More info emerges on migrant ‘base camps’

More Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Starting Monday, U.S. households will once again be able to order up to four COVID-19 tests from the government. [CNN]

City Sues Monsanto for Contamination

The city alleges the agribusiness knowingly contaminated Chicago’s air, water, and soil for years with polychlorinated biphenyls, compounds that have been shown to cause health problems. [WGN]

• The lawsuit comes days after a comprehensive report about pollution on the South and West sides was released. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

INVEST South/West’s Future

A top aide in Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration said the Lightfoot-era program was seen as an “unfulfilled promise” among residents in targeted neighborhoods. Development on the South and West sides may look different moving forward, the aide said. [WBEZ]

This Week’s Must-Listen

Like Oscar-winning short “Hair Love?” Tune into “Young Love,” Matthew Cherry’s continuation of the story. The new Max show is a love letter to the city’s West Side. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

🔺 = Sid’s picks

Oaktober Fest in Oak Park 🍁 Friday, Saturday | Varies

Ring in autumn at the two-day fest in the nearby western suburb with a root beer kids garden, zucchini races, and more family fun. [Free entry]

🔺 Beverly Art Walk 🎨 Saturday | Noon to 5 p.m.

See the work of 200 artists, a street painting fest, and public art activations. [Donation suggested]

Lemont Scarecrow Fest 🧑‍🌾 Saturday | 2–5 p.m.

Bring the family to walk along the scarecrow trail. [Free]

Humboldt Park Water Lantern Fest 🏮 Saturday | 4–8 p.m.

Decorate a floating paper lantern and release it into the water. [$27+]

🔺 South By SouthEast Fest 🎶 Saturday | 2–10 p.m.

The duo behind the South by SouthEast Podcast are throwing a fest featuring music and local vendors at Old Time Tap. [Free]

‘Great Gatsby’ Party in West Loop 🥂 Saturday | 9 p.m.

Step into the Roaring '20s as Union Station hosts live music, burlesque stars, contortionists, and more. [$125]

🔺 Moon Fest in Chinatown 🥮 Sunday | Noon to 7 p.m.

Luxury streetwear boutique Vital Chinatown is hosting a day of shopping, storytelling, and community engagement. [Free]

Ballet Celebration Downtown 🩰 All Weekend | Varies

Watch ballet companies from across the U.S. at the Auditorium Theatre Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gerald Arpino, co-founder of the Joffrey Ballet. [$45+]

Hyde Park Jazz Fest 🎺 All Weekend | Varies

Head to 13 venues to see 37 performances Saturday and Sunday. [$10 suggested donation]

Chicago Gourmet in the Loop 🍴 All Weekend | Varies

Calling all last-minute foodies! Grab your tickets to events like Hamburger Hop and Prost! In the Park. [$70+]

🔺 World Music Fest Citywide 🌎 All Week | Varies

Hear music from Egypt, Colombia, and more through Oct. 10. [Free]

After talking to Chicago teens about their efforts to revamp sex ed, Hey Chicago readers shared what they wished they had learned.

Sarah P.: “I wish I had learned anything at all about contraceptives. I grew up in a very conservative area with religiously motivated abstinence-only sex ed. Meanwhile, the town had some of the highest teen pregnancy and STD rates in the nation at the time. It was so extreme that it became the subject of the 2005 Sundance documentary ‘The Education of Shelby Knox.’”

Sam K.: “A lot of things: consent, how to know when you're ready, how to protect yourself with multiple partners, and honesty around STIs.”

Hannah T.: “I wish I learned about my menstrual cycle in its entirety. In adulthood, I've learned about the different phases of my cycle, hormonal balancing and needs, and how to tell when I'm ovulating! It would've been amazing to embrace this as a teen and not feel so ashamed of my female anatomy.”

Nylah B.: “Definitely consent. The approach was very abstinence-based, and I wished we focused more on how sex is okay and not going to give you an STI (or worse) if done safely. Sure we learned about condoms but not much about other forms of contraception, and we definitely could have used a more queer-friendly, gender-neutral approach.”

More Info Emerges on Migrant ‘Base Camps’

South Side Weekly’s Alma Campos and Block Club's Manny Ramos recap the city’s contract for migrant “base camps,” the push to end subminimum wage, and environmental justice wins.