Community Corner
🌱 Monster Ramen Opens In Logan Square + CTA Unveils New Tactile Signs
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Chicago.
Hey, neighbors. It's Wednesday in Chicago and I'm back in your inbox to get you caught up on the most important things happening locally. Let's begin!
- 🍜 Monster Ramen opens in Logan Square.
- 🚌 CTA unveils new tactile signs to assist blind and low vision riders.
- ✏️ Chicago unveils new ward maps and a reduction in the number of precincts.
First, the weather:
Mostly sunny and nice. High: 82 Low: 69.
Bonus: Chicago is way below average for rainfall this time of year. Does that mean a dry winter, too? Find out here.
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Top 5 stories in Chicago today:
1) Chicago gun violence: DOJ announces dozens of charges as part of federal 'strike force' initiative. The Department of Justice announced yesterday that officials have charged and convicted dozens of offenders for gun crimes in Chicago as part of President Joe Biden's 2021 "strike force" initiative. The DOJ also said a "significant number" of guns recovered in Chicago were illegally trafficked from outside the city. Biden launched the initiative last summer in an effort to help curb violent crime and gun trafficking in Chicago, which recorded a 25-year high in homicides last year.
(Fox News)
2) Chicago unveils new ward maps, will reduce number of precincts by almost 40 percent. In the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. Census, the Chicago Board of Elections released maps finalizing the new boundaries of the city's 50 wards yesterday and announced significant reductions in the number of precincts for upcoming elections. The wards will take effect following next year's municipal elections. The new map will contain 1,290 voting precincts, representing a decrease of 37.7 percent from the 2,069 precincts in the last election.
3) CTA unveils tactile signs to assist blind and low vision riders. The Chicago Transit Authority is becoming more accessible for passengers who are blind or have low vision after unveiling new tactile signs. The signs are 4 inches by 6.5 inches and read "bus stop" in Braille. They'll be centered between 48 inches and 60 inches from ground level and positioned on the pole in the direction of travel of the approaching bus. The #20 Madison route is already equipped with the signs.
4) Monster Ramen opens in Logan Square, specializing in Gyukotsu-style beef broth ramen. Owner Katie Dong, who grew up in Nanjing, China, is bringing flavors of home to Logan Square with her first restaurant, Monster Ramen, which recently debuted on Fullerton Avenue after two years of planning. Monster Ramen serves three types of ramen: shoyu, shio and miso. All of the noodles and broth are made in-house with specialized equipment from Japan. Monster Ramen is open Wednesday-Sunday for dine-in service only.
5) How a secretive Chicago billionaire handed his fortune to the architect of the right-wing takeover of the courts. In the largest known political advocacy donation in U.S. history — worth $1.6 billion, ultra-secretive Chicago businessman Barre Seid, 90, funded a new group run by Federalist Society co-chair Leonard Leo, who guided former President Donald Trump's Supreme Court picks and helped end federal abortion rights. ProPublica's reporting sheds light on how the two men, one a judicial kingmaker and the other a mysterious but prolific donor to conservative causes, came together to create a political war chest that will likely supercharge efforts to further shift American politics to the right.
Today in Chicago:
- Tomatina Festival at Jaleo Chicago. (9 a.m.)
- Film Screening: "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" at Elmwood Park Branch Library. (1:30 p.m.)
- Film Screening: "King Richard" at Woodson Regional Library. (1:30 p.m.)
- Andersonville Farmer's Market on Catalpa Ave. (3 p.m.)
- Jazzin' at the Shedd. (5 p.m.)
- Jazz Institute of Chicago presents: Jazz Club Tour 2022 at Epiphany Center for the Arts. (5 p.m.)
- Courtyard Concert: The Wayne Messmer Trio at Glessner House. (5:30 p.m.)
- Film Screening: "Wayne's World" at Mayfair Branch Library. (6 p.m.)
- Urban Farm Dinner at Big Delicious Planet. (6 p.m.)
- Book & Film Discussion: "The Princess Bride" at Back of the Yards Branch Library. (6 p.m.)
- The Big Fake Wedding (Wedding Expo Alternative) at Bridge 410. (6:30 p.m.)
- Luis Carreon, La Bestia at Chicago Magic Lounge. (7 p.m.)
- Sky Observers Hangout: Red Planet Rendezvous at Adler Planetarium. (7 p.m.)
- Ukraine & Ukrainians Abroad Charity Concert Tour at Copernicus Center. (8 p.m.)
- Leon Bridges w/ Little Dragon at Credit Union 1 Arena. (8 p.m.)
- Monica Martin at Sleeping Village. (8 p.m.)
Chatter:
- Calling all homeowners: Now casting for reno show!: J Haire, Neighbor: "We're filming a renovation show in Chicago this fall and need the PERFECT house! See all the details in the graphic." (Patch Neighbor Posts)
- Illinois resident free days: "📣New additions.📣 We're adding 4️⃣ new free days for Illinois residents this month. Come through to get your inventive genius on, Illinoisans! 🏛️ Skip the line, reserve your ticket online." (Museum of Science and Industry via Instagram)
- Bulls Fest: "Our #BullsFest map & schedule are HERE. Join us Sept. 3-4 ➡️ BullsFest.com" (Chicago Bulls via Facebook)
- Fundraiser for Spencer Williams: "Family members are raising money to pay for Spencer Williams' memorial — and for his son." (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
- Narcan: "Did you know you can get free Narcan at Chicago Public Libraries? Narcan will be available in 51 library branches by the end of August and all CPL locations by the end of the year." (CDPH via Instagram)
- Chicago-themed tattoos: "If you were to get a Chicago tattoo, what would it be?" (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update.
— 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 often find me reading to my two-year-old daughter, watching a tv series with my husband or cuddling with our special needs dog.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com
