Axios Chicago

February 22, 2022
Happy Tuesday. We are happy to be back with you after celebrating presidents (or at least a day off) yesterday.
🌧 Today's weather: Rain with a high of 40.
Situational awareness: Tune in to Axios CEO Jim VandeHei speaking about the future of Axios Local at the Knight Media Forum on Wednesday at 2:10pm Eastern. Register here to watch.
Today's newsletter is 727 words — a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: Shredder permit denied
Southside Recycling's new facility on the Calumet River on Chicago's Southeast Side. Photo: Jamie Kelter Davis/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Department of Public Health announced late Friday it's denying the operating permit for industrial metal shredder Southside Recycling.
Why it matters: The city sided with environmentalists who have been pushing to keep the metal shredder from operating out of the Southeast Side community.
- "This decision demonstrates it is possible for the city to use health and environmental justice data and community input to reassess development decisions," the Metropolitan Planning Council said.
Context: The metal shredder formerly known as General Iron was closed on the North Side to make way for the mega-development Lincoln Yards.
- The facility was renamed Southside Recycling and relocated to the Southeast Side in 2019, when they signed an agreement with the city to build a new state-of-the-art facility.
- After the EPA asked for a review in 2021, the permit process was stalled.
What they're saying: "This decision can be a turning point for communities of color that have been hurt by environmental racism for decades," the Southeast Environmental Task Force said in a statement.
- "Although we are celebrating this decision, the community continues to deal with the toxic legacy that has allowed pollution to accumulate in our community."
The big picture: Environmentalists have fought to deny this permit through rallies, press conferences and hunger strikes. Groups have protested pollution on the Southeast Side for years, including a widely publicized battle against petcoke producers.
The other side: "We have built the most environmentally conscious metal recycling facility in the country, but politicians and government officials have ignored the facts," Southside Recycling owner RMG said in a statement.
- "This decision is a clear message to any businesses or industries that might be considering expansion or investment in Chicago: the city is not a reliable partner and is not open for business."
- This comes on the heels of a study from the city last week which found "no appreciable risk" when assessing the environmental impact of the facility.
What's next: RMG, which says it's spent over $80 million on this venture, plans to sue the city.
- The only other major shredder that recycles metal is currently being sued by the state of Illinois for toxic emissions.
2. Photo(s) of the day: Presidents
Then-Vice President Richard Nixon reaches out to shake the hands of supporters crowding in front of the Sheraton Blackstone Hotel in 1960. Photo: Bettmann/Getty Archives
We were off for Presidents Day yesterday, but these photos of presidents are worth it any day.
- Here are just a few historic photos featuring Chicago as the backdrop.




3. Tips and hot links
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
🚒 A huge fire destroyed multiple businesses and buildings, including the popular Twisted Hippo brewery in Albany Park. Turns out the landlord has a history of building violations. (Block Club)
😷 The Better Government Association (BGA) fact-checked claims from downstate Republicans that masking in schools doesn't work. Newsflash: it does. (Sun-Times)
🚄 Metra will honor expired 10-ride passes until June 1 due to the pandemic. (CBS 2)
🏒 The Blackhawks have parted ways with Bobby Hull and are reevaluating their ambassador program. (The Athletic)
🌭 After 31 years on Lake Street in the West Loop, the Fast Track hot dog stand has closed to make way for high-rise condos. (Block Club)
Come climb the ladder to success
🪜 One step at a time on our Local Job Board.
- Manager, Corporate Communications at AbbVie.
- Senior Account Executive at Hawthorne Strategy Group.
- Analyst, Finance at Publicis Groupe.
Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a Job.
4. Is this Instagram-friendly restaurant worth it?
Donuts from 2d Restaurant. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios
2d Restaurant in Lakeview is giving away 222 mochi donuts at 2:22 p.m. today to celebrate 2/22/22 and its official opening.
Why it matters: The much-hyped doughnut and fried chicken shop is just the latest Chicago restaurant that touts its Instagramability as much as its food.
The concept: 2d Restaurant purports to be "Chicago's first hand-drawn, monochrome, illusionary restaurant" and serves mochi doughnuts and chicken.
The line experience: We waited outside for 45 minutes on Sunday at noon before finally ordering online and picking up our doughnuts.
- Staffers give samples to folks in line to ease the pain.
The social media experience: The cool comic drawings inside make for fun Instagram posts but also keep people lingering, which makes the line long and slow.
The food: We didn't try the chicken, but the mochi doughnuts ($22 for six) taste like chewy glazed pastries from Dunkin'.
- The rich, peanut-buttery Pooh doughnut was the exception.
- On the plus side, their shape does make them easy to pull apart and share.
Bottom line: Good for those with lots of time who are in it for the photos more than the food.
5. Where in the world is … Justin
Photo: Justin Kaufmann/Axios
We've given you a couple of easy location quizzes lately, but obviously, you need to be challenged. So where's Justin?
Hint:
- West of the city, south of the presidents
- Ginkgos galore, Chicagoans yell fore
- Just miles from the roar
📬 Answer correctly and you can win some Axios swag!
Editor's note: Last Friday’s story on the Chicago Bulls was corrected to state DeMar DeRozan broke Wilt Chamberlain's record for 35 or more points while shooting over 50% in seven-straight games on Wednesday, not on Thursday.
Our picks:
📽 Monica is looking forward to the livestream and discussion of the documentary "Marian Anderson: The Whole World In Her Hands" tomorrow night at 7:30pm as part of the Chicago Film Festival.
🎤 Justin is bummed he's not going to the Tyler, The Creator show tonight at the United Center.
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