Hey there, it’s Friday! And a heads up that the newsletter will be taking a short break on Monday. In the meantime, I’m ready for the return of Willow. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Chicago moves into a “high” risk level for COVID-19. Does anyone care?

As expected, the city entered a “high” risk level for COVID-19 today. But city officials say that will not usher in the automatic return of mask mandates and restrictions on businesses.

Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s top public health official, said this week that such measures could return if cases and hospitalizations continue to climb. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Chicago, like many parts of the nation, is following a new risk assessment strategy that factors in the availability of vaccines and natural immunity from prior infections.

But as The New York Times reported when NYC reached the “high” level this month, the risk system “has had little impact on the city’s disease control strategy or the public’s perception.”

Today’s news comes as Chicago officials report a seven-day average of 1,081 cases per day, down 17% from the previous week. Hospitalizations have increased 3% to 26 per day. And deaths remain significantly low. [COVID Dashboard]

2. Chicago’s parking meter deal, the one thing that unites the city in scorn, keeps getting worse for taxpayers

Critics argued the city’s casino plan would be an even worse deal than the infamous parking meter lease. But that’s unlikely given just how bad the 2008 lease agreement continues to play out for city taxpayers.

“With 61 years left on the 75-year lease, Chicago Parking Meters LLC now has recouped its entire $1.16 billion investment and $502.5 million more,” reports veteran Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman, citing the latest parking meter audit from accounting giant KPMG.

None of that money will ease the burden on taxpayers, who in recent years have been saddled with a $76.5 million increase in the city’s property tax levy. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Texas official says police moved too slowly in response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School

Local police made “the wrong decision” in waiting for more than an hour before confronting the gunman at the school in Uvalde, Texas, said Steven McCraw, director of Texas Department of Public Safety.

“Obviously, based on the information we have, there were children in that classroom that were still at risk,” McCraw said. “From the benefit of hindsight where I’m sitting now, of course it was not the right decision. It was the wrong decision. Period.”

McCraw made the revelation that at least two students made calls to 911 as the gunman killed 19 children and two adults. One girl inside the classroom called 911 several times, at one point pleading, “Please send the police now.” [Washington Post]

In Chicago, school officials say they plan to replace some “outdated” school security, camera and intercom systems. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. White House considers forgiving $10,000 in student loans per borrower

The latest plan from the White House would cap debt forgiveness to borrowers who earned less than $150,000 a year or less than $300,000 for married couples filing jointly, reports The Washington Post.

About half of the nation’s 41 million student borrowers owe less than $20,000. That means the plan would wipe out the debt for a third of borrowers and reduce by half the total debt for another 20%, according to federal data.

The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a nonpartisan think tank, estimates the debt relief could cost about $230 billion. [Washington Post]

It’s not clear when President Joe Biden will formally announce the debt forgiveness, but some advocates are frustrated after hearing the news of the $10,000 plan.

“It’s an absolute insult,” said Thomas Gokey, co-founder of the Debt Collective, a national union of debtors. [CNBC]

5. Pride and Prejudice but on Fire Island

Comedian and former Chicagoan Joel Kim Booster is having a moment.

He wrote and stars in the upcoming Fire Island, which adapts the Jane Austin classic into a queer romcom about a man trying to find Mr. Right at the no-strings-attached Fire Island.

Booster tells the Chicago Sun-Times he was reading Pride and Prejudice on the beach one day when he realized the story tracked with his experiences on Fire Island.

“Specifically, the ways in which people communicate across class lines,” Booster says. “I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if I wrote a gay version of Pride and Prejudice set on Fire Island?’ And everyone booed and threw things at me.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

Fire Island is one of the 13 movies that critics at NPR are looking forward to watching this summer. It comes out June 3 on Hulu. [NPR]

Here’s what else is happening

• Nearly 200 cases of monkeypox have been reported in more than 20 countries not usually known to have outbreaks, according to the World Health Organization. [AP]
• Illinois collects data about who gets abortions. But it keeps race and ethnicity hidden. [WBEZ]
• Chicago’s beaches are officially open, but a lifeguard shortage could result in closures. [Chicago Tribune]
• The Rogers Park neighborhood most closely reflects the racial makeup of Chicago as a whole, according to an analysis of census data. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Oh, and one more thing …

Roger C. Sullivan High School has become a landing spot for newcomers in Chicago, with more than half the students reported as refugees or immigrants.

But nearly 70 students from Afghanistan who have arrived at Sullivan in just a few months present unprecedented challenges, not only because they arrived so quickly but also have disparate needs, reports Elly Fishman for WBEZ.

“These kids have so many basic needs — clothes, food, internet,” said social worker Josh Zepeda. “We’re just putting out fires left and right. We haven’t even been able to get to the trauma work yet.” [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

What are some of your favorite restaurants?

Ian Mason writes:

“We recently celebrated my partner’s birthday with dinner at Virtue in Hyde Park and have since added it to our favorite restaurant short list. We learned about Virtue from watching one of their chefs compete on the current season of Top Chef. We’re rooting for Damarr to win it all!”

Paul writes:

“Pilsen Yards on 18th Street at Racine. Check out the speakeasy The Alderman — won best bar in Chicago. But get a reservation.”

And Elizabeth writes:

“If you like fried chicken I can’t recommend Cluck It enough. Their sandwich has the perfect amount of crunch. Tesfa is a wonderful Ethiopian restaurant. I love to mix the chili chicken and butter chicken from Ghareeb Nawaz. Tiztal has my favorite chilaquiles in town. Bon appétit!”

Thanks for all of the recommendations this week! I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but it was nice hearing from y’all!