Good afternoon! Brace your self for snow showers tonight — however don’t anticipate a white Christmas. Right here’s what else it’s worthwhile to know immediately.
1. The Board of Schooling moved to oust CPS CEO Pedro Martinez
The board scheduled a particular assembly for five:45 p.m. Friday — just a few days earlier than Christmas — to vote on whether or not to fireplace Martinez or conform to a separation settlement.
The choice might doubtlessly finish a monthslong management saga that has introduced an onslaught of political pressure to the college system.
The assembly comes days earlier than a deadline set by the Chicago Lecturers Union to succeed in a contract settlement with the district.
Martinez has already fought off two makes an attempt to take away him from what he has referred to as his “dream job” on the helm of the nation’s fourth-largest faculty system. Martinez stated publicly that he rejected Johnson’s resignation request in September, and he didn’t settle for a separation settlement earlier this month. Sources informed WBEZ and the Chicago Solar-Occasions that Martinez needed to remain till at the least the top of the college 12 months.
The varsity board has been hesitant to fireplace him due to language in his contract, which requires six months’ discover of termination with out trigger. [Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ]
2. Amazon staff in Skokie are on strike, becoming a member of picket traces throughout the U.S.
With lower than every week earlier than the vacation buying rush ends, Amazon staff in Skokie launched a strike this morning and joined different staff at six of the web retail big’s services in New York, Atlanta and California, Amy Yee writes for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
It’s unclear how lengthy the strike will final. This morning, just a few dozen staff sporting winter coats and hats marched outdoors the Skokie facility carrying indicators that learn “Amazon is Unfair” and different slogans.
An Amazon spokesperson this morning stated the strikes in 4 states haven’t affected the corporate’s operations.
The Skokie website serves hundreds of Chicago-area households, in accordance with the Teamsters, which says it represents a whole lot of supply drivers within the northern suburb. Employees there organized this summer time and are demanding union recognition and a contract from Amazon.
Staff are demanding larger wages, higher advantages and improved security circumstances. [Chicago Sun-Times]
The Federal Transit Administration intends to signal an settlement that may contractually obligate $1.9 billion in federal grants to the challenge, securing cash some apprehensive may very well be in danger after President Joe Biden leaves workplace, David Struett experiences for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Trump has lengthy condemned Chicago, and a few folks had been involved he could also be itching to get again at Mayor Brandon Johnson, who campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris.
The CTA hopes to start setting up the Purple Line extension late subsequent 12 months and end in 2029. The challenge consists of new stations at 103rd, 111th Avenue close to Eggleston Avenue, alongside Michigan Avenue close to 116th Avenue, and the brand new terminal at a hundred and thirtieth Avenue close to Altgeld Gardens. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Current school graduates have an opportunity to drive Oscar Mayer’s Wienermobile
The corporate is accepting functions via Jan. 31 to drive its iconic scorching dog-shaped vans, Block Membership Chicago experiences.
By the annual Hotdoggers program, 12 latest school graduates will obtain a one-year alternative to journey throughout the U.S. as model ambassadors.
Molle Twing, senior model supervisor for Kraft Heinz and a former Hotdogger, stated the position is a “masterclass that takes place on a 27-foot-long scorching canine” for younger professionals all in favour of social media or model advertising and marketing careers. [Block Club Chicago]
5. The 20 greatest issues we ate round Chicago in 2024
The 12 months in meals introduced us loads of traits to relish — and one or two to (hopefully) overlook, WBEZ contributors Maggie Hennessy and Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu write.
WBEZ’s year-end meals checklist displays the numerous edible delights that make up our big-shouldered metropolis of neighborhoods — some tastes new, others very tried and true.
Plant-based cooking has reached a golden age in Chicago, as has the cheffy breakfast sandwich. Nor can these meals writers get sufficient of posh remakes of childhood meals, from grown-up SpaghettiOs and fancy corn canine to connoisseur soft-serve ice cream. Excessive-end snacking took on better prominence too, mirrored in bigger and infrequently pricier appetizer menus throughout city.
You may see the checklist within the hyperlink. [WBEZ]
Right here’s what else is occurring
- A authorities shutdown looms after Trump rejected a bipartisan funding plan. [AP]
- Luigi Mangione faces new federal fees within the UnitedHealthcare CEO’s taking pictures loss of life, in accordance with an unsealed felony grievance. [AP]
- The U.S. has detected its first extreme human case of fowl flu. [NPR]
- Now you can speak to ChatGPT via telephone calls and texts. [CNBC]
Oh, and another factor …
One of many metropolis’s extra flamboyant vacation experiences is unfolding in a circus tent tucked atop a Loop lodge.
Teatro Zinzanni has a particular vacation version of its circus efficiency that contains a four-course dinner, drag performances and vocalist LiV Warfield.
My colleague Mike Davis has a behind-the-scenes have a look at the present; you’ll be able to hear the sounds of the circus within the hyperlink. [WBEZ]
Inform me one thing good …
What’s your favourite Chicago-specific present to present household and buddies who don’t dwell within the space?
Mona writes:
“Since shifting to Chicago nearly 10 years in the past, now we have given salamies from Romanian Kosher Meat Market to our family and friends once we journey. We often grasp them to dry in our condominium for every week or two beforehand. It’s at all times amusing to see how TSA offers with 4 or 5 salamies once we undergo airport safety.”
Jacob writes:
“There are just a few Chicago-centric presents I really like for this 12 months: Califone’s Quicksand/cradlesnakes file on vinyl, month-to-month floral subscriptions from Exfolia Botanical, Bedrock Religion by Eric Charles Could, and annual memberships at The Music Field theater are on the prime of my checklist!”
And Connie writes:
“I typically give Frango mints to out-of-towners, and so they appear to be a reliable hit. My daughter-in-law, when she first got here to Chicago from South Korea, was particularly delighted by them and introduced fairly just a few bins again to South Korea along with her. Her favourite was the raspberry taste.”
Be happy to e mail me, and your response could also be included within the publication this week.
