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Community Corner

šŸŒ± City's New Debt Relief Program + Pullman National Historical Park

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(Patch Media)

Good morning! In today's guide to local stories:

  • 🎤 All 9 mayoral candidates squared off in the first televised debate
  • 📜 Pullman National Monument got a new designation
  • 💰 City launches a new debt relief program for administrative violations

☁️ The weather:

Low clouds may break; colder. High: 34 Low: 26.

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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) Man with special needs may lose eyesight after being shot by gang members while waiting for school bus. Chicago police are looking for suspects after Jesus Rega, a 21-year-old man with developmental disabilities, was shot three times, including once in the head, Wednesday morning while waiting for a school bus with his father and 15-year-old brother, who also has special needs. Authorities believe the suspected shooters were gang members who "likely thought that the victims were rival gang members." (WGN-TV)

2) Englewood school closed by city to be converted into resource center for formerly incarcerated. Granville Woods Math and Science Academy has sat empty for 10 years, as it was one of six Englewood elementary schools shut down during the Chicago Public School closures of 2013. The Resident Association of Greater Englewood and two other groups have teamed up to repurpose the building into a resource center for formerly incarcerated Englewood residents that will offer job training, support services and housing for the whole family. (ABC 7)

3) Pullman National Monument upgraded to National Historical Park — and the name change makes a big difference. Community and elected leaders gathered yesterday to celebrate the new distinction, which will allow the site to acquire land and enter into cooperative agreements to advance park management. It's only the second national historic park in Illinois—the other is the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield. The Pullman neighborhood was one of the first factory towns in the nation, and birthplace of the American labor movement. (WTTW)

4) City offers relief to Chicagoans saddled with debt tied to administrative violations. The "standard relief" program gives individuals and businesses the opportunity to have their interest, collection costs and court fees waived if they pay the original fine amount in full or enroll in a payment plan. The "hardship relief" program offers those in administrative hearing debt the ability to pay half the original fine in full or enroll in a payment plan and have interest, collection costs and court fees waived. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5) All 9 Chicago mayoral candidates face off in ABC7 debate. All nine candidates squared off during the first televised debate ahead of the Feb. 28 election. Topics ranged from crime to affordable housing to youth mental health. Mayor Lori Lightfoot acknowledged "people in the city don't feel safe," but urged voters to stick with her for a second term. Her rivals slammed her over high crime rates they say are scaring people and business away from Chicago. The 90-minute debate was co-hosted by the League of Women Voters. (ABC 7)

📌 Today in Chicago:

  • Chicago Restaurant Week at various locations
  • "Stumbling in the Public Square" Book Signing at Colvin House (6:00 PM)
  • Winter Virtual Bioblitz at Lincoln Park Zoo (6:00 PM)
  • Chicago Peace League at Breakthrough FamilyPlex (7:00 PM)
  • Future And Friends One Big Party Tour at United Center (7:00 PM)
  • Game Night Open Haus Stammtisch at DANK Haus German American Cultural Center (7:30 PM)
  • Blues Storytelling with Gaye Adegbalola, Dom Flemons and Damon Locks at Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts (7:30 PM)
  • Blues Music Series: Indigo Flood at Epiphany Center for the Arts (7:30 PM)
  • Dvořák's Prophecy at The Cliff Dwellers (7:30 PM)
  • Sing Around The Rosie: Karaoke Jam at GMan Tavern (8:00 PM)
  • TC Carson at City Winery (8:00 PM)
  • Brooklyn Charmers: The Music Of Steely Dan at Impact Fuel Room (8:30 PM)
  • Armand Hammer with Yungmorpheus & Mother Nature at Schubas (9:00 PM)
  • The Stone Foxes with Shane Guerrette & Blue Dream at Lincoln Hall (9:00 PM)
  • Trivecta at Concord Music Hall (10:00 PM)
  • Trust - A Modern Dark Wave Dance Night at Smoke and Mirrors (10:00 PM)
  • Glyders (Record Release) / Husk at Empty Bottle (10:00 PM)
  • Urban Fetes: Silent "Juke-A-Thon" Chicago at The Promontory (10:00 PM)

📱 Social chatter:

  • Garrett Popcorn: "Garrett Popcorn celebrated National Popcorn Day by opening up their first Midway Airport location." (WGN-TV)
  • Free ice cream: "Andersonville's newest ice cream shop is offering free scoops to customers as it celebrates its debut. 🍨🍦" (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
  • Sen. Durbin sighting: "U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois visited Chicago High School for Agricultural to meet with students and learn more about their innovative academic curriculum that integrates Agricultural Science, Technology and Business." (Chicago Public Schools via Instagram)
  • Hot restaurants: "Tap the link in our bio for The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now: February 2023 Edition.⁠" (Chicago magazine via Instagram)

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Events:

  • DePaul's Master of Arts in Applied Professional Studies Information Session (January 25)
  • Business After Hours at PARennial Golf (January 26)
  • Block Cinema: ROSA BLANCA (1961) (January 26)
  • Science, Art, and the Search for Meaning: Opening Conversation with Dario Robleto (February 4)
  • Come Celebrate Rescue Rides with Rescueber! (February 11)
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Have a great weekend!

— Nicole Cvetnic

About me: I'm a Midwesterner and very happy to call Chicagoland home. I love the outdoors—especially hiking—performing arts, photography, good food, travel and gardening. You can find me reading to my toddler, watching tv with my husband or cuddling with our rescue dog.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com

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