Good afternoon! What a great day! The sun’s out, the weather’s not too cold and I’m reading about a skin care routine to help keep me from completely transforming into a Diet Coke version of George R.R. Martin. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Illinois is on the cusp of becoming the ninth state to ban assault weapons

The Illinois House today gave final approval to landmark legislation banning the sale, manufacture and delivery of assault weapons, a top priority for Democrats following the deadly Fourth of July mass shooting in Highland Park.

Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement that he will sign “this bill immediately, so we can stop the sale of these deadly weapons as soon as possible.”

So what’s in the bill? In addition to banning assault weapons, the legislation would also prohibit the sale of high-capacity ammunition. Owners of soon-to-be-banned weapons would have to report the makes, models and serial numbers of their guns to the Illinois State Police.

The bill would also ban rapid-fire attachments that can transform handguns into high-capacity machine guns, a growing problem in Chicago amid an increase in violence since the beginning of the pandemic.

But a legal challenge looms over the legislation, reports my colleague Tina Sfondeles at the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Republicans and gun-rights advocates have repeatedly argued the measure is unconstitutional and will penalize legal gun owners,” she writes. “But Democrats said they’d roll the dice — considering any amount of time in which assault weapon sales are banned in the state to be a win.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Chicago-area drivers lost 155 hours in congestion last year

That is the most hours wasted in traffic among major U.S. cities, according to a report from the transportation analytics firm Inrix.

And when you zoom out globally, London was the only city studied that had even worse congestion than Chicago.

“The delays cost drivers in lost time and fuel expenses,” the Chicago Tribune reports. “Using federal guidelines on the value of time, Inrix estimated travel delays cost the Chicago area about $9.5 billion in lost time in 2022.”

This is the second year in a row Chicago has, uh, won Inrix’s title as the worst city in the nation for congestion. In 2021, area commuters lost 104 hours in traffic. [Chicago Tribune]

3. The Justice Department is reviewing classified documents found at Biden’s former office

President Joe Biden’s personal attorneys discovered the documents in a locked closet as they were packing files last fall at the Penn Biden Center, a Washington think tank Biden started after serving as vice president, reports NPR.

The White House said it is cooperating with the Justice Department’s investigation and handed over the documents to the National Archives.

A source told NPR that “U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland had tasked Trump-era U.S. Attorney John Lausch Jr. in Chicago with reviewing the matter.” [NPR]

The news comes as former President Donald Trump is also under investigation for his handling of sensitive documents.

But as The Washington Post reports, “the details provided by Biden’s lawyer on Monday suggest key differences that could factor heavily in whether the Biden documents become a criminal matter.” [Washington Post]

4. Efforts to repair the ozone layer are working

The Earth’s ozone layer is on track to recover within the next 40 years, thanks to the phasing out of ozone-eating chemicals, according to a panel of international experts backed by the United Nations.

Experts say the news shows nations can successfully tackle massive environmental problems when they work together.

“Ozone action sets a precedent for climate action,” said World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. “Our success in phasing out ozone-eating chemicals shows us what can and must be done — as a matter of urgency — to transition away from fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gases and so limit temperature increase.”

The ozone layer is an atmospheric shield that protects humans and the environment from ultraviolet sunlight. Research shows that efforts to restore this shield are showing positive signs in fighting climate change. [NPR]

5. A Chicago homeowner refused to take down a noose. So city crews cut off tree branches.

Two members of the City Council called in city crews to cut down the branches after the owner of a two-flat in the Gage Park neighborhood refused to take down a noose, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

Ald. Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward, said the owner told her the noose was part of a Halloween display, and their friends “made jokes that it looks like a rope that we hang people on.”

Coleman and Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th Ward, said the noose, a racist symbol from the days of lynching, was not funny.

“We don’t tolerate ignorance, racism, fear in this beautiful city that we call Chicago — especially in the Gage Park community where we are a melting pot of Black and brown,” Coleman said. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• An ideological battle is being fought for control of Chicago’s City Council. [WBEZ]
• Gen Z will join the Illinois Legislature tomorrow. [WBEZ]
• The racketeering trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan has been set for April 1, 2024. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is $1.1 billion. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

Chariel Watson couldn’t get ahold of her 11-year-old daughter, who was ignoring phone calls. So the South Side mom tracked down the tween on online gaming platform Roblox.

Watson posted hilarious screenshots of her in-game conversation with her daughter, which have since gone viral.

“I just happened to screenshot it and post it to say, ‘Look what I’ve got to go through to get my daughter to answer the phone,’ ” Watson told Block Club Chicago. “I just thought it was funny and just a real-life moment that describes our relationship.” [Block Club Chicago]

Tell me something good …

With Chicago’s elections coming up, I’d like to know: If you were running for any office, what would be your campaign song?

Sandra writes:

“Being a Feminist (with a capital F), it would be one of two songs. 1) ‘Put a Woman in Charge’ by Keb’ Mo’ with Rosanne Cash. Or 2) ‘I Will Survive!’ Both are upbeat and positive, and leave no doubt about the candidate being a Feminist!!”

And Fred Lebed writes:

“If I were running for office, this could be my campaign song: Chicago’s ‘Dialog I and II.’ I know, I am showing my age!

Feel free to email me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.