Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Friday, November 24, 2017.
- Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules in Chicago’s favor in sanctuary city lawsuit
Mayor Rahm Emanuel is thrilled about a ruling in Chicago’s favor “in the city’s lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s effort to withhold grant money from so-called sanctuary cities,” according to the Tribune. The Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against U.S. attorney general Jeff Sessions’s motion to “to limit to just Chicago a ruling that blocked the Trump effort nationwide.” “Try as they might, the Trump administration cannot bully Chicago into abandoning our values or violating the rights of our residents,” the mayor said in a statement. A broader appeal seeking to overturn the injunction is still under way. [Tribune]
- John Lausch starts working immediately after being sworn in as U.S. attorney
John Lausch was sworn in as the U.S. attorney in Chicago Wednesday, less than two weeks after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, according to the Tribune. Lausch, who was nominated by President Donald Trump in August, started working immediately after the swearing-in ceremony. Despite being a Trump pick, Lausch is well liked by Democrats and Republicans, including Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth. “With all the partisanship and division in Washington, it’s critical that Chicago’s U.S. Attorney be a non-partisan professional—I believe Mr. Lausch is the right person for the job,” Senator Dick Durbin said in a statement. “Sen. Duckworth and I were glad to work with the White House on Mr. Lausch’s nomination and I’m pleased the Senate has confirmed him.” [Tribune]
- Auschwitz survivor “Ben the Barber” dies at 98
Ben “the Barber” Scheinkopf survived Auschwitz by cutting the hair of prisoners. “They didn’t care about the inmates, but they didn’t want lice,” his son Jeffrey said about the Nazis. Scheinkopf, a native of Poland, passed away November 18 at the age of 98. He moved to Chicago in 1954 and started working at a barber shop at Touhy and California, which he later took over and named Ben’s Barber Shop. He was a huge Cubs fan who recently retired at age 97. [Sun-Times]
- Controversial Bottled Blonde bar loses its liquor license
The city of Chicago has revoked Bottled Blonde’s liquor license after a months-long legal battle. The controversial River North bar wasn’t immediately shut down by the city, but faces $3,000 in fines and may yet be forced to close. The city “sustained 24 out of the 25 charges levied against Bottled Blonde in the complaint filed earlier this year,” according to Eater Chicago. The bar is still appealing the ruling. [Eater Chicago]
- Police officer cited for writing racially insensitive Facebook posts
A Chicago police officer has been cited by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability for more than 60 rule violations after he repeatedly posted insensitive racial and religious comments on Facebook and promoted “violence against police protesters, Muslims and others,” according to the Tribune. Brian J. Hansen also had a bumper sticker on his car depicting a truck running over fleeing protesters and reading “All lives splatter. Nobody cares about your protest.” [Tribune]
- Exhausted after Thanksgiving? Chicago now has a “nap studio”
A “nap studio” has opened in Chicago just in time for the holidays. Peace Power Napping at 30 N. Michigan offers five beds for napping, plus earplugs, eye masks, and blankets. A 30-minute session is $20. [ABC7 Chicago]