Community Corner
🌱 Mayoral Candidates Spar In Forum + 'You Name a Snow Plow' Finalists
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Chicago.
Good morning! I hope you have a nice MLK Day. Today, you'll find these stories and more in this edition of the Chicago Daily:
- 🗳️ Eight mayoral candidates spar at Chicago Women's Forum
- ❄️ Voting is now underway for Chicago's "You Name a Snow Plow" contest
- 💰 A former Art Institute of Chicago payroll manager is accused of stealing $2M
🌩️ The weather:
Rain and a t-storm; breezy. High: 45 Low: 39.
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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:
1) County assessor agrees to meet with Pilsen residents after protests over soaring property tax increases. About 30 people gathered last week at Assessor Fritz Kaegi's office to speak out after Pilsen residents were hit hard with property tax increases this year. Pilsen homeowner Pat Gonzalez said her property taxes have normally been about $3,500, but this year, her bill soared to $11,500. Kaegi has agreed to attend a community meeting this week to listen to concerns. (Block Club Chicago)
2) Ex-payroll manager charged with defrauding Art Institute of Chicago out of $2M. Former Art Institute of Chicago payroll manager Michael Maurello, 56, of Beach Park, has been indicted on federal charges alleging he embezzled more than $2 million in museum funds over a 12-year period by siphoning funds intended for other current or former employees into his own bank account. He has been charged with two counts each of wire fraud and bank fraud. (WTTW)
3) Chicago-based Tiesta Tea hoping to deliver 3,000 'warmth kits' to homeless shelters. For the last eight years, employees at the company have assembled and hand-delivered thousands of warmth kits containing clothing, hygiene products, food and tea to homeless shelters across the city as part of their "Spread the Warmth" campaign. This year, they have doubled their annual goal, with the hope of handing out 3,000 kits thanks to generous donations from Hanes, Bombas and the community. (FOX 32)
4) Finalists released for Chicago's snow-plow naming contest. The Department of Streets and Sanitation launched the city's first "You Name a Snowplow" contest Dec. 16 to name six of the city's snowplows—one for each snow district. 50 finalists have been chosen by department staff, and residents now have until Jan. 31 to vote for six winners. The names with the most votes will be featured on city snowplows, which can be tracked in real time on the plow tracker. (Chicago Tribune)
5) Chicago mayoral candidates answer questions, call each other out about key topics at Women's Forum. Eight of the nine candidates vying for Chicago mayor participated Saturday in a two-hour Women's Mayoral Forum at Chicago Temple near Washington and Clark. The event included several heated moments between the candidates. They were asked to address a range of topics, including public safety, education, housing and reproductive rights. State Representative Kam Buckner was unable to attend at last minute. (ABC 7)
📌 Today in Chicago:
- King Day at The Dusable Museum of African American History (10:00 AM)
- Hoop Hard Or Get Off The Court MLK Basketball Tournament at Gary Comer Youth Center (10:00 AM)
- MLK Wellness Walk at Garfield Park (10:00 AM)
- The North Lawndale Racial Justice Ride at Lawndale Christian Health Center (10:00 AM)
- Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Day at Chicago History Museum (10:30 AM)
- MLK Day 2023: South Side Stories at Hyde Park Art Center (11:00 AM)
- A Day of House: Martin Luther King Holiday Tribute at The Promontory (2:00 PM)
- 3D Hair Art - Kela Edwards at Thurgood Marshall Branch Library (5:00 PM)
- "The Croods: A New Age" at Avalon Branch Library (5:00 PM)
- Fleet Feet Running Club in Lincoln Square (6:00 PM)
- MLK Commemoration Celebration at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel (6:00 PM)
- Excide, Broken Vow, Instill, Absolute Truth, Ashtray at Subterranean (7:00 PM)
- Blue Monday feat. Sheryl Youngblood at SPACE (7:30 PM)
- Midnight Sun at City Winery (8:00 PM)
- Monday Night Open Jam: Tommy Carroll at Golden Dagger (8:00 PM)
- Blues Night with Joey J. Saye at The California Clipper (8:30 PM)
- Industry Mondays: Thehomeboytyler, Whodat, Eddie 2 Raw at PRYSM (10:00 PM)
📱 Social chatter:
- Chicago Cubs kids-only press conference: "Kids say the darndest things. 😂" (Chicago Cubs via Facebook)
- MLK Day of Service: "In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we are collecting food, PPE, winter apparel (hats, gloves, scarves) and home goods for delivery to over 500 seniors across Chicago. Come out on King Day at 10am to help us serve seniors. With your help we can make a difference in hundreds of seniors' lives." (My Block * My Hood * My City)
- Booze candles: "Make empty bottles into candles at the Chicago Candle Company." (WGN-TV)
- Taylor Swift-themed break up bar: "Got a long list of ex-lovers? 🍸❤️🔥 Hop on the waitlist for this exclusive (anti) Valentine's pop-up and get ready to plot your post breakup comeback at BucketListers.com in our link in bio @ChicagoBucketList ⬅️ Tickets include:🥂 Free welcome drink🍹 Themed cocktails🔮 On-site tarot readers📸 Taylor photo ops & more!#chicago #ChicagoBucketList" (@ChicagoBucketList via Instagram)
- Who's running for Chicago mayor? "Nine people are running for Chicago mayor. Here's a look at their education records." (Chalkbeat Chicago)
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Alright, you're all caught up for today.
— 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
