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🌱 Patch AM: Cook County Forest Preserve Strike Ends After 16 Days

And on the Chicago Patch calendar - Digital Marketing Strategy Information Session

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Hey hey Chicago! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Deal ends strike for workers maintaining Cook County forest preserves
  • What did CPS board president hopefuls promise about budgets and school closures?
  • How a 100-year-old birria recipe put South Chicago on the map

Also on today's calendar: Digital Marketing Strategy Information Session and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Why did the chicken go to the gym? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Hot and humid with a t-storm, with a high of 93 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: A stray t-storm; not as warm, temps: high: 81, low: 70.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and less humid, with a high of 79 and low of 68 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Cook County Forest Preserve Strike Ends After 16 Days (patch.com) — A 16-day strike by Teamsters Local 700 workers who maintain the Forest Preserves of Cook County, including popular sites used by many Chicago residents, has ended with a new contract. The deal brings raises through 2027, one-time payments, and improved scheduling and break rules, while keeping the preserve system's operations and finances on a stable footing.
   

2. CPS board president candidates lay out competing visions at first forum (chicagotribune.com) — Four candidates vying to be the first elected president of Chicago's Board of Education shared sharply different ideas at a packed Uptown forum, debating CPS's shaky budget, school closures, and how aggressively to seek new state funding. Their decisions will shape everything from potential midyear cuts to whether under-enrolled schools close and whether campuses like McCutcheon Elementary finally get long-promised facilities.
   

3. A 100-year-old recipe is behind one the best Mexican restaurants in Chicago and the country (nbcchicago.com) — A beloved South Chicago spot, Birrieria Ocotlan, is celebrating 53 years in the city and national recognition as one of the country's top Mexican restaurants. Run by the Reyes family using a century-old birria recipe, the two Chicago locations draw crowds for slow-stewed goat in rich consommé, a legacy that has only grown since recent New York Times praise boosted business.
   

4. Family honors Eliza 'Nicky' Morales and all femicide victims at candlelight vigil (southwestregionalpublishing.com) — Family, neighbors, and local leaders gathered at Wentworth Park on Chicago's Southwest Side to honor Eliza "Nicky" Morales and other femicide victims with a candlelight vigil. Speakers, including Ald. Silvana Tabares and a domestic violence survivor, urged systemic change, highlighted progress from the Chicago-Cook County Domestic Violence Task Force, and encouraged continued community support as Morales's case moves forward in DuPage County court.
   

5. Chicago inventor launches new card game 'Rupture' (wgntv.com) — A Chicago inventor is trying to bring a new card game, Rupture, from Bucktown playtests to full production with the help of a Kickstarter campaign. Tested at board-game bar Snakes and Lattes, the fast-paced, two-deck strategy game blends elements of Magic: The Gathering and Super Smash Bros., aiming to give locals an easy, social way to play together in person.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Andersonville Residents are Featured in "King Lear" at Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Opens Oct. 15 —SHOUTChicago.com Read on Patch
  • Gebrüder Weiss Earns Top Industry Recognition —Chicago Area Contributor Read on Patch
  • Graceland West Resident Featured in "King Lear" at Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Opens Oct. 15 —SHOUTChicago.com Read on Patch
  • Albany Park Residents are Featured in "King Lear" at Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Opens Oct. 15 —SHOUTChicago.com Read on Patch
  • Avondale Residents are Featured in "King Lear" at Babes With Blades Theatre Company, Opens Oct. 15 —SHOUTChicago.com Read on Patch
  • So i know some of you will think i am nuts , but i saw 3 bewildered looking teens with suitcases by Olive Garden, i was going to Walmart on Cicero, i turned my car around and asked if they were lost , turns out they were ….
    They got off the bus at the wrong stop , they were looking for their hotel, so i packed them in the car and drove them to the Hotel, Holiday Inn on… (Nextdoor Ashburn)
  • Was waiting at the bus stop and saw a woman coming down the street that looked fabulous so I told her so and she said that I beat her to it because she was gonna tell me the same.
    Ended up chatting for a few minutes and exchanging information. I love when that happens. She was fabulous !! Tracey Steele The SkyWingwalker!! (Nextdoor Southeast Gold Coast)
  • Agi posted a job opening for Cargo Ramp Agent in Chicago. Apply here.
  • Whole Foods posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Chicago. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chicago here.

Ok Chicago! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: He was working on his pecks (pecs). (Thank you W F C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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