👋 Hi, Justin here with my weekly political column, Trail Mix.

The midterm ballot has two big questions this year: one on workers rights and another on increasing Cook County Forest Preserve funding.

Why it matters: These ballot measures could change the way Cook County — and Illinois — works, lives and plays.

Forest Preserve Referendum: The measure proposes increasing property taxes .025% to protect, expand and maintain Cook County Forest Preserves.

• Currently less than 1% of the property tax revenue goes to the preserves.

What they're saying: A coalition of supporters says the tax increase would amount to "less than $1.66/month for the vast majority of homeowners."

• The measure would also add 3,000 acres of preserve and help the Forest Preserve pension obligations.

The other side: Although few welcome higher property taxes, this proposal has met little opposition.

Workers rights amendment: Another aims to make permanent the right to collective bargaining as part of the Illinois Constitution.

What they're saying: Advocates include the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which says the amendment would "guarantee the right of workers to bargain for safe working conditions, fair pay, and benefits."

The other side: The Illinois Policy Institute argues that the ballot question should be about reforming pensions, not raising taxes.

• They also argue that giving unions permanent bargaining rights would result in higher property taxes to pay public workers.

More midterm nuggets

Dave Hoekstra spent decades chronicling Chicago nightlife and music culture.

• But his latest book zeroes in on the culture of small towns, specifically innovative newspapers reinventing themselves in an age of layoffs and fake news.

What's happening: Hoekstra is launching "Beacons in the Darkness" (Agate) with a book party at WeeGees in Logan Square on Wednesday at 7pm.

The big picture: Themes of "community and sense of place'' pervade Hoekstra's work, including his recent books on supper clubs, soul food in the civil rights movement, and Springfield, Mo.

• "So I wanted to celebrate community and place in the newspaper world by focusing on multigenerational, independent family newspapers rather than big-city, family newspapers," he tells Axios.

Zoom in: Using the innovative Hillsboro Journal-News in South-Central Illinois as his "north star," Hoekstra journeyed to small towns including Champaign-Urbana; Carroll, Iowa; and Eldon, Mo., to understand their evolutions.

• There he found "new versions of hope and ideas" from papers experimenting with new models.
• One is "a young couple from Brooklyn who bought the Marfa, Texas, family paper and wrapped it around a nearby coffee shop. Not so far removed from what Axios does at The Hideout."
• "In Hillsboro young thinkers have opened a record store, coffee shop, brewery and more under the umbrella of nonprofit Imagine Hillsboro that networks with the newspaper." The program is part of an upcoming Smithsonian "Spark! Places of Innovation" traveling exhibit.

Hoekstra's wishes for the book

For the second time in as many years, Rev. Michael Pfleger has been removed from St. Sabina church as the archdiocese looks into sexual abuse allegations from Pfleger's past. (Sun-Times)

A teacher in East Chicago is accused of having a "kill list" for students and staff. (WGN-TV)

☎️ AT&T will pay $23 million in fines after admitting it tried to illegally influence former House Speaker Michael Madigan. It's cooperating with federal prosecutors against Madigan and his associates. (CBS 2)

😎 A new Time Out poll says Avondale is one of the planet's coolest neighborhoods. (Block Club)

🍝 Maggiano's is ending its relationship with Lettuce Entertain You. If you've earned benefits from its Frequent Diner Club program, you have until April 15 to use them. (NBC 5)

👋 Hey, it's Monica. I'm a little ashamed to admit that when Culver's announced the return of the "CurderBurger, " I jumped at the chance to try it.

Backstory: My Axios Twin Cities colleague Torey Van Oot beautifully summarizes Curder-mania, which started last year as a one-day joke and is now available for two weeks.

The experience: This sandwich costs $7.59 and stands at least four inches tall. Too tall for these jaws.

• So I shaved off some carbs and height by ditching the top bun and leaving the blob o' fried cheese as the highest layer. Yes!

Pro tip: I also amped the curdy flavor by flipping the sandwich upside-down so the cheesy flavor hit my tongue first. Big difference.

The verdict: For fast food, the CurderBurger delivers a pretty satisfying experience.

• But once a year may be quite enough.

💼 Check out who’s hiring around the city.

1. Associate Director, Commerce Strategy at VMLY&R Commerce.
2. Corp Manager Sourcing 2 at Hyatt.
3. Director Portfolio Marketing – Exam Gloves at Cardinal Health.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

Over the summer, we brought you a Sweet 16 tournament to crown the best Chicago TV show ever.

• Hundreds of you voted for the winner, "E.R."

What's happening: We're crowning the best Chicago rock band of all time this month.

• That's a tall order with groups like The Smashing Pumpkins, Styx or Earth Wind & Fire (which Monica thinks belongs in a future R&B category — do you?).
• But we know you're up to the challenge.

🎸 So we've started with the top 16 bands, and throughout the week, you'll help narrow down the winners until we have one band standing.

• Vote in the first round!

📬 Reply with your thoughts about which bands should be in and which ones shouldn't.