🌱 Gov. Signs Full-Day Kindergarten Bill + $870M Railway Project

Hello, Chicago! I'm back in your inbox this morning to walk you through the most important things happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny and humid. High: 81 Low: 71.

Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. This week, Governor Pritzker signed a law requiring school districts to establish a full-day kindergarten program within the next four years. Under the law, every district must also establish a half-day program that is developmentally appropriate and provides opportunities for play-based learning. Illinois joins the majority of states in the country that require school districts to offer either full or half-day kindergarten. (The Center Square Illinois)
2. Illinois is seeking more than $870 million in federal taxpayer funding for a railway project that would have its hub in Chicago and expanded rails to other Midwestern states. In addition to the requested federal funding, the Chicago Hub Improvement Program will also cost taxpayers about $1.1 billion. More than half of all the country's long-distance rides begin or end at Chicago's Union Station—this new proposal would make much-needed improvements to Union Station and existing rail lines throughout Illinois and into Michigan. (The Center Square Illinois)
3. On Thursday, Chicago police reported that a security guard fatally shot a man while trying to break up a fight outside a retail store in South Shore. Two young men were seen arguing when one of them drew a gun and started shooting. A security guard working at a retail store nearby then pulled out his own gun and fired shots, striking one of the men. The gunman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and was later pronounced succumbed to his injuries. The other man suffered a gunshot wound to the hip and is in critical condition. (NBC Chicago)

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Today in Chicago:

Saturday, August 5

• Back 2 School Health Fair At Association House of Chicago (9:00 AM)
• Little Readers Book Club At Edgebrook Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Family Garden Day At Budlong Woods Branch Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• REMINDER: This is the last month to see the exhibition "Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape" at the Art Institute in Chicago! Come see these iconic, boundary-pushing artworks and reserve your ticket online today. (The Art Institute of Chicago via Facebook)
• The CTA has announced plans for faster, better, and more accessible West Side rapid transit service via the Forest Park Branch Rebuild. Learn more at the link. (Chicago Transit Authority via Facebook)
• Lollapalooza is back this weekend, and the fashion at this year's festival is more diverse than the lineup. Chicago Magazine has been photographing all the most notable looks, which you can check out at the link. (Chicago magazine via Instagram)

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Featured events:

• Bridal Event (August 19)
• Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Summer Rooftop Celebration (August 30)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday! See you all tomorrow for your next update.

— 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.