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| |  | The Altgeld branch. (Jacoby Cochran / City Cast Chicago) |
| What’s Happening at Chicago Libraries? | | Summer at the Chicago Public Library means extensive programming for kids and adults alike. But this summer, CPL has grappled with a staffing shortage while opening a highly anticipated a new branch. | | Since May: Requested books remain significantly delayed due to a shortage of drivers. While the number of drivers doubled in June, bringing the total to six, wait times are still higher than before the initial shortage. In late July alone, over 1,600 items took more than a month to arrive. | - As a result: Books are literally piling up at local branches. Many books are listed as “in transit” — they’re not.
- Call your alder about prioritizing libraries in next year’s budget, says one CPL worker.
- Meanwhile: Dumpsters full of books were found near former Acero schools.
| Overall funding: After a proposal to slash CPL’s appropriation for books in half, the library’s $10 million collections budget was maintained for 2026. | | | A new branch: The long-awaited Obama Presidential Center opened and, with it, CPL’s 82nd branch. While you need tickets to visit the museum, the new library is open to all. | | | Get your summer reading on! Seasonal programming continues at CPL for adults, teens, and kids, in addition to summer reading challenges. | - Make a day of it! City Cast Chicago Neighbor Viral Mistry recently told us how he and his wife plan dates around visiting every single CPL branch. He’s been to 77 so far!
- Challenge accepted: Our own Jacoby Cochran is also working his way through every branch. These are his favorites.
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| What Chicago's Talking About |
| Portillo's Cuts Corporate Staff | Portillo's is laying off 18% of the 140-person staff at its Oak Brook headquarters. Back in February, the chain slowed its national expansion amid weak sales. [NBC 5, Sun-Times] | | | | Willie Wilson is Running. Again | Businessman Willie Wilson is now the 10th official candidate to enter the 2027 mayoral race. Wilson is well known for organizing gas and grocery giveaways — and for running for mayor. The 78-year-old millionaire has run three times previously, in 2015, 2019, and 2023. [CBS] | | Chicago House Music Fest This Month | The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference returns soon with expanded programming across multiple venues. Things kick off Aug. 27 at Daley Plaza and conclude Aug. 30 on the Riverwalk. Naturally, the weekend will be full of dancing. [Block Club] | - Don’t forget: Chicago invented house music. Here’s the story. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]
| | City Colleges of Chicago Launch First AI Degree | Chicago’s City Colleges will now offer an Associate Applied Science degree in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Development. It aims to cover theory and practical experience. [City Colleges] | | SNAP Cuts Hit Chicago Grocers Hard | On today’s podcast, we talk about how federal SNAP cuts are affecting grocers across Chicago. Also discussed: where things stand between the mayor and alders heading into City Council elections and where we like to go for a little summertime peace and quiet. [City Cast Chicago 🎧] | | How Homeless Encampments Really Get Cleared | City workers have thrown away residents' wheelchairs, important documents, and medications while clearing homeless encampments. That’s why Judah Venturi, a researcher and formerly unhoused Chicagoan, is now documenting the process. “They can really throw someone’s entire life in the back of a dump truck,” Venturi said, reflecting on the Humboldt Park encampment clearing that happened in March. [Reader] |
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