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It’s back to a full work week, Chicago. Get back into the swing of things with WTTW News. |
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Black Chicagoans are nearly four times likelier than White residents to be killed in a traffic crash, according to city of Chicago data obtained by WTTW News. That same data shows people 70 and older are more than 1.7 times as likely to die in a traffic crash in Chicago as the average fatality rate of those ages 20 to 69 — and that Latino residents, too, are almost twice as likely as White Chicagoans to be killed in a crash.
Some backstory: The statistics, compiled by CDOT by comparing 2021 crash data with information from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, are a key justification for members of the City Council looking to lower the city’s default speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph. While the disparities in the data are evident, researchers say there is no one clear answer for why they exist and are likely the result of systemic inequalities and issues of infrastructure.
A public health matter: “What we know is that traffic-related mortality disproportionately impacts people of color … what we do not know is why,” said Dr. Olusimbo “Simbo” Ige, CDPH commissioner. “We want to understand traffic safety, and as with other public health issues, it is complex.”
What’s next? The ordinance to lower Chicago’s default speed limit cleared the City Council’s Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee in October. Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) is looking for a full City Council vote at the meeting slated for Jan. 15.
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A total lunar eclipse, seen from Joshua Tree National Park in 2015. (Brad Sutton / National Park Service)
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In Chicago, the skyline can light up the night — but look a little higher and the stars will put on a show, too. Joe Guzman, the Chicago Astronomer, spoke to “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” about what’s coming to Chicago skies in 2025.
Parade of planets: This month, sky watchers will be able to see Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus in the sky all at once. With a telescope, Uranus and Neptune can also be spotted.
Moon occultation: On Jan. 13, the moon is on track to slide right into the Earth’s view of Mars; Chicagoans watching the red planet that night will see it “blink out of existence.” The occultation will be visible with the naked eye.
Up next: A total lunar eclipse is expected in March, while the Perseid and Geminid meteor showers can be seen in August and December, respectively.
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings |
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
- It's a busy week for Chicago City Council committees ahead of next week's full Council meeting (1/15). Meeting this week are the committees on Housing and Real Estate (1/7); Police and Fire (1/8); and Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards (1/9), among others.
- The state's African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission is holding a public engagement meeting Thursday (1/9). Register to make a public comment.
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Back in the Day: January 6, 1985 - Bears Lose NFC Championship Game |
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In sports, the cliche rings true that sometimes it’s darkest right before dawn. (This entire season before yesterday's win over the Packers, for example.) Great teams face their biggest disappointments right before victory, like the 1984 Chicago Bears, who lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game 23-0. That team was excellent, had broken the NFL’s sack record with 72 of them — but the Bears couldn’t contain the 49ers who gained 387 yards for the game. Our offense stagnated with only 186 total yards. While losing a chance at the Super Bowl stun, we all know what would happen next season. I’m sorry if “The Super Bowl Shuffle“ is already stuck in your head.
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What is your favorite museum in Chicago? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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