🌊 Is Chicago ready for flooding?

Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer Killed

Luis Huesca, 30, was returning home from his shift early Sunday morning when he was fatally shot in Gage Park, according to police Supt. Larry Snelling. [Sun-Times]

City Council Approves $70M to Aid Migrants

After a heated debate, alders voted 30-18 Friday to spend an additional $70 million to help house, feed, and care for the tens of thousands of new arrivals in the city. The city had budgeted $150 million to help migrants for the year, but Mayor Brandon Johnson said it wouldn’t be enough. [CBS Chicago]

Is Chicago Ready for Flooding?

Chicago’s most threatening natural disaster is severe flooding. As residents continue to recover from last summer’s torrential rain storms that experts say are only getting more frequent, is the city prepared for future floods? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

DuSable Lake Shore Drive South Side Lanes Closing

Starting today, three southbound lanes are set to close weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. over the next two weeks as crews repair patches of South DuSable Lake Shore Drive between Roosevelt Road and 31st Street. More lane closures are expected throughout May and June. [Block Club]

• At least if you’re stuck in the car, you can check out this traffic podcast playlist. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Jackson Park’s Cherry Blossoms Won’t Bloom

For the second year in a row, the South Side cherry blossoms won’t bloom because of the city’s erratic weather, the Chicago Park District said. [NBC Chicago]

Allergy season got off to an early start in Chicago this year, thanks in part to unseasonably high winter temperatures. While you can’t control the seasons, you can control and reduce allergens in your home.

What Are Allergens?

Allergens are the antigens that trigger your body’s immune responses to fight off perceived threats. Allergens often come in the form of pollen, dust mites, and mold spores. They can enter your home through open windows and on the clothes you wore outside.

But never fear, Hey Chicago is here with you your room-by-room guide to setting up your allergen-free home:

🛌 Bedroom

• Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets at least once a week, especially if your doggie who loves to play outside cuddles with you nightly (guilty!).
• Consider purchasing pillow and mattress covers that are hypoallergenic or dust mite–proof.
• Vacuum rugs regularly, particularly with a machine that uses HEPA filters.

🚽 Bathroom

• Ventilation is key for your self-care space. An exhaust fan will help reduce moisture buildup.
• Wash shower curtains and bathroom mats often. Spray and scrub surfaces weekly.

🍽️ Kitchen

• When was the last time you cleaned your fridge? Yeah, same. Scrub out the mold hiding in cracks and crevices, and replace moldy rubber seals around doors.
• If possible, install an exhaust fan over your stove to remove cooking fumes.

Last Week’s Winner

Answer: The Mansueto Library at the University of Chicago. Congrats to random winner Olga S. City Cast marketing director Caroline Patton supplied the next round of trivia.

This Week’s Clues

What do you think Smashed Plastic does? Guess here!

• This Hermosa plant has been in business since 2018.
• Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy has come on as a partner.
• Has become a fixture of Chicago’s indie music scene.

Is Chicago Ready for Flooding?

Illinois Answers Project reporters Meredith Newman and Alex Nitkin have been working on a series about how the city, county, and state have prepared (or not prepared) for these disasters. They share why Chicago is so prone to floods, what can be done to mitigate damage, and why government agencies have struggled to coordinate.