Good morning, Chicago! As always, thank you for reading Patch’s five-minute guide to the headlines. In today’s Daily:
- 🏗️ VP Kamala Harris touted bridge funding during a stop in Chicago
- 🔥 A fire severely damaged four boats at a Far South Side marina
- 💵 Gas bills may rise next year for Chicago residents
☁️ The weather:
Mostly cloudy, snow showers. High: 34 Low: 29.
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📰 Top 5 stories in Chicago:
1) Fire severely damages multiple boats at Far South Side marina. Four boats caught fire at Pier 11 Marina on the city’s Far South Side yesterday morning, prompting a four-hour response from local agencies in a blaze that was deemed accidental. The fire started when a recreational boat owner attempted to winterize his boat. Overall, damages will likely surpass $1.1 million. (CBS Chicago)
2) Gas bills may be rising in Chicago after Nicor files for $321 million rate hike, with Peoples Gas expected to follow. If approved, the rate hike would raise the average residential gas bill by $9.28 a month beginning in Jan. 2024. Peoples Gas may also seek a rate increase, after submitting a waiver request with the Illinois Commerce Commission to file for it electronically. The ICC has 11 months to review a proposed utility rate case, so the earliest Peoples Gas could also implement an increase would be Jan. 2024. (Chicago Tribune)
3) Vice president touts bridge funding in Chicago: ‘We will finally fix this problem.’ Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Chicago yesterday was part of the Biden Administration’s effort to highlight the effects of the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, which includes a $144 million grant to rehab the 92nd Street, 95th Street, 100th Street and 106th Street bridges along the Calumet River. (Chicago Sun-Times)
4) World Business Chicago rolls out campaign to boost regional growth. The economic development group announced yesterday a renewed focus on growth across all seven counties of northeast Illinois through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, a three-year pilot program. The public-private partnership will help business leaders look regionally when considering an expansion or relocation. (Yahoo! Finance)
5) Albany Park farm serving refugee families looking for greenhouse space to extend growing season. Global Garden Refugee Training Farm is looking to partner with someone in Albany Park or Rogers Park with available greenhouse space. The nonprofit launched in 2012 and has allowed refugee families to grow food for themselves and sell it to restaurants, food pantries, farmers markets and wholesale. (Block Club Chicago)
📌 Today in Chicago:
First, here’s a list of all the free museum days in Jan. 2023.
- Roving Naturalists at Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
- Winter Flower Show Tour at Garfield Park Conservatory (10:00 AM)
- Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice at American Writers Museum (12:00 PM)
- “Elvis” at Uptown Branch Library (1:00 PM)
- The Comedy Cocktail at Uncommon Ground Lakeview (6:30 PM)
- Hot Potato Hearts Speed Dating at Ravinia Brewing Company (7:00 PM)
- Evil (Performing the Music of Interpol) at Reggies (7:00 PM)
- Raíces at FitzGerald’s (7:00 PM)
- Marbin Gypsy Jazz at Dorian’s (8:00 PM)
- Bric-a-Brac Fundraiser at Empty Bottle (8:00 PM)
- Straight No Chaser at The Chicago Theatre (8:00 PM)
- Stripes and Diamonds: Founders Day Celebration at The Promontory (9:00 PM)
- International Omnivorist by Bumbac Joe at Punch House (9:00 PM)
- Timehop Thursdays at Beauty Bar Chicago (9:00 PM)
- Gay Disco Night at Berlin (10:00 PM)
📱 Social chatter:
- The Wieners Circle: “The Wieners Circle sends food to feed 60 migrants sent from Texas.” (CBS Chicago)
- Be the next poet laureate: “Chicago is full of amazing poets. Help us identify Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate by sharing who you’d like to see in the role! 👉 Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate Nominations are open until January 18. Nominees can be from either spoken or written traditions.” (Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events via Facebook)
- Calumet Fisheries: “Vice President Kamala Harris gets smoked fish feast at Calumet Fisheries during Chicago visit.” (Block Club Chicago)
- Juice and smoothie bars: “Chicago’s best juices and smoothie bars. Get an early start on those New Year’s resolutions.” (Eater Chicago)
- NFL Hall of Fame finalist: “Class of ’23 Pro Football HOF Finalist Congrats, Devin Hester! Former Bears star Devin Hester on Wednesday was selected as one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.” (Chicago Bears via Facebook)
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About me: I’m a Midwesterner and very happy to call Chicagoland home. I love the outdoors—especially hiking—performing arts, photography, good food, travel and gardening. You can find me reading to my toddler, watching tv with my husband or cuddling with our rescue dog.
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Chicago Daily? Contact me at chicago_il@patch.com
