The storms that damaged basements, stranded cars and popped sewer covers into the air last week reminded us that Chicago is not immune to climate-driven weather problems — specifically, heavy storms and floods.

Why it matters: A new organization called Depave Chicago aims to chip away at a major component of our flooding problem — asphalt.

How it works: The group wants to identify underused paved areas that could be broken up to create green spaces like pocket parks, gardens and play areas.

• Instead of sending surface water into overtaxed sewers, these spaces can soak it up while creating shade and moisture to cool urban heat islands.
• One great example is the Waters Elementary School educational garden, which was a huge slab of asphalt until former ecology director Pete Leki led its transformation.

Zoom in: Part of a national network started by Depave Portland, Depave Chicago staffers have been holding listening sessions this summer to understand local needs, ideas and resources.

• The organization says, "only 10% of Chicago is designated as parkland, while climate research suggests that 30-50% of land should be in some form of protected or conserved status."
• They hope to start breaking up asphalt next spring and are calling for proposals on where to begin.

What they're saying: University of Illinois' Mary Pat McGuire runs Water Lab, which works on policy to combat urban flooding.

• "While we’re working at a planning and policy level around making green infrastructure much more the norm in Chicago, we really needed a program that says, ‘Hey, we need to take out some asphalt,'" she told WTTW.

Recently released census figures show the number of people working primarily from home tripled from 2019 to 2021.

Zoom in: Though Chicago didn't make the top 10 WFH cities, Axios crunched the numbers to find that the city did see significant remote work.

• More than 20% of workers over 16 years old in our metro area reported working primarily from home in 2021.

Yes, but: Workers are steadily heading back to the office — at least occasionally.

• National office occupancy rates on the Wednesday after Labor Day jumped from 35.4% in 2021 to 52.4% this year, according to Kastle Office Systems swipe card data.
• General office occupancy levels in Chicago are currently about 42%.

🧑‍⚖️ A jury ruled in favor of a Willowbrook woman who sued Sterigenics over emitting cancer-causing toxins. The jury awarded the plaintiff $363 million, which is the largest amount given to an individual in state history. (ABC 7)

🏡 Lombard's Mark Frerichs is returning home after being abducted in Afghanistan in early 2020. The civilian contractor and former Navy vet was part of a hostage swap with the Taliban. (Sun-Times)

📺 Chicago native Chris Redd is the latest SNL cast member to exit the show before the new season begins in October. (Tribune)

We fought over our favorite artisanal bread last week.

• Monica chose Hewn, while Justin went with Publican Quality Bread.

🥖 As usual, you filled our breadbox with lots of your own fresh suggestions:

Julia T.: "My favorite bread actually comes from Bungalow by Middle Brow. Every two weeks I get a fresh, creative new loaf of bread on my doorstep along with a fun four-pack or bottle of funky beer that I never would have tried on my own!"

• "My last delivery came with a country round with sweet corn, polenta, and parmesan and some India pale ale with 'enigma and barbe rouge,' which we've been enjoying all week!"

Jim P.: "My favorite Chicago bread is a hyperlocal loaf from Oak Park. My neighbor Tim at Lyman Ave. Bread bakes up a country sourdough every Wednesday and delivers by bike in a 20 block radius. Other OPers pick it up from his porch."

Lucy G.: "The sliced black sesame loaf from Tous les Jours Chinatown location is always a treasure. Enjoy it toasted with a little butter and a cup of tea anytime of day."

• "Or untoasted with a sun/nut butter spread brings out the spongy texture."

Barbara M.: "I have to vote for Katich Breads from Aurora. Their German seeded rye and roasted raisin walnut and English muffins are the best I’ve eaten."

Veronique T.: "Best baguette, hands down: Verzenay."

• "La Boulangerie on Wilson (next to Lycée Français) is pretty good too."

All your bread picks

🎾 The ball is in your court. Check out these opportunities.

1. Practice Development Manager at Holland & Knight.
2. Regional Manager- Experience Management at JLL.
3. Services Sales Principal at Hitachi.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a Job.

📚 The first Axios book, "Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less" comes out today, showing you how to communicate more crisply and efficiently.

Why it matters to you: It's got chapters on Zooms, emails, speeches and social media — all helping you punch through the noise.

• It's basically a playbook on how we write this thing every day.
• Plus, our bosses wrote it! So, guess what we bought for holiday gifts!

We'd love for you to buy a copy through local stores like:

• Unabridged Bookstore, Lakeview
• The Book Cellar, Lincoln Square
• 57th Street Books, Hyde Park
• Seminary Co-op, Hyde Park
• Bookends and Beginnings, Evanston

Thank you!

Where's Monica this week? Here's a hint:

• On this park that spans 500 acres
• Lived a newspaper mover and shaker
• Often known to his staff as the Colonel
• He ran a conservative journal

📬 Reply and you could win some Axios swag!