🌱 Aldermen To Probe Officer's Suspension + Buena Park Barricade

Hi there, Chicago. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Winds becoming strong; milder. High: 42 Low: 20.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. Chicago police responded to the North Side for a barricade situation in the Buena Park neighborhood on Wednesday afternoon. A man reportedly barricaded himself inside a residence on West Cuyler Avenue, and a SWAT team was called to the scene to lead the response. Residents were advised to avoid the area as the situation was ongoing yesterday afternoon. (ABC 7 News)
2. Chicago Aldermen are set to question police leaders at a hearing about the disciplinary case of officer Robert Bakker. The Public Safety Committee wants to know why Bakker, who has ties to the Proud Boys, was only suspended for 120 days – rather than fired – and is expected to return to duty on Mar. 1. The hearing will also examine whether any officers who are members of the Oath Keepers violate the rules of the Chicago Police Department. (CBS Chicago)
3. Illinois state legislators are pushing for a ban on single-use Styrofoam containers. Around 22 million pounds of this plastic waste that comes from Americans throwing away plastic foam cups end up in the Great Lakes. Specifically, about half of that waste ends up in Lake Michigan. (CBS Chicago)

Today in Chicago:

• Knitting Circle At Howard Street Makers Studio (10:00 AM)
• Spring Flower Show: Bee's Knees At Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
• Thursday Prix Fixe At Cafe Selmarie (10:00 AM - 8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• With the help of Stacker, a list of the best colleges in the Midwest has been compiled based on Niche's 2023 Best Colleges in America list. Four Chicago schools made the list, including the University of Chicago, which came in at No. 3. (ABC17News.com)
• Don't throw away your shot at seeing this hit Broadway show! "Hamilton" is returning to Chicago's broadway scene on Sep. 13. (Patch)
• Have you been following the Chicago gelato challenge? Check out the list of winners and the winning flavors at the link! (QSR magazine)

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

• Block Cinema: LOVE, WOMEN & FLOWERS (1989) (February 23)
• Block Cinema: DRY GROUND BURNING (2022) with filmmaker Joana Pimenta (February 24)
• Love Triangles - Music of Clara & Robert Schumann, and Johannes Brahms (February 25)
• Paralegal Studies Information Session (February 28)
• Block Cinema: FOG LINE (1970) and HORIZONS (1973) with filmmaker Larry Gottheim (March 1)
• Emotional Intelligence for Leaders (March 2)
• Financial Planning Certificate Information Session (March 8)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll catch up with you soon with your next update!

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter 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.