.

Much mishegoss resulted from the theater’s decision not to collaborate on “Little Bear Ridge Road” with the producer Scott Rudin, who also triumphed Sunday with “Death of a Salesman.” Steppenwolf did eventually release the rights to the Tony-nominated show at Metcalf’s request. Chicago audiences are hoping that the dispute is over and that Metcalf soon will be back on Halsted Street.

Blue Island Beer company pours final beer after 11 years

Blue Island Beer Company poured its final batches on tap and closed over the weekend after operating for 11 years at 13355-57 S. Olde Western Ave.

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