Good afternoon, Chicago.

The head of the Illinois Republican Party is urging GOP primary voters to cast ballots early and vote by mail despite President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that those methods lead to election fraud and spurred his recent calls for elections to be nationalized.

The dichotomy between the state GOP’s efforts and the Republican president’s comments reflects the difficulties the Illinois political party faces as it struggles for votes — and relevance — in a state where Democrats dominate state government.

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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Judge agrees to lift protective order, allow release of evidence in Marimar Martinez shooting

Saying the federal government has shown “zero concern” about ruining the reputation of a Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent, a federal judge today agreed to lift a protective order and allow the release of body-camera footage and text messages from the agent who shot her.

More top news stories:

• West Chicago teacher resigns after being placed on leave for social media post supporting ICE
• Jabs at Jesse Jackson Jr., Donna Miller as South Side Congress race heats up
• Ronald Hicks, former bishop of Joliet and the next Catholic archbishop of New York, seeks ‘a church that builds bridges’

Kim Kardashian’s Skims opens store in Chicago’s Gold Coast retail district

Kim Kardashian’s clothing boutique Skims opened a two-level flagship store today at the corner of Rush and Oak streets in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, bolstering an already-strong retail district.

More top business stories:

• EU accuses TikTok of ‘addictive design’ and seeks changes to protect users
• Students remain uncertain about next steps 3 months before Trinity Christian College closure

Who are the 7 new Chicago Bulls? Meet Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons and the rest of the deadline additions.

Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons are still catching their breath.

The pair of guards barely had time to stop their heads from spinning in the hours between their respective trades — Ivey from the Detroit Pistons, Simons from the Boston Celtics — as they caught up with their new team to make their Chicago Bulls debut last night against the Toronto Raptors. The turnaround afforded just enough time to practice with the team during shootaround in the morning and meet with coach Billy Donovan during the afternoon break.

More top sports stories:

• 3 fans. 60 Super Bowls. This might be their last time going to the big game.
• US Olympic hockey history has been given an outsized boost from a tiny, proud Minnesota town
• Lindsey Vonn tests injured left knee in Olympic downhill training — and pumps her fist after successful run
• Minions will get their Olympic moment as Spanish figure skater gets final approval for his music
• Pope, an avid athlete, extols physical and spiritual benefits of sport in Olympic message

Review: Sudan Archives delivers a blistering set at Thalia Hall

Sudan Archives came across as a one-woman wrecking crew yesterday at a sold-out Thalia Hall. On her first tour with production elements such as lighting and dry-ice fog, the singer and multi-instrumentalist secured her standing as one of the more exciting, innovative creatives on the contemporary scene.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

• Merino wool or Mongolian cashmere? Fashion is a competitor in any Olympics, but especially in Milan.
• Review: The Gloria Estefan musical “On Your Feet!” is a full-on blast at Drury Lane
• Review: Conductor Salonen shows off his range with the Chicago Symphony
• Title character in ‘Marty Supreme’ film wears Elgin wristwatch

Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it

President Donald Trump’s social media post featuring former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle was deleted after backlash from both Republicans and Democrats who criticized the video as racist.