Start off the new month and prepare for the weekend with these essential and outdoorsy stories from WTTW News.
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Campaigners for the Black-crowned night heron were vocal in their support, channeling the bird’s signature “qwok” sound. (Credit: Patty Wetli)
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Patty Wetli: How about those election results — quite the upset but not a complete shock, am I right?
We’re talking about the unofficial vote for Chicago’s official bird, which took place this week at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. But before we get to the “winner,” let’s set the scene.
Background: In 1999, Chicagoans went to the polls to choose the city’s official bird, filling out real ballots provided by the Chicago Board of Elections. After the 42,000 votes were counted, the Peregrine Falcon was declared the winner.
Fast forward: The Chicago Ornithological Society declared 2024 the Year of the Peregrine in celebration of the falcon’s 25-year reign. But it occurred to the group that the falcon had never faced an actual reelection challenge. Which brings us to Tuesday night, when the falcon squared off in a debate against a slate of contenders.
Candidates
The Incumbent: Peregrine Falcon, repped by Kelly Ballantyne, veterinary behaviorist and wildlife illustrator/photographer
The Challengers:
Great Lakes Piping Plover, repped by plover monitor Daniel Eastman
Black-Crowned Night Heron, repped by Henry Adams, wildlife ecologist at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Pigeon/Rock Dove, repped by Tess Branklin, Feminist Bird Club
Belted Kingfisher, repped by J’orge Garcia, Chicago BIPOC Birders
The Debate
Eastman focused on the plover’s tenacity and resiliency, while Adams talked up the night heron’s ability to build community.
Garcia boasted that the kingfisher delivers a sense of wonder; Branklin called the pigeon a bird of the people — “If it was more Chicago, it’d be wearing shorts in November.”
The charismatic, cosmopolitan peregrine is gray and pointy, just like Chicago’s skyline, argued Ballantyne.
The Results
The winner: Piping Plover with 45% of the vote; Night Heron second with 26%.
In the end, Eastman’s heartfelt closing statement seemed to carry the day: The plovers’ return to Chicago in 2019 ushered in an era of hope, he said.
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Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson addresses the news media on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, after being named to the Chicago Board of Education by Mayor Brandon Johnson. (WTTW News)
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Less than a month after Mayor Brandon Johnson picked him to lead Chicago’s Board of Education and days after he took up the position, Rev. Mitchell Ikenna Johnson is resigning as the board’s president. The minister faced widespread criticism for social media posts that were said to be rooted in “antisemitism, misogyny, (and) fringe conspiracy theories.”
The move comes after Gov. J.B. Pritzker called for his resignation and at least 40 Chicago alderpeople signed a letter calling for him to step down. Mitchell Johnson on Wednesday apologized to “the Jewish community” for those social media posts in an interview with WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, stating they were “clearly reactive and insensitive.”
Mitchell Johnson was one of seven new members Brandon Johnson appointed after the entire previous board abruptly resigned en masse early last month. Those resignations came amid continuing turmoil between the mayor and Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.
Less than 24 hours before the mayor said in a statement that he had requested Mitchell Johnson’s resignation, he defended his pick to lead the CPS board through one of the most tumultuous times in the school district's history.
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Researchers at Field Museum scan a mummified individual displayed in the “Inside Ancient Egypt” exhibition. (Morgan Clark / The Field Museum)
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Field Museum scientists have new CT scans of 26 mummified people from the museum’s “Inside Ancient Egypt” exhibit. Researchers say they hope to find out the specific conditions of the mummies so they can design appropriate storage and treatment regimens for them and help the public see the mummified individuals as people instead of artifacts.
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Also From WTTW News:
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Jurors in Michael Madigan’s corruption trial on Thursday heard recorded phone conversations of the former Illinois House speaker’s longtime confidant Michael McClain allegedly seeking to collect and conceal payments for fired former Madigan staffer Kevin Quinn.
Chicago will pay $4.5 million to settle three police misconduct cases.
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Back in the Day: November 1, 1999 - Walter Payton Dies
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When Walter Payton retired from the NFL after the 1987 season, the Chicago Bears legend left as the then all-time leading rusher in league history. The Super Bowl Champion, 1977 league MVP, and five-time first-team All-Pro running back would be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. On this day 25 years ago, the beloved sports icon died of primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease, and bile duct cancer. He was 46. Later that week, nearly 20,000 fans, friends, former teammates, and family gathered at Solider Field to pay tribute to the man with the nickname "Sweetness." The next day, the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers 14-13.
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Outdoor Recommendations From Patty Wetli
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(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)
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Every Friday, WTTW News highlights the best things to do outside.
Holiday season is around the corner, which means the clock is ticking on fall. This weekend could be fall’s last stand.
Bengtson’s Fall Fest
Still craving an apple cider doughnut? In the mood for one more hayride? Fall Fest at Bengtson’s Farm in Homer Glen is open through Sunday, and then it closes for the season. Enjoy treats, rides, a petting zoo and more.
Leaf Peeping in Hammel Woods
Leaves are falling fast, but the colors are still popping at Hammel Woods in Shorewood, according to the Will County forest preserve staff. The best views are found on the Hammel Woods Nature Trail, staff said, where people can also glimpse the DuPage River.
Chicago Park District Stewardship Days
Volunteer work days are a key part of the management of the Chicago Park District’s natural areas. While most stewardship groups have called it quits for the year, a few are still going strong. There are opportunities to pitch in this weekend at Burnham Nature Sanctuary, North Park Village Nature Center and Park 566 Natural Area.
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Other News From Around Town
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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