The bail reform debate in Illinois

1 big thing: The bail reform debate 

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Is a new job in your future?

Trail Mix: What you want from news outlets

2. Trail Mix: What you want from news outlets

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3. Tips and links 

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4. MMQB: Bears awful in NY 

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👯‍♂️ Happy Monday! Today is National Boyfriend Day. Will you be our boyfriend? 

☀️ Today's weather: Sunny with a high of 67. 

🎂 Happy belated birthday to our Axios Chicago member Scott Rutkowski!

💰 Situational awareness: Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to release the city's detailed 2023 spending plan today. 

Today's newsletter is 854 words — a 3.5-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Rob Reinalda.

🧑‍🍳 Monica is excited to interview chefs Beverly Kim, Rick Bayless and Stephanie Izard on Thursday at Elmhurst College's Chicago Dish, where they'll talk about their food and community advocacy.   

📺 Justin took the weekend to catch up on all the TV shows. Fall winners so far: "Atlanta", "The Patient" and "Los Espookys."  

Chicago

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Chicago. Written by Monica Eng and Justin Kaufmann.

Axios Chicago

Lightfoot preaches equity in 2023 budget proposal

1 big thing: Lightfoot preaches budget equity 

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The data on ending cash bail

2. The data on ending cash bail 

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Chicago Brazilians support Lula over Bolsonaro

3. Chicago Brazilians like Lula

4. Tips and hot links 

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Take your career to the next level

5. Where in the world is ... Monica?

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🌮 It's not only Taco Tuesday, but it's also National Taco Day. Here are some deals!

☀️🌈 Today's weather: It's a beauty. Sunny with a high of 72. 

😍 Thank you to our Axios Chicago members for their support! Join them today.

🏃🏽‍♂️ Situational awareness: Street closings for the Chicago Marathon have begun. Here's what to expect through the week.  

Today's newsletter is 872 words — a 3.5-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Rob Reinalda.

Editor's note: Today's top story on Mayor Lori Lightfoot's budget proposal was corrected to note that Chicago taxes are included in the county tax bill, not that Cook County has more property taxes than Chicago.

🐝 Monica is here to remind you not to swat at yellow jackets as they buzz around your outdoor food. Instead calmly move or create a lure as we detail in this Axios story. 

⚾️ Justin wouldn't be mad if the Sox brought back Ozzie. 

Want free Axios swag? Refer your friends to Axios Chicago and get cool merch like stickers, totes, hats, T-shirts and more!

Chicago is still a classic rock town

1 big thing: Still a classic rock town 

A new career is waiting for you

Facing racial disparities in criminal justice

2. Facing racial disparities in criminal justice 

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4. Food Fight: Pasta 

🍝 Happy Thursday! Today is National Noodle Day. Here's a good recipe from the Swedish Chef. 

☀️ Today's weather: Enjoy the high of 72, because temperatures will plunge  tomorrow after this evening's showers. 

🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Chicago member Minglei Blumenthal!

🗳 Situational awareness: Early voting at the Chicago Board of Elections supersite on Clark and the board office on Washington starts tomorrow. 

Today's newsletter is 845 words — a 3-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Rob Reinalda.

🍖 Monica is fascinated by the Illinois barbecue history that the Trib's Nick Kindelsperger put together using the paper's archives. Seems like BBQ and politics have gone together for a long time. 

⚾️ Justin is impressed with how the Cubs ended their season. With nothing to play for, they stuck it to some playoff teams late. It may not be as long a rebuild as we may think. 

New "Punch 9" film is a revelation

1 big thing: "Punch 9" is a revelation

What Chicagoans think about eliminating cash bail

2. Your thoughts on eliminating cash bail 

3. Tips and hot links 

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Eat their lunch: Twin Cities

4. Eat their lunch: Twin Cities 

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New jobs to check out

Confessions of a karaoke crooner

5. Confessions of a karaoke crooner

Happy Friday! On this day in 1871, the most devastating fire in U.S. history blazed in Peshtigo, Wisconsin. 

A day later, another fire started in a barn at 137 DeKoven St. in Chicago. (Perhaps you've heard about it.)

😰 Today's weather: It was good while it lasted. High of just 53. 

🎂 Happy early birthday to our Axios Chicago member David Jacobson!

👋 Situational awareness: We're off for Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday but will be back in your inbox Tuesday morning!

Today's newsletter is 920 words — a 3.5-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Rob Reinalda.

🎙 Would you like to hear this week's Axios Chicago podcast? It's usually for members only, but we're making it public all this month. We talk cash bail, Chicago radio and the best pasta in town. Enjoy! 

📽 Monica is super excited for next week's Chicago Film Festival, which kicks off Monday evening with a free block party on Southport in front of the Music Box Theatre. 

🤘 Justin's current karaoke kick is all '80s soft rock. Songs like John Waite's 'Missing You', Paul Young's 'Every Time You Go Away' and Icehouse's 'Electric Blue.' JAMS. 

How IL bail reform might rein in courtroom racism

1 big thing: Reining in courtroom racism 

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Wherewithall to aid Ukraine with weekend pop-up

2. Local restaurant to aid Ukraine 

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4. Readers' guide to the Chicago Marathon 

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Plan your future

5. Where's Monica? Submarine Tender 

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🕺 Happy Wednesday! Today is National Get Funky Day. No, it's not a day to skip your shower — it's to listen to Bootsy Collins. Diiiiig? 

🌤 Today's weather: Summer is back with a high of 75 and partly sunny skies.

📺 Situational awareness: ABC 7 news anchor Alan Krashesky announced he is retiring after 40 years at the station. His last 10pm newscast will be on November 22. 

Today's newsletter is 947 words — a 3.5-minute read. Edited by Everett Cook and copy edited by Rob Reinalda.

Editor's note: Yesterday's top story on Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s budget proposal was corrected to note that Chicago taxes are included in the county tax bill, not that Cook County has more property taxes than Chicago.

😬 Monica is embarrassed that she referred to Elmhurst University as Elmhurst College the other day. A smart reader reminded her of the recent change before tomorrow night's Chicago Dish at the University with chefs Stephanie Izard, Rick Bayless and Beverly Kim. 

🤩 Justin is digging the new Star Wars prequel "Andor" on Disney+. It's nice to watch a Star Wars vehicle without Darth Vader. But I'm sure he'll make an appearance before it's over. 

We wrote about the end of cash bail in Illinois all this week and asked for your thoughts on the controversial issue. 

Here are some of your insightful responses: 

Jim H.: "I think we should beta it for two or three years. A more realistic approach for non violent offenders seems to be a win win. It could lower costs, increase fairness and leave offenders with the opportunity to maintain a calmer life."

Mike C.: "Sounds like a great plan, but I'm a little concerned about possible unintended consequences." 

Daniel H.: "I'd love to see y'all dig deeper into how the reforms on cash bail would play into how the current system is running. We can't have moms waiting in jail for stealing diapers and formula, AND we cannot have repeat criminals allowed back on the streets after they commit any crime armed with deadly force (gun or otherwise)."

Adam G.: "My reaction after reading your series was: It only took us 500 years, but we're finally eliminating debtors' prisons!"

Mark P.: "We can all agree that there are many defendants who are a threat to society but the law does not give the judge discretion to hold them, cash bail or not. 'Clear and convincing evidence' is a high bar and the prosecutors are given 24 hours to gather the evidence and attempt to persuade the judge of the threat the defendant poses. This is an extremely difficult burden to meet under such tight time constraints."

"It's unfortunate that you have characterized this issue as 'liberal v. conservative' but that is the lazy fallback that many people take to preclude serious discussion about an important issue. 

Jerry C.: "Ending cash bail will be a fair and good thing."

Jim F.: "Since the common phrase on local TV is 'no one is in custody yet' after reporting various crimes, I doubt if the new bail law will have much effect." 

Thomas S.: "The no bail proposal makes perfect sense except that it relies on judges who are elected by an electorate that has little or no access to who these judges are. Every time we vote we are asked to vote for huge numbers of judges with no viable way to understand who these people are. And, we really don’t know the extent to which the decisions of these judges are constrained by Illinois law." 

John R.: "Why are you letting J.B. Pritzker get away with a logical fallacy, and misericordiam, the appeal to sympathy, by partially quoting Pritzker in your newsletter? Here's the full quote, "We’re also addressing the problem of a single mother who shoplifted diapers for her baby who is put in jail and kept there for six months because she doesn’t have a couple of hundred dollars to pay for bail."

"The threshold for felonious theft in Illinois is $300. In Cook County, that level is $1,000, per Kim Foxx. Simply put, if the 'single mother' stole diapers, they would have to be worth a whole lot of money for her to be locked up, under current law. 

"Why aren't you, and for that matter, the media, calling Pritzker on his statement? Who is being locked up for stealing diapers for six months to await trial?"

Our readers sound off on our week-long series on this issue.

We wrote about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="end " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/10/04/data-ending-cash-bail-illinois" data-vars-content-id="15c8879d-cecf-4977-be60-3de2aeba84a7" data-vars-headline="What Chicagoans think about eliminating cash bail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/10/04/data-ending-cash-bail-illinois" target="_self">end </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="of cash bail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/10/04/data-ending-cash-bail-illinois" data-vars-content-id="15c8879d-cecf-4977-be60-3de2aeba84a7" data-vars-headline="What Chicagoans think about eliminating cash bail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2022/10/04/data-ending-cash-bail-illinois" target="_self">of cash bail</a> in Illinois all this week and asked for your thoughts on the controversial issue. <ul><li>Here are some of your insightful responses: </li></ul>

Politics

These rankings are based on quarter hour ratings (AQH) of people ages 6+ who listen Monday through Sunday. Data: Nielsen Audio.; Chart: Erin Davis/Axios 

👋 Hi, it's Justin. Ever since columnist Robert Feder retired in July, the lack of daily Chicago media coverage has been painful. 

 Why it matters:  There is no shortage of media news, from investigating faux newspaper production, revealing new television news sets or announcing trusted anchors retiring. 

.📈 The intrigue: After Nielsen audio put out its September radio ratings for our metro area, we decided to pick up — a bit — where Feder left off. 

Just take a trip downtown to the Museum of Broadcast Communications to check out the history of radio exhibit. 

But gone are the days of radio dominance by stations like WGN, WBBM-AM and WGCI. New streaming technology and the pandemic helped shift our listening habits. 

🤘 Driving the news: The Drive (WDRV) remains the last of the classic rock stations in town. In September, the station was far and away the most popular listening experience. 

🎄 Runner up: The Lite (WLIT) ratings usually drop outside its popular, late-year, all-holiday programming, but the soft rock station continues to do well without it. 

Watch them retake the top spot when they start spinning Bing Crosby and Gene Autry classics in November. 

🗣 The other side: Summer is usually down for talk radio. Both WBEZ and WGN-AM saw drops from August to September, but they should rebound as we near Election Day. 

📻 And the once dominant Top 40 stations that now compete with streaming music services didn't crack the top 10. 

Of note: These ratings don't break down dayparts or specific demographics.

Full disclosure: I've worked for a number of these stations. 

📫 What's your favorite radio station? We want to know in our informal Axios Chicago reader poll for a story next week.  

In September, The Drive was far and away the most popular listening experience.

Radio broadcasting

👋 Hi, it&#x27;s Justin. Ever since columnist <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Robert Feder retired" data-vars-click-url="https://www.robertfeder.com/2022/07/01/childhood-dream-became-honor-lifetime/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.robertfeder.com/2022/07/01/childhood-dream-became-honor-lifetime/" target="_blank">Robert Feder retired</a> in July, the lack of daily Chicago media coverage has been painful. Why it matters: There is no shortage of media news, from investigating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faux newspaper production" data-vars-click-url="https://patch.com/illinois/arlingtonheights/publisher-voids-contract-fake-newspapers-after-pritzker-letter" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://patch.com/illinois/arlingtonheights/publisher-voids-contract-fake-newspapers-after-pritzker-letter" target="_blank">faux newspaper production</a>, revealing new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="television news sets" data-vars-click-url="https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2022/09/30/wttw-news-debuts-new-experience-viewers" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interactive.wttw.com/playlist/2022/09/30/wttw-news-debuts-new-experience-viewers" target="_blank">television news sets</a> or announcing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trusted anchors retiring" data-vars-click-url="https://abc7chicago.com/alan-krashesky-kraskesky-retiring-chicago-news-anchor-retires-retirement/12295218/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc7chicago.com/alan-krashesky-kraskesky-retiring-chicago-news-anchor-retires-retirement/12295218/" target="_blank">trusted anchors retiring</a>.

News

Photo of a man singing into a microphone. 

Justin's friend Neil belts out a Tom Petty jam during a recent house (karaoke) party. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios  

👋 Hi, it's Justin! The city just launched its new Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition.

Why it matters: During the pandemic, my family went karaoke-crazy. 

We got mics and a speaker and did karaoke through YouTube (amazing).

The intrigue: I've learned many lessons to help you ace this citywide contest: 

Perform: You can be the best singer, but if you don't perform that song? You lose. 

Crowd pleaser: Karaoke isn't an excuse for you to sing your favorite song. You have to read the room. 

For instance: I love Justin Beiber's "Peaches" but I'm starting to realize nobody else does. 

Know your range: We get it, you are a great singer. But the key changes in that Whitney Houston song can creep up on you and destroy your confidence quickly. 

Pro tip: Everything sounds better in a country accent. 

💭 Monica's thought bubble: I once entered a karaoke contest at the Japanese consulate, thinking I'd win just by nailing Patsy Cline's "Crazy" in Japanese.

Wrong: The winner dressed up, presented gifts to the judges and did an awesome dance. Take note!

If you go: The competition starts Sunday. Here's a list of the bars. 

The city just launched its new Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition.

<figure><img alt="Photo of a man singing into a microphone. " height="1170" id="a1f7e5a0-72c2-4c3b-af15-8f2844343d8b" src="https://images.axios.com/sKBAWLO6scOt4-rjOpNnkAfPD28=/2022/10/06/1665081707268.jpg" width="1170"/><figcaption>Justin&#x27;s friend Neil belts out a Tom Petty jam during a recent house (karaoke) party. Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios </figcaption></figure>👋 Hi, it&#x27;s Justin! The city just launched its new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/sings.html" data-vars-content-id="6119d109-0c67-45ca-adf2-233b8c1e1c2f" data-vars-headline="Confessions of a karaoke crooner" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/sings.html" target="_blank">Chicago Sings Karaoke Competition</a>.<ul><li>Top prize: $5,000</li></ul>

Things to Do

Twin Cities

Axios Twin Cities

The Bears head to Minneapolis to play the Vikings on Sunday. As you get ready to make your pregame spread, we turn to Axios Twin Cities reporter Nick Halter to give us some authentic Minnesota. 

Halter: If you want to eat like a Vikings fan, keep it bland, just like our quarterback.

Most of our moms raised us to think black pepper is spicy.

Ok, that's not completely fair. Minnesota has some great cuisine. Here are a few picks for your Sunday spread:

🍔 Juicy Lucy: This cheese-stuffed burger was invented in South Minneapolis and can be found around the world now. Local grocer Lunds has a recipe, but if you ever want the real Juicys, go to Matt's Bar or 5-8 Club.

The Juicy Lucy at Matt' Bar Photo: Bruce Bisping/Star Tribune via Getty Images 

 🧆 Swedish meatballs: Really get the Nordic theme going with this recipe from the then-chef of the American Swedish Institute's restaurant.

🥩 Tri-tip steak with tiger bite sauce: Minnesota is home to a large Hmong population, and star chef Yia Vang has this recipe for a spicy snack.

🍎 And if you want something super easy, grab a Honeycrisp apple. We invented those, too. 

Axios Twin Cities says: "Most of our moms raised us to think black pepper is spicy."

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins after being sacked by Bilal Nichols in 2022. Photo: John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images 

Food

The Bears head to Minneapolis to play the Vikings on Sunday. As you get ready to make your pregame spread, we turn to Axios Twin Cities reporter Nick Halter to give us some authentic Minnesota. Halter: If you want to eat like a Vikings fan, keep it bland, just like our quarterback.

Food and Drink

Mayor Lori Lightfoot presented her $16.4 billion 2023 budget proposal to city council yesterday, touting the lowest budget gap in her time as mayor — $127.9 million.

Driving the news: The mayor pitched it as a "stability budget." She proposed boosting spending on the police department and abortion services without raising property taxes. 

Lightfoot says that while 2022 amusement and real estate tax revenue was stronger than anticipated, the budget would still rely on federal pandemic stimulus funds. 

Yes, but: Chicagoans don't get their tax bill from the city. Instead it's rolled into the bill sent from Cook County.

What they're saying: "Getting our fiscal house in order is foundational," Lightfoot said in her speech to city council. 

Zoom out: Lightfoot focused on equity and combating generational poverty, two issues she ran on in 2019.

"I am and will continue to be unapologetic about the need to invest south of Roosevelt Road and west of Ashland," she said.

🚓 Crime/violence: The mayor wants an additional $100 million for public safety.  

CPD's budget would increase from $1.88 billion in 2022 to $1.94 billion in 2023. The mayor says this would include updating police vehicles and securing more helicopters. 

$36 million would go to consent decree compliance. 

🏘 Housing: The mayor made a pledge to increase affordable housing units while proposing $200 million to reduce homelessness. 

She also wants to set aside $3 million to launch a "Tiny Homes initiative." 

💳 Pensions: The proposal includes paying more to the city's pension debt, including launching a $242 million fund to "essentially end paying the minimum monthly payment on our pension credit card." 

What's next: The City Council must approve the city's 2023 budget by Dec. 31. 

Editor's note: This story was corrected to note that Chicago taxes are included in the county tax bill, not that Cook County has more property taxes than Chicago. 

The mayor pitched it as a "stability budget."

Photo Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios. Photo: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mayor Lori Lightfoot presented her $16.4 billion 2023 budget proposal to city council yesterday, touting the lowest budget gap in her time as mayor — $127.9 million.Driving the news: The mayor pitched it as a &quot;stability budget.&quot; She proposed boosting spending on the police department and abortion services without raising property taxes.

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Justin Kaufmann

Stories

What Chicagoans think about eliminating cash bail

Eat their lunch: Twin Cities

Confessions of a karaoke crooner

Chicago is still a classic rock town

Lightfoot preaches equity in 2023 budget proposal

Newsletter editions

🎥 Harold film shines

📻 Latest radio rankings

Courtroom racism concerns

💰 Boost in police funding

⚖️ Clarifying bail changes