‘It’s practically irreparable’ / Popcorn, please / Workplace fairness’ ‘momentous day’

Chicago Public Square will take Monday off. Back Tuesday. And now the news:


‘It’s practically irreparable.’ The president of Chicago’s Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans is skeptical that even an apology from Mayor Lightfoot can undo the damage of her alleged obscene and derogatory comments in a dispute over a Christopher Columbus statue.
Here’s the complaint asserting that Lightfoot defamed a former Park District lawyer—on a Zoom call—with remarks including, “My dick is bigger than yours and the Italians, I have the biggest dick in Chicago.”
The Sun-Times’ Fran Spielman: Lightfoot could use the indictment of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan to deliver on her campaign promise to cut City Council members’ clout.

‘All that was awry with Illinois government.’ Better Government Association chief David Greising writes in the Tribune that the indictment of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan is a sign the state needs to start taking ethics seriously.
A Trib editorial: “Voters, now’s the time to demand reform.”
Gov. Pritzker agrees (link corrected).
Patch columnist Mark Konkol: Madigan’s troubles pose a predicament for Pritzker.

Cops shot. Two Chicago police officers were in fair condition after being shot early today in Lawndale.
The police superintendent says they “were ambushed.”

Nuclear move. In a middle-of-the-night attack, Russia has seized control of Ukraine’s—and Europe’s—biggest nuclear power plant.
Historian Heather Cox Richardson sees “a new moment in global history … in which businesses and economic pressure are being enlisted to protect democracy, rather than undermine it.”
The International Cat Federation has blocked Russian cats from competition.

Popcorn, please. The Washington Post has unearthed previously unseen video footage showing longtime Donald Trump adviser Roger Stone working to overturn the 2020 election and secure pardons for insurrectionists.

‘Vaccines are still working, but they took a hit with omicron.’ Your Local Epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina dives into conflicting reports about the effectiveness of COVID-19 shots for kids.
A do-it-yourself box made of furnace filters surrounding a regular fan has saved lives in the pandemic.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, who says he has long COVID, is pushing legislation to help to those who share his plight.

Workplace fairness’ ‘momentous day.’ President Biden’s signed a law giving new clout to victims of sexual assault and harassment.

‘Give people what they need most when they’re living in poverty: Money.’ And so Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has announced plans to send thousands of suburban residents a guaranteed income.
Chicago will launch a similar program next month—and here’s where to apply for that.

Warmest weekend of 2022—so far. Expect temperatures near 70 Saturday.

‘It’s okay … for war. But on the softball field? I guess that’s where we have trouble.’ Columnist Lyz Lenz’s Dinguses of the Week: “People outlawing trans girls from sports.”
The Conversation: Anti-trans agendas are advancing in Indiana, Iowa and Texas.
Popular Information: Some of the companies condemning Texas’ governor and attorney general for targeting trans youth and their families have also donated tens of thousands of dollars to those same politicians.

‘It isn’t a coincidence that we’re launching on Chicago’s birthday.’ Debuting today: CHGO Sports, a new digital media platform—podcasts, livestream broadcasts and more—committed to a “fans-first” approach.
Its head of content is Kevin Kaduk, the guy behind the late Midway Minute newsletter.

Save your pennies. This looks like it’s going to happen. Maybe.

Chris Koenig and Mike Braden made this edition better.

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