Bad Travel Day / Holiday Pets / COVID Test Push / Shakey Graves

Welcome back, Chicago Daily readers.

Let's start the last week of 2021 with a smile, courtesy of Patch readers across Illinois who submitted photos of their pets dressed in their holiday best.

Check 'em out: Holiday Pet Pics 2021: IL Readers Showcase Festive Furry Friends

Here's a bonus shot of Willie Nelson Algren the Dog sporting blue wrapping paper.

Morning Snow. High: 39 Low: 37

• Chicago police officer Jose Huerta, 50, died from coronavirus-related complications two days before Christmas. He was the fifth Chicago police officer to die after contracting COVID-19. As of Monday, a GoFundMe page for Huerta's family had raised $42,000. (CBS2)
• While facing "unprecedented" demand for coronavirus vaccine shots, Walgreens officials were forced to apologize Monday after a "temporary outage" shut down its online scheduler. By late Monday, folks seeking jabs at Walgreens were able to make appointments. (NBC5)
• Chicago Public Schools officials want staff, students and their families to get tested for the coronavirus before returning to school after winter break. "By getting tested before returning from break, we can have a successful and healthy start to the new year," CEO Pedro Martinez said. (WTTW)
• Coronavirus variants are "coming to your party," Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Monday. State public health officials announced increased testing and urged folks to get vaccinated as people with severe COVID-19 symptoms continue to crowd hospitals. (Patch)
• Plenty of air travelers were stranded after the holiday weekend. Labor shortages and a spike in coronavirus cases were to blame for more than 100 flight cancellations — and hundreds of delayed flights — at Midway and O'Hare airports on Monday. (Patch)

Today's Chicago Daily is brought to you in part by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: Check out its full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you, Ring, for helping to make local news happen in Chicago!

For A Good Time, Click:

• Pete Galanis & Friends, feat. Dave Herrero at Rosa’s Lounge (9 p.m.)
• Tuesday Team Trivia: The Office at Emporium Arcade Bar (6:30 p.m.)
• The Secret History of Chicago Music at The Hideout (6 p.m.)
• Sean Leary & Anna Simeri at Zanies Comedy Club (8 p.m.)
• Shakey Graves Was Here Tour at Thalia Hall (8 p.m.)

Just The Links:

• If you loved the movie "Dune," the Chicago Public Library has a list of books you might like.
• "Licorice Pizza" might be one of the best movies of the year.
• Fans of HBO's "South Side" will be interested in this list of Chicago culinary references.

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
• Governors State University — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Music with the Rabbi (Dec. 28)
• Get a medical cannabis card in 24 hours and for 33 percent off, for the rest of 2021 (Dec. 31)
• Ring In the New Year With 15 Percent Off Beautiful Blooms From FTD! (Dec. 31)
• Chicago Scene New Year's Eve Party at The Drake Hotel (Dec. 31)
• First Night Evanston is “Closer Than in Person” with a virtual 25th New Year’s Eve Variety Show (Dec. 31)
• Opening Reception: (un)disclosed with Bryana Bibbs (Jan. 8)
• Spanish for Beginners 2022 JAN Classes Sign up Now! (Jan. 10)
• Add your event

Loving the Chicago Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link to subscribe.
• Get your local business listed in front of readers.
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at mark.konkol@patch.com.

— Mark