🐻 'The Bear' is back. Do we care?

CTU President Makes Case for Borrowing Money

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates says the school district needs to borrow money, citing a $529 million deficit and President Donald Trump’s cuts to education. Interim Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King also has not ruled out borrowing. [Sun-Times]

• Related: Here’s why the CPS budget battle is so heated. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
  

City Closing Shelters in Kenwood and West Lawn

Citing budget concerns, Chicago is backing out of plans to take over two large shelters initially opened by the state to house migrants. The West Lawn shelter closes June 30. The Kenwood shelter will phase out over the next six months. This news comes amid rising homelessness in Chicago. [Block Club]

• Related: How merging migrant and homeless shelters played out in Kenwood. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Time to Name the Shedd’s New Otter

There’s one day left to vote on a name for the Shedd Aquarium’s new rescued sea otter. Otter 937, as she’s currently called, arrived as previous rescues Suri and Willow moved on to become surrogate otter mothers in California. Ideally, that will be Otter 937’s path, too. Options for her name include Jade, Marina, and Rey. Voting takes place on site — so get on over to the Shedd. [Secret Chicago]

• Related: Have you seen Chicago’s river otters? [Hey Chicago 💻]

If you're willing to brave the record-setting heat, there’s lots of new Chicago restaurants to try. These five have caught our eye.

El Bagelero in Bucktown

Sorry to be that person but … I used to live in New York. And I am a bagel snob. So I was ecstatic this month when El Bagelero opened near my house! Located in the former Little Lazo’s, this humble spot capitalizes on Chicago’s so-called bagel boom, and their chorizo-egg El Capitan sandwich is well worth the stop.

The Original Rainbow Cone in the Loop

The original Original Rainbow Cone is in Beverly, serving aesthetically stacked ice cream slices since 1926. But thanks to a 2019 merger with Buona Beef, the franchise has spread fast. Mag Mile is the latest place to grab one of Chicago’s most iconic cones.

Batter & Berries in South Loop

Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park recently made our list of the best brunch spots in Chicago. Now, the restaurant has a second location in South Loop. If you’re a sweet over savory kind of person, try their famous French toast.

La Lunita in Logan Square

A sister restaurant of the women-owned Pilsen taqueria La Luna, La Lunita focuses on larger entrees. Personally, I’m looking forward to trying their al pastor octopus (or the Slagel Farms steak with peppercorn mole) alongside a fancy margarita.

Wolf & Company in Wicker Park

From the team behind Little Bad Wolf and Gretel comes Wolf & Company. If you’ve been to those restaurants, you already know the burgers here are gonna be bomb. It’s also — drumroll — the city’s first restaurant with direct 606 access (via a second-floor patio). Inside, there’s also an all-day café, a market, and an in-house butcher. Another highlight: the Dirty Martini Salad.