🌱 Remains ID'd As Former Police Chief + Chicago James Beard Nominees

Welcome back, Chicago. I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, today's weather:

Milder with a shower in spots. High: 51 Low: 48.

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Here are the top three stories in Chicago today:

1. Human remains found in a storage unit in west central Illinois have been identified as those of Richard R. Young, a former police chief of Maquon village who died under unclear circumstances. The Knox County Sheriff's Office confirmed the identity after conducting DNA tests and comparing them with samples from Young's family. Marcy Oglesby, a resident of Maquon, has been charged with first-degree murder and concealing the death of a person in connection with the case. (NBC Chicago)
2. Illinois has several nominees in the 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards by the James Beard Foundation. Chicago nominees include Obelix for Best New Restaurant, Damarr Brown from Virtue for Best Emerging Chef, Sepia for Outstanding Hospitality, and Tim Fores and Genie Kwon from Kasama for Best Chef, Great Lakes Region. The James Beard Awards are considered the "Oscars of culinary arts" and will announce the winners on Jun. 5 during a ceremony in Chicago. (Chicago Patch)
3. Illinois legislators are pushing for new laws which would allow patients to sue crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) if they felt deceived or misinformed, with a penalty of up to $50,000 imposed on the centers. CPCs are typically nonprofit, Christian-based centers that offer pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STI medication, but do not provide contraceptives or abortions, nor do they refer patients to these services. Supporters say the CPCs use deceptive tactics to steer patients away from abortion-related services, while detractors argue the bills are an attempt to force the centers to go against their freedom of speech and religion. (WBEZ Chicago)

Today in Chicago:

• Cubs Home Opener Party And Game Day Specials At The Graystone Tavern (9:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Good news for craft beer aficionados: Lagunitas Brewery is set to open on Apr. 13 in North Lawndale, near Douglass Park. (Eater Chicago)
• A recent study by BeenVerified found Illinois was the No. 3 hotspot for catalytic converter thefts in 2022. Visit the link for more statistics on catalytic converter thefts in the Prairie State and across the United States. (BeenVerified)
• An adorable pup named Bunny is looking for a foster home to provide her TLC and some extra love. You can apply to foster Bunny here. (PAWS Chicago via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Business After Hours at Centre Physical Therapy (March 30)
• First Saturday Evanston Art Events (April 1)
• STEM Adventures at Kiddie Academy of Crown Point (April 1)
• K9 Egg Hunt & Easter Bunny photos (April 1)
• NEWCITY and the Chocolate Factory (April 1)
• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• Nonprofit Entrepreneurship (April 17)
• JigJam Concert (April 21)
• Finance and Accounting for Non-finance Professionals (April 25)
• Celebration of the Century (April 29)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right. I'll see you around!

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter 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.