Good afternoon. Here’s the latest Chicago news you need to know. This is an approximately 5 minute read that will educate you on today’s biggest stories.

Showers are likely this afternoon with a maximum of near 61 degrees. This evening expect rain and possibly a thunderstorm with a low around 49. Tomorrow more showers are likely with a high near 50.

Top story

More mass vaccination sites closed as COVID-19 positivity rate drops below 2% for the first time

Illinois’ COVID-19 test positivity rate continues to decline, as does demand for vaccines.

As the statewide average infection rate fell below 2% for the first time today, doors were closed at three suburban mass vaccination sites as authorities took a more targeted approach to get more shots in the guns.

Cook County Council Chairman Toni Preckwinkle was due to “applaud” the workers who would administer the final blows this afternoon at a mass vax site at the Tinley Park Convention Center. It is one of six large-scale sites that have provided hundreds of thousands of snapshots to residents since the start of the year.

But with vaccines now readily available in most drugstores and doctor’s offices – and with about half of Illinois’ adults fully vaccinated – Tinley’s site is closing along with those in South Holland and River Grove. After administering a few final photos, their operations will be consolidated with sites in Forest Park, Des Plaines and Matteson.

Cook County health officials say the next phase of a landmark vaccination campaign will focus on “reallocating resources to support hyperlocal and community-based vaccination initiatives.”

Read Mitchell Armentrout’s full story here.

More news you need

1. Mayor Lightfoot’s proposal to require stores to cut alcohol sales at 10 p.m. every night is “not set in stone,” a senior advisor to the mayor said today. Fran Spielman has the last on the eventual curfew, which could be pushed back or eliminated altogether.
2. Adam Toledo’s family and friends gathered yesterday to announce plans for Adam’s Place – a rural sanctuary for children to interact with nature and farming. The announcement took place on Adam’s 14th birthday.
3. A divided city council yesterday agreed to let a medical cannabis company expand its Jefferson Park dispensary, with some aldermen protesting inequality in the weed industry. The overwhelming majority of cannabis companies are owned by white males.
4. Chicago Tribune employees have been offered buyouts as the newspaper’s new owner, Alden Global Capital, works quickly to cut costs. The hedge fund is looking to cut payroll after funding its acquisition with $ 278 million in debt.
5. Medically fragile and immunocompromised CPS students will have a centralized virtual learning option in the fall, while full-time in-person learning will be mandatory for all other children. The virtual option will mean that teachers will not have to simultaneously instruct in-person and remote students.
6. Lawmakers yesterday passed a bill that would allow the early release of terminally ill people who are incarcerated. They also put forward an effort to enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state’s Bill of Rights.
7. Fears of side effects from the COVID-19 shots remain the main reason Illinois residents reject the shots, according to new statewide survey data. Fears that the vaccine development process was rushed may also have contributed to a recent slowdown in statewide vaccinations.

A brilliant

Family reunited in Chicago after five years on different continents: “ It’s been a long, long time ”

Congolese refugee Mapenzi Mweniake came to Chicago in 2016 with her son and extended family to start a new life after spending 20 years in a Tanzanian refugee camp.

Her husband, Mwenebatu Mwenemkamba, was forced to stay in the camp, awaiting clearance that never came as the Trump administration dismantled the U.S. refugee program before COVID-19 introduced its own roadblocks.

The couple finally reunited at O’Hare International Airport yesterday, with husband and wife telling each other how happy they were to have the chance to start over.

Mweniake, a small group of supporters and a media contingent waited over an hour outside Exit A of the international terminal. She grabbed a bouquet of roses and her 12-year-old son Mussa.

But Mwenemkamba emerged from another door and suddenly stood there in front of her. Just as quickly, she found him and kissed him, burrowing into his shoulder.

“I’m very happy to see my wife again because, you know, it’s been a long time, five years, we haven’t been together. I am very happy and I thank the Lord, ”said Mwenemkamba.

Mweniake said one of the first things she wanted to do with her husband was take him to see the animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo. But first, she wanted to give him a big hug.

Read Mark Brown’s full review here.

From the press box

Javy Baez rocked the baseball world this afternoon after an incredible streak in which he drew a Pirates player in a disastrous game that led to a Cubs run. You know Baez did something special when his teammates react like this:

After NBC Sports’ Chris Simms ranked Justin Fields 39th out of 40 active NFL quarterbacks, our Rick Morrissey asked if the analyst was reasonable with his skepticism.

And Patrick Finley examines the Bears’ cap situation for 2022 after the NFL announced a cap of $ 208.2 million for the following season.

Your daily question ☕

What do you think of Lightfoot’s proposed ban on the sale of alcohol after 10pm?

Respond to this email (please include your first name and location) and we could feature your response in the next afternoon edition.

Yesterday we asked you the following question: Most of Chicago’s beaches due to officially reopen on Friday, which one is your favorite? Tell us why. Here’s what some of you said …

“Montrose. Because the dogs. – Robb johannes

“Rainbow Beach, the best handball courts in the world.” – Brian Connolly

“Loyola because it’s usually pretty empty.” – Larissa Rachelle

“31st !!! #HouseMusic. “- Kem Hashan

“Osterman. North Coast. Bathrooms and lots of space. Shaded at the back where the trees are. Coffee and food too. Not as crowded as North Ave. – Debbie Mytych

“Hollywood / Osterman because it’s beautiful there with not only the beaches, but all the beautiful green spaces and spectacular views.” – Shelly harris

“My water pipe in the yard.” – Helen johnson

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