Afternoon Briefing: Extreme Heat Keeps Pounding the Chicago Area

Chicago and its surrounding communities are dealing with dangerous heat on Wednesday, with the heat index expected to reach 105 degrees. An extreme heat warning is in effect for the area until midnight, according to weather officials. The warning means the air feels much hotter than the actual temperature because of high humidity. People are urged to stay cool, drink water, and check on elderly neighbors and young children. City officials say extreme heat can be life-threatening if people are not careful.

In a separate story, Chicago won an important legal battle against two of its main police unions. The fight was about a rule from former Mayor Lori Lightfoot that required Police Department workers to either get the COVID-19 vaccine or pay for their own tests twice a week. Workers who refused to follow the rule risked losing their pay. A three-judge panel from an Appellate Court reversed an earlier decision that had sided with the unions. The legal battle has been going on for several years, and the city's lawyers say the latest ruling is a big win, though the unions could still keep fighting in court.

On the labor front, a strike at Prime Healthcare's Illinois hospitals was avoided after skilled maintenance workers reached a new contract deal. The union of hospital maintenance workers had planned to walk off the job today, but both sides came to an agreement in time. Maintenance workers do important behind-the-scenes jobs that help keep hospitals running safely, so a strike could have caused serious problems for patients and staff.

In sports, the Chicago Cubs had a strong week, sweeping the San Diego Padres in a three-game series. The Cubs outscored the Padres 35 to 12 over the three games, showing off both their hitting and pitching. Star shortstop Dansby Swanson was one of the hottest players in the series, and several Cubs pitchers stepped up with solid performances. The sweep also gave the Cubs an edge in tiebreaker rules over the Padres, which could matter if both teams are fighting for a playoff spot later.

In neighborhood news, Oak Park has a brand-new Barnes & Noble bookstore, the third new location the chain has opened in the Chicago area recently. A fourth location is expected to open on State Street in downtown Chicago on August 19 as the company grows its physical presence. Book lovers say the return of big bookstores gives readers a fun place to browse, discover new titles, and enjoy the community.

Finally, a police union leader in Boston made headlines by comparing his city to Chicago. The Boston Police Patrolmen's Association posted on social media that Boston is trending away from being the safest major city and sliding toward being more like Chicago, which the post called 'garbage.' The comment stirred debate online about crime rates and how cities are compared to each other. Chicago officials and residents pushed back, saying the description was unfair and ignored the many things that make Chicago a great city.