Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
- Weather: Warm, but rain possible
Wednesday will warm up a bit, with a high of 78 and a low of 65. Rain and/or a thunderstorm is possible in the afternoon and late evening.
[AccuWeather]
- Aldermen take advantage of Cubs playoff ticket deal
Members of the City Council and state legislators for Chicago districts can purchase two face-value tickets for every Cubs playoffs game, and more than 70 percent of aldermen have already accepted the team’s offer. “They are not being given a discount or free tickets,” a team spokesman told the Sun-Times. “In that case, it would be a direct conflict.” Legislators and aldermen are not allowed to sell the tickets on the lucrative secondary market. [Sun-Times]
- If teachers strike, CPS will keep all school buildings open
If the Chicago Teachers Union decides to strike next week, Chicago Public Schools will keep all schools open during normal operating hours. Students won’t be required to come in, but CPS said that “students who need a safe and welcoming place to go will have one.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Creepy clowns reportedly surface in Chicago
Creepy clown sightings have been sweeping the nation; now they’ve been reported in the Chicago area. Just in time for Halloween! Chicagoist has a good summary of the strange sightings, including a recent one in Albany Park and a wave of clown threats in Hammond, Indiana. [Chicagoist]
- City Council members criticize Rahm’s new planned police oversight agency
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposal to replace the controversial Independent Police Review Authority with a revamped Civilian Office of Police Accountability met some opposition from a City Council committee Tuesday. During a hearing before the Committee on Budget and Government Operations and the Committee on Public Safety, critics said Emanuel’s proposal gives his administration too much power, and that there’s still not enough transparency built into the plan. “The whole world is watching to see if Chicago is really ready for reform or it is back to business as usual,” said Alderman Leslie Hairston, who also says she has a proposal for a “truly independent police oversight agency.” [Associated Press via Crain’s Chicago Business]
- Common performs new music at the White House’s South by South Lawn fest
Rapper Common performed some new songs for NPR with singer-songwriter Bilal and other musicians at the White House’s first South by South Lawn festival. Fader has a full video of the set, including a new song called A Little Chicago Boy. [Fader]