More Chicagoans can now get their toxic lead water lines removed for free under recent rule changes that expand income eligibility.

Why it matters: As we reported earlier this week, city officials promised in 2020 to remove 400 to 800 lead water lines a year.

• But despite having $15 million in federal funding for the program, the city has removed just 60, and most homes are still connected to the water main using lead pipes.

The details: When the program launched, applicants had to prove they had high levels of lead in their water and a yearly income below $65,550 for a family of three.

• But on Wednesday, the city expanded eligibility to applicants with incomes up to $75,050 for a family of three.
• Homes with high lead results and the presence of children will be prioritized.

Of note: Residents whose income doesn't qualify have to pay for removal themselves, even though city code required lead pipes until 1986.

• Officials estimate the cost to homeowners will be $19,000 to $26,000.
• These removal fees are about five times higher than those in Detroit, for example.

The latest: President Biden said Wednesday he's committed to removing all 400,000 lead service lines in Chicago in a decade.

• But how that will actually work is still unclear.

How to reduce lead in your water.

Some of the nation's top literary talents will speak Sunday at the Chicago Cultural Center as part of the American Writers Festival.

• The free event offers an incredible opportunity to hear writers talk about the topics they care about.

Driving the news: Caits Meissner, who edited the new book "The Sentences That Create Us: Crafting a Writer’s Life in Prison," is being interviewed Sunday at 1pm.

• It's a guide to help incarcerated people develop writing careers through insights from 50 writers, many of whom were formerly in the prison system.

📖 We caught up with Meissner this week to discuss the book and festival.

Biggest surprises while editing the book: "How often the act of writing has literally helped people get out of prison. … Three of the contributors, each of whom spent decades in prison, are now home."

Why these voices matter: "If we want to understand the impact of prison on individuals and communities, firsthand accounts are going to be critical to penetrating the opacity of prisons."

Hopes for readers: "Readers with justice involvement will have the benefit of seeing their stories, struggles and inspiring solutions reflected in the pages. A more general readership will find it a critical book on the craft of writing."

• "I hope readers on both sides of the wall are inspired to unlock their own creative and personal liberation, while grasping the crushing nature of America's penal system."

✅ State Rep. Kam Buckner is running for mayor. He currently represents the 26th district, which stretches from South Chicago to the Gold Coast. (Crain's)

🚔 Only one arrest was made after a large group jumped on cars and buses on North Avenue and Clark Street Wednesday night. (CBS 2)

📕 Longtime Myopic Books employees purchased the iconic Wicker Park bookstore. (Block Club)

🏈 The 2022 Bears schedule is out. Highlights include a Week 2 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Packers. (Sun-Times)

💼 New job, new me. Check out the latest job openings.

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Legendary news anchor Linda Yu served as the face of Chicago news — mostly on ABC 7 — for four decades.

• She says she's been able to enjoy the city even more since retiring in 2016.

We asked the icon and food lover to share her Best Day Ever in our fair city.

🍵 Breakfast: "MingHin in Chinatown or downtown for dim sum on weekends. But on weekdays I start the day with a cup of green matcha tea, a hardboiled egg and a workout."

☀️ Morning activity: "I walk the Chicago Riverwalk even if I've already worked out because it's wonderful and I love being outside now that the weather is getting nice."

🍝 Lunch: "One of my favorite places to eat outdoors is in the garden of Piccolo Sogno, where I get whatever seafood is on the menu."

🖼 Afternoon activity: "Since retiring, I have started painting, and so I loved going to the 'Immersive Van Gogh' and 'Immersive Frida Kahlo' shows. I look forward to the 'Immersive Monet' because it allows me to really see the brushstrokes, and I learn by looking and watching others' work."

🍳 Dinner: "My new favorite is Bayan Ko, where I get lechon, salmon crudo and fried rice. But my all-time go-to is Perilla, where I get the L.A. galbi. If he has time, chef Andrew makes me this Korean egg dish in a crock that is so good."

🛳 Evening activity: "Something I have never done but look forward to as the evenings warm up is taking an evening architectural river cruise. I always send visitors to do it but have never done it myself, except once when it was pouring rain, so it didn't count."

World Fair Trade Day is being celebrated this Saturday with a bevy of activities to help shoppers buy products that match their values.

Why it matters: "Chicago has the largest, most active grassroots fair-trade coalition and more fair-trade businesses than anywhere else in the U.S.," executive director of Chicago Fair Trade Katherine Bissell Cordova tells Axios.

• World Fair Trade is a certification for products based on working conditions, wages, community development and environmental standards.

Fair-trade activities: Take former WBEZ host Jerome McDonnell's bike tour.

• Visit a sample sale at Sobremesa in West Garfield Park.
• Sip cocktails and check out local indie designer Production Mode in Pilsen.
• Take in a studio tour and weaving demo at The Weaving Mill in Humboldt Park.