Your Daily Guide

It’s (Almost) Chicago Marathon Time

This Sunday, 55,000-plus runners will take to Chicago’s streets for the 48th annual Chicago Marathon — sorry, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.

Here’s what to know ahead of the big tradition, from street closures to celeb participants.

The route: Runners take off in waves beginning at 7:20 a.m., starting and ending at Grant Park, then heading north into Lake View, west to Damen Avenue, and south to 35th Street. This year’s 26.2-mile course passes through 29 neighborhoods and differs slightly from usual due to construction at State and Lake.

• For watchers: Here’s what to eat along the route, including donuts, fried chicken empanadas, and lots of Mexican food.
• Get out there: Explore the many Chicago marathon neighborhoods.

Street closures: I know it’s what you really wanna know.

• Balbo Drive between Columbus and DuSable Lake Shore Drive remains closed through 3 p.m. Oct. 16.
• Columbus Drive between Roosevelt and the Grant Park finish line remains closed through 3 p.m. Monday.
• LaSalle Street between Jackson and Stockton remains closed through 11:30 a.m. Sunday.
• Michigan Avenue between 26th and 35th remains closed till 4 p.m. Sunday.

Some marathon history: When the marathon began in 1977 — as the Mayor Daley Marathon — just 4,200 people ran. While it pales in comparison to today’s numbers, at the time, it was the largest marathon in the world.

• Why Chicago? Chicago’s flat landscape can help with pacing — although it isn’t necessarily ideal.
• Why concrete? “The History of Concrete,” now playing at the Music Box, delves into running on concrete (and much more).

This year’s notable runners:

• Anthony Rizzo, Cubs legend, runs his first Chicago Marathon Sunday.
• Olympian Clayton Young is going for America’s fastest marathon record. His training mate, Conner Mantz, clinched it in Chicago last year, completing the course in just over two hours.
• ​​Henry Kozlowski has run the marathon every year since its inception. This year, he’s running in his old Lane Tech gym shorts. Go Henry!
• Five longtime local pals are running their final marathon together: George Scully, Thomas McShane, Mark Sulski, Rick Barrett, and 80-year-old James “Skinny” Sheahan.

Good luck, runners! Looks like it’s going to be a beautiful fall day!

The Assault Weapons Ban, Apples … and a New Holiday?

The Supreme Court is officially back for the fall term and will decide the fate of Cook County’s 30-year assault weapons ban. Also on today’s podcast: “Best Big City Day” and what happens when a neighborhood fest goes viral. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

More Flock Misuse

Two former cops, one from Itasca and one from West Chicago, are facing felony charges for allegedly conducting unauthorized license plate searches using Flock cameras. [ABC7]

• Recently: Other Illinois cops were accused of misusing the tech. [Sun-Times]
• Read: This is happening across Chicagoland. [City Cast Chicago 💻]
• Listen: Where are Flock cameras in Chicago? [City Cast Chicago🎧]

SNAP Cuts Hit Some Areas Especially Hard

In Berwyn and Cicero combined, immigrants account for 32.8% of the population. Following changes to SNAP benefit eligibility, many of those households struggle with food insecurity. Food pantries in those areas are now even more of a lifeline. [Cicero Independiente]

• Amid demand spike: This Irving Park food pantry is moving. [Block Club]
• Wanna help? Here's where to offer food assistance in Chicago. [City Cast Chicago 💻]

Former Chinatown ‘City Hall’ to Be Restored

The 98-year-old Pui Tak Center received $750,000 from the National Park Service for restorations. The building, once known as Chinatown’s unofficial "City Hall," is a “polychromatic bonanza of Chinese Eclectic architecture.” [Sun-Times]

• Come on: Get to know Chinatown. [City Cast Chicago 💻]