Hey there! This dude wins for the best “Cha-Cha Slide,” a dance move that was invented in Chicago. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Right now is a good time to be a Chicago psychic, but I’m guessing they saw it coming in their crystal balls

Business is booming for Chicago psychics, with some fortune tellers and other clairvoyants saying they’ve seen upwards of a 40% increase in requests to mine the unknown, reports Aaron Gettinger for WBEZ.

“Psychics have scrambled to meet fresh demand by adding tele-readings, opening satellite locations in coworking spaces, expanding hours and starting newsletters,” Aaron writes.

The surge in business makes sense when you think about it. These are stressful times for many Americans, from the COVID-19 pandemic to broad economic and global uncertainty.

And dappling into astrology and tarot cards do have some benefits, according to therapists and mental health practitioners.

“Negative character traits can be identified with a Zodiac sign, allowing people to talk about and work through their issues without pathologizing them,” Aaron reports. “Someone can explain his issues with boundaries that he needs to work on because he is a Sagittarius, for instance — not because he is a bad person.” [WBEZ]

2. Did you get a random, unheard of newspaper delivered to your door recently? It’s a political mailing that Pritzker and others denounce as racist.

At a time when many Americans are concerned about the spread of misinformation, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is backing political mailings disguised as newspapers, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The fake newspapers have been sent to thousands of homes throughout Chicago and the suburbs. And they are “filled with purported news articles containing misinformation about the effects of criminal justice reforms” enacted under Gov. JB Pritzker, the Trib reports.

Pritzker denounced the mailings as the work of “racist political consultant” Dan Proft, who “now lives in Florida.”

“And he’s sending messages that are, if you look at what he’s printed, it’s clearly all about the idea that, again, what he’s printing, that Black people are threatening your way of life. That’s essentially what he’s putting in these publications,” Pritzker said. [Chicago Tribune]

3. Juul Labs, accused of hooking minors on vaping, has given more than $120,000 to Illinois politicians since 2020

Juul Labs this week agreed to pay a nearly $440 million settlement with more than 30 states over allegations it marketed products to underage users.

My colleague Robert Herguth at the Chicago Sun-Times looked at campaign finance records and found the company gave more than $120,000 to Illinois politicians since 2020.

A major recipient is Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, who didn’t respond to calls or emails for comment. Welch has also gotten “contributions from Altria, the Virginia tobacco giant that is Juul’s largest investor and produces cigarette brands such as Marlboro,” Robert reports.

Illinois was not part of this week’s settlement with Juul. But Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office has sued the company on similar allegations. That lawsuit is still making its way through the courts. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. At a Chicago school far away from the war, Ukrainian children try to make a new life

St. Nicholas has long been home to mostly Ukrainian American families, with just a handful of families coming directly from Ukraine each year.

But since Russia invaded Ukraine more than six months ago, St. Nicholas has become a hub for refugees, who now make up a third of the school’s student body, reports my colleague Anna Savchenko.

“The longer they stay in Chicago, they feel torn away from their country,” said principal Anna Cirilli. “It makes that reality of being able to go back home so much more distant. And that has led to a lot of anxiety.” [WBEZ]

5. Many Illinois residents will be getting tax rebates soon

I’ll be honest. I forgot about this until my dad sent my siblings and I a text message about it.

Starting Monday, the state will begin sending out onetime income- and property-tax rebates to most residents, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. The rebates are part of a $1.8 billion aid package Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law earlier this year.

The income tax rebate is available to people who made less than $200,000 and couples who made less than $400,000 last year.

For the property tax rebate, the caps are under $250,000 for individuals and under $500,000 for couples.

So how do you get the rebates?

“For taxpayers who filed 2021 Form IL-1040 and Schedule ICR, you don’t need to do anything,” the Sun-Times reports. “If you got an income-tax refund, the state will send the rebate the same way you received that. If you didn’t get a tax refund, the state will mail a check to the address on your tax return.” [Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• Borrowers in seven states, including Indiana and Wisconsin, may be taxed on their student loan cancellation. [NPR]
• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul today declared a state of emergency over an outbreak of polio. [CNBC]
• A town in Arkansas is sending Ukraine crucial weapons in the war against Russia. [Politico]
• So will Britain’s currency, which features Queen Elizabeth II, change now? [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

Love the Chicago Bears and podcasts? WBEZ is now co-producing Halas Intrigue, which tackles all things Bears, from the recent stadium drama to what could happen at Sunday’s season opener.

The podcast features Chicago Sun-Times reporters and columnists Patrick Finley, Jason Lieser, Mark Potash, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander.

“Halas Intrigue is more than just a re-telling of what happens on the field,” the crew writes. “On the podcast we cover all things Bears related. So yes, you will hear about what happens in practice and between the lines on game day — but you will also get insight into what’s happening in the locker room, in the front office and get updates on the Bears’ ‘possible’ move to Arlington Heights.” [Apple Podcasts]

Tell me something good …

We are now in the fall TV season, if you didn’t notice the Rings of Power promos everywhere. And I’d like to know what TV shows you’re enjoying right now or looking forward to watching.

Joyann writes:

“I absolutely cannot wait for the newest season of The Great British Bake Off. Me and a group of friends have a group chat dedicated to all things GBBO and we are buzzing for the premiere next week.”

Anthony writes:

“The Patient with Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson on Hulu has kept me totally captivated. There’s only been a few episodes released so far but the tension is palpable.”

And “Dreaming Ace” writes:

“The show I am currently in love with is Neil Gaiman’s Sandman on Netflix. It beautifully asks important questions, like what is the role of dreaming? What happens when we don’t have dreams? What it feels like when the adventure is over and we feel a bit down and a bit numb. And finally, in the minor character Hob Gadling, how we can love every moment of life even when life is really challenging or hard.”

Thanks for all the TV recommendations this week. I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but it was nice hearing from you.