🔎 How to check Chicago’s air quality

CPS Special Ed Chief Out

Stephanie Jones left the role Friday following criticisms over the district’s use of physical restraint on students and a vote of no confidence from the Chicago Teachers Union. [Chalkbeat]

Inside Chicago’s Pension Crisis

One of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first announcements when he took office was to create a task force to solve Chicago’s “pension crisis.” But is the crisis narrative doing more harm? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

‘Drunk Shakespeare’ Unionized

Chicago actors and crew behind the popular intoxicated renditions of the Bard’s works got union recognition voluntarily from their employer days after filing their petition with the National Labor Relations Board. [Reader]

Good Luck Seeing Lionel Messi in Chicago 🫡

Thousands of Chicagoans already know what they’re doing Oct. 4: Watching soccer superstar and new Inter Miami CF club member Lionel Messi play the Chicago Fire. Tickets went fast last week following news about the Argentinian’s move to Major League Soccer. [WGN]

• Have Chicago fans been this excited since last fall’s Poland–Mexico World Cup match? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Last Week’s Winner

Answer: The Chevron Sculpture is at Diversey Harbor. Shoutout to our random winner Lea C., who said it’s a great picnic spot. The next trivia comes from us!

This Week’s Clues

Where is this mural? Reply correctly, and you could pick next week’s trivia.

• Black women are celebrated in this mural depicting the culture of the Southeast Side
• Created in 2017
• Made by Rahmaan Statik, Max Sansing, Cujo, Dred, and RK Crew
• Peep the City Caster figuring out the drone shot in the corner 🤓
  

Belmont Rocks History in Lakeview | Monday | 6–7:30 p.m.

Head to the Merlo library to learn about the historic gathering spot for LGBTQ Chicagoans and the AIDS Garden in its place today. [Free]

Terrace Tunes in Streeterville | Tuesday | 5:30–8 p.m.

The Museum of Contemporary Art’s Tuesdays on the Terrace program is back with more musical genres like hip-hop, house, and more. [Free]

Garfield Park Juneteenth Picnic | Wednesday | 4–7 p.m.

West Siders can celebrate the holiday at Garfield Park Conservatory with dinner, music, art, and more. [Free, reservations required]

Volunteer Day in South Shore | Saturday | 10 a.m.

All ages are invited to clean up the South Shore Nature Sanctuary. [Free]

All Your Chicago Pension Qs

Funding pensions is why the city says it’s building a new casino, and it comes up when we talk about the city budget. But what’re the city’s pension obligations? DePaul University professor Amanda Kass breaks it down.