Konkol Column + West Loop Shootout + Fake Vaccine Cards + Fun

It's Thursday, Chicago. By now you have heard the Bears have plans to build a stadium in the suburbs that is 31.4 miles (or 55,264 yards) away from their current home, Soldier Field.

With Coach Matt Nagy's offense averaging 192 yards a week, it will take them until 2039 to get there. Ba-da-bing! (This joke was brought to you by a Chicago Patch reader.)

No joke: 40th Ward Ald. Andre Vasquez invited constituents to come see him rap at a block party tonight at Ainslie and Western. Show starts at 6 p.m. “For YOU all, I will be also be rapping LIVE as a thank you! This is one you will definitely NOT want to miss!” Vasquez said in an email to volunteers.

Anyway, I can understand why 77-percent of readers responding to an online Patch survey said they support the Bears' planned move to Arlington Heights. Soldier Field is a dump. Still, I’m a realist .…

KONKOL COLUMN: Maybe The Bears Will 'Double Doink' Suburban Stadium Deal?

Thursday's weather

Overcast. High: 76 Low: 61.

Patch Chicago Top 5

• State Sen. Robert Peters says he's investigating whether the state legislature could prevent the Bears from breaking the team's lease at Soldier Field, which was renovated with $690 million in taxpayer cash. “The very idea that we’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars to fundamentally change Soldier Field and then to have this happen is a disrespect to the city,” Peters said. Paywall alert: (Tribune)
• Five people were wounded during a rush hour shoot-out between gunmen firing from two cars that started near Milwaukee and Grand and continued into the West Loop. A man fired shots from a car as people were crossing the street, according to a witness who said she had to duck for cover. (NBC5)
• Authorities seized 41 phony coronavirus vaccine cards at O'Hare. U.S. Customs officials found the made-in-China fakes packed in boxes labeled greeting cards. (Block Club)
• Don't miss the White Sox playoff party! On Monday, fans can gather at Sox Park to celebrate the team's first American League Central Division title since 2008. The family friendly bash in parking Lot B offers chances to win prizes, and hang out with Sox broadcasters Steve Stone and Jason Benetti. It's free, but you need to sign up for tickets to attend. (Patch)
• El Milagro employees who walked off the tortilla assembly line last week say they get "worked like machines" in unsafe conditions, subject to sexual harassment and not paid fairly. “We try to do our best, but there comes a point where you say, ‘ya basta’ (enough is enough), I can’t take it anymore." (South Side Weekly)

Today's Chicago Patch is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez today. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Chicago:

• Check out Gallagher Way French Market (4:00 p.m.)
• It's a "Patio Paw-ty" at Le Méridien Essex Chicago (4:00 p.m.)
• "Punk Grandpa" in Lincoln Park (7:00 p.m.)
• Polaroid Stories at Loyola University (7:30 p.m.)
• Thievery Corporation at Park West (8 p.m.)

---

Chicago Patch Notebook

• Overheard at City Hall: A coyote is on the loose in the 34th Ward. (Twitter)
• "WOW! LUIS ROBERT GOT ALL OF THAT ONE!" (Instagram)
• When will trees be the prettiest this fall? (NBC Chicago)
• These bugs will stink up your house. Here's how to stop them. (Chicago Patch)
• A parent of a student exposed to COVID-19 at school died from coronavirus complications. The family blames CPS. (Chicago Patch)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — The #1-Rated Painting Services In Chicagoland. Easy & Fast! (Visit website)

• Governors State University — Scholarships for Entering Freshmen and Transfer students (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Evanston Made Fall Studio Tour (October 2)
• Life In Progress: 8 Week Goal Setting + Accountability Program (October 3)
• Lincoln Park Uncorked 2021: An Armitage-Halsted Wine Stroll (October 7)
• Lake Street Rummage Sale Oct 8-9 "Repurposing for a Purpose!" (October 8)
• A Tribute To Lynn Harrell (October 14)
• Illinois Concealed Carry Firearm Training (October 16)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Jobs/ Trabajos in Batavia, IL (Details)
• Add your announcement

Job listings:

• Auto Body Tech Needed - Sign On Bonus! (Details)
• Add your job listing

That's it. See you Friday. Dig this newsletter? Tell your mom and pop that they can click this link to subscribe, too.

— Mark Konkol

TWITTER: @Konkolskorner