A good, old-fashioned Chicago political drama is breaking out at City Hall, not over budgets or shady contracts, but over alfresco dining on Clark Street.

Why it matters: The popular streetery program that shuts down three blocks of River North to cars from May to October has turned into the latest brouhaha for Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration and his City Council foes.

Catch up fast: During the pandemic, streets including Clark between Kinzie Street and Grand Avenue became giant outdoor dining areas so people could eat safely and restaurants could make money.

• It was so popular that Johnson made the citywide pilot program permanent last summer.
• Restaurants must get approval from the transportation department (CDOT) and their alder.

Yes, but: Neighborhood and business groups have argued the large streetery on Clark specifically causes traffic gridlock and hurts surrounding restaurants and businesses.

Driving the news: Last week, Block Club reported that local Ald. Brendan Reilly would not reapprove the program this year.

• In response, an activist group lambasted Reilly on X, and cited a letter the alder wrote last summer to a local streetery opponent that essentially promised not to renew it.
• Reilly shot back, alleging that the Johnson administration forced him to write the letter in exchange for allowing the program to proceed in 2023 for one last time.
• "I hated making that deal. But at that time, it was my hope that over the course of a year, the administration's view of this program on Clark Street would evolve," Reilly told Block Club.

The other side: The mayor's communications director, Ronnie Reese, told Axios this allegation is "untrue," without further elaboration.

Between the lines: This situation is just the latest embarrassment for Johnson and some alders, who have routinely allowed internal squabbles to play out in public forums.

What's next: A petition with 2,500 signatures is demanding the city reopen the Clark Street Outdoor Dining program this summer.

• CDOT tells Axios that no restaurant has applied for a permit for a Clark Street closure yet.

Go deeper

Eclipse watchers will have to travel to southern Illinois to see the total solar eclipse Monday, but Chicagoans will still have a decent view.

What to expect: The partial solar eclipse will take place from 12:51 pm–3:22pm CT, reaching maximum coverage (94%) at 2:07 pm CT.

• The Illinois city with the highest percentage of the sun to be eclipsed is Carbondale, with visibility starting at 12:43pm, reaching complete obstruction by 1:59pm, according to Southern Illinois University.
• There will be 4 minutes and 9 seconds of totality.

Zoom in: Monday's forecast has a chance of showers after 2pm and partly sunny, with a high near 57.

• As of Thursday, National Weather Service predictions showed about 40% of cloud cover in Chicago but clear skies in southern Illinois.

Flashback: Carbondale was in the path during the 2017 solar eclipse, earning the college town the title "Eclipse Crossroads of America."

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💼 Chicago, New York, L.A. and San Francisco have seen the sharpest employment declines among U.S. cities since 2020, with Texas cities experiencing some of the largest increases. (Crain's)

👷🏼Labor leaders pushed back on Mayor Brandon Johnson's plan to ban natural gas in new construction during a nearly nine-hour committee meeting this week. (Sun-Times)

🎶 City cultural officials released the House Music Festival lineup. This year's fest, on June 2, will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Chicago-born music style. (Tribune)

This Sunday, Chicago will host the annual Greek Heritage Parade along Halsted in Greektown, which celebrates Hellenic culture with dancing, music and lots of food.

Though Greek cuisine is one of many that feature baklava, we took this occasion to share some of our favorite local spots for the rich, crisp, phyllo dough pastry.

Justin's pick: I wanted to get my favorite baklava in the city from Artopolis on Halsted Street, but it's closed for water damage. So I walked a block north to one of Greektown's best restaurants, Athena.

• The baklava is so good. Flaky, sweet and nutty with a cinnamon spice.
• It's more of a restaurant dessert portion, and therefore more expensive than a bakery pastry. ($8)

Monica's pick: I know we're celebrating Greek heritage this week, but my favorite baklava ($1.99 a piece) comes from the 43-year-old Middle East Bakery & Grocery in Andersonville.

• I was thrilled to nibble this treat with a hot cup of mint tea.

Carrie's pick: Baklava is not my go-to for dessert. I like chocolate, what can I say? I'm a simple woman.

Yes, but: The huge, gooey, sticky baklava from Psistaria Greek Taverna in Lincolnwood is a special treat. ($7.25)

What's your favorite baklava spot in the city? Let us know, and we'll feature it in an upcoming newsletter.

📅 Upcoming events around the city.

Celebrating Women in Innovation at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on April 11: This event will be honoring innovative leaders in the Chicago region who empower women around them. Chicago's ecosystem of organizations that support female innovators will exhibit and attend, coming together under one roof for one night. $52.50-$75.

Hosting an event? Email [email protected].

In fine Chicago tradition, the weather for opening week was miserable — but at least that gives fans an excuse to check out new wearable swag nearby, which Monica recently did at Obvious Shirts on Clark.

Why it matters: The store, which opened in 2022, goes beyond the usual blue shirts emblazoned with a C and offers messages and designs that only Cub fans will understand.

What they're saying: "My boss Joe Johnson thinks up most of the shirts, but sometimes fans will come in here and make up some of their own sayings," store clerk James Becker recently told Axios.

What's happening: We've created a multiple-choice quiz based on some of the shirts to test your Cubs acumen.

You can take it here.