🌱 Prostitution Ring Leader Pleads Guilty + CVS Buys Oak Street Health

Good morning, Chicago! Thanks for reading Patch's five-minute guide to headlines and happenings. In today's newsletter:

• ⚖️ A woman who ran a multi-state prostitution ring in Chicago pleaded guilty.
• 🌭 Lexington Betty Smokehouse launched a wagyu hot dog brand.
• 🏗️ A developer wants $27 million from the city to cover Congress Theater's reno expenses.

But first, it's National Pizza Day! Find out where to celebrate in Chicago.

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🌧️ The weather:

Becoming very windy; rain. High: 43 Low: 30.

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Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) Jessica Nesbitt pleaded guilty to conspiracy involving her high-end brothel, Kink Extraordinaire, on the city's West Side. Nesbitt operated in Illinois, D.C., California, Florida, Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin. Her 9,000 clients included individuals with "positions of prestige in the community, including in law enforcement and government." (Chicago Sun-Times)

2) As Congress Theater in Logan Square falls into disrepair, developer David Baum is asking the city for $27 million in tax-increment finance dollars to cover a gap in funding to restore the historic venue. The renovation is now estimated to cost $88 million, up from $70.4 million last year. (Block Club Chicago)

3) CVS Health plans to purchase Chicago-based primary care provider Oak Street Health for $10.6 billion. Oak Street Health runs 169 locations 21 states, and serves lower-to-middle income patients with Medicare Advantage plans. CVS Health said it would pay $39 a share. (WTTW)

4) After 19 years and 500 wins, legendary Simeon Career Academy basketball coach Robert Smith is preparing to step down. Knowing he'd hit another career milestone helped him decide that now is the right time. Smith is the most successful boys high school basketball coach in Illinois history. (CBS Chicago)

5) Lexington Betty Smokehouse in Pullman launched a wagyu hot dog brand that's now available in local Mariano's stores at $18.99 for an eight-pack. Chef Dominique Leach partnered with Vander Farmers in Michigan for the beef. Leach said the success of her restaurant at One Eleven Food Hall prepared her for this new phase of business. (Block Club Chicago)

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📌 Today in Chicago:

• Knitting Circle at Howard Street Makers Studio (10:00 AM)
• Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts: Trio Gaia at Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist (12:15 PM)
• DIY Valentines at Rudy Lozano Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Jewelry Making with Joy Joshua at Harold Washington Library Center (5:00 PM)
• "Soul" at Whitney M. Young, Jr. Branch Library (5:45 PM)
• Game Night Extravaganza at Mount Greenwood Branch Library (6:00 PM)
• February Singles Happy Hour at Logan Square Auditorium (6:00 PM)
• Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime at House of Blues (7:00 PM)
• Get Lit: Paper Lanterns at Art Camp Chicago (7:00 PM)
• Michael Lerich Jazz Ensemble - Coltrane and Miles: Modals of Perfection at Winter's Jazz Club (7:30 PM)
• Shani Conducts Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances at Chicago Symphony Orchestra (7:30 PM)
• Geeks Who Drink Trivia Night at Commonwealth Tavern (7:30 PM)
• The Official Sounds of the Street Pre-Party at Reggie's (8:00 PM)
• Rolling Stones Tribute Dinner Show feat. Satisfaction at Brauerhouse (8:00 PM)
• The Vultures with Kelsey Montanez & Shannon Baker and The Burners at Cubby Bear (8:00 PM)
• Jesca Hoop with Gracie and Rachel at The Hideout (8:00 PM)
• Mississippi Heat Blues Band/Joanna Connor Blues Band at Kingston Mines - Chicago Blues Center (8:00 PM)
• Tamarie T and Thee Elektra Kumpany 10 Year Anniversary Party at The Promontory (9:00 PM)
• UDABABY, Randal Bravery, CB Radio Gorgeous at Empty Bottle (9:00 PM)
• Chicago Showcase at Bourbon on Division (9:00 PM)
• A John Hughes '80s Valentine's Party at Disco (9:00 PM)
• SZA SOS Listening Party and Drag Show at Berlin (10:00 PM)
• Feel Good Country Boys at Bub City (10:00 PM)

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📱 Social chatter:

• Ukrainian stories: "One year after Russia invaded their country, five Ukrainians who resettled here share their stories of frightening escapes and difficult adjustments. "The world must hear our voices," said Khrystyna Hrytsenko, who fled Irpin with her 8-year-old son." (Chicago magazine via Instagram)
• Chicago's signature dish?: "What is Chicago's signature dish? Social media question sparks big debate from locals." (NBC 5)
• Waldorf makeover: "Fourteen years after landing in the Gold Coast, the Waldorf Astoria received a multimillion-dollar facelift." (Crain's Chicago Business via Facebook)
• Mohop to the rescue: "When you have the biggest female feet in the world, shoe shopping is... a challenge." (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
• Most romantic restaurants in Chicago: "For when you need something a bit sexier than The Wiener's Circle at 3am." (Infatuation Chicago)

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
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Featured events:

• LPCC Annual Meeting: Lincoln Park's 2023 Cultural Outlook (February 9)
• Block Cinema: RESIDUE (2020) with filmmaker Merawi Gerima (February 9)
• DEI in Healthcare (February 10)
• Chicago Artisan Market in Ravenswood - this Sat-Sun, Feb 11-12 (February 11)
• Lincoln Square Winter Weekend Greek Fest (February 11)
• Block Cinema: Shamanic Cinema: Trance as Resistance with Colectivo Los Ingrávidos (February 15)
• Love Triangles - Music of Clara & Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms (February 25)
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You're all caught up for the day!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com