🌱 CBS Chicago To Host Mayoral Debate + Lottery Employee Charged

Hello, neighbors! I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Chicago Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in our community.

But first, today's weather:

Windy. High: 40 Low: 17.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. CBS Chicago, in partnership with several organizations, will host a debate on Mar. 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the CBS Chicago Broadcast Center and Morningstar Auditorium. The debate, titled "Chicago Decides: The Next Mayor," will focus on key issues affecting African Americans and the city of Chicago ahead of the Apr. 4 mayoral election runoff. The live debate will feature candidates Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, and will be moderated by CBS Chicago's evening anchor Irika Sargent. (CBS News)
2. An Illinois Lottery employee is facing felony charges after allegedly stealing and cashing winning instant tickets in 2020. Dean Derrick, 57, turned himself in to the Sangamon County Jail on Wednesday after a warrant was issued for his arrest. According to Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Derrick stole books of instant win tickets while working as a sales representative for the lottery and took them to a separate store to cash the winning ones. Frazier R. Mack, 24, was also arrested and charged with felony theft for his involvement in the scheme. (CBS News)
3. Chicago doctors are researching the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, to treat conditions like depression and borderline personality disorder. They caution the drugs must be used in conjunction with psychotherapy and should not be taken without guidance. Illinois lawmakers are laying the groundwork to legalize this type of therapy with a bill called the Illinois Cure Act. (FOX 32 Chicago)

Today in Chicago:

• Carmina Burana At Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1:30 PM)
• Space Camp St. Paddy's Edition At Fame Nightclub (4:00 PM)
• Comedy Hour At Annoyance Theatre & Bar (12:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Check your lotto tickets: According to the Illinois Lottery website, two players in Chi-town won $13,000 while another won $15,400. (NBC Chicago)
• PAWs Chicago is holding a Foster Pup Pop-Up event on Saturday where interested adopters will get a chance to meet pets like Pepper (pictured at the link!). (PAWS Chicago via Instagram)
• In case you missed it: The City of Chicago highlighted a few things that took place this week like the Chicago River turning green, newly-graduated Chicago Police Department officers, and more. (City of Chicago – Government via Facebook)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning 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.