Chicago icon gone. Pianist Ramsey Lewis—whose music on records, radio and television moved generations of fans—is dead at 87.
■ Jazz critic Neil Tesser: “He was renowned worldwide but remained a symbol of Chicago music.”
■ In a 2016 interview on WGN Radio, Lewis said, “I just want to be as good as I am today and better than I was yesterday.”
■ His widow, Jan, writes on Facebook: “Ramsey’s passion for music was truly fueled by the love and dedication of his fans across the globe.”
■ The family’s suggesting donations in Lewis’ honor to the Jazz Foundation of America.
■ Personal note from your Chicago Public Square columnist: It was an honor to deliver the news on Ramsey’s WNUA morning show late in the 1990s—and to travel with the team on a memorable trip to London for a week of broadcasts in January 1998.
‘This has to do with climate change, and … the sewer systems weren’t able to withstand the amount of rain we got.’ A Chicago Water Department spokeswoman suggests flooding like that which plagued the region Sunday ain’t likely to be a one-time thing.
■ She elaborates: “There’s no combined sewer system in the world that could … hold that kind of a burst.”
■ About those geysers, Block Club Chicago explains: They were driven by air trapped in the sewers.
■ “100-year” floods? Hah.
■ The Conversation: Your gas stove isn’t helping the climate—or your health.
Train trouble. Metra says a looming work stoppage by railroad workers could disrupt most of its commuter services as soon as Friday …
■ Streetsblog Chicago: Why Metra navigation is so tough for newbies—and how to make it easier.
■ Aggravated commuters plan a protest Wednesday morning at CTA HQ.
Headed out. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Anne Burke is retiring …
■ … and a growing number of signs suggest her husband, indicted Ald. Ed Burke, is also close to hanging it up.
■ Also calling it quits, after 20 years: Staunch police union supporter Ald. Ariel Reboyras.
Fake cop alert. The Chicago Police Department says a guy flashing a phony badge has been trying to get into homes and businesses—including the Shedd Aquarium.
■ Chicago on Sunday recorded its 500th homicide of the year …
■ … but the pace is slower than last year.
■ A Sun-Times editorial worries that ticketing of distracted drivers has dried up.
Downer, indeed. Citing threats, the Downers Grove Public Library has canceled a drag-queen bingo event for teens—intended to mark National Coming Out Day.
■ It’s a win for a mayor and congressional candidate from another suburb, Orland Park.
‘We’re never leaving.’ A new book asserts that Donald Trump told his aides in the days after he lost the 2020 election that he would simply not vacate the White House to make way for Joe Biden.
■ The Justice Department’s Trump investigation over the last week has reportedly been on a subpoena binge—issuing 40 of them and seizing two phones.
■ Lost in all the Trump-related news? Cartoonist Tom Tomorrow recaps where things stand.
‘Our troops are not running away from Ukrainian soldiers, they are merely getting in their mandatory daily steps in what happens to be the opposite direction of the incoming enemy forces.’ Columnist Rex Huppke shares a “definitely-not-made-up email from the Kremlin.”
■ Updating coverage from The Associated Press: Ukraine’s troops are producing “major gains and a stunning blow to Moscow’s military prestige.
‘I did take classes at The Second City.’ Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis ad-libbed his Emmy Awards acceptance speech last night.
■ Here’s the full list of winners …
■ … including Sheryl Lee Ralph—only the second Black woman ever to win the Emmy for best Supporting Actress in a Comedy—who gave this stunning acceptance speech.
■ Second City’s new CEO hails from Sesame Street.
I am…bivalent. Your columnist has gotten the latest COVID-19 booster …
■ … which overnight triggered a few chills and a couple of sore shoulders (got the flu shot in the other one) but otherwise wasn’t bad at all.
■ Find yours here.