🍻 Real beer and NA beer

CPS Enrollment Dips to 21st Century Low

The share of local children enrolled in Chicago Public Schools has declined to 71%. That’s a loss of 18,000 students since 2018. While much of that loss is due to families leaving the city, private schools are also increasingly popular. [CBS Chicago]

Ride-Share Drivers Push to Unionize

Illinois Uber and Lyft drivers want to unionize and bargain collectively without changing their contractor status. This would require new legislation, and drivers have officially begun lobbying under the Illinois Drivers Alliance. [Block Club]

Chicago's James Beard Semifinalists

The 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists are in. EL Ideas in Douglass Park and Kasama in Ukrainian Village are both in the running for Outstanding Restaurant, while Nadu in Lincoln Park and Nic & Junior's in River North are Best New Restaurant semifinalists. Several more Chicago restaurants feature across categories. [James Beard Foundation]

• Can’t wait for the awards at the Lyric in June? This Lake Geneva getaway benefits the foundation — and it’s coming up Jan. 31.

The Ultimate Chicago Beer Guide

If you’re looking forward to that first post-dry-January beer — or need a spot to hang out with non-dry January friends — consider these breweries. On today’s podcast, Chicago Walking Brewery Tours founder Adam Drakulic shares how to make the most of the city’s craft beer scene. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]