Your Daily Guide

Will Trump Appear on Illinois Ballot?

Illinois is now the 18th state to challenge Trump’s candidacy. Five residents formally objected to the former president’s newly filed nominating petitions over his involvement in the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. [WBEZ]

Inside 2023 Cook County Opioid Overdose Deaths

Cook County set a record for opioid overdose deaths in 2022, and preliminary data suggests 2023 is expected to meet that record, according to the county medical examiner’s office. [WTTW]

Suburbs Restrict Migrant Arrivals

Hinsdale, Woodstock, Buffalo Grove, and Joliet are among the latest municipalities to adopt ordinances this week restricting charter buses from dropping off new arrivals without notice. [ABC7]

In Education News …

While the Chicago Board of Education considers removing police officers from schools and throwing more support behind neighborhood schools, the Illinois State Board of Education only designated five majority–Black Chicago schools as “exemplary.” [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

This Week’s Must-Read

We already know Chicago is a magical city, but it might also be a metropolis for magicians, too. [WBEZ]

Once a week, Hey Chicago shares this virtual community bulletin board with your thoughts on hot topics, announcements, and more. Let’s dive in!

Chicago Games

After City Cast Chicago executive producer Simone Alicea rounded up her favorite local games, a few of you had more to highlight.

Patricia G.: “Marvin Glass was a Chicago native whose company developed Mousetrap, Operation, Ants in the Pants, and Simon, so technically those are all Chicago games 😊 There's a few board game cafes in the city to visit — try Bonus Round and Stay & Play.”

Cassidy W.: “For the word gamers, Jumblie was born in Chicago as well.”

Shelby K.: “A friend brought a card game called Chicago Handshake to our NYE party. It was a hit! (Though we skirted the rules for the loser — we suggested a sip of Malört and skipped the beer.)”

Airport Yoga

One Hey Chicago reader utilized our guide while killing some time at Midway.

Julia K.: “Thanks for the heads up about this in the newsletter! Yoga while waiting for a flight — how awesome!”

New Year’s Resolutions

Hey Chicago readers shared what they’re focusing on in the new year. 

Ken H.: “To make Chicago my new home! I’ve been visiting regularly from Green Bay for the last year — thanks to Amtrak and their connecting bus services — and I’m completely in love with the city at this point. I’ve got a plan to transition my job there and I’m actively keeping an eye on apartment and roommate listings.”

Torri L.: “Less screen-time and scrolling on phone and being more present.”

Carolyn R.: “Continue to fight for justice to free Palestine and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.”