The City Clerk's Office has been inundated with demand for municipal ID cards called CityKeys, due in part to the arrival of thousands of migrants in the city.

Why it matters: Clerk Anna Valencia says it's "not sustainable" and that her office needs more funding for the program offering government-issued IDs to vulnerable communities, regardless of immigration or housing status.

State of play: CityKey is available to anyone with a Chicago address, and the city ID works as a CTA pass, library card and prescription discount card. It also offers deals at restaurants, cultural venues and sports events.

How it works: Applicants must show at least one document with their photo, one with their date of birth, and proof of Chicago residency.

• Homeless residents and new arrivals can use a shelter address or letters from organizations that are connecting them with resources for proof of residency.
• Of note: Migrants must show their Homeland Security paperwork, birth certificates, or consulate cards with their photo ID.

What's happening: Attendance at mobile events that help people apply for the CityKey has been climbing, especially following the migrant crisis, City Clerk spokesperson Diana Martinez tells Axios.

• In October, the office canceled two events due to safety concerns over ballooning attendance, Martinez says.

By the numbers: About 24,000 CityKeys have been distributed so far this year, compared with 19,000 for all of 2022.

• The pandemic slowed participation, with fewer than 14,000 IDs distributed in 2020 and 2021 combined.

Zoom in: Valencia is requesting that the 2024 proposed budget include $320,000 for a new online platform to manage the growing demand for CityKeys.

• Right now the program costs the office $1.2 million annually, she said.

What they're saying: "My team is burnt out and exhausted," Valencia said at the recent hearing.

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Math and reading proficiency levels among Illinois' 3rd to 11th graders are improving, but they still haven't rebounded to pre-COVID levels, per the state's latest educational report card.

Zoom in: CPS students trailed behind their peers in the rest of the state, with 17.5% meeting or exceeding standards in math and 26% in reading.

Yes, but: CPS leaders celebrated the district's record 84% high school graduation rate in 2023.

• In 2013, CPS' graduation rate was 59%.

The $1 billion expansion of O'Hare Airport's Terminal 5 includes 20 new artworks by Chicago artists.

What's happening: The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Department of Aviation spent $3.5 million on a collection of works highlighting immigration, neighborhoods and cultural traditions that have shaped Chicago.

Zoom in: Axios Chicago got a tour of the works from DCASE's Lydia Ross, who led the project.

"...a murmuration"

Artist Jina Valentine's 350-foot installation includes nearly 600 metal discs, some inscribed with text in one of the many languages spoken by Chicago's immigrant communities, and each section represents a decade of migration to the city.

• It's the first work of the Terminal 5 collection that travelers will see when walking to their gates.

"Welcome Home/Come Home"

Israeli-born artist Nelly Agassi created the light installation with her son Emmanuel, and it represents the many times her family has passed through the arrivals tunnel traveling between Israel and Chicago.

More photos

🏢 Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration has reportedly toured the shuttered Museum of Broadcast Communications in River North as a potential shelter for asylum-seekers. (CBS 2)

🪧 Pharmacists at CVS and Walgreens around the country plan to "walk out" to protest working conditions. There's no word on whether Chicago-area pharmacists and technicians will join, but there are plans to protest Walgreens at its Deerfield headquarters. (Tribune)

🥟 Michelin gave Bib Gourmand honors to five Chicago restaurants including Boonie's, Pompette, Cellar Door Provisions, Union and Yao Yao. (Axios)

🏈 Bears running backs coach David Walker was fired over workplace conduct. He's the second coach to be let go this season. (Sun-Times)

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Halloween decorations are slowly coming down, but that's not stopping LITE-FM from turning all of their attention to the holidays.

What's happening: In a grand Chicago tradition, the popular soft-rock station will begin broadcasting around-the-clock holiday music, which includes classic Christmas songs, today at 4pm.

The intrigue: There have only been two other years (2006 and 2007) when the station has started holiday music this early.

⏰ Poll: What do you think about the timing of the pre-holiday music deluge? Too early, too late, or just right? Vote here.

Despite deep divisions in the Middle East, some key cultural touchstones provide a common bond.

• One is falafel.

Today, we're starting a food dialogue about our favorite places to find these fried balls of chickpea paste.

Monica's pick: I don't care if it sounds obvi. I love the hot, crisp, tender and nutty orbs from Pita Inn — any Pita Inn — but especially the ultra busy location in Skokie.

• Like most fried foods, falafel loses 50% of its charm 15 minutes out of the fryer, and the constant churn here makes sure these balls are always hot and fresh.
• $5.99 for a sandwich and $9.99 for a plate.

Justin's pick: Per an excellent recommendation, I went north on Skokie Boulevard to Mizrahi Grill in Highland Park.

• I ordered the falafel pita with cabbage, hummus and french fries, topped with tahini ($11.99).

Carrie's pick: For cheap and fast, it's hard to beat Sultan's Market, which puts all the pickled fixin's on their falafel sandwiches ($6) and makes it extra spicy upon request.

• I go with the vegetarian platter ($13) because — hot tip — you can make your own sammy and get all the extras, too!

Tell us: Where's your favorite spot to get falafel?