While U.S. cities struggle to cope with an influx of migrants, some local programs are showing signs of progress in housing and helping the new arrivals.

Why it matters: These programs could significantly reduce the number of people in overcrowded shelters, police stations and mini tent cities.

The latest: As of Sunday, the city said it has been able to move migrants completely out of seven police districts.

What's happening: Chicago has helped find housing for nearly a third of the 25,635 migrants who have arrived here since August 2022.

• The state recently kicked in an additional $65 million for a case management program to help with "housing assessments, reviewing the leases, signing them and then eventually moving," the mayor's deputy chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas says.

Not all new arrivals stay. The city has purchased 2,835 bus, train and plane tickets for migrants who wanted to settle somewhere else.

Zoom in: "Some of the folks that were in our police stations actually had no intention of staying in Chicago, but would get caught up in the system and not be able to get to their final destination," Pacione-Zayas said during a recent briefing.

• So now officials work immediately with new arrivals and "get them quickly connected to Greyhound or to Amtrak or to a plane so that they can continue with their onward movement."
• Pacione-Zayas said they hope to help 150 migrants a week with this kind of transportation.

Reality check: Officials recently put a 60-day limit on shelter stays and eliminated rental assistance for those who arrived after Nov. 16.

What they're saying: The expanded programs and extra money from the state for case management should continue to help more people find housing, Pacione-Zayas said.

The big picture: Chicago is one of several cities buying tickets for migrants to travel to cities where they say they have family, friends or sponsors.

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People of color seeking fertility treatment in Chicago could get financial help under a new program.

Why it matters: Some studies show that Black people are twice as likely as their white counterparts to face infertility, but they are less likely to access assisted reproductive treatments.

Driving the news: Chicago nonprofit The Broken Brown Egg and fertility benefits company Progyny are giving away two $10,000 grants to help individuals and couples of color pay for fertility treatments, including medications.

• The deadline to apply is Dec. 8.

By the numbers: Treatments such as in vitro fertilization can range anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 per cycle, according to Forbes. For many, infertility treatments aren't covered by health insurance.

Keep reading

🚧 Construction of the Brighton Park migrant camp will not start today as expected, according to Mayor Brandon Johnson's office. This weekend, Ald. Julia Ramirez cited a study showing the former industrial site needs to be cleaned for toxic metals. (ABC 7)

🏫 A watchdog report says Chicago's teacher shortage is most acute among special education and bilingual teachers in Black, Latino and low-income neighborhoods. (Tribune)

🐠 Residents of the Shedd Aquarium feasted on herring, octopus and squid for Thanksgiving dinner. (Block Club)

Hi, it's Justin!

Now that college football season is nearing its end, let's turn our attention to college basketball.

What's happening: Axios writers from several cities previewed Big Ten play for both men and women.

Here's everything you need to know about our hometown teams, starting with the Illinois Fighting Illini:

Coach Brad Underwood's squad is built for March Madness.

Context: The Illinois men's team returns several starters, including Terrence Shannon, who snagged first-team All-Big Ten honors last year.

Of note: Underwood has taken his teams to three straight NCAA Tournaments.

Yes, but: They've never made it past the second round.

On the women's side, Coach Shauna Green had a miraculous first season with the Illini, taking them from bottom feeders in the Big Ten to securing their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2000.

The intrigue: The arrow is pointing up for this season, as all of her starters return.

Next up: Northwestern Wildcats

The experienced Wildcat men return to Big Ten play with a chip on their shoulder.

Context: Northwestern finished tied for second in the conference last season and lost a close second-round NCAA Tournament game to UCLA.

• They also return most of their starters, including star guard Boo Buie.

The bottom line: The 'Cats are hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament with back-to-back bids for the first time in school history.

Last season was dismal for the Northwestern women's team, who only mustered a couple of wins in conference play.

State of play: Northwestern lost a few graduating starters, including star guard Sydney Wood.

Yes, but: Head coach Joe McKeown scored through the transfer portal, bringing in Boston University's Maggie Pina.

Read the full Big Ten previews here and here.

Victory Auto Wreckers announced this month that it's closing.

The scrapyard served its purpose for 80 years in the Chicago area, but it was best known for its commercial.

• We couldn't get that car door out of our heads, so we decided it's time to crown the best local commercial of all time.

Methodology: What makes a good commercial? Locality and kitsch, mostly. We also had to bring balance and make sure we didn't have too many of one category. Also, no Michael Jordan or the '85 Bears commercials since they went national.

Are you ready? Vote here. The poll is open until 4pm!