Good afternoon, Chicago ✶
Back in 2019, piping plovers returned to Chicago’s beaches for the first time in nearly 65 years.
They’ve since become objects of fascination for local bird lovers, as the small, sand-colored shorebirds return each spring.
Some plover fans have taken on the role of monitor, in hopes of helping these endangered birds once they come back to the city.
In today’s newsletter: How piping plover monitors are preparing for their feathered friends’ arrival.
Plus: A Chicago Teachers Union-Chicago Public Schools contract deal nears, a mural corridor grows in Grand Crossing and more news you need. 👇
⏱️: A 7-minute read
— Matt Moore, newsletter reporter
TODAY’S TOP STORY
Piping plover monitors help endangered birds feather the nest at Montrose Beach
Reporting by Reporting by Rafaela Jinich
Lovebirds’ story: As piping plover monitors, Eden Essex and her partner, Daniel Eastman, regularly don bright orange shirts and settle in at Montrose Beach to watch over Chicago’s piping plovers. The two were among the first monitors to sign up in 2019 when piping plovers returned to Chicago’s beaches.
The job: Monitors ensure that people respect the protected areas, prevent dogs from running into the nesting zones and keep an eye on predatory birds, said Tamima Itani, of the Chicago Piping Plovers group. Monitors are the eyes and ears of the agencies that oversee conservation efforts, like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Key context: Piping plovers had not been seen in Chicago since 1955 when a pair of plovers — later named Monty and Rose — began nesting at Montrose Beach. Since then, plovers have returned each year, sparking conservation efforts, leading to more monitoring and habitat protection.
Extinction fears: Plovers that nest in Chicago and Waukegan are part of the Great Lakes population, one of three distinct populations in North America. The Great Lakes population is considered to be in danger of extinction.
Plover prep: As the end of winter approaches, piping plovers will soon return to their nesting grounds in Chicago, which means monitors are finishing their preparations and new members are being trained.
Key quote: “We always say, ‘If the plovers are here, we’re doing something right,'” Itani said. “They wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t a good place to nest.”
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
- CTU-CPS deal nears: After negotiations stretched late into Wednesday night, the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools are finalizing a few details with the expectation that a contract agreement is imminent, sources said.
- ComEd Four push back: Four people convicted of a lengthy plot to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan appear headed to sentencing in July — a judicial decision labeled “reckless” by a defense attorney given ongoing legal uncertainty in Washington, D.C.
- Trump’s $153M care cuts: President Donald Trump’s administration rescinded $153 million in federal grant funding to Illinois programs for mental health services, substance abuse treatment and infectious disease prevention.
- Day care sued: The family of 2-year-old Jaylin Branch, who died after a medical episode while at a Calumet City day care, is suing the company, accusing it of negligence in the boy’s death.
- Summer Smash lineup: The two-day festival returns to Bridgeview on June 20 with headliners Future, Young Thug, Don Toliver, Yeat and more.
MURALS AND MOSAICS 🎨
Grand Crossing organically grows mural corridor
Reporting by Genevieve Bookwalter
The impetus: When muralist Pugs Atomz moved to the Park Manor section of Greater Grand Crossing in 2022, one of his first thoughts was, “Why doesn’t my neighborhood have a bunch of art?”
The result: Whatever the “why,” Atomz decided to do something about it. The result is an organic and growing mural art corridor on 71st Street between King Drive and Cottage Grove Avenue.
Organic development: Watching the strip come together “felt awesome,” Atomz said. “It was a rough idea — hey, we could use some art — but trying to make it bigger than just ‘one time, this thing is happening.’ More people can be involved. The community was amazing.”
Chicago made: Atomz, a co-founder of Englewood Arts Collective, recruited fellow co-founder Joe “Cujo Dah” Nelson to add to the mural. They were joined by longtime friend and muralist Damon Lamar Reed, who said he has been painting with Atomz since the ‘90s.
BRIGHT ONE ✨
High school senior awarded scholarship for service work
Reporting by Cindy Hernandez
At 18 years old, Bella Brown wears many hats.
Brown is the co-founder of Living Outside — a nonprofit aimed at de-stigmatizing homelessness — as well as a competitive dancer, mentor, big sister and senior at Walter Payton College Prep.
In 2020, while living in Colorado, Brown and her younger sister co-founded Living Outside. The organization creates care bags distributed directly to people “living outside.”
She eventually expanded Living Outside, starting 19 chapters across the globe led by high school students, Brown said.
Recently, she was recognized for her work and awarded a scholarship from the National Honor Society.
Brown, who lives in Lake View, joined the honor society as a junior to participate in service activities and give back to her community. Last month, she learned she was a finalist for a scholarship and was awarded $5,625.
“It was really empowering to receive that award,” Brown said. “It was really exciting to be acknowledged for some of what I was doing, but also to be really inspired to continue working harder and continue making as much of an impact as I can.”
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What’s your favorite Chicago baseball Opening Day memory?
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Written by: Matt Moore
Editor: Satchel Price
Copy editor: Angie Myers