🌱 Armed Security Protection Act + Divorce With Respect Week

Hello all. It's me, Kaytlyn Mroz, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Sunshine mixing with clouds. High: 45 Low: 38.

Shoutout to the awesome local business that keeps this newsletter running:

Are you the owner of a small service business? If so, 2023 is the year for you. And for 17 years, business coach Jason Rosado has been helping owners like you to plan their business year to include improved time management and more time off, less stress and overwhelm, better employees and profits, and the work/life balance you started your business for in the first place. Visit here to learn the best way to scale your business efficiently this year and request a free consultation.

Want to see your business featured in this spot? Click here to get started.

Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. An Illinois Democrat introduced a bill that would require business owners in Chicago to hire armed guards starting in July. The Armed Security Protection Act, introduced by State Rep. Thaddeus Jones (D) in January, would require banks, gas stations, grocery stores, and pawn shops to employ at least one-armed guard to protect the business during store hours. According to the Chicago Police Department, Chicago has a higher homicide rate per capita than New York and Los Angeles. The Illinois legislation is set to expire on Jun. 30, 2027, according to the General Assembly database. (Fox Business)
2. Two out of every three voters are dissatisfied with Chicago’s public education system, with 62 percent of them supporting school choice, a new Illinois Policy Institute poll finds. The poll was conducted Feb. 15 by Echelon Insights over a four-day period. It received a total of 800 voters; a majority of participants indicated they would prefer a system where students are able to attend a school they feel is “right for their learning needs,” even if it means venturing outside the Chicago Public School system. (The Center Square)
3. Chicago divorce professional Patrick Markey will be one of many attorneys participating in the second annual Divorce With Respect Week from Mar. 6-10. Divorce With Respect Week will offer Illinois residents the opportunity to meet with an attorney, divorce coach, mental health professional or financial specialist to learn more about their divorce options at no cost. Interested parties should visit divorcewithrespectweek.com to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. (EIN News)

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Today in Chicago:

• Martes De Negocios ("Business Tuesdays") At Women's Business Development Center (12:00 PM)
• Tuesday Book Club At Edgewater Branch Library (1:00 PM)
• Industry Taco Tuesday At Tree House (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Architects and lighthouse lovers are raising money to restore the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse! The goal is to turn the lighthouse into a museum and event space that people can reach by boarding a boat at Navy Pier. For updates on the project’s progress, visit Friends of the Chicago Harbor Lighthouse’s website. (Block Club Chicago via Facebook)
• The Chicago Architecture Center shared a post highlighting its lobby's 55-foot high gold leaf ceiling at 190 South LaSalle. It is accompanied by a 28-foot tall bronze sculpture and a checkerboard floor made of black and white marble.⁠ ⁠Visit the link to learn more. (Chicago Architecture Center via Instagram)
• Initially listed at $8.95 million, a Gold Coast mansion sold for less than half that amount. Read more on the latest evidence of a long-running price slump in the Chicago area. (Crain's Chicago Business via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

• Block Cinema: FOG LINE (1970) and HORIZONS (1973) with filmmaker Larry Gottheim (March 1)
• Block Cinema: ONE IMAGE, TWO ACTS (2020) with filmmaker Sanaz Sohrabi (March 3)
• Dupage Comic Con (March 4)
• Black Opry Revue (March 4)
• Financial Planning Certificate Information Session (March 8)
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Featured announcements:

• Sam Bauman and Raul Delgado of BHHS Chicago Open Geneva Office (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another 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.