CPS reported three times as many COVID-19 cases during the first week of this school year as it did a year earlier.

Why it matters: The highly contagious BA. 5 variant is dominating local cases, and CPS has weakened COVID precautions. That irks at least one local doctor.

• "I don't think it's surprising we have higher numbers of COVID compared to last year," Dr. Tina Tan of Lurie Children's Hospital told ABC-7, noting the surge of BA.5 and reduced protocols.

Driving the news: CTU rank and file voted last week to adopt a new COVID safety agreement that largely mirrors the last agreement. It's expected to be signed this week.

• Chicago Teachers Union vice president Jackson Potter says the union has advocated to "immediately re-impose a mask mandate if they see a spread," but did not indicate what level of spread would warrant a renewed mandate.

The other side: CPS officials currently "strongly recommend" masking and say it will be required for:

• Individuals who return to class for 10 days after their positive COVID test.
• Entire elementary school classes for 10 days after students are exposed in the classroom.
• Entire high school classrooms for 10 days after exposure if the class has more than three cases.

Of note: A judge on the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board ruled Friday that CPS had violated state law by unilaterally dropping the district's mask mandate last March.

Zoom out: As one of the last states to drop school mask mandates, Illinois saw a smaller percentage of children develop COVID.

• While all other Midwestern states have seen child infection rates higher than 80%, Illinois' checks in at 76.9%, according to the CDC.

After 25 years in Chicago film and TV, Kwame Amoaku shocked the city this spring by stepping down as director of the Chicago Film Office.

• Some assumed it was connected to the severe injuries he suffered after confronting three criminals trying to steal his car.

Why it matters: Amoaku tells us that his departure was more about landing a dream job in New York City as deputy commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.

• "If anything needs to be filmed [in NYC], I'm the person that permits and facilitates it and advises them on production," Amoaku said during a recent call from his office in The Ed Sullivan Theater.

By the numbers: The volume of film work he handles in NYC is "eight times the amount of work I handled in Chicago," he says.

• "In 2019 we had 15 episodic projects going on in Chicago at one time with a record breaking $575 million in revenue," he explained. "At the same time here, there were 80 episodic projects, 315 feature films and $81 billion of revenue."
• OK, we get it.

The intrigue: When asked whether he left because of crime — specifically the attack last spring — Amoaku said: "Not at all. This was something that was in the works before the incident. I think the crime issue in the city needs to be dealt with, but I wouldn't say it was the reason I left at all."

The bottom line: Despite his fancy NYC credentials, Amoaku's heart remains here.

• "South Side until I die," he proclaimed. "I'm still rocking my White Sox cap here even though they're trying to get me to switch it up for the Yankees. That will never happen."

Go deeper for what Amoaku misses most about Chicago

✈️ Airlines are increasing staff for the fall travel season. Industry analysts are worried that if fall is anything like the chaotic summer of cancellations and delays, consumers may adjust their holiday travel plans. (Tribune)

🖍 An investigation looks into why Chicago parents aren't signing kids up for free universal preschool. (Sun-Times/WBEZ)

🏈 Today is cut day for the Bears. The focus will be on wide receiver Dante Pettis and linebacker Jack Sanborn, who both excelled in the preseason. (NBC Sports)

We poured out our hearts last week on top spots for local iced coffee.

• Justin chose the Military Latte made with matcha, vanilla syrup, cocoa powder and a shot of espresso at Sawada in the West Loop.
• Monica voted for Kyoto Black cold brew sold around the city.

As usual, you perked up with plenty of cool java favorites around town:

Monica H.: "Stroll up to the window at Charmer's Cafe near the Jarvis L stop and order an iced lavender latte and a pup cup. You'll both be so happy to sit and enjoy your treat on their lovely patio."

Margret-Ann N.: "The best iced coffee comes from Coffee Lab & Roasters in Lakeview. Conveniently located across from two daycares, the perfect stop for all the sleepy-eyed parents."

Jennifer K: "My favorite iced coffee in Chicago is Dark Matter's Chocolate City on draft. It makes my brain sparkle."

All your iced coffee picks

✔ Check out our Local Job Board.

1. Assistant Director, Digital Strategy at School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
2. Administrative Assistant at Plante Moran.
3. Sales Account Representative at Uline Careers.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

We've been doing our little Chicago area scavenger hunt for almost a year, and it's time for these to get more difficult.

• We can't just give Axios swag away for nothing 😂.

Where's Justin this week? Here's a hint:

• North of the city where the deer run free.
• TikTok famous for all the world to see.
• Measured in square feet but barely wider than a tree.
• A home closer to apple, peach, chocolate or cherry.

📬 Answer correctly to enter a drawing and win swag!