Hi! It’s Thursday, and this newsletter will return on Monday. Happy Fourth! Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Mayor Lightfoot threatens to close bars that don’t follow social distancing rules this holiday weekend

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has told Chicago bar owners that they could be shut down and fined up to $10,000 for not following social distancing guidelines.

The warning comes after people crammed together in lines in Wrigleyville last weekend. A city spokesman told the Chicago Tribune that other problem areas include River North, the West Loop and Wicker Park.

Lightfoot said she told bar owners: “This is a make or break weekend for you. Your financial fate is in your hands. Follow the rules or you’re going to suffer the consequences.” [Chicago Tribune]

The stern warning from the mayor comes as city and state officials said they have no plans to tighten coronavirus restrictions, even as other Midwestern states pause reopening plans or even move backward. [Chicago Tribune]

Illinois officials today announced 869 new COVID-19 cases, including 36 additional confirmed deaths. That brings the state’s total to more than 144,000 known cases and 6,900 fatalities. [WBEZ]

Yesterday, the U.S. set a record with more than 50,000 coronavirus cases reported in one day. [NPR]

And New York partygoers are facing subpoenas after those who tested positive for COVID-19 wouldn’t talk to contact tracers. [New York Times]

2. 4.8 million jobs were added in June. Then came a spike in infections

A Labor Department’s report released today showed that job growth accelerated from May to June, with unemployment dropping to 11.1% — down from its height of 14.7% in April.

But what’s odd about the report, writes NPR’s Scott Horsley, is that it “offers a snapshot of the economy that was already somewhat out of date as soon as it was issued.”

The biggest gains — about 40% — were in the hospitality and restaurant industries, which were hard-hit early on in the pandemic. But with states already beginning to shut those businesses down again, it’s anyone’s guess how long those gains will stick. [NPR]

According to a Congressional Budget Office report released today, the U.S. will likely see high unemployment numbers through 2030. [Washington Post]

And the gap between the unemployment rates for Black and white workers is the widest it’s been in five years. [Reuters]

3. Public housing residents were kept in the dark about toxic sites, report says

A new report finds that not only has the government been slow to clean up toxic sites near public housing, it failed to inform residents about the threats they faced.

The study by the Shriver Center on Poverty Law notes tens of thousands of families in federally assisted housing live close to some of the worst hazardous-waste sites designated for cleanup, including the Chicago Housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens and nearby Trumbull Park.

The Environmental Protection Agency said informing residents near toxic-waste cleanup sites is a “cornerstone” of their programs. But the study coauthor Mark Templeton disputed that:

“Our research demonstrates that time and time again, EPA and the parties financially responsible for these sites have not provided information to members of the public in a timely, comprehensive and understandable manner.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. Jeffrey Epstein’s former confidante is arrested

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate, was arrested today on charges of helping the disgraced financier recruit, groom and abuse underage girls for an alleged sex-trafficking operation.

“She pretended to be a woman they could trust,” said Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. “All the while, she was setting them up to be sexually abused by Epstein — and in some cases, by Maxwell herself.”

The arrest is nearly a year after Epstein was charged with sexually exploiting and abusing dozens of underage girls in Manhattan, Florida and other locations. He later died by suicide while in jail.

Maxwell also faces charges for lying under oath in a 2016 lawsuit deposition. [NPR]

5. America is an “anger incubator,” experts say

If you’ve been … outside … lately, you probably know: Americans are angry. Angry that the government shut down the state. Angry that the government is reopening the state. Angry about police violence and racism. Angry that people have to wear masks. Angry that people aren’t wearing masks.

“We’re living, in effect, in a big anger incubator,” said psychology professor Raymond Novaco.

It’s not a new phenomenon — surveys show Americans’ stress, worry and anger has intensified over recent years — but the increased uncertainty in 2020 has people looking for ways to resolve their emotions. And anger is one way to do that, psychologists say.

But before you decide to do something antagonistic, ask: “Is this helpful?” And instead of venting, try channeling that anger into making a change.

“Anger doesn’t stop you,” Novaco said. “The important thing, though, is to use it in a way that has a positive result.” [Washington Post]

Here’s what else is happening

• Here are the few public July 4th celebrations in the Chicago region. [WBEZ]

• MLB begins spring training Friday. Here’s what you should know. [ESPN]

• Lightfoot defends a plan to sweep “drug corners” before the weekend. [Chicago Sun-Times]

• Three cities try South Africa-style reconciliation. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

The Big Mouth Billy Bass, a mounted toy fish that sings and flaps its tail at bypassers, is celebrating its 20th birthday.

And while the toy has faded in popularity since 2000 — when it made more than $100 million in one year alone — it established a pop-culture legacy, appearing in hit movies and TV shows, and as a go-to white elephant gift.

“The appeal really comes from that startle factor,” said marketing professor David Stewart. “That’s something not really found in novelty gifts like a Chia Pet or a Pet Rock. It does something, which is part of the appeal. I mean, what do you do with a Chia Pet? It’s like watching paint dry.” [Mel Magazine]

Tell me something good …

Since my first high school performance in ninth grade, I’ve loved everything about the stage. Do you have a favorite theater performance?

Joyce writes:

“I met my husband when we were cast in a play as husband and wife. There was a scene where he had to give me a note. Instead of what was in the script, he used to put in funny things to try to crack me up. At the final performance, the note said simply that he had enjoyed having me as his wife. The following week he asked me out. When we had our first kiss it was very relaxed, because we had had a kissing scene in the play. We were married for almost 39 years.”

And Nancia writes:

“Many years ago I saw a production here in Chicago of Siswe Banzi is Dead by South African playwright Athol Fugard. I was a teenager, and it was when apartheid was still the rule in South Africa. It was so raw and relevant. It thrilled me and changed my life.”

And Marilee writes:

“I just retired as a middle school music teacher after 35 years and directing 35 musicals! My favorites were Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical, Jr. and Mary Poppins, Jr. For the last two, my district allowed me to hire a company to install equipment and train some of the students to fly across the stage! It was magical for the students, the audience and for me!”

Thanks for sharing so many amazing theater memories. I’m sorry I couldn’t share all of them, but reading them made my week.

Thanks for reading and have a nice night! We’ll see you on Monday. P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive the Daily Rundown in your inbox.