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How’d County Criminal Courts Get So Backed Up?

Murder cases can take more than four years to work through Cook County courts, longer than New York or Los Angeles, a new investigation found. The pandemic has only exacerbated the delays. [Tribune 🔒]

Coming Soon: Narcan Vending Machine at 95th Red Line Station

The free vending machine stocked with the opioid overdose reversal drug will be coming to the Far South Side CTA stop this summer. [Block Club]

More Black History Archives at Our Fingertips

The Chicago Public Library will be able to digitize thousands of Black history archives thanks to a $2 million grant from the Mellon Foundation, making the pieces available online to the public. [WBEZ]

UFO Center Turns 50

Mark Rodeghier has been running the center to study extraterrestrial life from his Norwood Park basement for decades. He told the City Cast Chicago podcast about the 2006 sighting at O’Hare. [Block Club; City Cast Chicago]

City Council 101 in the Loop | Today | 9 a.m. to Noon

Learn about the history, rules, dynamics, and future of City Council at the Better Government Association panel at Harold Washington Library. [Free]

Near North Side Open Ballet | Today | 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Take a dance class at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts this morning. [Free]

Shred Fest in Woodlawn | Today | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dispose your documents at the University of Chicago’s Press Building. [Free]

Prom Donations in South Chicago | All Week | Varies

Donate gently used or new prom dresses, suits, and more at Bessemer Park through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. High schoolers can pick up the items Friday from 4–7 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. [Free]

Budgeting 101

NerdWallet personal finance expert Kimberly Palmer had tips for the City Cast Chicago podcast team on the budgeting basics, had us examining our own financial habits, and thinking about our financial goals.