💔 Another Maxwell Street icon bumped

A Push to Regulate Motorized Scooters, E-bikes

Following several fatal accidents involving minors, lawmakers have proposed a bill to add age and road restrictions for the state’s growing number of motorbikes, e-bikes, and scooters. We discussed the move on today’s podcast (including host Jacoby Cochran’s recent e-bike purchase). And is Chicago really one of the worst cities for mosquitoes? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Gas Will Get Even More Expensive

Illinois’ gas tax will rise over a cent on July 1, to 48.3 cents per gallon. The money generated pays for infrastructure. However, with gas prices on the rise, Indiana and Kentucky’s governors have suspended state gas taxes. Will Gov. JB Pritzker follow suit? He paused Illinois’ gas tax in 2022. [Axios]

Chicagoan Dies One Day After Reuniting With Parents

Kevin Gonzalez died one day after reuniting with his parents, who ICE had detained. In an effort to be with him, they were detained trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border after being denied emergency visas. He passed away Sunday at a family home in Durango, Mexico. [ABC7]

White Parents Are Sticking in Wicker

Birth rates are low across American cities — in Chicago, between 2010 and 2024, the under-18 population declined by 22%. But white families in Wicker Park buck the trend. Across Wicker’s two ZIP codes, the number of white children increased by 39% and 94% in the same time span. [Economist 🔒]

Lindblom’s Debate Team Comeback

Sophomores and co-captains Darius Rencher and Twila Bietila earned two wins in four tournaments this season. Next year, they’re aiming to compete on the national circuit. But first, they’ll have to recruit more students at the selective-enrollment school in West Englewood. [Tribune 🔒]