Good morning, Chicago. ✶
🔎 Below: Chicago area property owners and managers say fear of federal immigration agents is causing missed payments and delayed maintenance — costs they may be forced to pass on to other tenants.
🗞️ Plus: The push to dump Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top adviser, researchers’ “Chicago Rat Hole” truth and more news you need to know.
📝 Keeping score: The Blackhawks crushed the Blues, 8-3.
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⏱️: A 9-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER 🌤️
Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and a high near 68.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
ICE raids could lead to rising rents, building managers say
By Lizzie Kane
Residents in fear: Chicago area property owners and building managers say that fear among residents is palpable following an increase in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Residents are reportedly scared to leave their homes to go to their jobs, delaying rent payments — and are afraid to open their doors for maintenance workers, who also are scared to schedule repairs.
Rent raising: Property managers and owners point to already rising business costs, now compounded by raid-related fears, as reasons why they’re considering increasing rents. Rent hikes would come as Chicago is in the midst of a severe housing shortage, particularly for affordable units.
The response: One building owner and manager in Washington Park and Bronzeville has started going to his buildings when work is scheduled so that his contractors aren’t vulnerable to federal agents. Another manager is providing her residents with resources for rental assistance, hoping they can clear their debts, though eviction is still on the table.
More headlines:
- Southeast Side organizers to feds: ‘Leave our city. You are not welcome here’
- What to know about PIT, the driving maneuver feds used in Southeast Side car chase
- Threats of militarization, deportation take mental health toll, expert says
✶✶✶✶
As some kids got COVID-19 vaccines this fall, one group of children were left out
By Elvia Malagón
Doctors delayed: Over the last few weeks, about 1,000 children have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine at the Chicago-area pediatrician’s office where Dr. Susan Sirota works. But her practice and others like it were unable to administer a dose for kids from low-income homes, because a federally funded program known as Vaccines for Children was delayed. “We had this situation where all children are not allowed to have timely protection,” Sirota said.
At-risk kids: Vaccines for Children provides free shots to children covered by Medicaid. Doctors and clinics in the area were able to finally place their orders for Vaccines for Children doses Oct. 8, following a delay from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that pushed back the start of the ordering period.
Free shots: Starting Saturday and running through March 28, Cook County residents can receive free flu and COVID-19 shots weekly at Cook County Department of Public Health vaccination clinics.
✶✶✶✶
Driven by arts and culture, downtown pedestrian traffic exceeds prepandemic levels, report finds
By Ambar Colón
Driven downtown: New data from the Chicago Loop Alliance shows that Downtown pedestrian traffic now exceeds levels from 2019, with more visitors drawn by arts, culture and dining.
The numbers: On weekends, pedestrian traffic in the Loop is up 16% compared to 2019, according to the CLA. That number is largely driven by arts and culture events attended by people who aren’t normally downtown — think Broadway shows, art exhibits and Lollapalooza — the CLA said.
Reality check: Even as the Loop evolves, there are concerns that threats from President Donald Trump to send the National Guard to Chicago — currently delayed due to a federal appeals court ruling — could impact progress.
FACT CHECK ✅
MORE NEWS YOU NEED
- IG calls for firing: Inspector General Deborah Witzburg has recommended that Mayor Brandon Johnson fire his closest aide, senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee, for refusing to cooperate with her investigation of an alleged quid pro quo threat he made to a City Council member.
- 2 shot at Walmart: A gunman was arrested after firing shots inside a Walmart and injuring two people Wednesday in suburban Evergreen Park, according to police.
- Sister Jean mourned: Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Loyola University’s Rogers Park campus was packed Wednesday night, a sea of formal wear contrasting with Loyola gear and backpacks worn by students who came to memorialize Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt.
- Pritzkers’ 2024 tax returns: In a joint filing with first lady MK Pritzker, Gov. JB Pritzker reported an adjusted gross income of almost $10.7 million, more than tripling the roughly $2.8 million they reported in 2023. The latest windfall was boosted by $1,425,000 in gambling winnings.
- Bus ticket cams: The city equipped six Chicago Transit Authority buses with license plate reader cameras Wednesday, to automatically ticket drivers illegally parked in Downtown bus and bike lanes.
- Banchet finalists: The list of finalists for Chicago’s top local food honor, the Jean Banchet Awards, includes steakhouses, a South Side barbecue spot, Middle Eastern food in Lincoln Park and Vietnamese fare in Pilsen.
- Doechii review: In her tour opener at the Aragon Ballroom on Tuesday, the artist proved herself a formidable talent and inimitable voice — and inked her status as the future of hip-hop, writes Selena Fragassi.
CHICAGO STORIES 🗞️
‘Chicago Rat Hole’ was not made by a rat, say rodent researchers
By Kaitlin Washburn
Rat hole revealed: Nearly two years after the “Chicago Rat Hole” became a viral sensation, scientists have weighed in on the debate over what type of critter made the splat.
‘Hole’ other animal: Researchers analyzed the famous imprint and found the creature responsible was not a rat but most likely a squirrel, according to a paper published in the journal Biology Letters.
Key context: The “rat hole” briefly became the city’s hottest attraction in early 2024. People came from across the city to visit the Roscoe Village splat. Some left offerings like spare change and Malör shots. Others got engaged and married next to it. The image became a mascot for a 16-inch softball team and a popular tattoo. The hole was even filled in overnight in an act of “ratribution,” but neighbors quickly excavated it.
FROM THE PRESS BOX 🏈🏀⚾
- Bears analysis: The best part of Theo Benedet’s first start at left tackle for the Bears? He went unnoticed, writes Jason Lieser.
- New season nears: The Bulls enter their preseason finale with some pressing defensive questions.
- Shota the money: Maddie Lee breaks down the impending decision on Shota Imanaga’s unique Cubs contract.
BRIGHT ONE 🔆
How ‘pear whisperer’ Oriana Kruszewski became a darling of Chicago’s top chefs
By Erica Thompson
Oriana Kruszewski has developed a popular following among Chicago chefs. They say they are inspired by her wisdom, culled from years tending a 40-acre farm in Winslow, Illinois, that she purchased at $3,000 an acre decades ago. It was a meager price compared to what the land is worth today, she says.
During fruitful years, Kruszewski yields about 20 tons of pears and about 400 pounds of pawpaws, some of which are used in dishes and beverages at North Pond, Feld, Eden and Moody Tongue.
She is also a beloved longtime vendor at Green City Market and Logan Square Farmer’s Market, as well as the subject of a short documentary, “Oriana’s Orchard,” which premiered at the brewery Middle Brow, another one of her customers, and will be released in the future.
Born in China and raised in Hong Kong, Kruszewski said pears were too expensive and therefore a novelty for her family. As an adult, she became determined to grow her own, so she could enjoy them anytime.
But before her green thumb adventures, Kruszewski moved to the U.S. at 28, married a year later and worked in marine insurance while raising two kids. In her late 40s, she started growing pears in her backyard as a hobby.
She gave them “to my friends and other people, like my doctor,” said Kruszewski, who lives in Skokie when she isn’t at the farm. “They were impressed.” Once she began producing more than she could consume, her business was born.
GAMES AND CROSSWORDS 🧩
This week’s Chicago-style crossword theme is: Fall fest!
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
Tell us about your best Chicago-themed Halloween costume. Submit a photo if you have one. 👻
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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