Afternoon Edition: Oct. 21, 2021

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

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Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara

Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara speaks to reporters at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on Aug. 10, 2021.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

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Chicago’s most important news of the day, delivered every weekday afternoon. Plus, a bonus issue on Saturdays that dives into the city’s storied history.

This afternoon will be cloudy with a high near 52 degrees and a 20% chance of showers. Tonight will also be cloudy, with a low around 41. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high near 53.

Top story

Judge scolds city, police union over vax mandate legal battle: ‘Everybody that’s involved here is in public service’

A Cook County judge today harangued the city and police union over the “sensationalization” of their vaccine mandate battle.

Judge Moshe Jacobius’ voice began to rise shortly after an attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 expressed his sense of frustration with the legal proceedings.

“You speak of frustration, I think there’s enough frustration to go around,” Jacobius said during the virtual hearing.

“Without commenting on anything specific, there’s been some comments about lowering the volume and lowering the flames and working in commonality for the people of the city of Chicago, both sides, and I think these parties should take that to heart,” he said.

“I’m not here to lecture or give sermons, that’s not my role, but when you see what’s going on and you see the sensationalization of this, people need to really consider, everybody that’s involved here is in public service,” he said.

Jacobius’ mini tirade was an aside to the main order of business in his courtroom.

He granted a motion by attorneys for the city to have a single judge handle the two pending cases related to the vaccine mandate.

Mitch Dudek and Fran Spielman have more on Jacobius’ remarks and motion here.

More news you need

  1. Mayor Lori Lightfoot today joined politicians and community leaders to celebrate something she tried desperately to stop: renaming Chicago’s most iconic and picturesque roadway Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. City officials gathered at Buckingham Fountain to launch the installation of highway signs reflecting the name change.
  2. A couple was arrested last night after leading Chicago police on a chase to Lyons in a car wanted in two murders, officials said. While attempting to arrest one of the people in the car, an officer accidentally fired his gun, wounding two other officers at the gas station where the chase had ended.
  3. One of Illinois’ largest health care systems — one that includes 14 acute care hospitals — says that it is splitting up. AdventHealth and Ascension, which together formed Amita Health seven years ago, will go their separate ways, Amita announced today.
  4. Englewood-based photographer Tonika Johnson’s latest artist exploration of race and place examines exclusion in the city. “Belonging: Place, Power, (Im)Possibilities” is a virtual exhibit that captures images and stories of eight Black and one Latinx youth reflecting on a moment in which they reckoned with society’s perception of them.
  5. Shares of Oak Brook-based Portillo’s rose in value today after the company raised more than $405 million from an initial public offering. Known for its hot dogs, burgers, Italian beef sandwiches and other favorites, Portillo’s went public after withstanding the pandemic well.

A bright one

Alligator Records turns 50, celebrates with all-star blues revue

This year marks Alligator Records’ golden record as the homegrown Chicago blues label celebrates its incredible 50-year anniversary, having put out its “genuine houserockin’ music” since 1971.

The occasion will be feted with the Alligator Records All-Star Blues Revue at Al Larson Prairie Center For The Arts on October 23, a night featuring label stars Nick Moss, Billy Branch and Toronzo Cannon, and putting a spotlight on Alligator’s continued legacy.

“It was so much more exciting than anything I had ever had thought of for a career,” says founder Bruce Iglauer who still runs operations today at Alligator HQ in Rogers Park.

Bruce Iglauer, founder and head of the independent blues record label Alligator Records.

Bruce Iglauer, founder and head of the independent blues record label Alligator Records.

Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

When he was just 22-years-old in 1970, Iglauer headed to Chicago on a sojourn to the music mecca like so many of the great blues artists ahead of him. Like them, he was captivated by the sound coming out of the West and South Side clubs and was determined to be part of it all, calling those formative years a “voyage of discovery” when his ears were attuned to those rich guitar sounds and the people making them.

In the 50 years since, Alligator Records has put out 350 titles with a massive roster over the years that has included greats like Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Albert Collins, Shemekia Copeland, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Marcia Ball, Billy Branch and newcomers like 22-year-old guitar prodigy Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

Alligator Records has become the defining exclusive blues label in the country while Iglauer has become a prominent figurehead in the genre.

Selena Fragassi has more on the label’s legacy here.

From the press box

Your daily question ☕

How would you describe what it’s like to be a Chicago sports fan to someone from out of town?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday we asked you: Facebook is planning to change its name, according to a new report. What would you rename the social network if it were up to you? Here’s what some of you said…

“What my grandma calls it: La Chismosa, or Gossiper.” — Cristal Ramirez

“Vast Wasteland.” — Netty Gasparotto Graham

“The World of Many Faces.” — Nesha Shunta

“Waste Management.” — Mike Amons

“Fight Club Online.” — John Pickles

“The Devil’s Bible.” — Vivian Pettis

“La Doble Care, or Two Face. Porque, todos aparentan una cosa aquí y otra en la realidad. Como dice Los Bukis, “A donde vamos a parar con la gente hipócrita?” — Ana Laura Flores

“Birthday Reminder.” — Joe Cutaia

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