Good afternoon! It’s Friday, and the CTA plans to construct parks and a strolling path underneath a number of North Aspect “L” tracks. Right here’s what else it is advisable know at present.
1. Illinois Democrats have daring phrases for Trump. What motion can they take?
Illinois Democrats are positioning themselves as a firewall towards President Donald Trump, who hasn’t been shy about his disdain for the state, however constitutional legislation consultants stated the state can solely push again to this point towards the president, my colleague Mawa Iqbal experiences for WBEZ.
Steven Schwinn, a constitutional legislation professor on the College of Illinois Chicago, stated states have some room to undertake their very own practices, because of the tenth Modification, which says that if an influence is just not granted to the federal authorities by the U.S. Structure then it’s reserved to the states.
An instance could be the Illinois State Board of Training setting curriculum pointers for Illinois public colleges. Sanctuary metropolis legal guidelines are one other instance.
And states can use their budgets to push again. Every state has the fitting to allocate funds generated by state taxes, however states additionally administer federal funds. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s $55.2 billion proposed spending plan allocates cash to medical debt reduction and scholarships for college students attending Illinois faculties and universities. [WBEZ]
Joseph Czuba was discovered responsible at present of attacking his tenant and killing her 6-year-old son, Wadee Al Fayoumi, in October 2023 after turning into radicalized by protection of the warfare in Gaza.
The 12 jurors deliberated for simply over an hour earlier than returning to court docket to search out Czuba responsible of first-degree homicide, first-degree tried homicide, aggravated battery and committing a hate crime.
After the assault, Czuba informed a sheriff’s police sergeant he feared for his life and thought “they had been going to do jihad on me.”
Czuba’s protection lawyer, George Lenard, argued the case exemplifies a “rush to judgment” and that police didn’t conduct a correct investigation. [Chicago Sun-Times]
3. Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa was named Chicago’s new park district boss
Ramirez-Rosa is Mayor Brandon Johnson’s alternative to exchange Rosa Escareno as superintendent of the Chicago Park District, Fran Spielman experiences for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
“I’m unhappy about leaving the Metropolis Council and serving as alderman. I’m. There’s so many fantastic folks I’ve labored with on the native degree and at Metropolis Corridor,” Ramirez-Rosa informed the Solar-Occasions. “However to have the chance to serve the two.7 million folks of this metropolis to make sure that our youngsters have fantastic programming? The 8,800 acres of inexperienced area, the 600 parks — to have the chance to enhance and shield that was a chance I couldn’t cross up.”
Ramirez-Rosa stated his priorities will embrace addressing homelessness in parks, security, equitable facility enhancements and increasing youth alternatives. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Tea can take in lead and different dangerous metals, Northwestern College scientists discovered
The Evanston researchers found brewed black, inexperienced and different tea leaves can take away harmful contaminants because the leaves act like a sponge, my colleague Brett Chase experiences for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Whereas the findings could also be comforting to U.S. tea drinkers, it’s significantly vital to these folks dwelling world wide uncovered to extremely contaminated water.
Vinayak Dravid, Northwestern professor of supplies science and engineering and senior creator of the examine, stated this analysis may help those that stay in areas the place there’s little to no authorities cleanup of water that’s contaminated with lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, zinc or some other metallic that may injury the mind or very important organs. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Chicago has extra lead service strains than some other U.S. metropolis. [Chicago Sun-Times]
5. Some Chicago bakeries are elevating pączki costs as eggs, cocoa and sugar prices soar
Whereas some bakeries are consuming the price of greater components, others have needed to enhance costs by as a lot as 30% for the jelly or custard-filled doughnuts eaten the day earlier than the beginning of Lent, which falls on Wednesday.
The U.S. Division of Agriculture launched a report this week predicting egg costs will enhance by 41.1% this 12 months. The company had beforehand predicted a 20% enhance. The USDA cited an outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza, or chicken flu, as the reason for the availability pressure resulting in greater prices.
Sugar costs and cocoa costs have additionally spiked.
“We needed to make the sort of undesirable choice to extend costs after the vacations as a result of we had seen our margins persevering with to shrink and all of our bills proceed to go up,” stated Ellen King, co-owner of Evanston bread maker Hewn. “It’s not to earn more money. It’s to have the ability to proceed to be viable.” [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is going on
- President Trump signed an govt order designating English because the official language of the U.S. [AP]
- President Trump and Vice President Vance known as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy “disrespectful” in an Oval Workplace assembly when pushed for a safety dedication from the U.S. [AP]
- Chicago-based Grubhub reduce 500 jobs underneath its new possession. [Chicago Sun-Times]
- Opening statements within the Highland Park taking pictures suspect’s trial are set to start Monday. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Oh, and yet another factor …
The Oscars are this Sunday, which implies there’s solely a pair days left to make amends for the movies you haven’t already seen. Right here’s a listing of the nominees and the place you possibly can watch them. [NPR]
In the meantime, listed below are some menu concepts to your viewing social gathering to go together with every Finest Image nominee. [NPR]
One of many nominees, A Full Unknown, paperwork singer Bob Dylan’s time in New York — however he spent an influential month in Chicago earlier than heading east, WBEZ contributor Mark Guarino experiences. [WBEZ]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s one thing that brings you peace when issues are chaotic?
Shellee writes:
“I discover peace and pleasure when I’m sitting and my granddaughters run up on both sides of me. They snuggle up as shut as potential and lay their heads on my shoulders. Then every one whispers ‘I really like you’ in my ear. Every part feels calm, and I can simply shut my eyes and know I’m enveloped in love.”
Thanks to your responses this week! I’m sorry I couldn’t embrace all of them, however it was nice listening to from everybody.
