Welcome to the Reader‘s morning briefing for Friday, September 30, 2016.
- Weather: Another gloomy day
The weather won’t improve much Friday, when there’ll be a high of 65 and a low of 60. Expect showers, cloudy skies, and wind throughout the day. [AccuWeather]
- Mayor Rahm Emanuel and aldermen hope to avoid teachers’ strike as CTU sets a walkout date of October 11
On Wednesday the Chicago Teachers Union set a strike date of October 11, but as of yesterday there were still at least some hopes that ongoing negotiations with the union could avert a walkout. “As far as I know, right now today teachers are sitting down with some folks from the mayor’s office and with [12th Ward alderman George] Cardenas,” 27th Ward alderman Walter Burnett Jr. told DNAinfo Chicago. According to Burnett, the union and the Emanuel administration are discussing possible ways to use surplus tax increment financing funds for Chicago Public Schools in order to reach a compromise in CTU contract negotiations. But Burnett was quick to add that TIF funds offer no easy solution to the pension crisis: “That would take away from a lot of projects folks have planned already.” [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Hillary Clinton raises millions in Chicago with two Thursday-night fund-raisers
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton stopped in Chicago Thursday evening for two big fund-raisers expected to raise $4 million, according to the Sun-Times‘s Lynn Sweet. ContextMedia CEO Rishi Shah hosted a $50,000-per-plate fund-raiser at his Gold Coast home with about 30 donors, while the “Lawyers for Hillary Conversation With Hillary,” held at the Hyatt Regency hotel, was much cheaper at $2,700 a ticket. [Sun-Times] [ABC7 Chicago]
- Series of attacks on females puts runners on alert
Over the last week a number of female runners have been attacked while jogging in city areas ranging from South Shore to River North to Albany Park. In response, the Chicago Area Runners Association recommends running in groups, avoiding wearing headphones, staying in well-lit areas, and wearing reflective gear. The group is also planning a safety seminar for runners with a Chicago Police Department officer at its winter kickoff event (date and location as yet to be determined). [DNAinfo Chicago]
- Suburban doctor allegedly used cat saliva and vodka to make vaccines
A doctor practicing in Flossmoor has been accused of giving children including a week-old infant vaccinations modified with cat saliva and vodka. State regulators have suspended the license of Dr. Ming Te Lin, who faces a hearing in front of the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board in October. [Sun-Times]
- Can Theo Epstein repeat the feat?
Cubs president Theo Epstein made the seemingly impossible happen for the Boston Red Sox back in 2004, bringing them their first World Series win in 86 years. After five years of rebuilding, the Epstein magic seems to be working in Chicago: the Cubs have the best record in Major League Baseball and more than 100 regular season wins going into the playoffs. A (perhaps hyperbolic) profile by the New York Times tracks the Cubs’ trek from being so-called lovable losers into being serious contenders for the 2016 World Series. [New York Times]