🌱 Missing Boy At CTA Station + Crime On The Rise In Wicker Park

Good morning! Welcome to today's edition of the Lakeview Daily.

The Daily is made possible by local business Improovy Painters Chicago.

Want to see your business featured in this spot in the newsletter? Click here to get started.

First, today's weather: Cloudy, a shower; breezy. High: 61, low: 48.

Here are the top stories in Lakeview today:

1. A 5-year-old boy was found wandering alone around the Belmont CTA Station in Lakeview early Wednesday morning. A CTA employee found him at around 2:50 a.m. Police say his mother called 9-1-1 and told them he was supposed to be with a babysitter. (ABC7)

2. The Chicago Park District is requiring its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec. 15. Staff who show proof of vaccination before the deadline will be granted an extra personal day to use before June 30, 2022. (ABC7)

3. Wicker Park residents say they feel unsafe after a recent string of shootings and thefts in the neighborhood. Ald. Brian Hopkins and the Shakespeare Police District hosted a safety walk Tuesday night to help residents “learn about what is being done to curb crime in the area.” (Block Club)

4. “Sister Act” is slated to open at the Mercury Theater on Southport this November, another sign of Chicago’s arts venues coming back to life after being closed due to the dangers of COVID-19. “For those audience members coming back, it’s still going to be the same great Mercury that they know, if not even better,” said Managing Director Shane Murray-Corcoran. (Paid source: Chicago Tribune)

5. Blood donors are urgently needed in Chicago. The Red Cross reported that in recent weeks, the supply has dwindled to only a day’s worth of life-saving blood. A drive is scheduled for Nov. 8 at Lakeview YMCA. (Patch)

Today's Lakeview Daily is brought to you by Newrez, a leading nationwide mortgage lender. Planning to buy or refinance a home? Here's what you need to know about the five types of mortgage loans (and which one is right for you). Make a smart move for your future and refinance with Newrez. Call 844-979-1707 to connect with a Newrez loan officer. Newrez, LLC (NMLS #3013)

Today in Lakeview:

• Check out the new interactive exhibit based on NBC’s hit comedy. “The Office Experience” is now open on Michigan Avenue. (Ticket times vary)
• New Timothée Chalamet films open at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema: “Dune” and “The French Dispatch.” (7 p.m.)
• Free Trivia Night at The Green Lady. (8 p.m.)

Lakeview Patch Notebook

• The city is set to lose more than 1,000 police officers to resignation and retirement this year. (WGN)
• Chicago was named one of the best cities in the U.S. for retirement. (Patch)
• Chef José Andrés opened a speakeasy-style restaurant in River North this week. (Eater)
• Block Club Chicago is hosting a jack-o'-lantern contest. (Block Club)
• Harriet Tubman Elementary School is planning its annual fall festival for this weekend. (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Clark Street Spooktacular 2021 (October 24)
• Add your event

Job listings:

• Tax Reviewer (Details)
• Add your job listing

You're all caught up on the news for Oct. 21. See you tomorrow for the Friday edition of the Daily!

— Georgi Presecky

If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some more friends and neighbors into the fold. You can send them this link to subscribe.