Good afternoon! It’s Thursday, and psychologists say “hopeful skepticism” will be wholesome. Right here’s what else you’ll want to know as we speak.
1. A brand new flag for Illinois is now open for voting. Which design ought to win?
By means of Feb. 14, residents will be capable to vote as soon as each 24 hours on 10 finalists winnowed down from practically 5,000 submissions (out there to browse because of a Freedom of Info Act request by native journalist Miles MacClure), my colleague Esther Bergdahl studies.
Reactions have been combined on the dozen or so last prospects. A number of use President Lincoln’s well-known silhouette; one contains a strong orange butterfly, whereas one other merely reproduces the current flag with stripes down the perimeters.
“I don’t know if I’d say I’m completely satisfied,” mentioned Will Stephens, mayor of downstate Murphysboro and a flag commissioner. “I might say that I’m happy that we did one of the best we may with what we had.”
So, what do design specialists say makes a very good flag?
“Solely the best designs actually operate nicely,” mentioned vexillologist Ted Kaye, who’s the secretary of the North American Vexillological Affiliation — “The World’s Largest Group of Flag Lovers and Students” — and compiler of the design information Good Flag, Unhealthy Flag. [WBEZ]
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is ready to be bitterly chilly — 20 to 25 levels under zero with the wind chill, in line with the Nationwide Climate Service. The chilly snap was anticipated to final till the center of the week when temperatures are anticipated to steadily climb again into the 20s and 30s.
An Amtrak spokesperson instructed the Chicago Solar-Occasions the railroad firm determined to be proactive for trains touring throughout the nation.
Empire Builder prepare 7/27, which was initially scheduled to depart from Union Station at 3:05 p.m. Monday, was canceled attributable to forecasted temperatures, Amtrak mentioned on X, formally generally known as Twitter. Two extra Empire Builder trains certain for Portland and Spokane had been additionally canceled, in addition to a Borealis prepare scheduled to reach in St. Paul, in line with Amtrak.
Metra officers weren’t anticipating any service disruptions because of the chilly as of this morning, and CTA officers suggested passengers to test www.transitchicago.com for any attainable delays because of the chilly. [Chicago Sun-Times]
3. Walgreens is closing 5 shops on the South and West sides
Areas scheduled to shut Feb. 17-27 embody these in West Englewood, Little Village, South Chicago, Bronzeville and South Shore, my colleague Amy Yee studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
The closures are a part of the Deerfield-based pharmacy chain’s plan to shutter 1,200 shops by 2027.
In October, the corporate introduced it might prioritize shutting poor-performing shops owned by the corporate, or areas the place the leases are expiring. Walgreens mentioned final week that it closed 70 areas in its first quarter, because it reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings. It plans to shut 500 shops throughout its fiscal 12 months, which started in September.
Walgreens mentioned it intends to maneuver staff on the shuttered Chicago shops to different areas. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. A flamingo and seal died of chicken flu at Lincoln Park Zoo
Zoo officers say it was “close to sure” the animals contracted the illness from contact with contaminated waterfowl, Kade Heather studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Guests should not thought-about prone to catching chicken flu.
“As a result of extremely pathogenic avian influenza is unfold by free-ranging birds, it’s no riskier to go to Lincoln Park Zoo than to take pleasure in a stroll outside,” Lincoln Park Zoo President and CEO Megan Ross mentioned. “The zoo stays a secure place to attach with the animals in our care.”
The flamingo, named Teal, hatched final fall and “was simply getting acquainted along with her flock and keepers,” the zoo mentioned in a press release. The 7-year-old seal, named Slater, “was a beloved seal recognized for his rambunctious and curious nature. He was a fast learner and sometimes might be seen taking part in coaching classes with keepers. Each will probably be deeply missed,” the zoo’s assertion mentioned. [Chicago Sun-Times]
5. Immigration, Black hair and Chicago expertise take middle stage in ‘Jaja’s African Hair Braiding’
Buoyed by a profitable Broadway run, the play a few bustling magnificence salon opens this week at Chicago Shakespeare, WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis writes.
Beneath the laughs, this full of life comedy is a portrait of African immigrants striving to make it in America. And although it’s set in Harlem, the play has some Chicago bonafides: Three of the ladies on its artistic workforce are Chicago natives desperate to convey a poignant story in regards to the immigrant expertise to their hometown whereas highlighting the distinctive fantastic thing about Black hair.
“Chicago is my group and my residence,” mentioned director Whitney White, Tony-nominated for the present’s Broadway run. (She now lives in New York.) “I’ve a hair braider I’ve been going to my entire life: Clem’s African Hair Braiding on [North] Broadway. The whole lot I perceive about Jaja’s African Hair Braiding comes from my roots and my experiences. So, to have the ability to share it with my group is an honor.” [WBEZ]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned a “last-minute disaster” is holding up approval of the ceasefire settlement with Hamas. [AP]
- David Lynch, the filmmaker behind Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive, died at 78. [AP]
- Bob Uecker, longtime Brewers announcer and Hollywood character, died at 90. [AP]
- Listed below are the Chicago arts organizations that received coveted 2025 NEA grants. [WBEZ]
Oh, and yet another factor …
Chicago R&B singer Khaliyah X, whose given title is Khaliyah Hayes and whose debut album made a splash final 12 months, finds pleasure in constructing her look, my colleague Morgan Ciocca writes for the Getting Dressed With Vocalo collection.
With a trend fashion she describes as “enjoyable,” “stylish” and “random,” Hayes pays consideration to colours and silhouettes — a perspective impressed by her childhood love of patterns and Disney Channel-era Raven-Symoné.
One standout 2024 outfit was when Hayes bought to sing the nationwide anthem for WNBA workforce Chicago Sky in late Might. She wore a yellow flowered crochet two-piece by Chelsea B, one in every of her favourite designers and an in depth buddy.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever seen crochet taken that far … she blew my thoughts,” Hayes mentioned. “After I first tried on one in every of her clothes, I used to be offered, and I’ve been in love along with her designs and her ever since.” [Vocalo]
Inform me one thing good …
I need all the nice and cozy and comforting meals proper now. So I’m questioning, what’s your favourite place to get soup within the Chicago space?
Ali writes:
“Ann’s Bakery on Chicago and Leavitt is a Ukrainian grocery retailer with a sizzling deli counter. If something about Ukrainian delicacies, there’s a cult of soup. They all the time have borscht and not less than one different. They’re all excellent (inexperienced borshch and bitter cabbage being my private favorites) and the value can’t be beat!”
Rudy writes:
“The rooster matzo ball soup at The Bagel for ‘rooster soup penicillin.’ The matzo ball is unmatched.”
And Luther writes:
“The unbelievable vegan pho at Scrumptious Pho in North Mayfair, or the unimaginable lentil soup at Style of Lebanon in Andersonville! Each are yummy favorites.”
Be at liberty to e mail me, and your response could also be included within the e-newsletter this week.
