🌱 2 IL Residents Indicted In Trump Case + Biden Approves Flood Relief

Hey, everybody! Kaytlyn Smith here with your fresh copy of the Chicago Patch newsletter, full of everything you need to know about what's going on locally.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy; a morning t-storm. High: 81 Low: 61.

Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Two Illinois residents were indicted this week in the latest case involving former President Donald Trump. Included among those facing racketeering charges in Georgia is Chicago-based publicist Trevian Kutti and Stephen C. Lee. Kutti faces three counts alleging that he traveled to a Georgia election worker's home in January 2021 to apply pressure on the worker to report allegations of fraud, supporting Trump's claims of election tampering. Lee is charged with two counts of "criminal attempt to commit influencing a witness." (FOX 32 Chicago)
2. On Tuesday, President Biden officially approved a disaster declaration for Cook County after torrential rains caused devastating flooding across the region in late June and early July. Residents in Cook County will now be eligible for a slew of federal resources in the aftermath of the flooding. If you sustained losses during the floods, you can begin an application for disaster assistance at this website, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). (NBC Chicago)
3. As of Tuesday, Cloud Gate at Millennium Park — otherwise known as The Bean — is closed for construction. According to officials, public access will be restricted until spring 2024. Repairs to the almost 20-year-old park are expected to take about a year and will include replacing pavers and upgrading accessibility. ⁠(NBC Chicago)

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Today in Chicago:

Thursday, August 17

• Preschool Story Time At South Chicago Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• Summertime Shopping At YWCA Metropolitan Chicago (10:30 AM)
• Chicago's Little Italy Festa At Taylor Street (5:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• If you've ever dreamed of throwing the first pitch at Wrigley Field, now's your chance! Enter daily for the chance to win. (Chicago Cubs via Facebook)
• The Chicago Public Schools 2023-2024 Civil Rights Scholars Program is about to begin. Consider urging your child to apply for the perfect opportunity to become a leader at school. (Chicago Public Schools via Facebook)
• On Tuesday, a man who set a fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Illinois this past January was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Tyler Massengill had admitted to using a homemade explosive to set a fire at the Peoria clinic a few days after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law with additional legal protections for abortion procedures. No one was inside the clinic when the fire happened. (NBC Chicago)

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Featured events:

• Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street (August 17)
• NEWCITY Hosts Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press For Music Series Benefitting Bike MS (August 17)
• Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street (August 18)
• Bridal Event (August 19)
• Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street (August 19)
• Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street (August 20)
• Get started on a career in Human Resources (August 22)
• Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Summer Rooftop Celebration (August 30)
• How To Protect Your Business: Avoiding 6 Common Mistakes (August 31)
• Debate Spaces Academy (September 9)
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Featured announcements:

• Will County Sheriff's Correctional Officers Get a Salary Increase and Residency Change (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Kaytlyn Smith

About me: Kaytlyn Smith is a managing editor at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.