Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
- The New York Times: There are “some signs of hope” in “Chicago’s crisis of violence”
Five people were killed and at least 46 were wounded in Chicago over the Memorial Day weekend, but there are some signs of hope that the violence will decrease, according to The New York Times. For one, the numbers were down from last year, when 64 people were shot, seven of them fatally. For another, the Chicago Police Department used some new tactics, including putting 1,300 additional officers on street patrol over the holiday weekend and using new real-time crime analysis to decide where to deploy them. In addition, CPD took some preventive measures prior to the weekend, using “raids targeting gangs and illegal nightclubs, arresting hundreds of people and seizing almost 100 guns,” the newspaper reported. “Considering that last year was horrific, I’m not sure exactly how much it says that it was better this year,” Reverend Ira Acree of Greater Saint John Bible Church on the west side told the paper. “But the number was down, and that definitely says something.” [New York Times]
- Obama Foundation names museum director for upcoming presidential center
The Obama Foundation has named Louise Bernard as museum director of the Obama Presidential Center. Bernard is currently the director of exhibitions at the New York Public Library and helped develop the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. She has a PhD in African-American Studies and American Studies from Yale University. The museum, which will be located in Jackson Park, is expected to open in 2021. Former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama purchased the Washington, D.C., house they have been renting for $8.1 million, but they’re keeping their house in Kenwood, according to the Sun-Times. [Tribune] [Sun-Times]
- A deal authorizing the sale and redevelopment of the Thompson Center is close in Springfield
The Illinois General Assembly didn’t make much progress on a budget deal Wednesday, but it looked like legislators would send Governor Bruce Rauner a bill authorizing the sale and redevelopment of the Thompson Center in the Loop by the end of the day, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Rauner is expected to veto or change the bill due to issues with zoning and who gets the revenue from the sale. [Crain’s Chicago Business]
- Anti-Muslim group organizing the Chicago March Against Sharia in Washington Square Park
Anti-Muslim group Act for America is organizing a June 10 rally in Washington Square Park, called the Chicago March Against Sharia. Organizers say they are standing “against female genital mutilations and child marriages” and for “human rights.” But Act for America describes itself as “a grassroots national security organization,” and has been deemed an “anti-Muslim extremist group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group is planning similar events across the country on the day in question. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- 16-year-old girl charged with murder of Uber driver in Lincolnwood
Eliza Wasni, 16, has been charged with first-degree murder as an adult for allegedly stabbing and hacking an Uber driver to death. Wasni stole a machete and a knife from a Wal-Mart and used them to attack 34-year-old Grant Nelson starting at 3:2o AM Tuesday in suburban Lincolnwood, according to prosecutors. It was the first murder in Lincolnwood since 2006. [Sun-Times]
- Lettuce Entertain You expands to the West Loop with Beatrix Fulton Market
Beatrix Fulton Market is Chicago-based restaurant chain Lettuce Entertain You’s first restaurant in the West Loop. Beatrix, an all-day restaurant with locations in Streeterville and River North, opened at 834 W. Fulton Market Wednesday morning. The latest location features market with grab-and-go items and a salad bar along with a cocktail lounge with drinks from James Beard Award-nominated bartender Julian Cox. [Eater Chicago]