Daywatch: Saying goodbye to 'Ask Amy'

Chicaao Tribune DAYWATCH Friday, May 24, 2024 Good morning, Chicago. After more than two decades, Amy Dickinson is preparing to write her final “Ask Amy” column. She announced her decision in today’s column, writing, “I’m healthy, happy, and 64 years old. This is a decision I’ve been wrestling with for more than a year.” Dickinson told the Tribune’s Darcel Rockett, of her decision: “Maybe I’ll be the first advice columnist not to die at my desk,” she said jokingly. “Ann Landers (the columnist Dickinson succeeded) — they ran her column after she died. She had banked a bunch of columns. Mad respect for her, but I am not built like that.” She will continue to offer advice through the end of June then hand the reins of syndicated column writing to R. Eric Thomas, a Black male playwright, screenwriter, bestselling author and a former columnist for Elle.com and Slate.com. His new column will be called “Asking Eric.” Thomas wrote a column introducing himself to readers as well as offering insight into what informs his advice. Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day. | Puzzles & Games | Today’s eNewspaper edition A Purple Heart from an abandoned bank safe deposit box is displayed during a news conference on May 23, 2024, about Operation Purple Heart. The Illinois treasurer’s office is trying to reunite unclaimed Purple Hearts with their owners. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY, ILLINOIS TREASURER SEEKS TO RETURN A DOZEN UNCLAIMED PURPLE HEART MEDALS Ahead of Memorial Day, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs made a renewed request for the public’s assistance in returning a dozen Purple Heart medals to their rightful owners. The medals were submitted to the treasurer’s office through its unclaimed property program, but their stories remain shrouded in mystery. A Purple Heart is awarded to those who are killed or wounded in service. Read more → Dozens of Chicago Public School students, activists and supporters rally outside CPS headquarters on Feb. 22, 2024, before the Board of Education meeting to call on CPS to remove police and reinvest in schools and real safety for students and families. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune) Chicago Public Schools moved a step closer to finalizing a new school safety policy Thursday, following a Board of Education vote in February to remove uniformed Chicago Police Department officers from all district schools as of the end of the school year. But a state bill that could supersede the district’s plans may also be voted on this week. Sponsored by Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, HB5008 would allow high school Local School Councils to contract directly with CPD to employ school resource officers, known as SROs, through February 2027. Read more → Related: * Illinois Democrats still at odds over tax hike proposals as budget talks again head into overtime The CTA is set to begin a $19 million upgrade to the Western Brown Line station. (Chicago Transit Authority) BROWN LINE STATION REHAB COULD DISRUPT SOME WEEKEND SERVICE THROUGH LATE 2025 The CTA is set to begin a $19 million upgrade to a Lincoln Square Brown Line station, and that will mean some weekend service disruptions to parts of the line. Read more → Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd, speaks with students and activists at a pro-Palestinian encampment after police attempted to remove the tents earlier in the day at Northwestern University, April 25, 2024, in Evanston. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) ALDERMAN ACCUSES COLLEAGUE OF ANTISEMITISM OVER SOCIAL MEDIA POST Ald. Debra Silverstein, 50th, highlighted and harshly criticized a post recently made by Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez, 33rd. It includes a photo of Rodriguez-Sanchez with her child and a request that Facebook friends share pediatrician recommendations. “Looking for an anti Zionist pediatrician for this baby,” the caption reads. Silverstein called the caption an attempt by Rodriguez-Sanchez to blacklist Jewish doctors. Rodriguez-Sanchez described the accusation as a bid to stifle her long-running criticism of Israel’s war effort in Gaza. Read more → City Winery at 1200 W. Randolph St., in 2012. (Chris Sweda/ Chicago Tribune) CITY WINERY WORKER FATALLY STABBED IN WEST LOOP VENUE IDENTIFIED A man was fatally stabbed Wednesday afternoon inside City Winery in the West Loop, authorities said. The victim, a 47-year-old man, was attacked by another man about 5 p.m. at the entertainment venue in the 1200 block of West Randolph Street, according to Chicago police. Read more → White Sox television play-by-play man John Schriffen walks on the field ahead of the opening-day game against the Tigers on March 28, 2024, at Guaranteed Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) COLUMN: CHICAGO WHITE SOX BROADCASTER JOHN SCHRIFFEN SEEMS TO LOVE A GOOD BEEF — BUT HE SHOULD BEWARE OF THE ‘HATERS’ In the battle between Chicago White Sox broadcaster John Schriffen and the “radio losers,” put your money on the losers, writes Paul Sullivan. They’ll always have the last word. Read more → More on the White Sox: * Explaining the bizarre ending to the White Sox’s 8-6 loss to the Baltimore Orioles * Eloy Jiménez to miss ‘extended period’ in latest blow to the White Sox after a dismal 1st 50 games of the season Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) throws May 23, 2024, during OTAs at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) BEARS OTAS RECAP: DISSECTING QB CALEB WILLIAMS’ STRUGGLES AND THE DEFENSE’S ‘SALTY’ APPROACH The Chicago Bears wrapped up their first week of organized team activities Thursday at Halas Hall with the third of three practices. While the spotlight remains centered on the team’s promising rookie quarterback, a lot more is coming together as coach Matt Eberflus pushes his team through an important spring. Here are the highlights from practice and interviews in Lake Forest. Read more → A variety of beers are shown inside the Lagunitas Tap room on June 17, 2014. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune) LAGUNITAS BREWING CLOSING CHICAGO BREWING OPERATIONS AND TAPROOM AMID DECLINING SALES The local brewing arm will move to Petaluma, California, where the company is based and has its original brewhouse, by early August, the company said in a news release. The Chicago taproom inside of the brewery will also close. The company’s Chicago warehouse, adjacent to the brewing facility, will stay open. The closure will affect 86 employees, the company said. Some will work in remote positions or relocate to California, while others will work through the transition and get “departure packages including support services and job-placement assistance,” the company said. Read more → Workers from Chicago’s Novel Pizza prepare to serve attendees at a The Utility Show, May 20, 2024, held on N. Bell Avenue in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) Workers from Chicago’s Novel Pizza prepare to serve attendees at a The Utility Show, May 20, 2024, held on North Bell Avenue in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) UTILITY TRIES TO BRING A NEW SPIN ON HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SHOWS, WITH A FOCUS ON INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS Thousands of restaurant owners, big-box franchisees and hospitality industry staffers head to Chicago each May to participate in the National Restaurant Association Show at McCormick Place. They flock to consume content such as celebrity chef demos on hot topics l such as plant-based cuisine and culinary cannabis, seminars on overcoming labor challenges and increasing profits, and exhibits on everything from the latest functional beverage machines and compostable packaging to robotic servers and cutting-edge food delivery systems. This year, there was a new kid in town, The Utility Show, a “2-day celebration of everything hospitality” produced by Tilit, a hip restaurant uniform and gear company out of New York City. Read more → Juniper Terps seltzer, a THC-infused beverage, is canned on May 22, 2024, at Marz Community Brewing Co. in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune) HEMP BEVERAGE BREWERS FEAR ILLINOIS HEMP BAN WILL END FLEDGLING INDUSTRY Just after popping the lid off a new market, hemp beverage makers fear a proposal to ban intoxicating hemp products in Illinois would end their new business. Read more → Copyright © 2024 Chicago Tribune 560 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60654