🎄 Christmas is (already) coming to Chicago

Chicago Workers to Get 10 Days Paid Leave

Despite some major business groups’ objections and a parliamentary move earlier this week in City Council, alders passed the ordinance in a 36-12 vote. Starting Dec. 31, workers will get 10 days of paid leave annually, up from the five days they were previously guaranteed. [WBEZ]

• Thursday’s meeting came after a week of chaos and confusion at City Hall. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Ed Burke Trial Delayed

The high-profile federal corruption trial of the city’s longest-serving alder will resume next week after an attorney for the former 14th Ward alder tested positive for COVID-19. [WGN]

Biden’s Illinois Visit

The president first stopped to celebrate the reopening of the Belvidere Assembly Plant and meet with autoworkers Thursday. Then, he headed to a campaign fundraiser in the city, which was met by protesters. [ABC7]

This Week’s Must-Read

Lake Michigan reminds some Venezuelan migrants of Lake Maracaibo before pollution worsened. One asylum-seeker said the love for the lake back home is “practically a religion down there.” [Sun-Times]

Wicker Park ‘Sweet 17’ Party 🪩 Friday | 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Easy Bar is celebrating its 17th birthday with a groovy dance party. A portion of drink sales will go toward the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. [Varies]

Military Museum Downtown 🪖 Friday, Saturday | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrate Veterans Day at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, and view the Life Behind the Wire: Prisoners of War exhibit. [Free]

Asian American Jazz Fest in Logan Square 🎷 Friday, Saturday | 8:30 p.m.

Devon Osamu Tipp, Hitomi Oba, and Takashi Shallow will perform at Elastic Arts. [$20]

🔺 Skate With Bluey in Gresham 🐕 Saturday | 3:30–6:30 p.m.

Bring the family to roll with the beloved puppy from the hit kids show. [$10 admission, $4 skate rental]

Candace Hunter Exhibit Opens in Hyde Park 🖼️ Saturday | 10 a.m.

Inspired by the works of author Octavia Butler, see the Chicago artist’s largest solo exhibit to date at the Hyde Park Art Center. [Free]

🔺 Navi Arts Fest in Humboldt Park 🎄 Saturday, Sunday | Varies

Go to the pop-up market at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture to shop, take pics with Santa, and make Christmas art. [Free entry]

🔺 Diwali Dinner in River North 🪔 Sunday | 5–7:30 p.m.

Celebrate the Hindu festival of lights with a five-course meal at Indienne, which just got its first Michelin star. [$135 per person]

Botanic Garden Lightscape in Glencoe ✨ All Season | Varies

Hurry to reserve your tickets for the festive North Shore light display through Jan. 7. [$30 per adult]

Once in a while, members of the team are dropping in to share what they’re digging around town. City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea is up first 👇

Simone’s Recs

• After famously getting a C on a fourth-grade art project, I’ve finally learned how to draw this year at Aartwerk in Edgewater. Next up: A color image with fewer windows. Bonus: I’ve met some cool people, too!
• My mom heard Sidney suggest Drunk Shakespeare for date night, so that’s where we’re celebrating my brother’s birthday this weekend. Mom also has her eye on some fancy restaurants mentioned on the pod.
• But honestly I need a rec from you all: I’ve been craving a maple donut and I want to know who has the best in town. Shoot us a text at 773-780-0246 🍩

PSAs

Dee F. is looking for more volunteers for the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade in T-2 weeks. Sign-ups close Tuesday.

Virginia H. works at Design B&B, which is offering a grant to provide a Chicago-area nonprofit with a full suite of services for one year (e.g., naming, brand identity development, website design, etc.) Applications are open, and the agency is looking for more folks to apply.

City Council This Week: Chaos 🤝 Confusion

The Daily Line’s Erin Hegarty and Axios’ Justin Kaufmann discuss what alders actually got done this week, the Cubs’ new manager, and Christmas trees’ return to the city.