Good morning, Chicago.
As the delta variant spreads and coronavirus infections increase, some areas in Illinois are recording far more cases now than this time last year. According to Naperville’s COVID-19 dashboard, the city is seeing twice the number of cases as they were in September 2020.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s stormy weather was supposed to bring lower temperatures today and a beach hazard warning through this afternoon, according to forecasters. If you’re curious how much it rained near you, check out our map of rain totals across the state.
— Nicole Stock, audience editor
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Chicago mask mandate violations lead to at least 30 citations against businesses
At least 30 citations have been issued to Chicago businesses for flouting the indoor mask mandate, the city announced.
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Most recently, the city’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection department issued 10 citations for failing to follow the masking requirements from Thursday to Sunday, according to a Tuesday news release. One business was given a warning and, in total, BACP conducted 110 investigations during that time frame.
Former U.S. Sen. Adlai Stevenson III dies at 90
Former U.S. Sen. Adlai E. Stevenson III, the fourth generation of an iconic Illinois Democratic political family to hold public office and who lost the closest governor’s race in state history, died Monday in his Chicago home. He was 90.
His wife of 67 years, Nancy Stevenson, confirmed his death. “When he was in the Senate, he didn’t go to a lot of fancy dinners. He came home to dinner with the family,” she said. “That was his first and constant concern, the family.”
The Illinois House will reconvene to consider a comprehensive energy proposal on Thursday, four days before Commonwealth Edison parent Exelon has said it will shut down one of its five state nuclear power plants if a bill with hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies isn’t passed.
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said negotiations on an energy plan have been ongoing and expressed optimism that a long-discussed energy bill will be approved.
Kaneacha Davis had her heart set on becoming a cop. But being honest about mistakes she made 15 years before applying with the Chicago Police Department — including an incident where she said she inadvertently used a bad check — apparently cost her that dream job.
As CPD has faced recent criticism for struggling to hire and retain Black candidates, Davis is wondering why people like her, who don’t have a criminal record and showed interest in the profession, were dropped from the process. Police leadership has said it is developing ways to bring more diversity to the department’s ranks.
Chicago’s 1st new police contract in 4 years advances for final approval; officers would get 20% raises over 8 years
Top 10 art shows in Chicago for fall 2021: All the art you didn’t get to see because of the pandemic
The schedule of exhibitions this fall is as thrilling and full as ever, no doubt because so many of the terrific shows that were delayed due to COVID-19 have been pushed back until this fall. So get vaccinated, mask up, stay 6 feet apart, check each venue for their current visitor guidelines and go see this art in person.