Your Daily Guide

Parking Meter Owners Issue Warning

Parking meter owners, which include Morgan Stanley and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration with a warning: If alders reject their sale to a new owner, the city could face “financial catastrophe.” [Tribune 🔒]

Who’s Running for Mayor? Plus, Pride Fest Tips

We’ve got more mayoral candidates entering the race ahead of February after former alderman George Cardenas officially launched his campaign this week. On today’s podcast, we discuss tips for Pride Fest this weekend. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Obama Presidential Center’s Star-Studded Lineup

The artists performing Thursday include The Roots, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Christina Aguilera, Tems, and Bruce Springsteen. [Obama.org]

Landmarking Could Thwart New Apartments in Edgewater

The city gave the Bryn Mawr Historic District a preliminary landmark recommendation in April. The area includes three buildings that a developer wants to demolish for a mixed-use, 95-unit apartment building — but the city is denying a demolition permit. [Block Club]

Chicago Park District Pools Open for the Season

The weather might not be pool-friendly yet, but Chicago pools open today through Labor Day. This year, the Park District’s pool season is a week longer, and outdoor pools will operate eight hours a day, seven days a week.

The basics: The Park District manages 50 outdoor pools. Park pools will operate on adjusted holiday schedules tomorrow, July 3, and July 4. Hamlin, Holstein, and Tuley Park pools are undergoing maintenance but are expected to open in July.

• Pro tip! Always check your local pool schedule for hours. I also recommend calling ahead because there might be last-minute maintenance and closures.

When can I swim? Admission to open-swim sessions is free for all, but lap swims require membership.

• Parent & Tot Swim is for kids 6 years old or younger, while Parent & Child Swim is for any youth under 17 years old. Both must be accompanied by an adult.
• Youth Swim is for kids 6 to 12 years of age, and Teen Swim is for those 13-17 years old.

Need accessible entry? The Park District swimming pools search tool lets you filter by whether pools have an ADA lift, stairs, zero-depth entry, or ramps.

• For the kids: It also shows you which pool sites have water playgrounds attached or nearby. There are over 200 water playground features across the city.

No lifeguard shortage: The Park District has trained and onboarded over 700 lifeguards, an increase in recent years. Last year, pool closures were staggered in August despite ongoing heat as lifeguards returned to school.

• In 2021, many indoor pools closed due to a lifeguard shortage. Outdoor pools remained closed in 2022 until July for the same reason.

Pool programs: Aquatics programs such as Learn to Swim, Aquatic Exercise, and others are offered each season. Most programs have a fee, but programs for seniors are free.

• Free intro class! The first swim class for youth under 17 years old within the first 10 weeks of the swim session is free, using the coupon code FIRSTFREE.

More tips: If you’re like me and want to avoid the kids, try earlier open swim hours — especially if there is a lap swim scheduled before or after! Make sure to leave floaties at home since they aren’t allowed.