Daywatch: CPS halts in-person learning, Illinois told to expect boost in vaccine shipments and Chicago pizza boom expands
Good morning, Chicago. Illinois health officials on Tuesday announced 3,667 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 87 additional fatalities. Meanwhile, the city of Chicago canceled an unspecified number of vaccine appointments made by teachers who inadvertently signed up using a code meant for health care workers, sparking confusion as educators face mounting anxiety over trying to secure an inoculation.
In lighter news, although the winter storm Monday didn’t live up to originally forecast expectations, the storm did drop snow across the Chicago area. Use our map here to see how much it snowed in your area. And, if you want to share photos of your snowy day, or look at what other readers submitted, check out our photo gallery.
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CPS halts in-person learning for students already back as teachers strike looms; district still aims to open elementary schools Monday
Chicago Public Schools will halt in-person classes Wednesday as the city makes a last push to reach a deal with its teachers union to reopen schools for elementary students on Monday.
Without an agreement despite months of talks and several delays, the Chicago Teachers Union said its members will still refuse to report to schools and will strike if CPS locks teachers out of remote classroom platforms. It would be their second strike in less than two years.
Foxx stunned as some public defenders arranged for coronavirus vaccine at Cook County Jail ahead of her staff
A handful of Cook County public defenders received a COVID-19 vaccine at the Cook County Jail this week unbeknownst to leaders of the Cook County state’s attorney’s office who told the Tribune they had no idea public defenders were in talks to possibly be designated for earlier inoculations.
Illinois told to expect a boost in vaccine shipments as limited indoor dining returns to many suburbs
Walgreens, Jewel-Osco, Walmart and Cook County scheduling COVID-19 vaccine appointments, though demand is great and doses scarce
Sen. Mitt Romney calls out fellow Republicans for pushing stolen election myth, says it makes achieving unity more difficult
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney on Tuesday accused fellow Republicans of fomenting political division by perpetuating the myth that massive voter fraud denied Donald Trump reelection, and said unity will be difficult to achieve without acknowledging Democratic President Joe Biden won a fair contest.
Romney, in a livestreamed interview with Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar on behalf of the Economic Club of Chicago, also said he shared hopes that the Jan. 6 uprising at the nation’s capital might lead to more bipartisanship but said there’s been no sign of any change in rhetoric.
Every Illinois police officer would be required to wear a body camera by 2025 under bill awaiting Pritzker’s signature. But without penalties, will departments comply?
Every police officer in Illinois would be required to wear a body camera by 2025 as part of a massive criminal justice overhaul state lawmakers approved this month, but a lack of additional funding to help agencies pay for equipment and the absence of penalties for those that don’t raises questions about whether the legislation will achieve its ambitious goal.
The Chicago pizza boom expands with 7 more great new spots — from tavern to Indian and beyond
It might be a new year with a new president, but one thing remains the same: Chicagoans will always eat more pizza. Perhaps the pandemic has us all craving the comfort of dough, sauce and melted cheese. If that’s you, then check out these seven new spots.
