Good afternoon! Get pleasure from right this moment’s sunshine whereas it lasts, as a result of snow and single-digit temperatures are within the forecast. Right here’s what else that you must know right this moment.
The measure requires regulation enforcement officers to promptly take away firearms from these accused of abuse inside 96 hours of a decide’s order.
“It’s a very good day for Illinois,” Pritzker mentioned. “It’s additionally an emotional day as we bear in mind these we now have misplaced and people who have suffered alongside the way in which to get us right here.
The regulation, named in honor of Karina Gonzalez who was killed allegedly by her husband in 2023, handed each the Illinois Home and Senate throughout the Normal Meeting’s lame-duck session in January — nearly a yr and a half after her demise.
Gonzalez and her 15-year-old daughter, Daniela, have been fatally shot of their house in July 2023, simply weeks after she reported her husband Jose Alvarez’s threatening habits to Chicago police. She was granted an order of safety towards Alvarez, which led to the automated revocation of his firearm proprietor’s identification card. However his weapon was by no means seized, and he allegedly fatally shot his spouse and daughter and wounded their 18-year-old son, Manny Alvarez, in accordance with prosecutors.
“As I look ahead in direction of the long run, I hope that the long run survivors gained’t should endure as a lot as our household and numerous others have needed to by the hands of abusers,” Alvarez mentioned right this moment. “And whereas there may be nonetheless a lot work to be executed, the long run is brighter than ever.” [Chicago Sun-Times]
2. Chicago shall be house to a world COVID-19 monument honoring victims and front-line employees
The illuminated, 25-foot chrome steel work within the Illinois Medical District may very well be accomplished later this yr, Joanna Marszałek reviews for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
COVID-19 Memorial Monument of Honor, Remembrance & Resilience shall be constructed at 2023 W. Ogden Ave., nestled between Stroger Hospital and Jesse Brown VA Medical Heart. Organizers plan to unveil the monument within the fall.
“Now Chicago would be the bodily place the place the world honors front-line employees. If that’s not a supply of delight, I don’t know what’s,” mentioned Sally Metzler, who chairs the fee behind the venture.
The monument will consist of 5 illuminated multicolored sculptures designed to resemble a hybrid of a dandelion puff and the COVID-19 virus. The dandelion, which grows worldwide, is supposed to signify the universality of pandemic struggling. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Yellow Banana promised to open six Save A Lot shops all through Chicago with the assistance of metropolis funds, however information present the corporate has but to fulfill expectations, Mariah Rush and Lauren FitzPatrick report for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Town is supporting the companies in a $20 million deal to attempt to tackle the meals deserts on the South and West sides, the place many residents reside removed from grocery shops.
Neighbors of the West Garfield Park Save A Lot say retailer trash cans and dumpsters are overflowing and the rodent management is inadequate.
Inside the shop, reporters documented milk per week previous its expiration date, wilted greens, and dozens of packages of expired greens and lettuce on retailer cabinets. Additionally they discovered expired floor meat within the cooler at 2858 E. 83rd St.
Save A Lot’s proprietor, Yellow Banana, didn’t return messages in search of remark. [Chicago Sun-Times]
4. Chicago’s flu season is probably the most intense in 15 years
If it looks like everybody you recognize is sick, it’s doubtless due to the flu. The Chicago space and the nation are dealing with a severe spike in instances, my colleague Mary Norkol reviews for the Chicago Solar-Occasions.
Of all flu assessments given, 22.6% have been optimistic as of Feb. 1, in accordance with the Chicago Division of Public Well being. Final yr, the share of optimistic assessments peaked at 14.5%.
This flu season began later than in previous years, and the signs are typically extra extreme and last more than a typical flu season, mentioned Dr. Sindhu Aderson, central area medical director for Northwestern Medication Quick Care. For instance, some sufferers nonetheless run a fever of 101-102 levels after 5 to seven days of the onset of signs, whereas Aderson sometimes expects sufferers to start feeling higher between days three and 5. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Scientists proceed to uncover new particulars about these predators that after terrorized railway employees in Kenya, my colleague Rafaela Jinich reviews.
A serious discovery was a extreme tooth abscess in one of many lions, which might have made searching conventional prey troublesome.
“People are a lot simpler to catch,” mentioned Julian Kerbis Peterhans, a professor at Roosevelt College and an adjunct curator on the Discipline Museum. “If a lion is in ache and struggling to take down zebras or buffalo, it is sensible that it could go after one thing slower.”
The lions, which reportedly killed and ate dozens of employees in 1898, have been shot by Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson, who was commissioned by the Uganda Railway committee to supervise the railway’s venture over the Tsavo River. Their skins have been become rugs earlier than being offered to the museum in 1925 for $5,000 — equal to about $90,000 right this moment. [Chicago Sun-Times]
Right here’s what else is going on
- Employees and contractors on the Client Monetary Safety Bureau have been informed they can not “carry out any work duties.” [NPR]
- Hamas introduced a delay within the subsequent Israeli hostage launch. [NPR]
- Right here’s what the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl efficiency exhibits the NFL. [CNN]
- This Valentine’s Day, specialists advocate contemplating what all varieties of love deliver to your life. [AP]
Oh, and yet another factor …
Demolition of “The White Citadel Constructing” — although unlikely — would open a primary metropolis block for brand spanking new improvement, WBEZ contributor Dennis Rodkin reviews for Reset.
Tearing down 311 S. Wacker Drive may be financially viable as a result of the constructing is within the strategy of being offered for about $70 million — lower than one-quarter what the current homeowners paid in 2014. The construction could be the world’s tallest constructing demolished voluntarily.
However such a venture could be costly and complicated, given the downtown location.
You’ll be able to see pictures of the constructing’s well-known brightly lit, crenellated high and gorgeous foyer within the hyperlink. [WBEZ]
Inform me one thing good …
Chicago Theatre Week continues by means of Sunday, so I’m questioning, what’s a play you both loved lately or need to see?
I lastly snagged a ticket to Albany Park Theater Venture’s Port of Entry for this spring after making an attempt all final yr.
Be happy to electronic mail me, and your response could also be included within the publication this week.
