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🌱 Terminal 5 At O'Hare Now Open + New Aquarium-Filled Cocktail Bar

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Happy Wednesday! If you find this Chicago Daily newsletter helpful, please consider helping me by sharing it with neighbors, friends, co-workers and advertisers.

Now, in today's local coverage:

  • ✈️ Terminal 5 at O'Hare is now open.
  • 🍸 A new aquarium-filled cocktail bar will open soon.
  • 🚨 A body was discovered in a freezer in Portage Park.

⛅ The weather:

Not as cold. High: 29 Low: 21.

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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:

1) The body of a 96-year-old woman was discovered in a freezer yesterday in the garage behind a multi-unit home in the 5500 block of West Melrose Street. She was identified by a relative as Regina Michalski. Police escorted Michalski's daughter—who was the building's landlord—away from the property shortly after the body was discovered. The mother and daughter lived together on the first floor of the building. (ABC 7)

2) A new team of paramedics and recovery specialists will now respond to some 911 calls for overdose emergencies. The Opioid Response Team will work weekdays in East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park and Humboldt Park—neighborhoods with the highest opioid-related 911 calls. The response team is part of the city's expanding effort to provide emergency mental health care that doesn't rely on police. (Block Club Chicago)

3) The Terminal 5 expansion at O'Hare International Airport is now open, creating 10 new gates and making space for 120 new daily flights. The $1.3 billion renovation was under construction almost four years. The terminal now serves both domestic and international flights. (Chicago Tribune/paywall)

4) A study by the Financial Health Network and the Chicago Community Trust found that financial disparities in Cook County are almost double the national average. Black residents are four times as likely to be financially vulnerable—with difficulty saving money or paying bills—compared to white residents. Latinos are three times as likely. (Chicago Sun-Times)

5) Lost Reef, a new aquarium-filled cocktail bar, is slated to open the week of Valentine's Day on the northeast corner of Belmont and Sheffield in Lakeview. Patrons will be surrounded by 2,500 gallons of fish and coral inside eight saltwater tanks. The marine theme and aesthetics extend to the cocktail menu, too, with some drinks costing upwards of $55. (Eater Chicago)

📌 Today in Chicago:

  • AARP Free Tax Preparation at Jeffery Manor Branch Library (10:00 AM)
  • AARP Free Tax Preparation at Hall Branch Library (10:00 AM)
  • Forever Grateful Blood Drive at Ukrainian National Museum (11:00 AM)
  • Party in the Trap at The Promontory (6:00 PM)
  • Smart Potato Wild Card Trivia at The California Clipper (6:30 PM)
  • Roosevelt University's CCPA Symphony Orchestra at Chicago Symphony Orchestra (7:30 PM)
  • The Hamiltones AKA The Ton3S at City Winery (8:00 PM)
  • Jason Kane & The Jive at Reggies (8:00 PM)
  • Liska with Mila La Morena at Schubas (8:00 PM)
  • Adam Zanolini at Old Town School of Folk Music (8:00 PM)
  • Wil's Workshop: Naughty Valentine at Meeting House Tavern (8:00 PM)
  • Splice Series at Beat Kitchen (8:30 PM)
  • Counter Culture: Drag Night at Bourbon on Division (10:00 PM)
  • Noel Miller at The Vic Theatre (10:00 PM)

📱 Social chatter:

  • Need Valentine's Day flowers?: "Need a bouquet for Valentine's Day? 🌷💐 This South Side flower shop has tulips ready to go:" (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
  • Warming centers: "FULL LIST: Warming centers in Chicago and Cook County." (WGN 9)
  • Birch Road Cellar: "A different type of private social club, which has locations in Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park, is an inclusive take on the traditionally exclusive members-only experience." (Crain's Chicago Business via Facebook)
  • Pro-dibs or no-dibs?: "Chicago 'dibs' scene sparks big social media debate." (NBC 5)

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Alright, 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 Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com

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