Tears for Sears. The department store empire born in Chicago is closing its final outlet in Illinois …
■ … the one at Woodfield Mall, whose name derives in part from former Sears chairman Robert Wood.
■ Insider in 2020: “Few chains have fallen from grace quite like Sears.”
■ The writing was on the wall when the parent company changed its name to … believe it or not … Transformco (June link).
Twindemic fears. The Tribune rounds up eight things to know about the dawning flu season and its intersection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
■ Congressman Bobby Rush is proposing a Congressional Gold Medal for “those whose efforts led to the successful development of lifesaving vaccines” to fight COVID-19.
■ You know those groundbreaking COVID saliva tests developed at the University of Illinois—tests supposed to be available free weekly to students in all Illinois schools? Not so fast.
‘A slow-motion disaster.’ That’s Better Government Association President David Greising’s assessment of the Chicago Park District’s approach to the sexual harassment of lifeguards and other aquatics employees.
■ A nominee to become the Illinois state treasurer’s executive inspector general is pulling out amid criticism of his anti-Trump posts on social media.
■ Injustice Watch sees “a big shift” in a new class of Cook County associate judges: Much more racially diverse—but still dominated by current or former prosecutors.
So just stay home? Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications advises people to brace for a busy traffic (and, one hopes, just traffic) weekend with events and crowds citywide— including Mexican Independence Day celebrations, Wrigley Field concerts and the Bears’ season opener.
■ Also: Riot Fest.
■ A River North hotel receptionist is under arrest, accused of stabbing a man in a reservation dispute.
■ A man shot in Grant Park yesterday afternoon is downtown’s fifth shooting victim of the month.
Take that, people who say saving the climate will kill the economy. As reservations for Ford’s groundbreaking electric F-150 pickups top 150,000, the company is adding 450 jobs to double production.
Get to know Joe. An exhibition opening tonight at the Bridgeport Arts Center spotlights award-winning Trib political cartoonist—and longtime friend of your Chicago Public Square columnist (2008 link)—Joe Fournier …
■ President Biden was huddling with other global leaders today to plot new strategy against global warming.
‘This family is truly banana pants.’ The father of on-trial-for-fraud tech exec Elizabeth Holmes’ baby-daddy is columnist Lyz Lenz’s Dingus of the Week.
■ Tech investor Ellen Pao writes in The New York Times of Holmes’ trial: “It can be sexist to hold her accountable for alleged serious wrongdoing and not hold an array of men accountable for reports of wrongdoing or bad judgment.”
Ready to dump cable? TechHive dispels seven common concerns about cutting the cord.
■ Cord Cutter Weekly rounds up savings on Showtime subs and Apple and Roku TV streaming devices.
■ Booted off Amazon’s streaming video package, HBO is offering new and returning subscribers a 50% discount.
■ Critic Richard Roeper gives the expanded theatrical release of the documentary Live at Mister Kelly’s—about Chicago’s legendary and groundbreakingly inclusive nightclub—three stars.
■ … who’s recorded a personal—and funny—video invitation just for you.
■ And then tomorrow: You can join in the fun for National CleanUp Day.
Chicago Public Square mailbag. Reader Jerry Field is unconcerned by a lack of classroom experience for Mayor Lightfoot’s choice to head Chicago Public Schools: “Look at the backgrounds of previous Chicago school superintendents. One with a doctorate in education was jailed, another just couldn’t understand teaching toward the tests is not teaching.”
■ Monday’s when you’ll learn how you can nab one of those highly coveted and absurdly rare Square caps—in a brand-new color. Meanwhile, you can study up.