Dog Rescue / All-Star Zach LaVine / Fake Jordans / Elton John

The feds confiscated $2.9 million in counterfeit handbags, jewelry and Air Jordans, among other fake things, near O'Hare Airport last month.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officials intercepted 29 shipments from a host of countries around the world, including $713,000 in knock-off Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Versace jewelry.

Chicago Customs Agents Seize Nearly $2.9M In Counterfeit Items

Afternoon Snow. High: 25 Low: 9.

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• University of Chicago Medicine officials announced plans to build a$633 million cancer-research hospital in Hyde Park. The proposed 128-bed hospital for treating cancer patient would become part of an "emerging ecosystem of care" on the South Side, where community hospitals play a vital role in providing access to care to vulnerable and lower-income patients. (Patch)
• For the first time since 2016, the Bulls will have more than one player in the NBA All-Star Game. Guard Zach LaVine made the team for a second straight year as a reserve. (WGN)
• Former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was convicted of murdering Laquan McDonald, was released from prison Thursday. Dozens of people calling for Van Dyke to face federal charges protested outside the Dirksen federal courthouse. (Fox32)
• Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans walked back a claim that "not one" person charged with murder or attempted murder had been released on electronic monitoring since October. As things turn out, "some people facing attempted murder or murder charges were placed on EM after October 31, but they had been arrested before, in some cases, years before." (CWB)
• Reporter Mack Liederman recounted the tale of how Chicago firefighters saved Pepper the Dog before the pooch floated away on icy Lake Michigan this week. (Block Club)

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For A Good Time, Click:

• Chai/Su Le at Lincoln Hall (8 p.m.)
• Flight Facilities with Two Other at The Vic (9 p.m.)
• Railroad Earth at Thalia Hall (8 p.m.)
• Randy Houser at Joe’s Live (8 p.m.)
• Elton John at United Center (8 p.m.)

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Just The Links:

• Ozzie Guillen shovels his own snow — and says it's "mejor que ver el juego de Venezuela."
• Garfield Park Conservatory has a giant plant that's a must-see.
• Frozen sewage is slowing down efforts to track coronavirus.
• Shermann "Dilla" Thomas' Chicago Mahogany Tours are coming to South Side.
• Need something to look forward to? Blues Fest is back June 9.

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