🍦 A not-so-soft-serve quiz

Who Will Replace Retiring Police Chief?

As Chicago Police Department Supt. Larry Snelling retires, Fred Waller is taking over as interim. On today’s podcast, we discuss the replacement process, plus same-sex couples moving to the Southeast Side and some extra good news. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Crime Down, Ridership up on CTA

CTA ridership is at its highest level in six years, with bus ridership at 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to interim chief Nora Leerhsen. Meanwhile, she says, violent crime on the Red Line is down 77% from last year. However, alders could not ask Leerhsen questions during her recent testimony — not enough showed up to reach a quorum. [Block Club]

• Meanwhile: Shootings and homicides are up slightly citywide. [WTTW]

House Speaker Threatens to Expel Suburban Rep

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is calling for Plainfield Rep. Harry Benton to resign over sexual harassment allegations — and says he’ll begin the expulsion process if Benton doesn’t. The legislative inspector general just finished an investigation that prompted Welch to call Benton’s conduct “outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming.” [Capitol News Illinois]

Local Marijuana Mogul Gets Year in Prison

David Berger, who co-founded the Chicagoland dispensary chain Ivy Hall, was convicted of money laundering for a Mexican drug organization. That included organizing private jet charters for a fugitive cocaine dealer.

• Previously: State Rep. La Shawn Ford said Berger should be banned from the marijuana industry. [Sun-Times]

Chainsaw Sculptures in a Pocket Garden

The late artist Milton Mizenburg Jr. has been honored with an honorary street sign at the Oakland Museum & Garden, where several of his sculptures stand. Carved from wood with a chainsaw, they resemble chunky totems. Mizenburg spent years living in and beautifying the Oakland neighborhood. [WBEZ]

We don’t need an excuse to dish on ice cream in Chicago. But right now, we actually have one: July is National Ice Cream Month.

Pretty Cool is collabing with the CTA. Rainbow Cone is collabing with the Museum of Ice Cream. And here at City Cast Chicago, we’re bringing you a special edition of Keep It Local all about ice cream later this week.

In the meantime, brush up on your local ice cream knowledge.