Hey, it's Monica. A few weeks ago I walked into my local Sichuan restaurant with a bunch of empty plastic containers and a weird question:

• "Would it be OK if I ordered my food for here, but then packed it all in my containers to go?"

Why it matters: The pandemic has seen a sharp rise in single-use plastic, including food containers, as people try to support restaurants with takeout. But less than 9% of U.S. plastic is recycled.

• Plastic production and incineration contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
• The most recent EPA data shows the U.S. dumped 10 million tons of plastic into landfills in 2018.
• Chicago Department of Public Health officials confirm that the only legal way for patrons to use their own containers at a restaurant is to pack the food themselves.

What happened: After some discussion, the staffer agreed and told me to come back in 15 minutes, when I would find my five dishes plated on the bar.

• I returned to find him placing the final dishes next to others already covered with plastic wrap.
• I took out my big spoon, packed the food into my containers, popped them in my bag and walked home for a nice dinner.
• Meanwhile, my patient partner Colin took a video of my antics as requested.

Questions for restaurateurs: Would you allow customers to pack their own takeout at your place? And, if so, what would be the least disruptive way to do it?

• You can reply to this email.

Question for diners: Would you patronize restaurants more if they let you easily pack food in your own containers?

• You can respond to this survey here.

On an average day, 25-30% of those locked up in Cook County Jail suffer from mental illness.

• "Any Given Day," premiering Wednesday at the Chicago International Film Festival, looks at one attempt to address the issue: a special mental health probation program.
• How it works: Detainees with mental illness who have pleaded guilty to a non-violent offense can be released on voluntary probation if they agree to treatment and regular status check-ins.

Why it matters: The success or failure of the program affects thousands of Chicagoans and their loved ones. And statistics don't tell the whole story.

On screen: Chicago filmmaker Margaret Byrne followed the wrenching stories of three people over several years as they navigated the mental health probation system. During filming, Byrne struggled with her own mental health issues.

The impetus: "I started filming 'Any Given Day' in 2015 after half of Chicago’s mental health clinics closed and the Cook County Jail became the largest single-site mental health facility in the country," Byrne tells Axios.

• "At the time, there was a lot of news coverage on the work the jail was doing to treat their detainees." But Byrne wanted to "film [probationers] over several years in order to see the long-term effects of their incarceration."

Byrne's hope for her audience: "They will see the systemic issues that persist and find ways to support alternative solutions in their communities."

Details: "Any Given Day" premieres in-person on Wednesday at 7pm at the Gene Siskel Film Center. Tickets for virtual showings are available.

🗺 Springfield is back in session. Will the new congressional map survive the week? (Crains)

📵 The Cook County Democratic Party stripped Ald. Gardiner of his committee posts over "obscene" texts. (Block Club Chicago)

🚉 The developer of Central One, which will include a new transit center and concert venue across from Soldier Field, has released plans for the first phase of the project. (Chicago Tribune)

🏑The Blackhawks are at the United Center tonight for their home opener. Their first road trip was a disaster. (The Athletic)

Longtime Chicago food journalist Steve Dolinsky is back on TV as NBC's "The Food Guy" and back on bookshelves with "The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide," following 2018's "Pizza City USA."

Why it matters: Few can match Dolinsky's knowledge and passion for Chicago pizza.

Why another pizza book: Dolinsky tells Axios he  had more burning issues to address about pizza.

• "There was this third wave of pizza hitting Chicago the last couple years that really crested in the pandemic," he says, noting the first waves brought tavern style after World War II, then stuffed in 1971.
• "I also needed to set the record straight on deep-dish," he says. "I'm so tired of hearing that Ike Sewell invented it. But it's just not true."
• Plus, there's a gluten-free section and a pizza-beer matching guide.

In the flesh: Dolinsky will talk to Justin and Monica about his pizza, the book and his new TV gig this Friday at the Hideout from 4-6pm. Register for free tickets here.

In the wake of the popular "Friends Experience" last summer, Chicago now welcomes "The Office Experience."

Why it matters: The new exhibit fills vacant downtown real estate with an attraction likely to bring tens of thousands of visitors.

• Plus, even a non-Office-head like Monica enjoyed it.

First look: Located in the old Forever 21 store at Michigan and Ohio, the exhibit includes a big ground floor gift shop and re-creation of the time Michael Scott knocked over warehouse shelves with a forklift. (You can take pics here for free!)

Up an escalator: You'll find the paid exhibit featuring 17 rooms of games, trivia, memorabilia like Pam's pink cardigan, and a fully-interactive recreation of the Dunder Mifflin office.

If you go: It's best for major Office geeks (obviously), but even casual fans may like coming out with dozens of Instagrammable pics and videos of themselves in the show's classic settings.

• It runs through Jan 17. Tickets start at $37.50 and are good for specific times and dates.