Chicago Public Square will take a few days off. Back in your inbox Wednesday.
Oil blowout. Climate crisis activists have reason to cheer what Politico labels “a series of extraordinary blows” to the fossil fuel industry …
■ … including a victory for what The Conversation labels “the little engine that beat Exxon.”
■ The Washington Post calls it “a day of reckoning for an … industry already struggling over how to deal with climate change.”
■ A Tribune editorial: “Energy reform that comes out of Springfield … should bring an end … to automatic rate hikes and guaranteed profits for ComEd.”
■ Ex-chief of staff to Ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan Tim Mapes has been indicted, accused of lying to a federal grand jury—even after he was granted immunity for his testimony in an investigation of ComEd.
‘A council meeting for the ages.’ Politico’s Shia Kapos recaps a fraught session for the Chicago City Council …
■ … including an emotional confrontation over—and ultimately a delay for—a proposal to rename Lake Shore Drive for Chicago founder Jean Baptiste Point DuSable.
■ The council did approve a plan to crack down on tow truck operators who descend on motorists involved in traffic accidents.
■ And it cleared the way for the iconic Thompson Center’s possible replacement by one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers.
■ Register to join The Daily Line team this afternoon at 1 for a live online analysis of all the City Council did this week.
‘Officers must ask themselves if the need … is worth the risk.’ Weeks after Chicago police foot chases ended with two high-profile fatal shootings, the city’s top cop has announced a new policy on such pursuits.
■ The Associated Press: “Current and former enlistees and officers in nearly every branch of the armed services described a deep-rooted culture of racism … that stubbornly festers.”
■ Updating coverage: The Senate was headed for a showdown on creation of a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. (Cartoon: Keith J. Taylor.)
The bleeding begins. Media watchdog Robert Feder: On just its second day of ownership, “the new overlords of the Chicago Tribune … announced a voluntary buyout offer to nonunion newsroom employees”—often a precursor to outright layoffs.
■ The offer reportedly includes 12 weeks’ pay for eligible employees with three or more years of continuous service, plus another week’s pay for each year with the company.
‘Congratulations, parents.’ Columnist Heidi Stevens salutes those who’ve endured “the strangest school year ever.”
■ But plenty of kids have had a hard time.
■ Hoping for a graduation party at a Chicago restaurant? You may be too late.
■ Illinois’ COVID-19 test positivity rate has reached its lowest point ever.
■ Will we need vaccine booster shots? Early evidence suggests not.
■ President Biden’s ordered U.S. intelligence agents to “redouble” their investigation of how the pandemic began.
■ Chicago TV and radio news veteran Matt Rodewald: News of Carle’s death “stopped my night cold.”
■ Carle received as many as 10,000 fan letters a year.
■ In 2007 he told NPR about growing up in Germany, studying artists banned by the Nazis.
■ Here he is, reading Caterpillar in a YouTube video.
‘He was always happiest behind that drum kit.’ School of Rock actor Kevin Clark is dead at 32, killed in an accident while bike-riding in Logan Square.
■ Chicago’s Active Transportation Alliance: “The entire area near Western and Logan is unsafe for people walking and biking.”
■ The congressional Government Accountability Office says the U.S. Transportation Department has been doing a crappy job of evaluating pedestrian and cycling safety programs.
When the stars rose in Chicago. WTTW-Ch. 11 tonight premieres a new documentary about the legendary Rush Street nightclub Mister Kelly’s, including footage of musicians, singers and comedians who were just getting started—like Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Herbie Hancock and Lenny Bruce.
■ Hear blues legend Muddy Waters recorded at Mister Kelly’s in 1971.
Sky foul. The Chicago Sky basketball team has filed a complaint with the WNBA after the team’s Black coach, James Wade, said a game official referred to him as “boy.”
■ White Sox fans are up in arms over the renaming of a seating area.
Just because Chicago Public Square won’t be around to nag you for a few days doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carve some time out of the long weekend ahead to support the #SaveChicagoMedia campaign to benefit 43 organizations that constitute the Chicago Independent Media Alliance and that have in many cases seen hard times through the pandemic. Donate to all—including Chicago Public Square—or pick your favorites here.
