🌱 Groups Urge EPA To Remove Lead From Pipes + Cubs Roster In Playoffs

Hi all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Chicago Patch newsletter. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 77 Low: 62.

Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. Dozens of environmental groups, including three in Illinois, are urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require every U.S. city to remove all toxic lead lines within 10 years. Lead pipes can leach lead into drinking water, causing brain damage in children and heart disease in adults. If the EPA agrees to the request made this month, Chicago would be forced to massively accelerate its sluggish removal of roughly 400,000 lead lines connecting city homes to water mains. (Axios)
2. Following a walk-off win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, the Chicago Cubs are now tied for the final Wild Card spot with two other teams. The Cubs are looking at two of their top prospects from the farm system to join their major league roster during the playoff push. Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and starting pitcher Jordan Wicks could potentially make the leap from the minor leagues to the majors this season—click the link to learn more. (Sports Illustrated)
3. Illinois state health officials are investigating a cluster of three cases of Legionnaires' disease in downstate Shelby County. All three affected patients reside in Findlay and reported the onset of their illnesses between Jul. 30 and Aug. 4. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to test the public water supply and other environmental factors, but has not yet cited the source of the outbreak. (NBC Chicago)

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Today in Chicago:

Friday, August 18

• Back to School Celebration At Fashion Outlets of Chicago (10:00 AM)
• Ribfest Chicago At 4000 N. Lincoln Ave (5:00 PM)
• Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival At Rogers Park (6:00 PM)
• WNDR After Dark: Celebration of House Music At WNDR Museum (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Guns N’ Roses will be playing at Wrigley Field next week on Aug. 24. Get your tickets today and click the link to learn more. (Chicago Cubs via Facebook)
• Are you considering a career change? The Chicago Transit Authority is hiring! Join them for a Bus Operator and Bus Mechanic Career Fair on Friday, Aug. 25 at Malcolm X College. Click the link to learn more. (Chicago Transit Authority via Facebook)
• The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago is hosting a wide-ranging conversation on Aug. 19 on the past and present of Puerto Rican activism. The event is free with museum admission, and speakers include the curator of their current exhibition entre horizontes, Carla Acevedo-Yates, and Puerto Rican writer and activist José E. López. Click the link for more information. (Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Chicago's Little Italy Festa - Taylor Street (August 18)
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• How To Protect Your Business: Avoiding 6 Common Mistakes (August 31)
• Debate Spaces Academy (September 9)
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Featured announcements:

• Will County Sheriff's Correctional Officers Get a Salary Increase and Residency Change (Details)
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Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.