🌱 Six-Day University Staff Strike Ends + Suicide Awareness Walk Set

Hi all. It's me, Kaytlyn Mroz, your host of the Chicago Patch newsletter. Keep reading for everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Mainly cloudy and very warm. High: 76 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. In the early hours of Friday, Apr. 14, Illinois State Police responded to a fatal incident on Dan Ryan Expressway. Reports of an incident came in around 5 a.m. and witnesses claimed a person was laying on the roadway. Once police arrived on the scene, the person was pronounced dead, but their identity has not been released yet. (WGN TV Chicago)
2. After hours of bargaining and a six-day strike, a tentative agreement was reached between Eastern Illinois University and union-represented faculty and staff. On Thursday evening, faculty and staff suspended the strike to officially consider the administration's offer and return to work as normal on Friday. Meanwhile, faculty and staff at Chicago State University have been on strike since Monday, Apr. 3. (Chicago Tribune)
3. Students across Illinois will be joining the fight against suicide by participating in local Out of the Darkness Community Walks this spring. The walk offers an opportunity for people impacted by suicide to come together, connect, and offer support to one another, as well as raise awareness. Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago will be holding its walk at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 15. (PR Newswire)

Today in Chicago:

• Chicago Margarita Festival at Hubbard Inn (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Starting Sunday, Apr. 16, the Chicago Park District will be hosting lifeguard training classes at five park pools across the city. Each participant will receive $375 for completing the training courses, as well as earn their American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification. If you're interested in registering, click here. (Chicago Park District)
• Looking for a new furry friend to keep you company this spring? The Chicago Animal Care and Control shelter has a variety of adorable animals available for adoption, including fun-loving cat, Midge. If you're interested in adopting her or any other animals, visit here for more information or stop by the shelter any day between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. (Chicago Animal Care and Control)
• On Saturday, Apr. 22, Navy Pier will be blasting off to infinity and beyond with the ultimate pop-up, mini golf experience, Pixar Putt. The experience will be made up of 18 exciting and interactive holes that are all inspired by stories, characters, and icons from some of the most beloved Pixar films. (Navy Pier)
  

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Featured events:

• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
• Tertulia: An Afternoon of Filipino Chamber Music (April 15)
• Book Signing with Disability Advocate, and Current Mrs. America, Nicole La Ha Zwiercan (April 16)
• A Graduate Degree Designed for You—Attend an Information Session (April 19)
• Experience Central Street (April 20)
• Emmet Cahill (April 21)
• 7th Annual West Loop Spirits, Cocktails & Wine Festival with Artisan Delicacies, April 22nd & 23rd (April 22)
• Paralegal Studies Information Session (April 25)
• Finance and Accounting for Non-finance Professionals (April 25)
• Celebration of the Century (April 29)
• Project Management Essentials (May 1)
• Minds Matter 2023 (May 5)
• Maker’s Market • May 7, 2023 (May 7)
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Featured announcements:

• Santa Baby Composer Moonlight Sonata Award Nomination - Please Vote! (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— 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.