That was quick. The replacement ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan picked for his legislative seat has quit—after just two days on the job …
■ … following reports of “alleged questionable conduct.”
We’re No. 1. An annual review of U.S. Justice Department stats concludes Chicago is America’s most corrupt city, and Illinois is its third-most-corrupt state.
■ A Tribune editorial credits Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth with winning a Biden administration reprieve for Chicago’s U.S. attorney, John Lausch …
■ … who, Patch columnist Mark Konkol says, now gets an extra six months “to check the wiretaps for what the silent [politicians] are saying when they think no one is listening.” (Cartoon: Keith J. Taylor.)
One is enough. In a big step toward final approval, U.S. regulators have concluded Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is safe and protective after just a single dose.
■ Chicago’s top doc says the city’s “back on track” after last week’s weather-related vaccination delays …
■ … but she says the city won’t require that residents get shots.
■ Travelers to Chicago from Wisconsin and Indiana are off the hook—for now—with regard to COVID-19 quarantine and test requirements.
■ Illinois is targeting expanded pandemic food benefits for a million needy kids.
Long time gone. Block Club Chicago: City records show some South Shore side streets went weeks without getting plowed.
■ A Trib editorial sides with Southeast Siders opposing a state-approved plan for a scrap metal shredder to move in from upscale Lincoln Park: “Residents have had it with being the city’s ashcan.”
■ Neighboring Lake County, Indiana, is suing the state—contending the state’s vehicle emissions testing program unconstitutionally applies only to Lake and Porter Counties.
■ An annual survey of federal employees finds “more than half the EPA chemists and other specialists working on crucial public health concerns do not feel free to report problems or flag violations.”
‘DeJoy must go.’ The Sun-Times is calling for the ouster of Donald Trump’s U.S. postmaster general …
■ … who (updating coverage) faced a congressional grilling today about miserable delivery nationwide.
■ The Associated Press sums up the first round of congressional hearings on the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.
‘Alien’ evasion. A law school dean hails the Biden administration’s proposal to change immigration law—replacing the word alien with noncitizen “to recognize the humanity of non-Americans.”
■ Mayor Lightfoot’s signed a stronger “Welcoming City” law, removing exceptions that let Chicago cops cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Facebook caved. ProPublica: To protect its business, the company’s top execs silenced an enemy of Turkey.
■ In a deal with Australia’s government, Facebook’s lifted a ban on Australians viewing and sharing news on its platforms …
■ … a ban that for unexplained reasons—your Square columnist can attest firsthand—was as recently as this morning keeping people in Illinois from sharing non-Australian news to Chicago-based groups.
Evanston’s last picture show. The Cinemark 18 is down for the count, leaving the town without a movie theater.
■ Anyone want to buy a horse racing track? Arlington Park’s on the block.
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