Good afternoon, and glad New 12 months’s Eve! The publication will take a break tomorrow, however I’ll be again in your inbox Thursday. However first, right here’s what it’s worthwhile to know immediately.
1. Violent crime goes down in Chicago, however prevention teams fear cash is operating out
The town might finish this 12 months with lower than 600 homicides for the primary time since 2019. However as grant cash dries up, leaders of violence prevention teams say they’re fearful about how they’ll proceed their work amid indicators of progress, my colleague David Struett studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Although shootings and murders are down 7% in comparison with 2023, in accordance with knowledge from the Chicago Police Division, that determine is lower than the nationwide common homicide lower of between 10% and 15% over the previous 12 months.
Since 2021, murders in Chicago have decreased 29%, and most varieties of different violent crime additionally proceed to fall.
“We’ve now had two once-in-a-lifetime homicides spikes in Chicago” in 2016 and 2021, says Kim Smith, a director on the College of Chicago Crime Lab. “We will’t take with no consideration we’ll proceed to expertise decreases, particularly after we had two historic will increase.”
However not all areas are seeing progress: Little Village and a few North Facet neighborhoods have seen a dramatic improve in violent crime, which Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling attributes to a rise in gang battle and shifting crime patterns. [Chicago Sun-Times]
2. 16 Chicago creatives whose breakthrough music, artwork and theater stood out in 2024
With town’s arts scene again in full pressure post-COVID, 2024 introduced huge concepts, recent collaborations and scorching new releases from all corners, my colleague Cassie Walker Burke writes for WBEZ.
WBEZ selected to focus this look again on breakthrough creatives whose work caught with our arts reporters even after we’d filed our tales. Some are simply plain enjoyable, whereas others wrestle deftly with the world we dwell in, refusing to shrink back from politics and world conflicts.
There’s Ayanna Woods, who’s barely in her 30s however has constructed up her resume as a up to date classical composer, with eminent ensembles similar to The Crossing, Chanticleer and Chicago’s personal Third Coast Percussion presenting her music.
And there’s Jon Michael Hill, the youngest actor to ever be invited to affix Steppenwolf Theatre’s ensemble for the world premiere of Objective.
You may see the complete record within the hyperlink. [WBEZ]
3. Ald. Jim Gardiner settled a case over blocking residents on social media
Six Northwest Facet residents had accused the alderperson of violating their First Modification rights in 2021 when he blocked them and deleted their feedback on his authorities account, the Chicago Tribune studies.
Although Gardiner didn’t admit to wrongdoing in final week’s settlement, he agreed to pay a complete of $157,500, or $4,000 per resident. It’s unclear how a lot will likely be paid by taxpayers.
“Social media websites like Fb present the general public a robust device to petition their elected officers and make their voices heard,” the plaintiffs’ lawyer, Adele Nicholas, mentioned in an announcement. “Elected officers can’t selectively ban individuals who disagree with them.” [Chicago Tribune]
4. Bally’s is about to promote Chicago on line casino possession stakes to girls and minority buyers
Chicagoans from numerous backgrounds may quickly guess on Bally’s with inventory within the metropolis’s forthcoming megacasino.
The shares are anticipated to assist cowl $250 million in financing Bally’s everlasting on line casino at Chicago Avenue and Halsted Road, slated to open in 2026, Mitchell Armentrout studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Phrases of the preliminary public providing are nonetheless awaiting closing approval from the U.S. Securities and Trade Fee.
The minority possession stake was a key dedication from Bally’s that helped it land former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s nod over extra skilled on line casino operators to develop into town’s selection for the long-coveted gaming license in 2022. [Chicago Sun-Times]
5. Sober-curious drinkers are discovering their fill of booze-free bars
With alcohol abstinence gaining acceptance amongst Gen Z, and many individuals experimenting with Dry January after vacation celebrations, bars and cafes are turning out mocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and occasional and tea drinks to maintain the occasion going, Emmanuel Camarillo studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
“Generally simply having sober areas is nice, and that’s tremendous vital,” mentioned Erik B, who informed the Solar-Occasions he has been sober for 2 years. “Particularly for people who find themselves sober-curious or don’t essentially have a historical past with substance abuse but additionally don’t need to be round it.”
Hector Diaz opened In Good Spirits in 2023 in West City together with his fiancée, Adriana Gaspar. The alcohol-free bottle store has seen a rise in enterprise year-over-year, Diaz mentioned, and gross sales this vacation season have outpaced final 12 months’s.
And Nicholas Hodge, supervisor of Eli Tea Bar, mentioned he’s seen a rise in gross sales within the two and half years he’s labored on the bar. The Queer-sober social occasions, which had been as soon as sparsely attended, at the moment are packed, he mentioned. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- The Treasury mentioned Chinese language hackers remotely accessed paperwork in a “main” cyber incident. [AP]
- Practically all of Puerto Rico is with out energy on New 12 months’s Eve. [AP]
- The world inhabitants will likely be 8.09 billion on New 12 months’s Day after a 71 million individual improve in 2024. [AP]
- Listed here are photographs of New 12 months’s Eve celebrations from around the globe. [AP]
Oh, and yet one more factor …
TV personalities Cheryl Scott and Terrell Brown will play lecturers of their subsequent, tightly choreographed Countdown Chicago dance video for ABC7, my colleague Stefano Esposito studies for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Through the years they’ve endured frigid chilly and rain to make the New 12 months’s Eve segments, plus last-minute modifications for a presidential go to.
Viewers who’ve caught (and appreciated) the routines have written in from Japan, Dubai and everywhere in the United States. The occasion started when a producer steered Scott and Brown have an impromptu on-air dance-off.
“So we went for it, and it was an entire and utter catastrophe,” Brown mentioned as he was engaged on the 2025 present’s closing edit in mid-December. “We walked away from that have going, ‘Why don’t we take our time if we’re going to do one thing like that and really produce it and put some effort behind it?’ ” [Chicago Sun-Times]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s one thing you’re enthusiastic about for 2025?
My colleague Molly writes:
“My companion and I booked an AirBnB by Matthiessen State Park close to Starved Rock; we’ve hiked there within the fall however I’m excited to see it within the winter. Rising up in Chicago, I by no means knew we had such beautiful geology and elevation in our state. It’s been actually enjoyable discovering all of it.”
And my colleague Jennifer writes:
“We’re throwing the household cat a twentieth birthday celebration in April!”
Be at liberty to e-mail me, and your response could also be included within the publication this week.
