Afternoon Briefing: Lake County reports record numbers of homeless

Good afternoon, Chicago.

Prairie State College’s use of Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson resulted in payments of $8,850 in 2022, $9,930 in 2023 and college officials predict $9,930 in 2024 to host graduation ceremonies.

Public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show how much the college paid the church each year for facility fees and event services fees.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Andrew Singleton Jr., said the church charged the college a reduced rate, but he would not say what it was. College officials did not return messages from the Daily Southtown, prompting the Freedom of Information Act request.

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Lake County reports record numbers of homeless

A census count from a single night in January revealed 701 people living without permanent housing, a 50% increase from the 467 last year. Read more here.

More top news stories:

• Big jump in stolen, burglarized vehicles in Carpentersville tied to unlocked doors, running engines
• Thieves drive off with several vehicles overnight at Bronzeville dealership

New coal ash cleanup rule could impact sites across northwest Indiana

Millions of tons of coal ash, the residue of coal after it’s been burned, sit near current and former power plants around Indiana, including northwest Indiana. Read more here.

More top business stories:

• Lincoln Park 6-bedroom home with a library that has built-ins: $3.3M
• Terry Savage: The pros and cons of reverse mortgages

Column: Why I’m boycotting the Kentucky Derby — and why Chicago sports fans should too

Neil Milbert’s boycott comes in response to the vital role the management team at Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) played in the Bears’ 2023 destruction of the world-renowned and tradition-rich Arlington International Racecourse, one of the precious gems of Chicago sports. Read more here.

More top sports stories:

• What to do about Zach LaVine? And what’s the right price for DeMar DeRozan? 5 questions the Chicago Bulls must answer.
• Chicago Cubs eke out 1-0 win against New York Mets on perfectly executed relay for game-ending double play

‘Death Becomes Her’ gets a new life as a Broadway musical, opening in a world premiere in Chicago

“Death Becomes Her” was a Universal movie and that studio’s theatrical arm, Universal Theatrical Group, is run by vice president Chris Herzberger, a former actor who cut his teeth on musicals in the suburban Chicago area and knows the city’s scene well. Read more here.

More top Eat. Watch. Do. stories:

• Review: In ‘Judgment Day’ at Chicago Shakes, Jason Alexander delivers huge, old-school laughs
• ‘The Fall Guy’ review: It has stunts, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. And almost a story.

Biden says ‘order must prevail’ during campus protests over Gaza

President Joe Biden today defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza. Read more here.

More top stories from around the world:

• At least 2,000 people arrested at pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses, AP tally shows
• Prosecutors seek additional sanctions for Trump in hush money case as key witness resumes testimony