✈️ Why Chicago’s roads, skies will be packed

Illinois Reacts to Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision

Local universities and colleges will have to adjust admission policies that aim to increase the number of students of color on campus after the conservative court struck down the practice. The Illinois Board of Higher Education called the decision “an attack on people of color” while the Obamas shared how affirmative action had impacted them. [Sun-Times]

Busy Holiday Air Travel

Officials estimate nearly 1.5 million passengers will travel through O’Hare and Midway airports for Fourth of July weekend. Chicago travelers are eager to get to fresh air. [ABC7]

• What’s a “passengers’ bill of rights?” Cheap flights guru Scott Keyes explained. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Permanent Closure: Cornell Drive in Jackson Park

Cornell Drive from Midway Plaisance to Hayes Drive will close starting today as part of Obama Center construction. [Hyde Park Herald]

Apply for Mayor’s Youth Commission

Applications close Saturday for the city’s formal advisory body of 32 Chicago teens. [City of Chicago]

• Many young people are actually hopeful about politics, state Rep. Nabeela Syed told us. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

This Week’s Must-Read

How is Chicago-based McDonald’s responding to the Grimace shake trend, where TikTokers pretend to be attacked by the purple blob after sipping the drink? As an elder Gen Z, this one is over my head. [Crain’s 🔒]

🔺 = Sid’s picks

Englewood Plaza Opening | Friday | 3–7 p.m.

Celebrate the new community plaza at 63rd and Justine streets. [Free]

Dim Sum & Drag in Uptown | Saturday | 11:30 a.m.

Ring in the two-year anniversary of the popular brunch at Furama with Asian drag performers. [$39.50]

🔺 Garfield Park Beer Mile World Classic | Saturday | 2 p.m.

Cheer on runners who chug beer and then run a mile … four times. Don’t miss the beer garden or DJs either. [$20 for spectators]

Fireworks at Navy Pier | Saturday | 9 p.m.

Watch the sky light up with special Independence Day fireworks. [Free]

🔺 Wheel Throwing in Pilsen | Sunday | 7:30–9:30 p.m.

Calling all beginner potters! Learn to wedge clay, center a cylinder, and turn and trim items on the wheel at the Color Cocktail Factory. [$25+]

‘Star Wars’ Symphony Downtown | All Weekend | 7:30 p.m.

Hear the Chicago Symphony Orchestra perform the score of “The Force Awakens,” the seventh film in the franchise, Friday and Saturday. [$89+]

North Side Antojitos Fest | All Weekend | 8 p.m.

Chicago’s two-day Latin American Comedy Fest is at iO Theater Friday and the Logan Square Improv Theater Saturday. [Free]

Lucky Mart in West Town | All Weekend | Noon to 6 p.m.

Shop homemade goods and vintage clothes at the pop-up market and block party at On Town Brewing Saturday and Sunday. [Free entry]

🔺 South Side Black Pride | All Weekend | Noon to 7 p.m.

Head to a rave, a mini ball, and more to celebrate queer Black and brown Chicagoans. [Varies]

+ Explore Washington Park during the African Caribbean International Festival of Life, and enjoy — or avoid — NASCAR.

An overwhelming number of Hey Chicago readers are against this weekend’s race. But not everyone …

Meet the Chicagoans excited for NASCAR

Jen T.S.:“I grew up around racing culture in central Indiana. The Chicago race falls on my birthday, and I'm throwing a NASCAR-themed party.”

Jonathan L.: “I love NASCAR — or YASSSCAR! I think it will be like anything the city introduces: It will have new implications that some people will not like until we learn to improve it.”

Alex M.: “I work downtown, and we already deal with Lollapalooza every year. At least this is something I can enjoy.”

And the ones who are giving it a chance

Mike H.: “As a kid, I dreamed of NASCAR in downtown Chicago. It's going to be great publicity for the city, but the community should have been far more engaged. The fact that it went through as a backroom deal taints what may be a great event. I hope it ends up being good.”

Megan M.: “I’m not a NASCAR fan and the traffic sucks. But I love our city and I’m all for improving tourism and bringing in revenue for local businesses. I’m annoyed everyone is hating on it right away — give it a shot!”

Kevin R.: “At first, it seemed like a stunt by a mayor in political trouble. But now seeing the course and the stands, I think it will be dope.”

Should Chicago Prep for Future Wildfire Smoke?

Sun-Times’ Brett Chase and Illinois Answer Project’s Manny Ramos join us to talk about worries over future air quality, a highway expansion project, NASCAR, and more.