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Ald. Jim Gardiner did not respond to the Sun-Times’ requests for an interview about his runoff campaign. Challenger Megan Mathias said many residents complained to her about Gardiner’s inaccessibility but hesitated to donate to her campaign because they “feared retaliation.”

Today’s update is about an eight-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

BUILD Chicago’s new youth and family center in Austin is free and open to the public. There’s a laundry room, a restorative justice program and a farm, among other things.

Three years after COVID struck, Chicago area hospitals struggle with staff exodus and patient violence in a brave new medical world.

The former Illinois Tollway board member is new to the industry. But his Belmont Bank has been lending money for years to Rick Heidner, a giant in the business.

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.

Chicago carjacking reports hit a peak of 1,849 in 2021. The Illinois secretary of state was carjacked with high school basketball teammates in 1998. “It was a brutal experience,” he says.

Their third runoff debate was more restrained than previous ones — but not without some big swings, as when Vallas said he’s got more teaching experience than Johnson. “You can’t keep just dismissing people, Paul,” Johnson responded. “It’s irresponsible.”

The holy month of Ramadan began Wednesday evening, and observant Muslims will fast for 30 days from sunrise to sunset, seeking a deeper consciousness.