Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Friday, March 18, 2016. Enjoy your weekend!
- Weather: Colder and cloudy
The cold is coming back. The high temperature will drop about ten degrees Friday, with a high of 44 and a low of 43. It won’t be windy, but it will be cloudy. Unfortunately, the cold will stick around through the weekend. [AccuWeather]
- Controversial LaRoche decision causing internal strife for the White Sox
White Sox player Adam LaRoche’s sudden retirement after a team policy lessened the time his 14-year-old son was allowed to spend in the clubhouse has made international news. It’s also causing drama within the team: pitcher Chris Sale was so upset with the team’s decision that he reportedly had a “contentious” and “passionate” meeting with White Sox president Kenny Williams. The players almost boycotted a game because of the situation. [CBS Sports]
- Uptown residents ask Rahm to remove the homeless from tent city by Lake Shore Drive
The viaducts near Lake Shore Drive in Uptown have become a tent city for many homeless men and women. However, many of the neighborhood’s other residents are not happy with the situation, and have appealed to Mayor Rahm Emanuel to get rid of the setup. A letter arguing that the tent city is a public safety risk for the entire neighborhood, including the homeless, is in circulation. [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Illinois’s overdue bills could reach $10 billion by this summer
Illinois is in a lot of debt, and the situation is even worse than state officials originally thought. Comptroller Leslie Munger says the backlog could reach an astounding $10 billion by June. [Associated Press via ABC7 Chicago]
- Take a ride on a throwback CTA train from the 1970s in April
The Illinois Railway Museum is giving train enthusiasts a rare chance to ride a vintage train from the funky 1970s around the city April 3. The train will depart from the Dempster Yellow Line stop and go around the north side and the Loop from there. Tickets are required for the blast from the past. [Curbed Chicago]
- A cat cafe is coming to West Ridge
Ever wanted to visit one of Japan’s famous cat cafes? Chicago is finally getting one in the West Ridge neighborhood. The Tree House Humane Society shelter is going to build a cafe where patrons can view the shelter’s cats from an observation room. Under a new city ordinance, only animal shelters are allowed to operate cat cafes, and then only with strict sanitary rules. [CBS Chicago]