💨 Are smoky summers the new norm?

Chicago’s Air Quality Emergency

Relief might be on the horizon, but we’re not quite out of the air quality woods — er, haze — yet due to Canadian wildfires. Are smoky summers the new normal?

Over the weekend: The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency extended an air quality alert. Chicago had the fifth-worst air quality in the world Sunday night.

• Last Thursday: Chicago had the worst air quality in the world, far exceeding the point of “hazardous.”
• Yesterday: Hundreds of wildfires in Canada continued to burn “out of control.”

Not the first time: Back in 2023, Chicago, experienced similarly poor air quality due to Canadian wildfires. And last June, while Canadian fires burned, our air again ranked among the worst in the world.

• Due to climate change, wildfires are worsening.
• Yearly “smoke seasons” seem to be here to stay. Plan accordingly..

Beware of risks: Wildfire smoke attacks the whole body, killing tens of thousands of people per year. In addition to worsening respiratory issues:

• It spikes asthma cases, leading to swamped emergency rooms.
• It increases the risk of premature births for pregnant women.
• It causes inflammation that can harm the brain, skin, men’s sperm, and increase stroke risk for people over 60.
• Prolonged smoke exposure can lead to cancer and dementia.

Added Risk: This air is particularly dangerous for the unhoused. The city’s cooling centers, libraries, and fieldhouses are not open overnight, and most homeless shelters are at capacity. A lack of regular healthcare can compound the effects of smoke, too.

What to Do:

• Wear an N95 mask — cloth won’t do much.
• Use an air purifier. I like mine — or make your own!
• Stay inside as much as you can while air quality warnings are in effect.
• Sign up for NotifyChicago alerts.
• Consult the city’s resources.

In the meantime: Expect Chicago’s air quality index to hover somewhere around Richard’s Bar.

CPS Faces Sharp Rise in Special Ed Costs

Chicago Public Schools is spending double on special education resources than it did in 2019 — and it still may not be enough. More than a quarter of CPS students now qualify for individualized education program (IEP), up from 20%. Meanwhile, a lack of state and federal funding puts the burden on Chicagoans. [WBEZ]

• Also: More than 700 CPS employees were disciplined last year; 10 faced sex abuse allegations. [WTTW]

Why Did Cook County Jail Leave Inmates Inside a Burning Cell?

When a fire started in a locked Cook County Jail cell last November, nearby inmates were evacuated. However, the two inside the cell were left for 16 minutes and pepper-sprayed by officers three times. One of them died: Martinez Duncan. Many questions remain surrounding Duncan’s death. [South Side Weekly]

School Board Candidates Dropped. Also, Pokémon!

Five candidates running for seats on Chicago’s first fully elected school board were removed from the ballot last week. On today’s podcast, we discuss why. Also, is Chicago the Pokémon capital of North America? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Taxi and Ride-Share Drivers Both Struggling

The popularity of ride-sharing apps has hit the cab industry hard. But Uber and Lyft drivers are struggling too. As gas prices rise, many say the apps retain all the power. A bill allowing them to unionize awaits the governor’s signature. An expert says legislation aiding cab drivers is needed, too. [Sun-Times]

The Making of S.Rosen’s Buns

In Chicagoland, poppyseed buns outnumber plain two to one. And the vast majority of those come from S.Rosen’s. The factory in Hermosa runs 24/7 during the summer, churning out 4 million buns weekly. Here’s how it all goes down. [Block Club]

• Hungry? Try one of Chicago’s few hot dog carts. [City Cast Chicago 💻]