🚭 Cracking down on CTA smoking

How Are Dollar Stores Being Held Accountable?

While alders consider limiting new dollar stores in the city, a new investigation looked into dollar stores selling expired baby formula, overcharging customers, and labor violations. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Disaster Recovery Deadline Today

It’s the last day Cook County residents can apply for federal assistance after severe showers and flash flooding last fall. [WTTW]

More Tickets for Smoking on CTA

After years of complaints and even a petition, Chicago police are cracking down on passengers who smoke on the CTA. More than 6,300 citations were given last year, the most since 2019. [Block Club]

Bears Season Ticket Prices Go Up

Season ticket-holders can expect to pay between 6.2% and 11.3% more next season. The team is set to host one preseason and eight regular season games. [ABC7]

This Week’s Must-Reads

• Amid a housing crisis, one Chicagoan has resettled almost 500 migrants on his own. [Tribune 🔒]
• With the second phase of the Kennedy project looming, this deep-dive shows how Chicago’s expressways changed the city. [Sun-Times]

Most Hey Chicago readers told us they preferred mail-in ballots, which is good news since those were sent out this week.

Mail-in Ballot

Irma V.: “It is easier and more secure, and I can take my time.”

Caroline C.: “I started doing it during the pandemic, and it’s so much easier than trying to find time during the day to go in person. I also always felt like I was cheating if I had my phone out to look up the people I had planned to vote for. At home, I can have my computer open and take my time.”

• Note from Sid: Yes, you can have notes with you (on paper or your phone) in the voting booth — even if it feels weird!

Tricia G.: “It’s convenient and eliminates the need for me to be available on Election Day.”

Brian R.: “You can Google all 427 judges on the ballot.”

• Note from Sid: There are 45 vacancies on county, circuit, appellate, and supreme courts this election (though it might feel like more). Keep your eyes peeled for Injustice Watch’s judicial guide dropping Feb. 20.

Erin V.: “When I moved here and requested a mail-in ballot for the 2020 COVID-19 election, they asked if I wanted future ballots mailed automatically to me for every election. That's AWESOME and is way easier than keeping track of elections when to vote.”

Early Voting

Stacy R.: “I can avoid the crowds and can do it at a time that's most convenient.”

Brenda C.: “It’s less of a crowd.”

Inside Dollar Store Drama

WCIU’s Brandon Pope joins City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea to discuss what’s going on with dollar stores in the city, the ongoing outage at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and a first look at the Sox’s potential South Loop Stadium.