Good afternoon, and completely satisfied Friday! I’m excited to lastly make amends for a number of the yr’s greatest motion pictures. Right here’s what else you should know at this time.
Chicago Public Faculties CEO Pedro Martinez has threatened to file a lawsuit in opposition to the Board of Schooling and all seven of its members hours earlier than they plan to fireside him at a swiftly referred to as particular assembly Friday evening.
The college board is leaning towards firing Martinez with out trigger, a number of sources instructed WBEZ and the Chicago Solar-Occasions, which might set off a portion of his contract that permits him to stay in his function for six months.
Members are additionally contemplating putting in Sean Harden — Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decide for brand spanking new board president — as co-CEO throughout that point to freeze out Martinez, two sources stated. However conversations are ongoing over who precisely would step in and the way a lot energy Martinez would retain.
Sidelining Martinez might permit Johnson and his allies on the Chicago Lecturers Union to maneuver ahead with gadgets Martinez has blocked: settling a brand new union contract, pushing a pension cost for non-teacher CPS workers onto the varsity system’s books and taking out a short-term mortgage to fill a midyear finances deficit and keep away from layoffs or furloughs. [WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times]
2. Dozens of elected officers demanded rapid adjustments in home violence court docket
Virtually 30 Chicago-area elected officers have signed a letter demanding Cook dinner County Chief Choose Timothy Evans completely reassign Choose Thomas Nowinski after he declined to detain a person who then allegedly killed his spouse, Sophie Sherry reviews for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
The officers additionally need Evans to start a evaluate of all pretrial companies procedures on the Home Violence Courthouse.
Yesterday marked precisely one month since Lacramioara Beldie, 54, was allegedly stabbed to loss of life by her husband, Constantin Beldie, 57, within the Portage Park neighborhood, based on Chicago police and the Cook dinner County health worker’s workplace.
Weeks earlier than the homicide, Constantin Beldie was charged with choking and trying to kidnap his spouse. The case marked the second time that Lacramioara Beldie filed for a protecting order in opposition to her husband this yr, but Nowinski denied a petition to detain Constantin Beldie pending trial, as an alternative ordering him launched on GPS monitoring.
A few week after the killing, Evans introduced Nowinski wouldn’t be listening to home violence circumstances due to “nameless threats.” The chief choose’s workplace has not supplied any updates since then on the standing of Nowinski’s task. [Chicago Sun-Times]
3. Illinois’ first drive-thru DMV kiosk opened in Lombard
The service presents 24/7 entry to resume registrations and licenses, and to acquire license plate stickers, Mitchell Armentrout reviews for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
“This creates a greater surroundings for folk who go to our workplace, and simply provides a brand new stage of comfort for folks to suit issues into their busy schedules,” Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias stated forward of at this time’s grand opening.
Different drive-thrus will finally be launched in Chicago, Giannoulias stated. Greater than 100 are slated to be put in statewide over the subsequent 18 months.
Fifteen comparable kiosks have been put in inside grocery shops earlier this fall, together with six in Chicago, however they’re restricted to shops’ enterprise hours. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Some Chicago Starbucks places are closed as employees strike over failed negotiations
The five-day motion started at this time and impacts shops in three cities: Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles.
Labor union Starbucks Staff United declined to call all of the Chicago shops the place employees are placing moreover the espresso retailer’s Edgewater location at 5964 N. Ridge Ave. However protesters additionally have been in entrance of a Bucktown retailer at West Armitage and North Hoyne avenues.
Starbucks this morning stated there was no vital influence to retailer operations.
The union stated the corporate’s new chairman and CEO might make greater than $100 million in his first yr — but the corporate lately proposed an financial bundle with no new wage will increase for unionized baristas now and a 1.5% enhance in future years. [AP/Chicago Sun-Times]
5. Riot Fest 2025 tickets went on sale simply in time for the vacations
Three-day passes turn into obtainable at this time for the twentieth anniversary competition, set for Sept. 19-21 at Douglass Park.
Common admission passes begin at $249.98, and pricier packages embody such perks as expedited entry, premium viewing areas and shaded seating.
No performers have been introduced but, although organizers have begun posting hints on Riot Fest’s social media pages. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is going on
- The White Home has begun scrapping pending rules, together with scholar debt cancellation. [AP]
- The FDA introduced a brand new definition of “wholesome” meals. [NPR]
- Far-right provocateur Nick Fuentes stated a “would-be murderer” got here to kill him at his suburban house. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- Opioids have been killing the identical technology of Black males in Chicago for many years. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Oh, and yet another factor …
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice — the shortest day of the yr and the official arrival of astronomical winter. Every day will get a bit longer and brighter till summer season.
Within the meantime, there’s a lot to cherish throughout the chilly season, even previous this month’s holidays.
NPR supplied some ideas for taking advantage of winter, together with attempting out traditions from around the globe, indulging within the yr’s greatest leisure and caring for your self. [NPR]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s your favourite Chicago-specific present to present household and mates who don’t reside within the space?
Jane writes:
“I really like the Chicago skyline, and glasses with the skyline are my favourite present. After I went to Europe this summer season I introduced a backpack stuffed with pint glasses with the Chicago skyline to present to my mates there, as an invite to them to go to our beautiful metropolis. To date none have taken me up on the invite however perhaps come summer season I’ll have some company!”
Thanks for all of the responses this week! A whole lot of you prompt Chicago meals, so I’ll have to present some to my household this yr.
