Foundation offers $100 million:

A Chicago-based nonprofit is offering a $100 million grant to a single proposal designed to help solve a critical problem affecting people, places or the planet. The MacArthur Foundation launched the new competition, called 100&Change, on Thursday. The nonprofit plans to name up to five finalists by next summer and announce a winner by early 2018. The competition is seeking meaningful, verifiable, durable and feasible proposals and is open to organizations working in any field of endeavor in the U.S. or around the world. The applicants must be able to identify the problem they’re trying to solve and explain their solution. The $100 million prize is the MacArthur Foundation’s biggest individual grant via a competition in the realms of public-spiritedness and altruism.

Hastert degree rescinded:

North Central College in Naperville has rescinded an honorary degree awarded to former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert following his conviction in a hush-money case. The Chicago Tribune reported that college trustees voted last month to rescind the honorary doctor of laws degree awarded to Hastert when he gave the college’s commencement address in 2004. Northern Illinois University trustees also voted last month to rescind the honorary doctor of laws degree presented to Hastert in 1999. Wheaton College decided last year to remove Hastert’s name from its Center for Economics, Government, and Public Policy. Hastert pleaded guilty last year to violating banking laws while seeking to pay $3.5 million to someone he sexually molested. He must report to prison by June 22 to begin serving a 15-month sentence.

Mayor, governor trade barbs:

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are trading barbs amid Illinois’ budget impasse with Emanuel comparing Rauner to Donald Trump while the governor tours the state. Emanuel began the exchange Thursday by saying Rauner “is following the Donald Trump playbook of demonizing one group of people for his political advantage.” The remark was a response to Rauner comments Wednesday accusing lawmakers of wanting a “massive bailout” for Chicago Public Schools at the expense of other areas of the state. Rauner on Thursday called Emanuel’s comments a “goofy personal attack.” Rauner is in a nearly yearlong standoff with Democratic lawmakers over a state budget. Without funding, Chicago schools won’t open in the fall, district CEO Forrest Claypool has warned.

Videos show beach brawl:

Two people captured video of a large Memorial Day brawl at North Avenue Beach, ABC 7 reported on its website. Alejandro Contreras, who witnessed the melee, posted a video on Twitter. He said he doesn’t know who was involved or why the fighting started. “Just a bunch of hands flying everywhere,” Contreras said. “I didn’t even know who was fighting. It was just a bunch of random people going at it. ... Seemed like a random melee going on.”

Wear Orange honors victim:

It has been more than three years since 15-year-old King College Prep student Hadiya Pendleton was shot and killed. On Thursday, family and friends gathered for the second annual Wear Orange event in Hyde Park, ABC 7 reported on its website. The celebration of Hadiya’s life also served as a rally, with other victims of gun violence in attendance. “This is a day to celebrate something about your loved one,” said Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, Hadiya’s mother. “Not the way they left.” The project Operation Orange Tree was started by some of Hadiya’s friends.

Gospel music fest starts today:

The Chicago Gospel Music Festival begins today and runs through Saturday with performances at the Chicago Cultural Center and at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The concerts are free. The list of performers includes Candy LaFlora, Travis Greene, Shirley Caesar, and Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir.