Good afternoon! It’s not your creativeness: Extra fireflies are illuminating the Chicago space this summer time in comparison with latest years. Right here’s what else it is advisable know as we speak.
Advocates who efficiently satisfied the federal authorities that Chicago permits Metropolis Council members to illegally block inexpensive housing say they’ve given up searching for assist from President Donald Trump’s administration, the Chicago Solar-Occasions’ Brett Chase studies.
As an alternative, 10 housing teams say they may attempt to negotiate with Metropolis Corridor straight in hopes of bringing extra inexpensive models to majority-white neighborhoods, together with a number of on the Far North Facet.
The U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth sided with the teams in late 2023 after the advocates filed a civil rights grievance alleging that low-income housing was blocked in some areas of town by alderpersons who used veto energy to kill rental initiatives with inexpensive models.
The grievance traced the origins of the aldermanic veto to the Thirties, when it was utilized by council members who represented white neighborhoods. Their constituents noticed racially built-in public housing as “the top of their neighborhoods,” based on the grievance. [Chicago Sun-Times]
2. Indicted former Ald. Carrie Austin was discovered medically unfit for trial
The transfer by a federal decide comes 4 years after a grand jury initially leveled bribery prices in opposition to the longtime politician, who left the Metropolis Council in 2023, my colleague Jon Seidel studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
In his 19-page ruling as we speak, U.S. District Decide John Kness acknowledged that Austin is presumed harmless however “stays below the cloud of a felony indictment.”
“Barring a fabric enchancment in her well being, she could certainly by no means face the prospect of a responsible verdict,” Kness wrote. “However then once more, she might also by no means benefit from the restorative advantage of a not responsible verdict.”
Austin, 76, was as soon as considered one of three sitting Metropolis Council members to seek out themselves below federal indictment again in 2021. Former council members Edward M. Burke, 14th Ward, and Patrick Daley Thompson, eleventh Ward, confronted indictment concurrently Austin. Burke and Thompson have been convicted by juries and served time in jail. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Jobs for younger individuals have grown by 40% below Mayor Brandon Johnson, who pitched this system as a key anti-violence initiative, Mariah Woelfel studies for WBEZ.
Up to now this season, 28,839 younger individuals between the ages of 14 and 24 have secured jobs, internships or different paid enrichment positions via town, associate organizations or company companions, Johnson stated at a information convention.
Nonetheless, the job initiative lags behind pre-pandemic numbers, when town was usually hiring greater than 30,000 children. And the demand for summer time jobs continues to far outpace the slots accessible as a consequence of an absence of funding and company partnerships. Final 12 months, roughly 51,000 children utilized for simply 28,000 accessible positions. [WBEZ]
Advocate Youngsters’s Hospital flagged three knockoff automobile seats prior to now 12 months amid an increase nationally in mother and father shopping for seats that don’t meet U.S. security requirements, my colleague Elvia Malagón studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
“Everybody’s in search of a deal, so they are saying, ‘Oh, I received this … and it was so low-cost,’ ” stated Kim Vuckovich, the neonatal outcomes coordinator on the northwest suburban Park Ridge hospital. “After which while you actually have a look at it, it’s simply not what it’s speculated to be. … America has sure laws for automobile seats … [and] in the event that they aren’t made in the US, they could not meet these necessities.”
Hospital employees need mother and father to analysis a automobile seat earlier than shopping for it on-line if the deal appears too good to be true, Vuckovich stated. Mother and father must also be cautious of getting secondhand automobile seats as a result of the merchandise have expiration dates they usually might turn out to be much less efficient even when concerned in minor automobile accidents, she stated. [Chicago Sun-Times]
5. Is {that a} child dragon? This pigeon rescue is caring for Chicago’s most polarizing flock.
The nestling, which fell from its nest earlier than it might fly, is the newest cost at Nice Lakes Pigeon Rescue, the place volunteers hope to shift town’s view of the birds, my colleague Grace Logan studies.
Often known as a squab, the pigeon was about two weeks outdated when he was taken in by the group. He shortly gained followers among the many workers and supporters of the rescue due to his resemblance to a tiny winged dragon.
Recognized for his curiosity and seeming confidence, the chicken tends to pose “like Captain Morgan,” the rum model mascot, on the sting of his bowl when it comes time to eat his seeds. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- U.S. measles instances hit their highest degree in 33 years, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention reported. [NPR]
- Greater than 160 persons are believed to nonetheless be lacking after flash flooding in Texas. [AP]
- U.S. Division of Homeland Safety officers swarmed the car parking zone of Chicago’s Nationwide Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Tradition. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- Chicago Public Library now has a summer time studying program for adults, full with prizes. [Block Club Chicago]
Oh, and yet one more factor …
Throughout 15 seasons, the Fly Honey Present constructed a following with its mixture of burlesque, dance live performance and get together, incomes a status as hosts of a festivity of all our bodies and identities, Vocalo’s Morgan Ciocca and Nudia Hernandez write.
The present returns this month with a Chicago-centric sequence of dates, however this time, organizers say they’re the culminating performances. Although the present has been embraced by Chicago’s inventive group, one founder stated the plan was by no means to maintain it going for this lengthy.
“I’m actually happy with the way in which that Fly Honeys stood in its energy in Chicago and actually crafted a nook and a distinct segment for this sort of work,” stated Erin Kilmurray, the present’s director and co-founder. [Vocalo]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s your favourite place to seize a candy deal with throughout summertime within the Chicago space?
Jonathan writes:
“Scooter’s on Belmont. Among the finest spots on the town for frozen custard. Love the peanut butter shake with vanilla custard!”
Be happy to e-mail me, and your response could also be included within the publication this week.
