☕️ An artistitc walk through Woodlawn

Get Ready for the Heat Wave

Yeah, yeah, June was a mild start to summer. But now, Chicago is set to feel like 100 degrees all week, with actual highs in the 90s. [NBC 5]

• Hot and muggy: “Corn sweat” is back! [Block Club]
• Be prepared: Chicago has extreme heat resources. [City of Chicago]

Will CPS Lock In Budget Earlier This Year?

Chicago Public Schools leaders expect to approve a budget for the upcoming school year by the end of July. Facing a projected $700 million deficit, they hope to wrap up the budget early to secure a short-term loan needed to cover operating costs. [Tribune 🔒]

• Last year was … a struggle. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Are Chicago’s Parking Meters Cursed?

Chicago’s infamous parking meters are up for sale, and in a meeting last week, alders (finally) got more insight into the mayor’s rescinded bid to buy them back. Reps from prospective buyers also weighed in. All that and more on today’s podcast. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Orchards on the West Side

Ten vacant lots in Garfield Park, along West 5th Avenue between Sacramento and Kedzie, are turning into community orchards. In addition to providing fruit, they’ll help prevent flooding by increasing the tree canopy. Ground broke last week. [Block Club]

• Flooding woes: Infrastructure is outdated on the South and West Sides. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Chicago’s Next LGBTQ+ Hub

In the last two decades, same-sex households more than doubled on the Southeast Side, including South Shore, South Chicago, East Side, Hegewisch, and South Deering. Residents cite lower costs of living compared to North Side “gayborhoods” and changing attitudes in areas that were more conservative. [Sun-Times]

• Growing, but not new: The South Side has long been home to LGBTQ+ businesses like Club Escape on 75th Street. [Block Club]