This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

🌱 Skeletal Human Remains Found + First Marriage License Of 2023

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Chicago.

Nicole Cvetnic's profile picture
Nicole Cvetnic, NeighborVerified User Badge
|
(Patch Media)

Good morning! In today's Chicago Daily:

  • 🚨 Skeletal human remains were found in a South Side forest preserve
  • 💊 Cook County is poised to set a new record for opioid deaths
  • 💍 A longtime couple received the first Cook County marriage license of 2023

🌧️ The weather:

A p.m. rain or snow shower. High: 38 Low: 30.

Are you a business owner or marketer in Chicago who wants to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales? If that's you, then I invite you to see how our newsletter sponsorships combine our local audience reach with your expertise to attract new customers. Click here to learn more.

📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) Cook County poised to set new record for opioid deaths as researchers warn of hundreds of undocumented cases. The number of opioid deaths in Cook County last year is likely to set a new record. The medical examiner's office has already confirmed 1,599 opioid overdose deaths for 2022, and it expects 400 to 500 of its pending cases will also be listed as death by opioid toxicity. In 2021, the county reported a record 1,936 opioid overdoses. (NBC Chicago)

2) Skeletal human remains found in Beaubien Woods. The remains were found around 10 a.m. yesterday by a member of the public visiting the Beaubien Woods, approximately 50 feet into the woods from South Doty Avenue. Forest Preserves police are leading the death investigation. The scene was processed by investigators from the Cook County Sheriff's Office, and the remains have been sent to the Cook County Medical Examiner to determine identification and cause of death. (Patch South Side)

3) Judge overturns murder conviction of woman who said Chicago police detectives framed her. A Cook County judge vacated the conviction of Madeline Mendoza, who said she was framed by former Chicago police detectives. Mendoza spent more than 17 years in prison for a 1992 double murder in Humboldt Park. Her lawyers argued that Detectives Reynaldo Guevara and Ernest Halvorsen made up the story that Mendoza was involved, and that another woman convicted in the murders acted alone. (ABC 7)

4) Landlord says McDonald's blocking landmark renovation. Attorney Steven DeGraff, owner of the Delaware Building, said the Chicago-based fast-food company is using a lease to block work that could bring an improvement to Randolph Street. DeGraff wants to convert the building into residences, but McDonald's has a long-term lease for the first two floors and won't agree to a design change he needs for the renovation. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5) Longtime couple receives first Cook County marriage license of 2023. Mandy Fila and Daniel Ferguson of Brookfield tied the knot yesterday in a ceremony officiated by County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. The couple won Cook County's first marriage license drawing. They've known each other more than 20 years, been together for 13 and are raising two children, ages 6 and 9. (CBS Chicago)

📌 Today in Chicago:

  • Winter Flower Show: Snow Day! at Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
  • Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
  • Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts: Susan Kang and Beilin Han at Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist (12:15 PM)
  • Crochet Along: Bowl Cozy virtual event (3:00 PM)
  • Teachers Gone Bad - Chicago Edition at Laugh Factory (5:00 PM)
  • Beekeeping Lecture with Atreya Manaswi virtual event (6:30 PM)
  • Some Sort of Saint Table Reading at Dusable Museum of African American History (7:00 PM)
  • Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets at United Center (7:00 PM)
  • Mixtape at Chicago Magic Lounge (7:00 PM)
  • Soul Message Band with Greg Ward and Hinda Hoffman at Winter's Jazz Club (7:30 PM)
  • Nerdbear: Pixar Trivia at The SoFo Tap (8:00 PM)
  • Stewpendous David Bowie Trivia at Replay Andersonville (8:00 PM)
  • Splice Series at Beat Kitchen (8:30 PM)
  • DJ Tavern Style at Punch House (9:00 PM)
  • Chicago Metal Factory: Cobra Metal First Wednesdays at Cobra Lounge (9:00 PM)
  • Bittersweet Goth Night with DJ Philly Peroxide & Guest DJ Scary Lady Sarah at Berlin (10:00 PM)

📱 Social chatter:

  • Never-before-seen photos: "For forty years starting in 1962, the noted street photographer Jay King captured everyday life in the city. ⁠ ⁠ During the pandemic, while most people retreated to their homes, King retreated into his past by sorting through thousands of film negatives he had filed away years before.⁠⁠Decades later, Chicago is publishing images of his that have never been seen.⁠" (Chicago magazine via Instagram)
  • Hot Dog Box: "The Hot Dog Box will resurface in a downtown food hall. Urbanspace is bringing the gourmet sausage slinger back, less than a month after closing in Portage Park." (Eater Chicago)
  • Director Frank Galati: "Frank Galati, Tony Award-winning Chicago director, writer, actor dies at 79. An icon in Chicago theater, he was best-known for his work at Steppenwolf Theatre and the Goodman Theater." (Chicago Sun-Times)
  • Pet adoption: "We're bringing back "New Year, New Friend" for 5 more days! A bunch of PAWS pets have waived adoption fees now through January 7th, so come on by and meet them at our Lincoln Park Adoption Center or make an appointment to meet a pet in foster care! Bonnie, Fancy, Mars, and Teddy are just some of the many eligible pets." (PAWS Chicago via Facebook)
  • Christmas tree recycling: "When that pine tree smell has worn off & there are more pine needles on the floor than on your 🎄 tree, it's time to let it go. We'll be happy to recycle it for you. Drop-off your tree at 26 parks across the city from Jan. 7-22 during normal park hours." (Chicago Park District via Facebook)
  • CTA historical calendar: "Keep track of the now with a bit of Chicago transit history (and 75 years of CTA) by downloading our 2023 Historical Calendar! " (Chicago Transit Authority via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

Events:

Announcements:

  • Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago Gets its Own Website Chatbot, Elle (Details)
  • Happy New Year 2023! Now What? Empower Yourself with Options to Navigate the Winding Road of Life! (Details)
  • Add your announcement

I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with 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 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

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

More from Chicago