🏙️ TODAY IN CHICAGO
🌨️ Expect some gusty snow showers while we ride out this 40-degree day.
Vaccine supply and demand has varied across the city. While 40% of all Chicagoans have gotten their first dose, only 25% of Black Chicagoans have, Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said. And public health officials are urging Black Chicagoans to get vaccinated as they see higher COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. Advocates say harder-hit areas need more vaccine sites and outreach to address hesitancy.
The state is trying to fix the uneven distribution and keep up with vaccine demand by sending more shots to the city, which has gotten most of its doses from the federal government thus far, and nearby suburbs to assist local public health departments.
If free Krispy Kreme isn’t working, what will corporate America offer next to strengthen the vaccine incentive game? [Block Club Chicago; Chicago Tribune]
—Sidney Madden (@sidney_madden_)
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After the jury in the Derek Chauvin murder trial delivered the guilty verdict, City Cast Chicago headed to Chicago’s Loop to talk to activists for police accountability about what the verdict means for the future of their fight.
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👉 What you can do: Attend today's 9 a.m. rally for a community policing ordinance spearheaded by City Cast Chicago guest Frank Chapman.
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💵 Local Black entrepreneurs struggled to get federal funding
Surveys and studies show Black and Latinx businesses had a harder time getting loans from the Paycheck Protection Program. Black business owners from the city's West Side and western suburbs shared the confusion and frustration they felt throughout the process. [Better Government Association]
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🚌 Riding electric buses, the transit of the future
A lot of y'all were hyped about the new CTA e-bus that produces fewer emissions. The reviews are in: It's a smooth and quiet ride. In addition to the six electric buses on the #66 Chicago Avenue route, the city might add another 17 soon. The CTA hopes all buses will be electric by 2040. [Streetsblog Chicago]
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🧸 City's preschool applications open today
You can enroll your 3 and 4 year olds in more than 600 in-person and remote preschool programs for the upcoming school year. Other early learning programs are available to kids 5 and younger.
👉 What you can do: Apply early to get into top-choice programs.
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😷 Cook County residents 16 and older can get vaccines at a newly opened Matteson site. [NBC Chicago]
🦠 Volunteers are making appointments for people who are homebound. Call 312-600-8925 or email for assistance. [Chicago Vaccine Angels]
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+ TONIGHT: Chicago Race Riot of 1919
At 6 p.m. tonight, learn about the project that plans to create 38 installations for each of the people killed in the early 20th century riot.
+ TONIGHT: Asian American Film Representation Panel
Join local critics and filmmakers tonight at 7 p.m. as they discuss how Hollywood can accurately and authentically depict Asian American experiences.
+ FRIDAY: Lincoln Park Conservatory Spring Flower Show
If the hard freeze killed all the plants outside, you can see all types of flowers inside during a 60-minute visit at the "Pretty in Pink" flower show until May 8.
+ SATURDAY: El Jolgorio de Salsa y Más
Catch cultural performances, shop with local street vendors, and dance at the Humboldt Park event every Saturday all summer long.
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Love is in the air, my friends, at least for the penguins at the Shedd. With longer daylight hours, it's mating season. While we wait for eggs to hatch in May or June and for the inevitable viral video of baby penguins waddling around the aquarium, I'll be streaming all the top-tier penguin content. I'm talking "Happy Feet," "Penguins of Madagascar," and "Surf's Up." Who's with me?
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"Happy Feet"/Giphy
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