🌱 COVID Breaks Records + Consignment Shop Robbed + CPS Stalemate

Happy Thursday, Lakeview! Let's catch up on the news for Jan. 6.

First, today's weather: Cloudy, brisk and very cold. High: 20 Low: 6.

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Here are the top stories in Lakeview today:

1. Illinois recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in pandemic history Wednesday, with 32,279 new cases. The case load surpassed the previous record set on New Year's Eve by more than 800 cases. (ABC)

2. The Chicago Teachers Union voted to switch to remote learning Wednesday due to the citywide surge in COVID-19 cases, citing inadequate staffing and lack of testing. The district responded by canceling yesterday’s classes. CTU President Jesse Sharkey said teachers could return to in-person work on Jan. 18 or whenever COVID-19 cases decline. (CNN)

3. A group of 10 men stole $50,000 worth of merchandise Monday from Cynthia’s Consignments in Lincoln Park. The store had been featured in a WGN segment the night before. (CWB)

4. More than 1,000 people were killed by gun violence in Chicagoland in 2021, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed Monday. The previous record number of gun-related homicides was 881 in 2020. (CCME)

5. A Lakeview couple’s podcast about Chicago’s neighborhood dining scene is gaining in popularity. Cook Sara Faddah and comedian Dario Durham “explore Chicago one neighborhood restaurant at a time” in their show “77 Flavors of Chicago.” They have visited 28 of the city’s 77 neighborhoods so far. (Block Club)

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Today in Lakeview:

• Catch the winter show at Lincoln Park Conservatory before it ends Jan. 9. (10 a.m.)
• Illinois residents get free admission to the Art Institute today. (11 a.m.)
• “Laughs at Lakeview” comedy show returns to Lakeview Tap Room. (7 p.m.)
• See “A Hard Day’s Night” as part of Logan Theatre's “Late Night at the Logan.” (10:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• As Lakeview entertainment venues cancel performances due to COVID-19, Belmont Theater District curated a list of ways to support local theater during the omicron surge. (Belmont Theater District)
• A 16-unit condo building less than a mile from Wrigley Field is up for sale at a price of $5.5 million. (Chicago Business Journal)
• Grocery bike delivery company Buyk is expanding to Chicago with seven stores. (Block Club)
• City Press Juice & Bottle made Eater’s list of best places to celebrate “Dry January” in Chicago. (Eater)
• The state of Illinois is offering a digital “SMART health card” option to show proof of vaccine via smartphone. (ABC7)

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That's all for Jan. 6, Lakeview! See you tomorrow for the Friday edition of the Daily.

— Georgi Presecky