The City Council's Latino Caucus is calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to reconsider his 60-day migrant shelter limits.

Why it matters: The mayor's policy is intended, he says, to encourage migrants to become self-sufficient and reduce stress on the city budget, but it's putting him at odds with some of his closest council allies and fellow progressives.

Driving the news: All members of the Latino Caucus, plus 48th Ward Ald. Leni Manaa Hoppenworth, are asking the mayor to end the 60-day policy to account for fewer new arrivals and city figures showing 15,000 available beds but only about 7,000 migrants in shelters.

• The council members also want the administration to track and report the destinations for those who have been evicted, and brief the caucus on the DNC summer surge contingency plan.

State of play: From June 13-16, the city enforced 56 mandatory exits; 33 were family members, officials say.

Yes but: More than 50% of those evicted in recent months have cycled back into migrant shelters almost immediately.

What they're saying: "With an uptick in reports of new arrivals sheltering in parks and on the streets, we need answers regarding the ways in which the combined money for fiscal year 2024 from the city, state and county — $230M, $182M and $70M respectively — are being used," the caucus said in a statement.

The other side: "If there are beds that are available, they'll stay where they are, but the ultimate goal is resettlement. These are temporary shelters," Johnson said at a press conference last week.

What's next: After Monday's meeting, Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) was hopeful, telling Axios, "We believe that they are now looking to move in the direction we have been urging them to for some time."

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👋 Hey it's Monica, back from the official ribbon cutting for the new Korean Lotte hotel at Wacker and Wabash.

Why it matters: L7 Chicago by Lotte marks the brand's U.S. debut and places Korean culture and hospitality in the middle of downtown for the first time.

• Hotel officials said they chose Chicago for its famous cultural attractions but also because it shares "L7's signature lively personality and devotion to amiable hospitality."

Zoom in: The former Hotel Monaco building features 191 remodeled guest rooms (including 22 suites), along with complimentary Korean skincare products, curated Korean and Korean-American art, and a refreshing hand and face towel at check in.

Cost: Rooms range from $188 to $656 this summer.

The intrigue: During a room tour, I fell in love with the giant window seats that look out onto Wabash and Wacker offering sweet people watching and a great place to nap.

Keep reading

🌡 The city closed all but one cooling center yesterday, even though temperatures were still in the 90s. (Sun-Times)

🗳 Don Tracy resigned as the head of the Illinois Republican Party, citing intra-party fighting. (ABC7)

💰 Cook County is projected to have a $218 million budget deficit for 2025. Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has promised there won't be layoffs or program cuts. (Tribune)

👩‍🚒 Two hundred firefighters were needed to stop a massive Humboldt Park warehouse fire last night. This comes 24 hours after a different warehouse fire in West Town. (NBC5)

A new posh program at a Chicago hotel and an airline dedicated to dogs is raising the bar on pet pampering.

Why it matters: Pets are members of the family and many owners don't want to leave them at a boarder or with a friend when they travel because it can be expensive and inconvenient.

Driving the news: TheWit Hotel launches its Pampered Pooch program this Friday, along with a "yappy hour" during which dogs from Anti-Cruelty will be available for adoption.

How it works: Guests staying with their pet pay a nonrefundable $150 deposit, and 10% of each deposit will benefit Anti-Cruelty.

• The guests will be greeted with a pet concierge who will provide a list of pet-friendly events and places in the city.

Zoom out: Bark Air, a "dogs first" airline, just announced Midway airport is one of its new routes.

• Each flight is $6,000.

What's next: The adoption "yappy" hour takes place from 5-7pm Friday at theWit's rooftop, with young and old dogs from Anti-Cruelty available.

• Guests are asked to not bring their pets to the "yappy hour" to keep the animals up for adoption safe.

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Axios Chicago readers recently helped us battle the heat with a list of cool Italian ice joints.

• We checked out reader recommendations.

Monica: I headed to Logan Square to check out reader Rob B.'s recommendation for Miko's Italian Ice, which also has a location in Albany Park. Cups cost $4-$8.

• I started with tart passion fruit and sweet mango but was glad my softball teammates Kate and Dimitri steered me back to the classic lemon, which transported me to Chicago summers of my youth.
• Pro tip: Give your ice a shake of spicy, sour, salty Tajin that Miko's keeps on the counter.

Justin: Jillian G. recommended Freddy's Pizza in Cicero, and I'll love her forever for it! I tried the lemon and cherry flavors ($2.99 a half pint), both delicious.

• I had never been to Freddy's before. Now, it's the only place I'll ever go.

Connie S., Jonathan Y. and Jeff K. recommended Little Italy's famous Mario's Italian Lemonade.

• Jeff K. says. "I went for the first time over Memorial Day weekend. I have to say it is by far the best Italian ice I have ever had. And I went with the combo I usually get with ice cream: banana and coconut, and it was almost as good."

What's next: Wraps!

🌯 What's your favorite wrap in the Chicago area? Let us know by replying to this email and we'll try them out next week!