Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and we really need to come up with a great name for this NASCAR race in downtown Chicago. The first one I thought of was “The Pothole 500.” Anyway, here’s what you need to know today.

1. As monkeypox cases rise in Chicago, so do frustrations over vaccine shortages

The city is nearing 200 confirmed cases of monkeypox, and the virus’s spread has set off a frustrating hunt for vaccines among those in high risks groups, like gay and bisexual men.

As my colleague Courtney Kueppers reports, Chicago has received and distributed about 5,000 doses of Jynneos, a monkeypox vaccine. Officials say they expect about 15,000 doses will start arriving as soon as this week.

While that sounds like a lot, it’s not enough for everyone who is seeking the vaccine, said Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s top public health official. And there are much broader questions over whether Chicago, as well as other major cities facing a rise in cases, will be able to stay ahead of the virus.

“What concerns me is how can we tamp down transmission?” said Dr. Anu Hazra of Howard Brown Health Center, a LGBTQ health provider. “A lot of us talked about how ‘COVID zero’ is sort of an impossible goal, but monkeypox zero should be very much possible. We have the tools to stop it.” [WBEZ]

2. The Chicago City Council rejects raising the threshold for speed camera tickets

In a major political win for Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the City Council today voted against raising the ticketing threshold from 6 mph over the posted speed limit to 10 mph over the limit.

The debate over the threshold has been particularly heated. Proponents of the change say it disproportionately affects Black and Latino residents.

Opponents say raising the threshold would jeopardize the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists at a time when a series of fatal traffic accidents have raised questions about whether the city is doing enough. [Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, the council today approved a measure allowing police to impound vehicles used in drag races. [Sun-Times]

The council also strengthened the city’s ethics ordinance that includes new conflict-of-interest provisions for city officials. [Sun-Times]

3. After winning the GOP primary, Darren Bailey faces a cash crunch in his bid to unseat Pritzker

State Sen. Darren Bailey has only $363,918 in his campaign for governor, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Bailey, who got a big boost from megadonor Richard Uihlein, raised more than $11.9 million since he announced his candidacy earlier this year, and he has spent more than $11.7 million, the newspaper reports. He also reported $246,685 in debts from loans he and his wife gave the campaign.

But to put that in perspective, Gov. JB Pritzker spent about $30 million on TV ads since July.

“Overall, all the candidates in the Democratic and Republican primaries for governor spent more than $143 million — the second time in a row that the race for governor in Illinois has topped the $100 million mark,” reports the Trib. [Chicago Tribune]

4. Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger will lead questioning in tomorrow’s Jan. 6 hearing

The hearing is expected to “focus on Trump’s actions as rioters overran the Capitol,” reports The Associated Press.

“Witnesses will describe what occurred during the 187 minutes between when the then-president addressed supporters who had gathered in Washington … and his releasing a video in which he praised the rioters as ‘very special’ while also asking them to disperse.” [AP]

WBEZ will provide special coverage of tomorrow’s hearing beginning at 7 p.m. CT. You can listen on 91.5 FM, wbez.org or the WBEZ app.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post today has a deep dive on the committee’s findings, which have “illustrated how the president repeatedly escalated tensions following his election defeat.” [WaPo]

5. Chicago concertgoers sound off on music for a complicated moment

Some of my colleagues set up a photo booth at the Pitchfork Music Festival over the weekend and asked folks about the power of music in these uncertain times and which singers, songwriters and bands are providing their personal soundtrack.

“With what’s going on in the world right now, with Roe v. Wade being overturned, women’s rights being taken back and things with immigration — my parents were immigrants — sometimes I don’t know how to express myself, so I use music to do that,” said concertgoer Kassie Sandoval, 29.

But for 18-year-old Camiria Sardin, music is a coping mechanism. And for Brett Karona, 24, a set of headphones and a streaming soundtrack provided salvation during two years in isolation and the long days staring down remote marketing work. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Joe Biden’s approval rating hit another new low in the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. [NPR]
• All eyes are on the Senate after the House overwhelmingly approved a bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriage. [NPR]
• Comcast will invest $500,000 in Chicago’s YMCA facilities to help make the internet more accessible to residents. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Today is National Hot Dog Day. Here’s a look at how we can thank Oregon for turning the hot dog into a corn dog. [Oregon Public Broadcasting]

Oh, and one more thing …

Gamers are going gaga over a new video game released this week that allows you to play as a ridiculously cute cat looking for a way home.

That game, called Stray, is among NPR’s best games of the year so far.

“It didn’t take long for 2022 to deliver on a deep roster of long-awaited games, from blockbusters like Elden Ring and Horizon Forbidden West, to breakout indies like Tunic and Norco,” writes NPR.

If you’re looking for something to play, the list has something for everyone. And I second their recommendation for Elden Ring, which NPR calls a “masterpiece that’s already cemented itself into gaming history.” [NPR]

Tell me something good …

I need some movie recommendations. What’s a film you enjoyed recently?

Ethan Colchamiro writes:

“Over the weekend we saw Marcel the Shell with Shoes On at the Music Box Theater. What a sweet, affirming little movie. It really feels like the movie we all need at this time in the world.

“I find myself thinking about things a little differently after watching it. Valuing things I take for granted, spending a little less time online and more time connecting with people. My wife and our 12-year-old daughter all left the theater moved by the movie, and we can’t wait to see it again.”

And Susie Straus writes:

“On Sunday, July 18, I saw the movie Relative at the 400 theater in Rogers Park. The movie is about a family celebrating the college graduation of their youngest of four children and the family dynamics. The movie was filmed in Rogers Park with shots from suburbs representing other towns. Well acted, from the director Michael Glover Smith.”

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