🥶 How cold will Chicago be this winter?

✏️ Chicago’s First School Board Election

Ahead of this year’s school board elections, we got the download from Chalkbeat Chicago editor Becky Vevea on the districts with the most candidates, what divides them, and what to know before heading to the polls. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

🚔 Chicago Cop Faces Firing After Deadly Shooting

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is recommending the Chicago Police Department dismiss officer Fernando Ruiz after he fatally shot Reginald Clay Jr. during a pursuit in 2023. The Police Board supports the recommendation, despite opposition from the police superintendent. [Sun-Times]

🤑 DNC Exceeds Economic Expectations

The 2024 Democratic National Convention brought in $371.1 million and supported 3,200 jobs, according to a study by Tourism Economics. But some business owners on the South Side said they missed out on some of the benefits. [Block Club]

• That’s a lot of money, but did Chicago restaurants actually benefit from the DNC? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

🚧 U of I Makes Quantum Leap

The University of Illinois is halting its $285 million Discovery Partners Institute project at The 78 to focus on a quantum technology campus on the Far South Side, following Gov. Pritzker’s $500 million investment in the technology. The move leaves Related Midwest without an anchor for the massive project in South Loop. [Crain’s 🔒]

• How are megadevelopments like The 78 shaping Chicago’s future? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

I always feel a little guilty once winter in Illinois rolls around — I know that I'll later eat my words, but when it first begins, I'm over the searing summer temps and ready for a cozy, snow globe-like experience. Plus, as someone with a Christmas birthday, a snowy holiday always feels extra special to me. So what are the 2024-2025 winter predictions for Illinois? The Farmers' Almanac extended winter forecast is out and has a major message: Bundle up.

Frolicking deer, frosty breath, and barren trees — in Illinois, it can only mean one thing: winter! Our coldest season officially kicks off on December 21, though the entire month is expected to be cold and snowy. After an unusually mild cold in Illinois, the Farmer's Almanac winter forecast for Illinois predicts that the Prairie State will see a bit of a mixed bag, depending on where in Illinois you live.

The winter weather predictions in Illinois are separated by the Farmers Almanac into two regions: The Lower Lakes and the Ohio Valley. Both areas will experience different weather patterns, so it makes sense to differentiate the two. Folks in northern Illinois will experience a lake effect snow for this winter. Winter in Illinois will be colder than normal, but that doesn't always equate to more snow.

Snow in northern Illinois is predicted to be below average for the 2024-2025 winter season. Expect most of the snow to fall in late December and carry on through early February. If you’re closer to the Ohio Valley area, expect winter to be colder than normal—especially in February. The Ohio Valley region is predicted to experience above-average snowfall, so get those shovels ready. Overall, northern Illinois is expected to have a cold and dry winter, whilst southern Illinois is predicted to have a cold and snowy winter.

Pro tip: Make sure you have a shovel, blanket, flashlight, and kitty litter in your car in case of bad weather. Kitty litter can be used as traction for your tires if you get stuck in the snow!

Back with a vengeance, winter is also expected to fight tooth and nail to stay. March is predicted to see big swings in temperatures and weather, with possible storms across the country as the cold weather reluctantly yields to spring. According to the almanac, Illinois is split between a predicted cold and stormy winter on its eastern side, and a cold season with about average snowfall. Either way, we're in for a chilly few months that's likely to be wetter than usual.

Oh well, winter in Chicago is beautiful on a snowy day!