Good morning, Chicago.

It’s not every day Illinois sees an earthquake like the 2.9-magnitude tremor that struck Lake Michigan on Wednesday afternoon. But quakes in the area are more common than some might think, experts say.

So far this decade, the state has seen 44 earthquakes, according to Robert Bauer, a principal scientist of engineering geology with the Illinois State Geological Survey. Wednesday’s marked just the latest.

The mild earthquake was recorded off the shore of the northern suburbs near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Stretching 3.1 miles deep, the quake took place 13.8 miles northeast of Evanston, per the U.S. Geological Survey.

From year to year, local seismic activity varies greatly, Bauer said. On average, though, the state receives about 10 earthquakes a year. That’s certainly more infrequent than other areas of the country — with Illinois being in what USGS deems a “stable continental region” — but the occasional quake is far from a rarity.

Read the full story from the Tribune's Tess Kenny.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including a federal appeals court upholding the Illinois assault weapons ban, France beating Morocco to reach World Cup semifinals and No simple lessons in the moving musical ‘Suffs,’ now in Chicago.

Today’s eNewspaper edition | Subscribe to more newsletters | Asking Eric | Horoscopes | Puzzles & Games | Today in History

Who will replace Graham Platner on the Maine ballot? These Democrats are raising their hands.

Democrats in Maine began jockeying to become the new candidate for a pivotal U.S. Senate seat after progressive nominee Graham Platner announced he will withdraw from the race after a sexual assault allegation.

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling

A federal appeals court in Chicago yesterday upheld Illinois’ 2023 assault weapons ban, overturning a lower court decision and delivering what could be a short-lived victory to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker.

Aldermen reject Mayor Brandon Johnson’s move to ask voters if millionaires should be taxed

Chicago aldermen yesterday struck down most of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s last-minute progressive questions to ask voters this autumn, opting instead for a slate mainly of their own making.

Lawsuits filed against Border Patrol for ‘excessive’ force as advocates warn of immigration enforcement uptick

For lawyer Brian Orozco, it’s personal. When federal agents deployed tear gas at protesters in Brighton Park on Oct. 4, after they had shot a woman, the gas hit Orozco’s face as he stood on a sidewalk. Orozco said it was like he couldn’t breathe.

“My eyes were burning, but my lungs were burning more,” Orozco said.

Now, he stands in community with five other families hit with tear gas and violence from federal agents in Chicago during last fall’s Operation Midway Blitz, representing them as they sue the federal agency for $1 million each.

What to know about protecting pets from New World screwworm

Two New World screwworm cases in dogs are among more than 30 confirmed instances in Texas and New Mexico, prompting warnings Wednesday from veterinarians and humane societies that pet owners need to remain vigilant to protect their animals.

Kylian Mbappé has a goal and an assist as France beats Morocco to reach World Cup semifinals

Kylian Mbappé spread his arms out wide and spun around after scoring his eighth goal of this year’s World Cup. He later gave the jubilant France fans dotted around the stadium a wave when he left the game because of an injury scare.