👋🏻 Hey, it's Monica.

Yesterday I wrote about how the Cook County Assessor's Office came up with a wildly inflated assessment of my home's value and denied my appeal using inaccurate data.

Why it matters: CCAO officials aren't sure how many others were denied appeals using flawed data. And the only way most homeowners can even see the evidence used for their denials is by filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

What's happening: Today I'm sharing how to file a FOIA request so any homeowners in similar situations can check the quality of evidence used in denying their appeal.

• Also called: Fun in Nerdland.

How it works: Folks who get their triannual assessment and believe it inaccurately reflects their home's characteristics or inflates its value more than 10% above a likely current sale price are encouraged by the CCAO to file an appeal (individually or with a lawyer) by the deadline listed on the notice.

• If the CCAO denies that appeal, the office will offer a brief reason but no evidence to support it. That's where FOIA comes in.

The process: To ask for the evidence, go to the CCAO records site and create an account with an email and password.

• Click "Request Records."
• Under "Types of Reports," click "other" both times.
• Supply information including your address, township, assessment year and property index number.
• In the "Describe records request" box write: All information used to support the denial of my property tax appeal for [ADDRESS], including any homes of comparable age, size, price and quality nearby.

The rules: After filing, the CCAO will send a message saying, "We will monitor all FOIA requests and fulfill them as we are able."

• By Illinois law, however, the agency must respond to your request within five business days or request an extension.

What's next: Tomorrow we'll explore whether it makes sense to hire a lawyer for your tax appeal, and then what the Cook County Assessor's Office is doing to improve its data.

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Chicagoans struck with "Chonkosaurus" fever are in for good news.

What's happening: World Turtle Day has arrived, shortly after a video of the large snapping turtle on the Chicago River went viral.

State of play: There are 17 species of turtles in Illinois, but only two snapping turtle species. "Chonk" is a common snapping turtle native to northern Illinois.

• The other type, spiky Alligator snapping turtles, are endangered and rarely seen in the state. They can weigh up to 220 pounds.

The intrigue: The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the Forest Preserve of DuPage County are collaborating to protect local turtles and release 1,000 back into the wild.

• Predators, poaching, viruses and even traffic all threaten the turtle population.

What they're saying: "They're often digging nests along the gravel in the shoulder of roads, because they're looking for a dry spot with a suitable temperature and that is well drained," Nature Museum herpetologist Allison Sacerdote-Velat tells Axios.

• "Especially now in mid-May and June. This is the time of year where we'll see breeding females cross roads quite a bit."

By the numbers: Experts say snapping turtles get waterlogged from spending most of their time submerged. So while "Chonkosaurus" was reported to be 60 pounds, experts say the actual weight was probably closer to 35 pounds.

Good sign: Spotting "Chonk" near downtown, rather than in a remote part of the river, signals improving health for the waterway, environmentalists say.

• "The best spot to see them might be along the 'Wild Mile,' where environmentalists have put up the floating wetlands island," says Sacerdote-Velat.

What's next: Today, you can celebrate World Turtle Day at the Nature Museum from 10:30am to 12:30pm, when guests can help with turtle feedings and learn more about our hard-shelled friends.

🏛️ The City Council's immigration committee failed to meet for more than a year even as busloads of migrants streamed into the city with few places to go. (Block Club)

📺 "Fox and Friends" orchestrated an interview critical of Mayor Brandon Johnson involving two men at a Naperville diner and portrayed it as spontaneous. One interviewee had been paid by Paul Vallas' campaign. (The Triibe)

🚰 Ten Illinois ash dumps, including locations in Joliet and Waukegan, pose a danger to nearby drinking water. (Tribune)

The first round is complete, and only eight street festivals are still standing in our quest to crown the best in Chicago.

📚 Biggest win: Printers Row Lit Fest got 81% of the vote in the matchup against Edison Park Fest.

🎨 Closest wins: The 57th Street Art Fair slipped by Taste of Randolph by only two votes, while Fiesta del Sol barely hung on to best the Taylor Street Festival.

🌷 Most surprising win: Sheffield Garden Walk easily beat West Fest (56%-44%)

What's ahead: Only eight festivals left, and the choices are tough!

• Voting is open until 4pm.

⚽️ Get the ball rolling. Check out these openings from our Job Board.

1. State Director at AARP Illinois.
2. Packaging Engineer at Silgan Closures.
3. Automotive Sales Associate at McGrath Auto Group.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

Do you know where Justin is this week? Here's a hint:

• West of the city
• When the Cermak Plaza ruled
• Engines soared high in the sky
• While Wayne lived close by

Reply to this email with the correct answer, and you'll have a chance to win some Axios swag!

Last night, Monica served as a "celebrity" juror in a mock trial of Socrates, alongside Chicago attorneys and Illinois judges.

• Second City alum John Kapelos played the Greek philosopher in the event, presented by the National Hellenic Museum.