🌱 Special Needs Students Injured In Crash + ComEd Four Found Guilty

Good morning, Chicago! In today's daily briefing:

• State police are looking to identify two people killed Monday in a crash on I-55.
• The city is expanding its Divvy bike service, making it among the largest bike share programs in North America.
• Access to free at-home COVID-19 tests is ending soon.

But first, today's weather: Some sun, then clouds. High: 52 Low: 42.

Are you a real estate agent in Chicago struggling to get leads in the current housing market? It's tough out there, but there is a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new clients. Our exclusive sponsorship in the Chicago newsletter can help you do just that. Click here to learn more and discover how you can take your business to the next level today.

Here are the top 5 stories in Chicago today:

1. At least 16 people including nine special needs students were injured Tuesday when a school bus crashed into an SUV in Little Village, the Tribune reports. Both drivers were taken to hospitals in critical condition following the crash near 31st Street and Kedzie Avenue. (Paid source: Tribune)

2. A federal jury convicted "the ComEd four" Tuesday on charges including conspiracy, bribery and falsifying documents. After a six-week trial and several days of jury deliberation, Michael McClain, Anne Pramaggiore, Jay Doherty and John Hooker were found guilty in connection to a years-long conspiracy to bribe Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan. His trial is set for 2024. (WBEZ)

3. State police are looking to identify two people who died Monday after a multi-vehicle crash on I-55 in Central Illinois. Six people were killed when a dust storm led more than 70 cars to crash, injuring 37 people. (Patch)

4. The Chicago Police Department is expected to announce Fred Waller as its interim superintendent today, according to CBS. Waller would return from nearly three years of retirement to replace David Brown in the interim role. (CBS)

5. The city is expanding the Divvy bike system, Lyft and the department of transportation announced Tuesday. More than 3,000 bikes will be added citywide, with 250 new stations expected to be installed in “neighborhoods traditionally under-served by the bike share.” (WGN)

Today in Chicago:

• Garfield Park Conservatory hosts its ongoing Spring Flower Show. (10 a.m.)
• Celebrate “Chicago Moves Day” with activities at Union Park. (4 p.m.)
• The Cinema Femme Short Film Festival continues at Music Box Theatre. (7 p.m.)
• See “Into the Woods” at the Nederlander Theatre. (7:30 p.m.)
• The Old Town School celebrates “World Music Wednesdays” with a concert at Maurer Concert Hall. (8 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Access to free at-home COVID-19 tests is expected to end May 11 when pandemic emergency declaration officially expires. (ABC)
• More than 500 Chicago Public Schools students participated in a NASCAR-themed STEAM Fest Tuesday at the Field Museum. (FOX)
• Chicago shelter One Tail at a Time rescued 20 golden retrievers from poor conditions in Iowa this week. (WGN)
• Former Bull Joakim Noah announced he will collaborate with Chicago anti-violence organizations to launch the One City Basketball League. “The city is divided in a lot of ways, and one of the ways to unify the city is through hoop,” Noah told Stadium of the project, which is designed for young residents of the south and west sides. (Bleacher Report)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
• The CleanUP Guys — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• Violins of Hope (May 3)
• Evanston Made First Saturday Art Events (May 6)
• New Tradition Chorus "Blast From the Past" with songs of '70s and '80s. (May 6)
• Maker’s Market • May 7, 2023 (May 7)
• BOUNDLESS with Chicago Sinfonietta orchestra (May 8)
• 2023 Lincoln Park Uncorked: An Armitage - Halsted Wine Stroll (May 10)
• Free Learn for Life Webinar: Entrepreneurship Fundamentals (May 16)
• Free Information Session: A Graduate Degree Designed for You (May 17)
• Add your event

Featured announcements:

• Trinity High School's Summer Experiences (Details)
• Are you 60 or older? Experienced a TBI? Study opportunity available! (Details)
• Add your announcement

That's all for this Wednesday, Chicago! See you tomorrow for another guide to what's making headlines.

— 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.