🏙️ TODAY IN CHICAGO
⛅ Mother Nature brought back the sun and 50-degree weather for Earth Day.
An FBI raid and 14 corruption-related charges later, a 200-page court filing shows Ald. Edward Burke was caught on tape making anti-Semitic comments while allegedly refusing to help developers unless they used his private law firm for property tax assistance.
In 2016, the 14th Ward alderman asked then–Ald. Danny Solis to recommend the developers, who were renovating a post office in Solis' 25th Ward, to use Klafter & Burke for tax work. But Solis had secretly been working with prosecutors and recorded the conversation.
Burke has been an alderman for 50 years and chaired the city's powerful Finance Committee for three decades. Prosecutors justified their investigation techniques based on their findings that the Southwest Side alderman had long used his elected position to benefit his private law firm. [WBEZ]
—Sidney Madden (@sidney_madden_)
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🩹 DePaul, Columbia require students get vaccinated for fall
The two private colleges are the first universities in the city to require students get vaccinated for the fall semester. For medical and religious reasons, students can opt out. The schools will offer vaccine clinics. [Crain's Chicago]
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🚉 Red, Purple line riders might need to alter commutes
The Lawrence, Berwyn, Argyle, and Bryn Mawr stations are closing on May 16 as part of a three-year project to make the 100-year-old stations and tracks more accessible. But the CTA is setting up temporary stations at Argyle and Bryn Mawr while the permanent ones are renovated. [Chicago Tribune]
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💉 J&J shots to return to Cook County pending federal approval
Cook County public health officials expect to soon resume administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines once the federal government gives the OK. Given the low risk, European regulators said they plan to resume giving out the single-dose shots. [Chicago Sun-Times]
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🧚 'There is no poop fairy'
Y'all need to clean up your dog poop. Please. As Chicago Park District likes to say, "there is no poop fairy." And if you need a magnet, bag, or duvet to remind you, order all the poop fairy merch in the world.
👉 What you can do: Clean up your dog shit 🙃
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Because of the pandemic, the Asian Pop-Up Cinema will be outdoors at the Lincoln Yards Drive-in. City Cast Chicago talked to founder Sophia Wong Boccio about which films she’s looking forward to and why the festival matters, especially now.
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👉 What you can do: Catch 11 different movies at the drive-in, including the Oscar-nominated "Minari," until May 8.
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😷 Chicago residents can get vaccinated at South Shore Hospital. Register online, or call 773-413-9160 Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🦠 Through Saturday, walk-in appointments will be available at the Matteson and Tinley Park mass vaccination sites. [WTTW]
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+ TODAY: LaBagh Woods hike
From noon to 4 p.m., strap on your hiking boots, and join staff on non-paved trails. You can also pick up litter to create a project out of recycled materials.
+ TODAY: South Chicago urban garden clean-up
Ahead of this year's harvest, help SkyART clean up their community garden from 1–3 p.m.
+ TONIGHT: Rogers Park Earth Day yoga
Attend North Loft Yoga's Eath Day–themed flow online or in person at 5:45 p.m.
+ SATURDAY: Humboldt Park wellness resource event
On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Earth's Remedies will be giving out warm meals, groceries, hygiene kits, and more to a limited number of people.
+ SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Pilsen eco-boutique repotting workshops
Learn about proper soil, how to repot, and what plant care looks like at the Shudio on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
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From Libanais' charred chicken to Zam Zam Middle Eastern Grill's crunchy toppings, Lakeview writer Rebecca Holland is eating her way through the local shawarma scene. Holland, who was introduced to the Middle Eastern sandwich while living in Jordan, finds herself ordering from Falafel & Grill the most for its grilled meat, tangy, bite-sized pickles, and evenly spread sauces. [New City]
👉 What you can do: Message Rebecca your shawarma recs 🤤
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