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Reformers were aiming to root out corruption with the advent of the 50-ward system in 1923, but illegal backroom deals have remained all too common for a legislative body that has otherwise seen massive change.

The voting on this Cubs question is a bit more hopeful than it is on the Sox one, which isn’t saying much.

Chicago needs a major, permanent fairground and outdoor performance venue. Why not build one at South Works? Now to get U.S. Steel, and maybe the next mayor, to agree.

The candidates exchanged barbs in the hour-long debate held by WBEZ’s Reset. There was little new in their remarks, except for their reaction to former President Donald Trump’s indictment and a question about Chicago’s Public Health Director, Dr. Allison Arwady.

A shy boy with a severe stutter in the Roseland neighborhood, Paul Vallas grew up to lead school districts in Chicago, Philadelphia, Louisiana, Haiti and Chile. He also ran a string of failed bids for elected office. “Paul gravitates toward big challenges,” said Ald. Brendan Reilly.

Today’s update is a five-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Buffalo Grove sixth-grader Lucy Holloway, 11, created the work for a Chicago Sun-Times/WBEZ/Vocalo contest. It will be turned into a sprawling mural at the entertainment venue that took up the old Morton Salt site.

The Catholic order’s Marmion Abbey has posted a list of “established offenders.” Unanswered: why Brother Jerome Skaja stayed with the order for years despite “multiple” credible accusations of molesting minors.

Among the emails were four to City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado — who reports to the mayor — at his work email address inviting him to a Lightfoot campaign event.