🏙️ TODAY IN CHICAGO
A restaurant group is requiring employees get vaccinated by July 15. Fifty/50 co-owner Scott Weiner contracted COVID-19 back in the fall, and suspects he passed it onto staff, which resulted in closing down West Town Bakery and Homestead for a week.
It's unclear if businesses can legally require vaccines for employees. In Illinois, 2.6% of small businesses are requiring workers show proof of vaccination, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. Some companies are trying to incentivize workers with paid time off and bonuses.
Fifty/50 does have some exemptions for employees who are pregnant, have a disability, or hold religious objections. But Weiner said he hasn't heard backlash from any of his 400 employees, many of whom are already vaccinated. Thinking of the workers and customers, the co-owner of the group that runs the Berkshire Room and Roots Handmade Pizza said "it's just good social responsibility." [Crain's Chicago]
👉 What you can do: Industry workers can get vaccinated at the Loyola Park Field House today and at the Bridgeport Art Center on Wednesday.
☀️ Maybe you'll eat out on this sunny 70-degree day. Enjoy, friends!
—Sidney Madden (@sidney_madden_)
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📰 IN OTHER NEWS
🚨 18 year old charged in fatal McDonald's drive-thru shooting
Marion Lewis is facing a series of charges, including first-degree murder, following the death of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams, Chicago police said. On Saturday, officers shot and arrested the suspect on the inbound Eisenhower when he crashed his car, tried to carjack another vehicle, and reached for a gun in his lap, police sources said. [Chicago Sun-Times]
💉 Johnson & Johnson vaccines are being distributed again
Over the weekend, the city and state resumed administering the single-dose shot. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine had been paused while federal regulators conducted a safety review. [WBEZ]
👟 South Side running group promotes health in communities
The 7 on Sundays running group begins and ends its 7-mile runs in Bronzeville, going through several other neighborhoods on the South Side. The group aims to show Black and brown neighbors that they can safely run together, and to build a health and wellness community. [South Side Weekly]
🥪 Try the Italian (not) beef sandwich
Some of y'all are big mad about Buona debuting its plant-based Italian beef sandwich today (ahem, Chicago Party Aunt). Buona isn't even the first to make the sammy vegan — ever have B'Gabs in Hyde Park? 🤤 Aaannnd, regular Italian beef is still available all around the city, friends! [Chicago Tribune]
👉 What you can do: Try the sandwich at one of Buona's 24 locations. Or get your free vegan burger on at Stand-up Burgers' new location.
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🎙️ TODAY'S PODCAST
WBEZ’s Monica Eng talks to City Cast Chicago about why the city hasn't made progress removing lead water pipes despite the mayor announcing a plan last September.
👉 What you can do: Apply to city programs to replace lead service lines.
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🗓️ MARK YOUR CALENDAR
+ TODAY: Six Flags is now open!
Who's excited to trek to the burbs for Six Flags? Catch me on all the rides but V2 😬 Not about that upside-down life.
+ TODAY: Blackout poems at Wrightwood–Ashburn library
Get a newspaper or some other text and black out words until you create your own poem today from 11 am. to 5 p.m.
+ TONIGHT: In-studio classes with Latin Street Dancing
Learn how to salsa, cha-cha, breakdance, and more at the South Loop dance studio. A new session begins today and runs until May 23 💃
+ TUESDAY: Truman College Art Show debuts
Every year, the Haitian American Museum of Chicago hosts Truman College art students' work. Tune into the virtual exhibit Tuesday at noon.
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Liza Curiel founded Unique Sweets to help her son who has autism build his social and work skills after school. The group sells baked goods online and at pop-up events. Participants and their relatives say the program provides community and independence. [WTTW]
👉 What you can do: Buy treats at a May 8 event with Aspire CoffeeWorks.
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