Free Gas Today / Smollett On Bond / Sister Jean / St. Paddy's Day

Jussie Smollett is free on bond ... for now.

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled 2-1 that Smollett could be released after posting a personal recognizance bond of $150,000 while he appeals his conviction on five felony counts of lying to police about being the victim of a hate crime.

Former "Empire" Actor Jussie Smollett Ordered Released From Jail During Appeal

Sprinkles. High: 61 Low: 39.

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• Willie Wilson is giving away free gas today! The philanthropist and former mayoral candidate is donating $200,000 in gasoline at 10 gas stations to help folks struggling due to soaring gas prices. Thanks, Willie! (CBS2)
• The state labor board shot down the Chicago Teacher's Union's request for a temporary order revoking Chicago Public Schools move to make mask wearing optional. (FOX32)
• At 102, Loyola superfan "Sister Jean" is ready to root the Ramblers to an NCAA Tourney title. "God hears all prayers," she told Patch's Jeff Arnold. "I don't have any problem praying for the team and if it's God's will ..." (Patch)
• The Cubs aren't bringing Anthony Rizzo back to the Friendly Confines. But the club did pick up Japanese baseball star Seiya Suzuki, who reportedly signed a 5-year deal worth more than $70 million. (Patch)
• The Ricketts family, which owns the Cubs, and billionaire Ken Griffin have teamed to bid on the Premier League soccer club, Chelsea. "As long-time operators of an iconic professional sports team, the Ricketts family and their partners understand the importance of investing for success on the pitch," they said in a statement. (Patch)

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For A Good Time, Click:

• The Sling Tour: Clairo w/ Arlo Parks at The Riv (8 p.m.)
• St. Patrick’s Day w/ Terrapin Flyer at Chop Shop (8 p.m.)
• St. Patrick’s Day Cruises on Lake Michigan (8 p.m.)
• Amine: The Best Ever Tour at The Aragon Ballroom (8 p.m.)
• Miki Howard, Park N Ride at Park West (8 p.m.)

---

Just The Links:

• The Chicago Park District wants your input on how to recover from its lifeguard scandal.
• Former Channel 9 broadcaster Merri Dee has died. She was 85.
• The only person arrested at the St. Patrick's Parade dressed the part.
• Where's the corned beef?
• Justin Fields goes bowling.

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• Poppin Events Co. presents Pop into Spring Shopping Pop Up (March 19)
• Pino Farina Band at Uncommon Ground/Edgewater (March 20)
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You're officially in the loop for today! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Mark Konkol

About me: Mark Konkol, recipient of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting, wrote and produced the Peabody Award-winning series "Time: The Kalief Browder Story." He was a producer, writer and narrator for the "Chicagoland" docuseries on CNN and a consulting producer on the Showtime documentary "16 Shots."