As "Saturday Night Live" marks its 50th anniversary with a live show Sunday night, Chicago's Second City will be well represented.

The big picture: Since "SNL" began, the show has hired 50 cast members and writers from the Old Town comedy club. This includes original cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, plus Bill Murray, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Farley and many other household names.

What they're saying: "When 'SNL' started, they basically took our format and put it on television," longtime Second City producer Kelly Leonard tells Axios.

• "The most successful alumni of 'SNL' are people who are trained in sketch comedy. It's not just about being good at sketches on camera. It's also about working well in ensembles, writing sessions, pitching sketches … all of that goes into this work."

Former "SNL" cast member and Second City actor Tim Kazurinsky agrees.

• "Second City made me a better editor, taught me timing and made me appreciate the value of teamwork," Kazurinsky tells Axios.

Context: Leonard says early Second City producers considered "SNL" competition, poaching talent and ideas. That rivalry is what spurred the Toronto branch of the theater to create "SCTV."

Reality check: Once Second City accepted its relationship with "Saturday Night Live" it became an integral part of the show, helping "SNL" find capable sketch comedians while helping grow the theater.

The intrigue: Stories of "SNL" creator Lorne Michaels and writers and producers coming to watch Second City and other comedy shows are part of Chicago's lore.

• "They'd come into town to see us, but also shows at iO and Annoyance," Leonard says. "It was good for us, good for the comedy community and I think good for the city."

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Chicago's ties to "Saturday Night Live" go well beyond just Second City.

• Several comedians were hired from the city's alternative, stand-up and indie comedy scenes, too.

Check out the definitive list

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan was convicted Wednesday on 10 counts of bribery but found not guilty on seven other charges.

The latest: Acting U.S. Attorney Morris "Sonny" Pasqual said the conviction was "historic" and ranked it as one of the biggest trials in Illinois political history.

Why it matters: Any way you slice it, Madigan was the most powerful and impactful politician in our state's history, but his political legacy will forever be tainted by this conviction.

What they're saying: "That there will be some measure of accountability for the decades of abuse of power and corruption is critically important and will have implications for our state government for generations," state Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) said in a statement.

• "Accountability and transparency in public policy decisions are non-negotiable and reforming the legislative process must be a top priority in this legislative session," state Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) said in a statement. "We will continue to advocate for our aggressive ethics reform proposals to help restore trust with the People of Illinois."

What's next: Most likely an appeal. Madigan could face multiple years in prison.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: To see both Madigan and Ald. Ed Burke convicted on corruption charges is as close to hell freezing over as you'll get in Illinois. Wild.

Go deeper: The Madigan verdict

🚨 Chicago has started the bidding process for a new gunshot detection system. Fifteen companies, including the parent company of ShotSpotter, have responded to the city's request for information. (Sun-Times)

🏛️ Chicago History Museum workers are seeking to join the AFSCME union, which could represent curators, janitors, librarians and others. (Tribune)

🧾 A couple that has made an annual tradition of leaving large tips at Club Lucky around Valentine's Day left their largest one yet this year — $3,000. (Block Club)

Thanks for sharing all your sledding hill recommendations.

Here are a few to check out:

Cricket Hill: This gentle man-made hill near Montrose and the Lake offers plenty of parking but requires some hiking to get to the top. Great for younger kids.

Gompers Park: Since there's no parking lot at this popular sledding spot, Foster can fill up fast on snowy nights with cars ferrying sledders to this sloping lawn that travels through the park and down to the river.

Grant Park Horse Statue: "When we lived in Printer's Row, my son and his friends would go sledding at what we called 'the Horse Statue' (Logan Monument) at 9th and Michigan." — Karen D.

Mount Trashmore: Located in Evanston's James Park, it "was always a fun time for me in the late '60s/early '70s … The little house for hot chocolate while you rub your frozen toes was always a welcome break from crashing your sled into your friends." — Jill G.

💭 Monica's thought bubble: These suggestions brought me back to my childhood when snowstorms meant rummaging through the garage for a sled (or a garbage bag over cardboard) and begging our parents to take us to Gompers and Cricket Hill for winter magic.

More sledding spots

👋🏼 Hi, Justin here!

I'm doing weekly Smart Brevity reviews of coffee shops.

Today's place: Nomad Chicago (820 N. Franklin)

The vibe: Instagram-friendly coffee spot with a boutique attached — not exactly the hot hangout for 50-year-old dads.

The coffee: The Ube Tiramisu Latte ($13) is crazy expensive, but the espresso, milk, ube syrup, mascarpone and cacao powder combine to make it (almost) worth the investment.

• The Rosemary Mint latte ($9) also slaps.

The service: It's fast and furious. The lines were long but the baristas were attentive. Couches and table seating were limited as groups camped out for catch-up dates.

Pro tip: Get coffee to go and browse the boutique.

Eight-word review: Tasty, pricey coffee with a side of earrings.

Read more mini-coffee shop reviews