🌱 Different Rules For Chicago Paid Leave + Where's Your Tax Refund?

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

But first, today's weather:

Milder with periods of sun. High: 49 Low: 40.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. Illinois' new mandatory paid leave law, which takes effect next year, will offer nearly all workers in the state paid time off. Different rules apply for Cook County and Chicago as ordinances in these locations already require employers to offer paid sick leave. The Chicago and Cook County ordinances served as pilot programs for the statewide legislation and assuaged critics who predicted mass business closures that didn't come to fruition. (NBC Chicago)
2. If you've already filed your 2022 taxes, there are two ways to check the status of your Illinois state refund. The Illinois Department of Revenue warns that refunds may take longer than in previous years due to efforts to prevent identity and theft fraud. However, those who file electronically and have their refunds deposited directly into their checking or savings accounts may receive them faster. You can follow the instructions at the link to check on the status of your refund. (NBC Chicago)
3. The Illinois State Police issued a warning to drivers regarding the rise of shootings on Chicago-area expressways, which they say are caused by "road rage." Road rage was reported as the reason behind approximately 40 percent of Chicago-area expressway shootings handled by the state police in 2022. In 2023, road rage has already been reported in at least nine Chicago area expressway shootings, according to police. (MyStateline.com)

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Today in Chicago:

• KENIA OS At House Of Blues (6:00 PM)
• Stand Up Stand Up: Comedy Show At The Den Theatre (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you a music fan? Check out the ultimate Chicago playlist at the link which is complete with 400 songs from local artists. (WGN TV Chicago)
• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Chicago area at the link! (Chicago Patch)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Chicago area! Get all the property details at the link. (Chicago Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

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

• Irish Singing Duo Byrne & Kelly in Pre-St. Patrick's Day Concert (March 16)
• "Kincaid Mounds: A Major Mississippian Center on the Lower Ohio River" (March 16)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Lincoln Square-Ravenswood (March 18)
• God Plans - Man Laughs with Comedian Eli Lebowicz (March 19)
• Free Learn for Life Webinar: Emotional Intelligence (March 22)
• Carnegie Hall Debut Preview Recital (March 25)
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For sale:

• 2012 Chevrolet Equinox LS (Details)
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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow morning for 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.