Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
- City Council “reluctantly” approves measure to ease gun range restrictions in Chicago
The City Council “reluctantly” passed a measure Wednesday that would allow gun ranges to open more easily in the city, according to DNAinfo Chicago. The proposal, which was delayed by aldermen for weeks, allows gun ranges “to operate in areas of the city where business, commercial and industrial uses are allowed—with a special permit from city officials,” and permits children under 18 to shoot with supervision. Despite a measure passed in 2011 that allowed gun ranges industrial parts of the city, the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in January that Chicago’s restrictions were unconstitutional. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- A police officer shot a suspect who allegedly rammed him with a stolen car on the west side
A Chicago police officer shot a suspect who allegedly rammed him with a stolen car on the west side Wednesday morning, according to the Tribune. Authorities say the suspect suffered serious injuries but is “OK at this time,” while the officer suffered “severe damage to his right leg” after being pinned between two cars. [Tribune]
- High water levels in Lake Michigan could shrink beaches this summer
High water levels in Lake Michigan could shrink Chicago’s beaches this summer, according to DNAinfo Chicago. Current water levels are a foot above the May average, at 580 feet above sea level. When the water level rose in 2013 and 2014, it had a noticeable effect. “Beaches were disappearing and water encroaching on folks’ property lines and creating some issues with erosion as waves were crashing closer and closer to folks’ homes and infrastructure,” Keith Kompoltowicz of the Army Corps of Engineers told DNAinfo Chicago. The changes over the summer may vary greatly from beach to beach, he said. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Local family donates $100 million to University of Chicago for science and health research
The Chicago-based Duchossois family is donating $100 million to University of Chicago to create the Duchossois Family Institute. The institute “will fund research and interventions based on how the human immune system, microbiome and genetics interact to maintain health,” according to the Sun-Times. “We wanted to find a way to be transformative in our giving and looked to the University of Chicago and asked, ‘What is the nature of what’s in our bodies that helps us stay well?'” foundation president Ashley Duchossois Joyce said in a statement. It’s the fourth gift of $100 million or more donated to the university. [Sun-Times]
- El Patron, Seoul Taco join Taste of Chicago lineup
The Taste of Chicago will feature 67 local restaurants, including 17 first-time restaurants, among them El Patron, Seoul Taco, Broken English Taco Pub, and Lawrence’s Fish & Shrimp, according to Eater Chicago. Regulars including Connie’s Pizza, Lou Malnati’s, O’Brien’s Restaurant & Bar, and Robinson’s No.1 Rib will be back for the festival, which runs in Grant Park from July 5 to July 9. [Eater Chicago]
- Congo Square Theatre artistic director Samuel G. Roberson Jr. dies at 34
Samuel G. Roberson Jr., the artistic director of Congo Square Theatre, has passed away at 34 following a battle with leukemia and two organ transplants. An actor, director, and teacher as well, Roberson was a force in the theater community. “Sam was filled with charm, passion, vitality and vision,” Michael Halberstam, artistic director of Writers Theatre, told the Sun-Times. “He had an immediately engaging personality and the ability to infuse all around him with a sense of joy and social purpose. From his activism through artistic engagement, to his savvy programming at Congo Square, to his indefatigable drive to make important artistic statements, Sam proved again and again that Black Lives Matter— and indeed, Sam’s life mattered to us all.” [Sun-Times]