Welcome to the Reader‘s weekday news brief.
- Tammy Duckworth will be the first senator ever to give birth
Senator Tammy Duckworth is pregnant with her second child and will be the first-ever U.S. senator to give birth while serving in the office, the Sun-Times reports. Nine other women have given birth while serving in Congress, all in the U.S. House of Representatives. [Sun-Times]
- George Papadopoulos’s fiancee says he knows a lot more than we realize
George Papadopoulos, former national security adviser to the Trump campaign turned witness for the FBI investigation into possible collusion between Russia and the campaign, is more than a bit player in Robert Mueller’s investigation, according to his fiancee, Simona Mangiante. Mangiante compared the Chicagoan to former White House counsel John Dean, who pleaded guilty to his role in Watergate scandal and became a witness in the case. “There’s a lot to come,” she said. “He was the first one to break a hole on all of this.” [Washington Post]
- Now Legionnaires’ Disease might be a problem in the state capitol
A test of the Illinois Capitol’s water system showed that the water might be contaminated with the Legionnella bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ Disease. While further tests are under way, employees have been warned “to have a pencil-sized stream of water when washing their hands” and to “turn off all nebulizers and humidifiers,” Tim Mapes, Illinois house speaker Mike Madigan’s chief of staff, wrote in a memo to personnel. [Tribune]
- Emanuel running mate Anna Valencia defends potential rival Bridget Gainer
Anna Valencia, Chicago city clerk and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s running mate, is defending potential mayoral challenger Cook County commissioner Bridget Gainer from criticism about her attendance record. The Sun-Times and ABC 7 Chicago reported that Gainer has the worst attendance record of anyone on the Cook County Board after an investigation. “I really support what Bridget does in supporting women. It’s near and dear to my heart,” Valencia said. “Being a woman elected is hard out there. It’s no different than men supporting men. Women have to stick up for other women. It’s just important to me. I just don’t want her to feel alone.” Gainer also defended herself saying that not showing up to every meeting does not mean she’s not working for the county. “Just like all of God’s work doesn’t happen in church, everything that’s done for the county doesn’t happen at the county board,” Gainer said. [Sun-Times]
- Three members of suburban ski club make Olympic ski-jumping team
Three members of the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove have made the Olympic ski-jumping team. Kevin Bickner of Wauconda, Barrington resident Casey Larson of Barrington, and Will Rhoads of Park City, Utah, all made the cut. It’s unprecedented for three members of the same club to be named to an Olympic team, and it’s the first time that a Norge member has made the Olympics in its 113-year history, according to Norge Ski Club coach Scott Smith. “This goes to show what hard work can do, and that we have a structured program,” Smith said. [Elgin Courier-News via the Tribune]
- Bonci Pizza to open its second Chicago location in Wicker Park
Rome-based pizzeria Bonci Pizza is planning to open its second Chicago location at 1566 N. Damen in the spring. Bonci opened its first U.S. location in the West Loop to plenty of hype in August 2017. [Eater Chicago]