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🌱 JFK Files Show Links To Chicago + City Prepped For Winter Weather

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Happy Friday! Thanks for checking out Patch's quick guide to happenings in Chicago. In today's Daily, this and more:

  • 📄 Newly released JFK files show links to Chicago
  • 🌭 The city's newest pop-up shop features local goods
  • 🚓 A CPD officer tied to the disgraced Special Operations Section has been fired

❄️ The weather:

A little snow; breezy, colder. High: 31 Low: 24.

📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1. City ready for arctic blast. How to stay warm and avoid snow-related violations. Chicago officials yesterday said the city is prepared to cope with "extreme winter weather conditions" but residents need to play a role in winter weather prep: from shoveling sidewalks to observing the overnight parking ban to staying out of the way of snow plows. Homeowners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks—not the city—and can be cited for not shoveling at all. (Block Club Chicago)

2. JFK files: Newly released documents link Chicago mob bosses to Cuban militiamen. Yesterday, the National Archives made public almost 1,500 documents related to the federal investigation into the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy. In them are several connections to Chicago. Nine files refer to Chicago circa 1963 and several individuals linked to the Outfit—most notably corrupt former Chicago cop Richard Cain, who had deep connections to organized crime. (ABC 7)

3. New pop-up showcases local foods, goods. As part of Chicago's COVID-19 recovery program, the city partnered with World Business Chicago and the Mag Mile Association to open The Chicago Food Shop on the first floor of 875 N. Michigan Avenue—the building formerly known as the Hancock Center. The new pop-up features a replica CTA train car with a "selfie station," as well as Chicago food, collectables and 3D printed gifts. (NBC Chicago).

4. Chicago-based pot studies center aims to lead on research and policy. The Cannabis Research Institute, a collaboration between the city, state and Discovery Partners Institute, seeks to be the leading science center for cannabis research and help shape policy surrounding the industry. The center will examine social equity, medicinal and health effects of marijuana. With a scheduled rollout in the next few months, DPI has already begun the search for an executive director. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5. Police Board fires CPD officer tied to disgraced unit 18 years after scandal. The Chicago Police Board voted 5-1 yesterday in favor of firing Officer Thomas Sherry for his alleged actions in the disgraced Special Operations Section, a citywide unit tasked with going after high-level gun and narcotics suspects. Sherry was found guilty of submitting false reports after two raids conducted in July 2004. He was placed on desk duty for more than a decade, and on no-pay status in 2021. (WGN-TV)

📌 Today in Chicago:

  • Yoga for Adults at West Lawn Branch Library (9:30 AM)
  • Winter Flower Show Tour at Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
  • The Merry Mixer at Navy Pier (4:00 PM)
  • Kids Menorah Making Event at Easel Art Studio (4:30 PM)
  • Pilsen Gourmet at Apollo's 2000 (6:00 PM)
  • Shemekia Copeland at City Winery (7:00 PM)
  • Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks at United Center (7:00 PM)
  • Mariachi Herencia de México: 'A Very Merry Christmas Concert' at Old Town School of Folk Music (7:00 PM)
  • Lovehouse at FitzGerald's (7:00 PM)
  • Merry, Merry Chicago at Symphony Center (7:30 PM)
  • Petra's Recession Seven - Yuletide Swing! at Winter's Jazz Club (7:30 PM)
  • Christmas with the Peppermint Patties at The Mercury Theatre (7:30 PM)
  • Balkan Bump at Chop Shop (8:00 PM)
  • Brett Eldredge: Glow Live Tour at The Chicago Theatre (8:00 PM)
  • An Evening with The Polish Ambassador at Joe's Bar On Weed St. (8:00 PM)
  • Zeds Dead at Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom (9:00 PM)
  • Birth-Tay Ball: A Taylor Swift Dance Night at Bourbon on Division (9:00 PM)
  • Figure with Ill.Gates at Sound-Bar (10:00 PM)
  • Mike Lust Holiday Extravaganza and Bazaar at Empty Bottle (10:00 PM)
  • Urban Fetes: Silent "Juke, Trap and R&B" Chicago at The Promontory (10:00 PM)
  • Deorro at TAO Chicago (10:00 PM)
  • Ugly Sweater Rave at The Forge (10:30 PM)

📱 Social chatter:

  • CubsCon 2023: "The full 2023 #CubsCon schedule has been released! See you there: Cubs.com/Convention" (Chicago Cubs via Facebook)
  • Holiday Train 360 view: "Simply having a wonderful time taking a spin with Santa. 🎅 🎥 Craig Shimala" (Chicago Transit Authority via Facebook)
  • Porkchop: "The restaurant will host live music, drag shows and burlesque performances." (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
  • ZooLights: "Our most popular event of the year just got extended! ZooLights Presented by ComEd and Invesco QQQ will continue through January 8, 2023. Be sure to purchase your tickets online in advance and join us for the festive, one-of-a-kind holiday experience that offers family fun in the heart of the city." (Lincoln Park Zoo via Facebook)
  • 1870s-era mansion: "Chicago community fights to save historic Lincoln Park mansion." (Fox 32 Chicago)

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I hope you have a wonderful 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 my special needs dog.

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

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

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