Hey there! I woke up this morning and was like, “Wait, it’s March now?” It’s been a hectic week. Or hectic month. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Johnson and Vallas offer two very different paths forward in Chicago

The first round of voting in the race for mayor showed Chicago voters want a change — but what kind?

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas are advancing to the April 4 runoff election with two very distinct visions for the city.

As veteran political analyst David Axelrod told the Chicago Sun-Times, this contest promises to be a generational battle between “the candidate of the Fraternal Order of Police” and the “candidate of the Chicago Teachers Union.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

One big thing to watch as the race enters this new phase is who voters on the South and West sides decide to support. These areas largely went with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García. [Block Club Chicago]

This map from CBS Chicago data reporter Elliott Ramos may offer some clues. He found Johnson received more votes than Vallas in areas won by Lightfoot, whereas Vallas performed better in precincts won by García. [Twitter]

2. How Lightfoot went from Democratic rock star to rock bottom

The political obituaries are pouring in for Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is the first elected mayor to lose reelection in 40 years.

It is a stunning turn for a mayor who entered office four years ago with so much promise. Many national newsrooms have focused on how Lightfoot’s downfall comes amid concerns over crime that spiked during the pandemic.

But as my colleague Fran Spielman reports, that’s not the whole picture. Lightfoot ran as a reformer in 2019 only to change several of her positions once in office, resulting in many of her supporters feeling like they were catfished.

And critics say the mayor was needlessly combative, with at least seven of her allies in the City Council abandoning her to endorse other candidates in the mayoral race.

“She had a great opportunity. Everybody was excited, including myself,” said Ald. Anthony Beale. “We all had high hopes for her. But she came out of the gate and got power-drunk.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Where the ideological battle over the City Council currently stands

Many council races remain too close to call. But at least 10 of the 40 contested races appear to be heading for a runoff, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

And we could see new battle lines in a fight between self-proclaimed progressives and more moderate voters for control of the council.

United Working Families, which is closely aligned with the Chicago Teachers Union, backed seven incumbents and 12 challengers in yesterday’s election, the Sun-Times reports. Seven of those candidates won their races, while six may face runoffs, according to incomplete election returns.

The business-backed Get Stuff Done PAC, meanwhile, helped 15 candidates and tried to knock out two others. Based on early returns, 10 candidates appear to be headed to victory. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. Many Illinois residents are banking on Biden’s student loan relief

As the U.S. Supreme Court decides the fate of President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive an estimated $400 billion in federal student loan debt, newly released data show the three congressional districts with the highest response rates in the nation were in Illinois, reports WBEZ’s Lisa Philip.

“More than 70% of eligible borrowers in the 5th, 6th, and 8th congressional districts, all located in the Chicago area, applied for or automatically qualified for debt relief,” Philip writes, citing federal education data.

More than 25 million Americans across the nation have applied to have up to $20,000 in federal student loans forgiven under the plan, according to the Biden administration. [WBEZ]

5. Eli Lilly says it will cut the price of insulin

The drugmaker today announced it will reduce prices on many of its life-saving insulin products and immediately cap the out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients at $35 a month.

Insulin has become increasingly more expensive, with some diabetes patients spending more than $1,000 a year for insulin in order to live. Lawmakers and patient advocates have for years pushed the company to do something.

“Research has shown that prices for insulin have more than tripled in the last two decades,” reports the Associated Press.

Lilly’s price cuts will affect older insulin products later this year. The drugmaker didn’t say what the new prices would be. [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• Rescue teams are searching for survivors after two trains crashed into each other in northern Greece, killing at least 43 people. [AP]
• Young people who identify as LGBTQ+ are less likely to feel depressed when they have support from their parents, a new study found. [NPR]
• There’s a chance the Chicago area could see snow or rain later this week. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Season 3 of The Mandalorian begins today. [Hollywood Reporter]

Oh, and one more thing …

What’s this? A wizard-themed bar is opening in Chicago this spring?

The bar, called The Cauldron, will be located in the Wicker Park neighborhood in a space formerly used as a bank vault, reports the Chicago Tribune.

One of the bar’s co-founders told the newspaper the mission of The Cauldron is “to make magic real with science, technology and design.” [Chicago Tribune]

LOL, sure. But I’m still showing up in this outfit.

Tell me something good …

I really want to see the movie Cocaine Bear. And I just realized the Oscars are coming up in a couple of weeks. So I’d like to know what movies you’ve enjoyed recently.

Tim Lyman writes:

“Movies I’ve enjoyed in 2022 include Close and All Quiet On The Western Front. The latter deserves the Oscar for best foreign film.

“But I just saw Hidden Blade, which takes place in the background of true history. It is a suspense thriller, and I believe it is the most masterfully and beautifully made movie I have ever seen in my entire life. I would say the same of the soundtrack, which only adds to already great movie making.

“It is a must for all students of cinema. Note: Do not get up and leave once the credits start rolling.”

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