Afternoon Briefing: Mayor Johnson appoints new chief of staff

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Mayor Brandon Johnson today officially tapped key progressive adviser Cristina Pacione-Zayas to be his chief of staff following Richard Guidice’s recent resignation.

Pacione-Zayas, a former state senator who has been deputy chief of staff since the start of Johnson’s term, will be the city’s first Latina to hold the post, the mayor’s office wrote in its announcement.

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

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Christian Soto, charged with 4 slayings in Rockford, is denied pretrial release

Authorities have said Soto was behind a series of frenzied attacks Wednesday at multiple addresses in a Rockford neighborhood, but said they have not determined a motive. Read more here.

More top news stories:

• Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough hospitalized

• Police make back-to-back gun-related arrests at TopGolf parking lot in Naperville

More than 1,000 UChicago Medicine residents, fellows move to unionize

The doctors filed a petition Monday morning with the National Labor Relations Board to hold a formal election to decide whether to unionize under the Committee of Interns and Residents, a union representing resident physicians and fellows. Read more here.

More top business stories:

• Golf instructor Hank Haney, who coached Tiger Woods, sells Lake Forest mansion for $2M

• Gridlock expected as 2-year bridge repair work begins at Route 31 and U.S. 20 in Elgin

Keenan Allen was a surprise guest at Caleb Williams’ pro day — and the Chicago Bears think the WR will keep showing up for the likely No. 1 pick

The idea behind the Bears trading a 2024 fourth-round pick to acquire Allen in March is that he’ll keep showing up for Williams should they draft the USC quarterback later this month. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

• Chicago soccer report: Mallory Swanson scores 1st goal for hot Red Stars — and Korbin Albert apologizes after Megan Rapinoe call-out

• The women’s NCAA Tournament had center stage last night. The stars — and the games — delivered in a big way.

CSO appoints Klaus Mäkelä as the youngest music director in the orchestra’s history

Mäkelä will be the orchestra’s 11th music director, effective in the 2027-28 concert season, following the conclusion of Riccardo Muti’s tenure at the end of the 2022-23 season. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

• Smashing Pumpkins added to State Fair music lineup this summer

• Bands announced for Rosemont’s Rockin’ in the Park this summer

First vessel uses alternate channel to bypass wreckage at the Baltimore bridge collapse site

Some barges and tugs that have been stuck in the Port of Baltimore since the collapse are also scheduled to pass through the channel. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

• Multiple people hurt in Texas crash as severe storms hit central US

• College will cost up to $95,000 this fall. Schools say it’s OK, financial aid can numb sticker shock