🌱 'Peacekeeper' Plan + Beaches Open + Hendricks Returns

Happy Friday, Chicago. In today's top stories to begin the holiday weekend, find out:

• Why the state is sending 30 "peacekeepers" to Chicago streets this weekend.
• What the city is doing to honor Memorial Day.
• How to get a free Italian beef sandwich at Buona locations tomorrow.

But first, today's weather: Plenty of sun. High: 64 Low: 51.

Here are the top 5 stories today in Chicago:

1. The state government will send 30 “peacekeepers” to Chicago this holiday weekend to reduce violence, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced Wednesday. Members of the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Citywide Crisis Prevention & Response Unit are trained in “crowd de-escalation tactics and crisis interruption.” (Paid source: Tribune)

2. Cook County government employees could soon see a 12-week parental leave option, WBEZ reports. County board members are expected to vote next month on the plan, which would offer thousands of workers full pay for the 12-week period. (WBEZ)

3. Chicago beaches officially open for the season at 11 a.m. today. "Swimming is permitted in designated swim areas at the beaches when lifeguards are on duty from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily” through Labor Day, according to the park district. (NBC)

4. The city will honor Memorial Day tomorrow with a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza. The annual parade begins at noon on State Street. (City)

5. Kyle Hendricks returned to Wrigley Field Thursday night to start his first game for the Cubs since last July. The longtime North Side starter was recovering from a shoulder injury. (Yahoo)

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Today in Chicago:

• Take a free tour of the historic Chicago Cultural Center. (1:15 p.m.)
• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs at Symphony Center. (1:30 p.m.)
• Pilsen kicks off its annual Mole de Mayo street festival. (5 p.m.)
• Illinois Craft Beer Week wraps up with “Beer Under Glass” at Union Station’s Great Hall, featuring samples from more than 100 craft breweries. (5:30 p.m.)
• See a midnight show of “Coyote Ugly” at the Music Box Theatre. (11:59 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A new visitors center opened Thursday on Michigan Avenue. (FOX)
• This week marks 10 years since Chicago Board of Education members voted to close 50 city schools. (WTTW)
• Buona Beef will give away free sandwiches to app users tomorrow in honor of National Italian Beef Day. (WGN)
• “American Pickers” is seeking out private collections in Illinois to be featured on the long-running History Channel series this summer. (NBC)

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You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for another edition.

— Georgi Presecky

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.