🌱 Governor Signs Food Desert Bill + DCFS Staffer Accused Of Fraud

Hello, everybody! I'm here with your Saturday edition of the Chicago Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 84 Low: 69.

Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Yesterday, Governor Pritzker signed a bill aimed at combating food deserts across Illinois, sending $20 million to grocers to open or expand stores in underserved and low-income neighborhoods. According to data from a 2021 Illinois Department of Public Health report, there were 3.3 million Illinois residents living in a food desert, and low food access in Chicago has climbed to 63% in the last decade. The new bill will support grocers by providing tax credits and other incentives to stores meeting the needs of underserved communities. (Chicago Sun-Times)
2. Fifteen people, including a former staff member from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), are accused of fraudulently obtaining over $3 million in state funds intended for childcare services. A federal indictment claims the former DCFS staffer orchestrated the fraud scheme for six years while acting as a Community Social Service Planner in Chicago, directing millions in state funds for nonexistant childcare services. The co-defendants then paid bribes and kickbacks to the staffer, totaling around one-point-six-million dollars. (WGN TV Chicago)
3. On Thursday, the University of Chicago settled a class-action lawsuit alleging that the school, along with a handful of other elite universities, illegally collaborated in a price-fixing scheme to limit students’ financial aid. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Chicago in early 2022, alleged the universities violated antitrust law by participating in a “price-fixing cartel” inflating the price of attendance for students receiving financial aid. The University of Chicago agreed to pay $13.5M to settle the lawsuit, which is subject to final approval by a judge. (Greater Milwaukee Today | GMToday.com)

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Today in Chicago:

Saturday, August 19

• Pheve Vintage Pop Up At Bon Femmes (10:00 AM)
• Art Workshop: Book Paper Marbleizing At Humbolt Park Branch Library (11:00 AM)
• Afro-Latin Jazz Night At Artango Bar And Steakhouse (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Chicago Air and Water Show kicks off this weekend, and there's no better place to watch the action than the Lincoln Park Zoo. Check out jet planes engaging in incredible displays of formation flying over Lake Michigan from different vantage points in the park. (Lincoln Park Zoo via Facebook)
• The Chicago Bulls announced the schedule for their 2023-2024 NBA season this week, with opening night taking place on Oct. 25. Mark your calendars to cheer the Bulls on to victory throughout the year. (Chicago Bulls via Facebook)
• Street art fans, take note: there’s a new mural in town. The latest Wintrust mural is inspired by the life and artwork of Chicago poet, printmaker, and political activist Carlos Cortéz, whose selected prints and paintings are preserved in the National Museum of Mexican Art based in Pilsen. (National Museum of Mexican Art via Facebook)

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That's it for today.

— Kaytlyn Smith

About me: Kaytlyn Smith is a managing editor 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.