Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Republican challenger Darren Bailey engaged in a chippy first face-to-face broadcast debate last night, as each man frequently interrupted the other with claims of lies, deception and hypocrisy.

Charges and countercharges filled the hourlong forum, which comes as early voting has been underway for a week throughout much of the state and begins today in Chicago, and with little more than a month before Election Day. Read more on the debate from Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorner.

Other high-profile races on the ballot next month include those for the U.S. Senate, where Republican Kathy Salvi faces Democratic incumbent Tammy Duckworth, and for Illinois attorney general, where incumbent Democrat Kwame Raoul is running against Republican Thomas DeVore. Voters will also decide whether Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, deserves another term as she takes on Republican Shannon Teresi, and whether Democratic Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs should get a third term as he faces Republican challenger state Rep. Tom Demmer.

For more on the highest-profile issues, check out our guide for voters on the midterms.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

COVID-19 tracker | Monkeypox tracker | Afternoon briefing | Compare gas prices | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope | Ask Amy | Today’s eNewspaper edition

President Joe Biden speaks at IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Oct. 6, 2022. Biden announced Thursday that he plans to pardon low-level federal marijuana possession convictions. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden’s announcement Thursday that he plans to pardon low-level federal marijuana possession convictions will likely have a small effect in Illinois, where thousands of people have already been pardoned.

But Biden’s plan to review the classification that makes cannabis illegal federally could have a profound effect on the industry in Illinois and nationwide, a leading legalization advocate said.

Tony Johnston, president of Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600, leaves the podium after addressing City Colleges of Chicago board members during a meeting at Harold Washington College on Oct. 6, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

After a year of stalled contract negotiations, faculty members and professional staff at the seven City Colleges of Chicago authorized Thursday a right to strike by the end of October.

With more than 1,000 members casting ballots, 92% of union members voted “yes” to authorize a strike. Although the vote does not guarantee a strike, it allows the union’s negotiating teams to call for one if it becomes necessary, said Cook County College Teachers Union President Tony Johnston said.

Harry Styles performs onstage during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021. (Kevin Winter / TNS)

Harry Styles postponed his first concert in Chicago due to illness among the band and crew, according to posts on social media. The highly anticipated six-show run at the United Center, which was originally slated for Oct. 6 through Oct. 15, will now run Oct. 8-15.

The news came as a blow for many fans, some of whom had been camping outside the venue for hours, while others had traveled from out of state for the show.

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (right) talks with teammate Ayo Dosunmu in the second half of a preseason game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The Chicago Bulls entered this season focused on playing fast and fluid. But their first preseason game Tuesday signaled a disconnect between that game plan and the team’s offensive reality without starting point guard Lonzo Ball. One preseason loss shouldn’t be cause for panic, but the Bulls showed significant stagnancy in offensive creation.

Read the full story from Bulls reporter Julia Poe.

Dave Bautista as Duke and Madelyn Cline as Whiskey in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," screening this month as part of the Chicago International Film Festival. (John Wilson/Netflix © 2022)

The 58th edition of the Chicago International Film Festival opens with a block party along Southport Avenue, with food trucks and food stands, outside the Music Box Theatre, once again the site of several of the festival’s key screenings. These include the new Steve James documentary “A Compassionate Spy” on Oct. 12, and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” on Oct. 18, which co-star Kathryn Hahn will attend to pick up a Career Achievement Award.

Who else is coming to town for CIFF? It’s an impressive guest list, writes Michael Phillips. Just this week Katie Couric, executive producer of the new documentary “No Ordinary Campaign” (Oct. 13), confirmed her Oct. 22 appearance. The film is about Barack Obama’s former political director Brian Wallach and his diagnosis, at age 37, with Lou Gehrig’s disease. Couric will moderate a post-screening discussion at this world premiere’s encore screening, held at a first-ever CIFF venue: the Chicago History Museum.