🍎 Chicago schools vs. teachers union?

Inside Chaotic CPS Budget…

The Chicago school board unanimously approved a $9.9 billion budget. But it comes with controversial cuts and doesn’t account for a new teachers union contract. An education reporter tells us what this means for ongoing negotiations. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Property Tax Refunds Coming

More than $22 million will be automatically distributed to property owners who overpaid their 2023 taxes, the Cook County Treasurer’s office announced. [WGN]

Quantum Computing Planned for South Side

More than 30 years after the U.S. Steel South Works facility closed, officials say they’re bringing a quantum computing campus to the South Chicago site. [Sun-Times]

Hollywood Grill Returns to 24-Hour Service

The beloved Wicker Park diner returns to 24-hour service today after several years of reduced hours. [Block Club]

• Take a look inside one of the last 24/7 diners in the city. [Tribune 🔒]

Last week, City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran shared his wishes for Chicago’s public transit amid talks of a merger between CTA, Metra, and Pace. Hey Chicago readers wrote in with their own wishes.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Chris W.

“I don’t know who to attribute this quote, but it’s one of my favorites: ‘A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It's where the rich use public transportation.’ That said, what are my transit wish list items? Tied for first would be dramatic safety, cleanliness and reliability improvements.”

Elizabeth W-H.

“For CTA, I recommend another north-south route like the Red Line but further west. This could connect along other lines’ stops and would make it so those that live further west wouldn’t have to go in and out of downtown hubs to make transfers and do so at a faster pace than transferring buses.”

Chris B.

“I dream of a system for congestion pricing — probably needs a rebrand on the name — like the idea that was almost implemented in NYC this year. It could be limited to a small area like the Loop, but it might have huge benefits, including more cash to give to the CTA. I'd love to at least see it be discussed, and imagine all the good attention if Chicago were the first major US city to make it happen.”