Your Daily Guide

Logan Square Homeless Encampment Cleared

The remaining residents of a tent encampment near the Logan Square monument were forced to relocate Friday. The area, which stretches along Milwaukee Avenue, was then fenced off for construction of a public plaza. A city contractor told City Cast Chicago he expects it will finish by the end of the year.

• What happens now? Residents say they lacked sufficient notice, but city officials are promising a housing fast track. [Block Club]
• La Placita: The area surrounding the monument is mid-transformation. [Sun-Times]

No Cellphones in Schools

After years of trying, Illinois lawmakers have officially banned cellphones in classrooms — Gov. JB Pritzker says he will sign the bill. On today’s podcast, we break down what that ban entails. Also, why isn’t Chicago a host city for the World Cup? And are you hearing fireworks? [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Local OPC Contractors Struggle to Get Paid

Several companies that helped build the Obama Presidential Center say they’re fighting to collect millions of dollars in unpaid bills. The general contractor pointed to the complexity and scale of the project, while the Obama Foundation says they have no disputed charges. [Crain’s 🔒]

60 Years Since Division Street Riot

The 48th annual Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade took place over the weekend — and this year, it coincided with the 60th anniversary of the first Division Street riot. It erupted in Humboldt Park as a response to police brutality and disinvestment in the neighborhood. A second riot occurred a year later. [WTTW]

Charter School Renewals

Last week, the Chicago Board of Education renewed contracts with six charter school networks. The board said these renewals are paired with more oversight following the closure of several charter schools in the last year. [Chalkbeat]

Back in April, I said every month feels like poetry month in Chicago. I feel the same way about Pride — this city stays bursting with queer energy. But, in honor of official Pride month, here are some local LGBTQ+ poets worth checking out.

Jamila Woods

Yes, Jamila Woods is a famous singer and all-around hometown hero. She’s also a decorated poet, often mining her Beverly upbringing for her work.

• A bar: beverly be the only south side you don’t fit in / everybody in your neighborhood color of white hen
• Did you know? Woods’ friendship with another local queer poet, Fatimah Asghar, inspired the series “Brown Girls.” Stream it Open Television.

Rachel Mennies

Rachel Mennies is a Chicago-based writer whose poems get at queer longing. Her collection “The Naomi Letters” is full of epistolary poems, written to the woman the speaker loves.

• A bar: you touched my shoulder / through my coat, enough to pool desire / where I most wanted you to touch me.

Britteney Black Rose Kapri

Britteney Black Rose Kapri is — I can attest — a great (though tough) poetry teacher. She’s published two books of poetry, including “Black Queer Hoe.”

• A bar: House, as in abode, as in dwelling, as in crib, as in where your inhibitions go to rest.

Katana Smith

Born in Colorado, Katana Smith is now based in Chicago and previously served as Northwestern University’s artist-in-residence. Her poems “Three of Us” and “Sh*tty Boyfriend” are an excellent package: petty and moving.

• A bar: Maybe I was the only friend who would talk to you about him … I would have talked to you about literally anything.

Oli Rodriguez

Oli Rodriguez is an artist and writer born in Chicago whose intersectional work explores the AIDS pandemic.

• Must-read: “Papi, Papi, Papi” tells the story of a “sondaughter” raised in gay bars — and recalls the cruising hotspot that was Belmont Harbor.