After recent immigration raids across the city and suburbs, lawmakers and employers are trying novel strategies to protect workers.

Why it matters: Immigrants — whether they have authorization to work here or not — are being apprehended by the thousands across Chicago.

What they're saying: Last Tuesday, "ICE was all over town literally grabbing landscapers off the street," Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss said Sunday on Instagram. "What we're encouraging is for folks to pay their landscapers not to come to work."

Driving the news: Evanston has temporarily suspended its gas-powered leaf blower ban "so people can more easily take care of their own lawns" while they give their usual lawn care team a break, said Biss, who is running to represent Illinois' 9th District in the U.S. House.

• Earlier this month, Oak Park officials modified their new leaf blower laws to direct fines at homeowners instead of contractors and to refrain from taking pictures of workers using them.

Meanwhile: Several Lincoln Park nannies were questioned last week by immigration agents in a park, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd) tells Axios.

• "The nannies are terrified to take the kids outside. So even if they have nothing to worry about [because they're legal], they're like, 'I can't even imagine if ICE would grab me or take me and then what happens to the kids?'" Sarah Davis, founder of Olive You Nanny, tells Axios.

Some businesses, especially those in food and hospitality, are posting signs warning immigration agents to stay off their property, drawing both positive and negative feedback from the public.

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As former Mayor Rahm Emanuel teases a presidential run, he's touting changes he made at Chicago Public Schools and lecturing Democrats on what they're getting wrong about education.

Why it matters: Emanuel is credited with creating a longer school day, expanding access to early education and driving up graduation rates during his tenure. Many experts agree he left CPS in better shape than he found it.

• But critics, including teachers' unions closely aligned with the party, see his record as damaging.

Driving the news: Golden Apple, an organization that recruits, prepares and mentors teachers, honored Emanuel's contributions to education last night with its Impact Award.

Zoom in: Over the last few months, the former mayor and ambassador to Japan has scolded Democrats for what he says is too much focus on the culture wars and not enough on "classroom excellence," a sentiment he repeated to Axios during an interview last week.

• "I do think [if you're] having a debate about one child's use of a pronoun and not concerning yourself with the other kids in the class who clearly don't know what a pronoun is and can't read at grade level, we lost the plot to what a school does," Emanuel said.

Friction point: Any run for office means Emanuel will face questions about his decision to close 50 schools in 2013, the largest school closing in U.S. history, in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. At the time, the policy sparked emotional city-wide protests.

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After a two-and-a-half-year hiatus, the Museum of Broadcast Communications (MBC) is back in Chicago.

Why it matters: The museum is one of the only in the country dedicated to broadcast media.

The latest: After giving up its space at Kinzie and State in 2023, the museum is now occupying a pop-up space at 440 W. Randolph St. in the Loop.

Zoom in: The museum opened with several new exhibits, including an extensive look at Johnny Carson and late-night television.

• Locally, there is an homage to WGN's Bozo's Circus (with the buckets) and a new exhibit on the history of "The Loop."

Flashback: The MBC was founded in 1982 and had its first-ever public exhibit in the South Loop in 1987. The museum became front-page news in the 2000s as it pushed for state funding for the sprawling space at Kinzie and State streets.

• Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich had promised $8 million in state funding in 2005, but the funds never materialized, leaving the museum in a lurch. Gov. Pat Quinn gave the museum its funding in 2010.

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🚔 The manager of Laugh Factory has been charged with assaulting a federal immigration officer during a melee on Friday that went viral on social media. (Tribune)

🧑‍⚖️ The former police officer on trial for the murder of Sonya Massey took the stand yesterday. He testified that he shot Massey in self-defense after she vowed to "rebuke him in the name of Jesus." (Sun-Times)

🏭 A Cook County judge said a class action lawsuit could move forward against a vegetable oil plant in South Deering. The lawsuit claims the "noxious odors" emanating from the plant are a nuisance to the neighborhood. (Block Club)

The first round of voting is complete in our "Chicago's Best Living Celebrity" tournament and not only do we have some surprising results, but some great second round matchups!

• Most lopsided win: Da Pope beat Gina Rodriguez (96%-4%)
• Closest win: Jennifer Hudson narrowly defeated Gary Sinise (52%-48%)
• Biggest upset: Jim Belushi knocked off Common with a handful of votes! (51%-49%)

Vote here. We'll keep the polls open until 5pm.

👋🏻 Hi, it's Carrie!

I'm back with my Chicagoland vintage and thrift store guide! And just in time to get some new fall and (gulp) winter 'fits.

The shop: Mercy Beaucoup (1545 N. Wells St.)

State of play: 100% of the shop's proceeds go to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, which has locations in West Loop and Beverly.

The goods: This shop is good for basics at a bargain — think workout shirts, sweaters and reliable leather purses.

My find: A very cozy oversized animal print sweater from Top Shop. ($16)

😎 Six-word review: Chill thrifting for a good cause.

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