Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Thursday, November 3, 2016.
- Weather: Sunny and in the 60s
The rain will go away Thursday, and the sun will come back out. Expect a high of 62 and a low of 46. [AccuWeather]
- How Rauner’s millions of dollars in campaign contributions are being spent
Governor Bruce Rauner has spent millions of dollars on Republican candidates in state legislature races for the November 8 election. Much of the money is spent on TV ads and mailers in districts where the Republicans have a shot at beating an incumbent Democratic candidate, such as the suburban 23rd state senate district. But despite the huge influx of funding for targeted TV commercials and mailers, the most effective strategy might still be canvassing and meeting voters, according to one analyst. “The winner of campaigns for state rep and state senate are the candidates that not only knock the most doors, but are the best in those interactions with voters,” Democratic strategist Tom Bowen told WBEZ. [WBEZ]
- Michelin awards stars to 26 local restaurants in 2017 Chicago guide
Twenty-six restaurants earned a coveted Michelin star in the 2017 Chicago Michelin Guide, and two of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, Alinea and Grace, retained their top-tier three-star status. A few new restaurants, including GreenRiver and Band of Bohemia, earned their first stars. Only 22 restaurants earned stars from the French guidebook last year. [Crain’s Chicago Business]
- Jason Van Dyke’s attorneys are still trying to access Laquan McDonald records for first-degree murder trial
Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke’s attorneys are still fighting to see Laquan McDonald’s juvenile records even though the courts have refused them access to them twice previously. Defense attorney Daniel Herbert said during a status hearing that he’s asking for access to the records from the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services a third time. Van Dyke is facing first-degree murder charges for shooting 17-year-old McDonald 16 times. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Claypool: Contract deal with the teachers’ union will help end the CPS financial crisis
Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool says that the district’s new four-year contract with the Chicago Teachers Union will actually help CPS solve its ongoing financial crisis. But even though the contract will put a “serious dent in the cost curve” that started the crisis, according to Claypool, the district still has to find another $100 million next year to pay for the deal. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Bill Murray gave his extra World Series ticket for game six to a fellow fan he’d never met
Northwest Indiana resident Karen Michel had no idea how lucky she’d get when she visited the box office at the Cleveland Indians’ Progressive Field Tuesday evening. Tickets for game six of the World Series were sold out, but fellow Cubs fan Bill Murray offered her a free ticket for a seat next to him. [Tribune]