Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
- Weather: A gorgeous sunny day
It’s predicted that Tuesday will be beautiful, with a high of 73 and a low of 64, and no rain in the forecast. We shall see . . . [AccuWeather]
- CPS lays off 140 teachers and 109 support staff employees
Chicago Public Schools is laying off 140 teachers and 109 members of its support staff, the district announced Monday. Student enrollment has dropped by 3.5 percent since last fall, a decline district officials say was steeper than expected despite a 6.8 percent decrease in CPS enrollment over the last ten years. Nearly 1,000 teachers and support staff were laid off in August. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- List: Chicago is not one of America’s 25 most dangerous cities
Despite the recent surge in shootings and homicides, Chicago isn’t among the 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S.—at least not according to rankings published by 24/7 Wall Street, a Delaware-based “financial news and opinion company.” Its tally put Saint Louis at the top of the list; Detroit, Milwaukee, Rockford, and Springfield also made the grade. [DNAinfo Chicago] [24/7 Wall Street]
- City treasurer Summers to divest $25 million from Wells Fargo due to scandal
The city of Chicago will divest $25 million from Wells Fargo bank, which has “admitted to opening potentially millions of bogus client accounts,” according to Bloomberg. “The City Treasurer is proud to stand with working families from Chicago and across the nation by divesting in Wells Fargo & Co.,” the office of, yes, city treasurer Kurt Summers told Bloomberg via e-mail. “Chicago deserves better.” Illinois treasurer Michael Frerichs also plans to pull the state’s money out of the wagon because of the scandal. [Bloomberg]
- The high-stakes race for Illinois comptroller is yet another battle between Rauner and Madigan
The Illinois comptroller race between incumbent Leslie Munger and Chicago city clerk Susana Mendoza has become a pivotal—and expensive—battle for the direction of the state government, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Governor Bruce Rauner is backing Munger, one of his appointees, with plenty of cash because a Mendoza win could have huge implications for his administration. “Democrat Mendoza could use the power of the checkbook to force the Republican governor into a more compliant position, even without actually crashing state finances,” says Rich Miller of Capitol Fax. Rauner’s archrival, house speaker Mike Madigan, is backing Mendoza, natch. [Crain’s Chicago Business] [h/t Politico Illinois Playbook]
- Joffrey Ballet invites Rahm to dance in the Nutcracker
After Mayor Rahm Emanuel made a rare appearance at the Lyric Opera for its opening night Saturday, Joffrey Ballet artistic director Ashley Wheater told the Tribune the company would gladly welcome the mayor to perform in the company’s new Nutcracker production over the holidays. “He probably doesn’t need to audition,” Wheater said. [Tribune]