What is Chicago’s ‘Playpen’? – Chicago Tribune

Good afternoon, Chicago.

After multiple boating accidents this week, the party-friendly area of Lake Michigan known as the “Playpen” has become a point of discussion among many in Chicago.

Here’s what to know about the boating hot spot.

Here’s what else is happening today. And remember, for the latest breaking news in Chicago, visit chicagotribune.com/breaking and sign up to get our alerts on all your devices.

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For the first time after two decades of swirling allegations, R. Kelly’s former goddaughter has taken the stand as a prosecution witness in a case against the disgraced singer.

The woman, now 37 and testifying at Kelly’s federal trial in Chicago under the pseudonym “Jane,” testified she had sexual contact with Kelly for the first time at 14.

“Jane” is expected to testify at the singer’s federal trial in Chicago that she was in fact the girl depicted on infamous video footage being sexually abused by Kelly. Read more here.

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Chicago-based Cameo, which built a business out of selling recorded celebrity video greetings, is adding live video chats across its talent roster of actors, athletes and offbeat stars.

Imagine a Zoom call with your Aunt Martha and former Illinois governor and convicted felon Rod Blagojevich, for starters. Read more here.

More top business stories:

Metra moving toward battery-powered trains

Bank of America’s overdraft fees down 90% under new policy

The Chicago Bears showed promising signs in their preseason opener Saturday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 19-14 at Soldier Field as a handful of young players stepped up and played with the competitive edge coach Matt Eberflus is seeking.

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Another test awaits Thursday night at Lumen Field with the Seattle Seahawks welcoming the Bears for a nationally televised game (7 p.m., ESPN). Here are four storylines worth tracking. Read more here.

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Shot in warm, sunny tones, the show folds the high jinks of a sitcom into a indie cinema framework, writes Nina Metz. Julio is a caseworker at Hugs Not Thugs, a nonprofit that offers support for former gang members and ex-cons — one of whom is his cousin, Luis (Frankie Quiñones). By temperament, the pair (both live with Julio’s mom and grandmother) could not be more different, and this comedic tension is ongoing throughout the season. Read more here.

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A top executive at former President Donald Trump’s family business pleaded guilty Thursday to evading taxes in a deal with prosecutors that could make him a star witness against the company at a trial this fall. Read more here.

The Cook County States’ Attorney’s office Thursday approved felony charges of aggravated battery and official misconduct against Chicago Police Sergeant Michael Vitellaro, who last month, according to authorities, grabbed a 14-year-old boy of Puerto Rican descent, forced him to the sidewalk outside a Park Ridge coffee shop and put a knee in his back, arguing that the boy had stolen his son’s bike.

The incident has drawn significant concern from Park Ridge residents, about 70 of whom attended a July 5 City Council meeting to express anger over the incident. Some residents of color said it made them feel unwelcome, or doubt the level of acceptance for them in the community, while others questioned why Park Ridge police had not made an arrest the day of the incident. Read more here.