Chicago's police union leader, John Catanzara, has been a vocal supporter of President Trump, but he's mum on the president's decision to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, including those who attacked police.

Why it matters: Catanzara's silence comes at a time when the national Fraternal Order of Police and police chiefs across the country are condemning the president's near-total pardon of about 1,500 Jan. 6 criminals and defendants, many convicted of assaulting 140 law enforcement officers.

• The police leaders called the pardons a "dangerous message."

Flashback: In the wake of the Jan. 6 riot, Catanzara said the participants acted "out of frustration."

• He later apologized and said Trump "needs to accept responsibility."

Zoom in: Representatives of the Chicago and Illinois Fraternal Orders of Police told Axios on Tuesday that they didn't want to comment on the pardons.

• When Axios asked Wednesday if they agreed with the National FOP's condemnation, both declined to comment.
• CPD and Illinois State Police also had no comment.

By the numbers: More than 50 Illinoisans were charged after the Jan. 6 riots, and 10 resided in Chicago when they were charged, according to NPR.

• Among the Chicagoans was former Chicago Police officer Karol J. Chwiesiuk, who along with his sister, Agnieszka, was convicted of misdemeanors including disorderly conduct at the Capitol.

Other Chicago pardons:

• Matthew Bokoski pleaded guilty to "parading, demonstrating and picketing in the Capitol building."
• Trudy Castle pleaded guilty to "parading, demonstrating and picketing in the Capitol building."
• Kimberly DiFrancesco pleaded guilty to "parading, demonstrating and picketing in the Capitol building."

More pardons

Chicago Public Media, the owner of the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ-FM, announced Wednesday morning it is seeking voluntary buyouts from staff.

Why it matters: The move could cut more journalists in a state that has lost 86% of its journalists since 2005.

• Last year, the public media company faced budget shortfalls, cutting several jobs before introducing its new CEO, Melissa Bell.

The big picture: The goal is to save $3 million to $5 million with the buyouts, according to an email Axios obtained from the union that represents Sun-Times staff.

What they're saying: "Our hope is that this action and other efforts will reduce our costs so that we can avoid more significant cost-cutting measures down the road," Bell said in a letter to members and subscribers.

Zoom in: The voluntary buyouts are focused primarily on the Sun-Times staff, but also include WBEZ business personnel.

Flashback: CPM bought the Sun-Times in 2022 and raised millions in philanthropic donations to give the paper funding through 2027.

Zoom out: CPM joins another nonprofit newsroom, the Chicago Reader, in facing financial hardships.

• Last week, the alt-weekly laid off workers and started an emergency fundraising campaign, citing "imminent danger of closing."

The latest: Reader reps say the paper has raised over $60,000 since asking for donations last week.

• "The Chicago Reader's struggles reflect the critical challenges facing local journalism," Tracy Baim, former Reader publisher and current executive director of Press Forward Chicago, tells Axios.

Go deeper

The Chicago Plan Commission approved a new project that will reshape Clark Street in the Uptown neighborhood.

Why it matters: Uptown has been overlooked for huge development projects in the past, but the "Free to BE Village" has been the dream ever since the Black Ensemble Theater redeveloped its new space in 2011.

Zoom in: The 30,000-square-foot mixed-use arts development at 4427 N. Clark St. will include 53 artists residences, a media and technology center, retail spaces and a performing arts center.

• It will be across the street from the Black Ensemble Theater, which along with Gensler, is the developer.

The intrigue: The more than $75 million cultural village was scaled back after hearing from concerned residents about its size, especially the height of the residential building.

What's next: Even though it was approved by the plan commission, it still needs to get the support of the full city council to move forward.

Read more

🏛️ Some alders are calling for the removal of a puppet display at the Cultural Center they call "anti-American and antisemitic." (Sun-Times)

🏥 Planned Parenthood of Illinois will close four clinics in the state, including one in Englewood, weeks after CEO Jennifer Welch stepped down. (Capitol Fax)

Chicago's second busiest business district was quieter than usual yesterday as residents in Little Village anticipate ICE raids. (Block Club)

A new photo exhibit and book share the intimate spaces where Chicago artists practice their craft.

The big picture: Photographer Mark Ballogg spent six years photographing more than 90 artists' studios, including the late Richard Hunt, for his book "Making Space."

• Some of the photos are currently on display at an exhibit in Bridgeport.

If you go: "Making Space: Art and Artist," features 31 photographs of studios next to the artworks that were created in those spaces.

• It runs through Feb. 28 at ALMA Arts & Interiors in Bridgeport.

👋 Hi, it's Justin!

The second installment in my year-long series on coffee shops takes us to a quaint spot near the Metra tracks in Ravenswood.

The place: Bad Coffee (1801 W. Berteau)

The vibe: Warm industrial. Serves great coffee and "big bad toasts."

The coffee: Get the Blueberry Pie Latte ($6.30). It tastes like it sounds.

The ambiance: Cool alleyway entrance. There is a stage for live jazz, too.

• Ask what's behind the secret mirrored door.

The service: Great. They put up with me talking barista shop for way too long.

☕️ 12-word review: Mirror, mirror on the wall, Bad Coffee is not bad at all.

📬 If you have suggestions on coffee shops, reply to this email!