🌱 Chicago-Area Firefighter Training + False School Shooting Reports

Good morning, neighbors! It's Thursday in Chicago and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and warm. High: 78 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. Nearly 20 fire departments from northern Illinois gathered in Glenview for a high-rise fire training exercise. The hands-on training was led by Bob Hoff and instructors from the Illinois Fire Service Institute and aimed to prepare firefighters for high-risk, low-frequency events like high-rise fires. The exercise followed the recent death of a Chicago firefighter in a high-rise building, emphasizing the importance of regular training. (CBS News)
2. Several schools across Illinois, including Chicago's Whitney Young High School, were the targets of false shooting reports on Wednesday, according to state police. The reports were later found to be part of a "nationwide trend" of swatting calls. The authorities have confirmed that there were no actual threats to school safety, but some schools had to cancel classes and reschedule exams as a precaution. (NBC Chicago)
3. Two Chicago men were sentenced for illegally purchasing firearms in Iowa. Artin Thomas, 29, was sentenced to 41 months for lying about his address and being a marijuana user at the time of purchase. Javon Jones, 27, received 46 months for possessing firearms as a felon. Both were sentenced under Project Safe Neighborhoods. (Department of Justice)

Today in Chicago:

• 39th Chicago Latino Film Festival: Opening Night At Landmark's Century Centre Cinema (6:00 PM)
• Drag Bingo At My Buddy's (6:30 PM)
• City Morgue At The Riviera Theatre (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Chelsea Handler is coming to Chicago! The comedian added a date to her 2023 tour to stop at Chicago Theatre on Oct. 27. (NBC Chicago)
• In case you missed it: A number of Illinois Walmart stores are closing. Check out which ones at the link. (NBC Chicago)
• It feels like summer! Enjoy the weather this week in the 70s-80s while you can — Mother Nature plans to bring the cold back to the area on Sunday. (US National Weather Service Chicago Illinois via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
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• Book Signing with Disability Advocate, and Current Mrs. America, Nicole La Ha Zwiercan (April 16)
• A Graduate Degree Designed for You—Attend an Information Session (April 19)
• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival with Artisan Delicacies, April 22nd & 23rd (April 22)
• Finance and Accounting for Non-finance Professionals (April 25)
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• Project Management Essentials (May 1)
• Maker’s Market • May 7, 2023 (May 7)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you 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.