Illinois could soon legalize human composting — a greener death option that's currently out of reach for residents.

Why it matters: People seeking "natural organic reduction" — turning remains into soil — must now travel to one of 14 states that allow it.

• Legalizing the process here would reduce the economic and environmental costs of transportation.
• It would also allow a practice that avoids emissions associated with cremation and the leakage of embalming fluids from burial.

State of play: Rep. Mary Beth Canty's proposal to legalize it passed a House committee last month and she's currently writing an amendment to address concerns about regulation and liability in hopes of moving it forward.

What they're saying: "People deserve the freedom to align their death with their values, just as they do in life," Rep. Canty tells Axios. "Natural organic reduction makes that possible."

The other side: Illinois' Catholic Conference criticized the measure in testimony last month, saying the process "degrades" and "creates a spiritual, emotional, and psychological distance from the person."

How it works: Organic reduction service Recompose told Axios that its packages often include a "laying-in" ceremony for loved ones, similar to a traditional funeral.

• Next, the body is placed in a specially designed vessel and surrounded with natural materials, such as wood chips and alfalfa.
• The process takes about a month and yields about a cubic yard of soil, including composted plant matter. Non-organic matter (such as dental implants) is sorted out, and the soil is tested.
• The deceased's loved ones can then take the entire result, or a smaller portion, in an urn-like container, for use in a backyard garden or forest.

The cost: A company called Earth, which has already opened in Illinois, says its packages cost about $5,000 — comparable to cremation when services are included.

Go deeper

North Side neighborhoods continue to dominate registrations for Chicago's food scrap drop-off program that collects kitchen waste and turns it into compost for gardens and landscaping.

State of play: Last October, the Department of Streets and Sanitation added 13 new drop-off points next to libraries to create a grand total of 33 sites.

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The view at the top of 875 N. Michigan Ave. just got a little clearer.

Why it matters: 360 CHICAGO is adding two more floors to the current observation deck on the 94th floor in the building most Chicagoans know as the Hancock.

• When the two-floor viewing area and events space on the 95th and 96th floors are complete, it will create Chicago's only multi-story observation deck.

Driving the news: 360 CHICAGO and Christopher Glass & Aluminum removed some of the 95th-floor windows yesterday, which were original to the building's 1969 construction, and replaced them with newer, more energy-efficient glass.

State of play: They removed 209 panes on the 95th floor and installed 201 new panels.

Flashback: The Signature Room restaurant used to occupy the 95th floor, but it closed in 2023 to make way for 360 CHICAGO's expansion.

What's next: The new observation deck is on schedule to open mid-2027, 360 CHICAGO's Nichole Benolken said.

• In addition to CloudBar on the 94th floor, Benolken says a new bar will open on the 95th.

Keep reading

🚨 Mayor Brandon Johnson named Emmanuel Andre the new deputy mayor for community safety after firing Garien Gatewood less than three weeks ago. Andre is currently a deputy Cook County public defender. (WTTW)

🚌 Johnson also hired William Cheaks Jr. as the new commissioner for the Chicago Department of Transportation. Cheaks fills a role that has been vacant for almost a year. (CBS 2)

📬 Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García's office has begun the process to rename the Cesar E. Chavez Post Office in Pilsen. (WBBM)

🎭 Fifteen theater companies have cut ties with the Jeff Awards after the group recently honored a local artistic director accused of emotionally abusing and harassing an actor during rehearsals in 2021. The Jeff Awards have recognized local productions with recommendations and awards since 1968. (Block Club)

⚾️ The White Sox sent Opening Day starting pitcher and 2024 All-Star Shane Smith to the minor leagues. (Sun-Times)

After closing its doors in late 2023, Lakeview's Berlin nightclub space will reopen this month as The Belmont, a craft cocktail bar, and Decibel, a dance bar, pending final city approval.

Why it matters: For 40 years, Berlin hosted a unique mix of LGBTQ and straight clubbers for late-night dance parties in an inclusive environment.

• Managers tell Axios they want to recreate that special scene.

What they're saying: "The goal is for everyone to feel comfortable here, as long as they're comfortable with everyone else," says Marcus Devin, one of the new club's managers, who previously worked at Berlin.

How it works: The club will operate as The Belmont cocktail bar in the early evenings, but pull back a curtain and morph into Decibel after 10pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

• The new owner is HB Entertainment, which owns local LGBTQ clubs including Fantasy, Bobby Loves, The Closet and the Chicago Eagle.

What's new: Fresh lighting, a new sound system, clean remodeled bathrooms and two twinkling bars.

What's old: The "retro vibe" that manager and former Berlin staffer Austin Neff says he hopes to recreate with "techno, house, '80s, '90s and early 2000s music" spun by Berlin DJ Greg Haus.

• Berlin's elevated dance stages could host drag performers again in the fall.

If you go: The Belmont/Decibel (954 W. Belmont Ave.) will open to the public on April 25.

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👋 Hey it's Justin and I'm on the hunt for answers!

State of play: I'm building a database for a new game show debuting on stage this summer. Think "Family Feud" meets Chicago bar trivia.

• The answers will be used to quiz contestants on their Chicago street cred.

This week: What's so funny?

Take survey here