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.”
■ A statement from the mayor today: “I never have and never will harbor any animus toward Italians or Italian Americans.”
■ 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.”
■ 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.”
■ The department says a suspect is in custody, a gun recovered.
Nuclear move. In a middle-of-the-night attack, Russia has seized control of Ukraine’s—and Europe’s—biggest nuclear power plant.
■ NewsGuard has identified a Top Ten list of myths about the Russia-Ukraine war.
■ 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.
■ It was gathered for a documentary to be released later this year.
‘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.
■ It includes the right to seek justice in court instead of having to submit to arbitration.
‘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.
Warmest weekend of 2022—so far. Expect temperatures near 70 Saturday.
■ The Onion: “Latest Climate Change Report Just Heartfelt Farewell Letter Telling Humanity To Remember The Good Times.”
‘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.
Save your pennies. This looks like it’s going to happen. Maybe.