Hey there! Folks, let’s have a round of applause for something near and dear to me: Friday, which makes doing this job so much easier. Anyway, here’s what you need to know.

1. Paul Vallas faces questions over whether he really lives in Chicago

The mayoral candidate has “claimed a home in south suburban Palos Heights as his legal permanent residence since 2009,” reports WTTW News.

Vallas now faces questions over whether he actually lives in Chicago, a requirement for anyone running for mayor. Vallas’s voter registration lists him living in an apartment in the Bridgeport neighborhood for less than a year.

A spokesperson for Vallas’s campaign said the candidate lives in Chicago while his wife takes care of her parents and mother-in-law in Palos Heights.

After WTTW News began asking questions about Vallas’s residency, the Cook County Assessor’s Office announced it is investigating whether Vallas “properly received tax breaks during the past four years totaling $5,507.61” for his Palos Heights home. [WTTW]

2. Congressman Mike Quigley endorses Jesús ‘Chuy’ García for mayor

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, who considered running for mayor of Chicago but decided to take a pass, is backing his congressional colleague Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

“The people of Chicago have a clear choice in this race,” Quigley said. “Chuy García is a progressive who will leave no one behind. He has my strongest endorsement.”

Earlier this week, García received the endorsement of former Gov. Pat Quinn, who also flirted with the idea of running for mayor. [Chicago Sun-Times]

In other election news, a new campaign committee is helping Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s reelection bid by exploiting a big loophole in city ethics rules. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, all nine candidates in the race for mayor answered 13 questions on camera from WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Chicago polluters often get a pass on air-quality violations

An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times found that fewer than half of all citations written by city health inspectors in recent years for air pollution end up sticking.

“From 2018 through 2022, there were 69 air pollution citations issued by the city’s public health department,” writes my colleague Brett Chase. “Of that number, 39 were dropped, and 29 were found to be ‘liable,’ mostly after pleas of admission from the businesses.”

The news comes as concerns have grown in recent years about the impact the city’s polluters have on communities of color.

“Lax enforcement and low penalties have been and continue to be a key part of how polluters escape responsibility for dirtying the air in Chicago’s low-income communities of color,” says Meleah Geertsma, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. A majority of Chicago voters say more help should be provided to hundreds of immigrants, according to a new poll

Some 61% of Chicago voters thought City Hall should provide more help to the recent arrivals, according to a WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times/Telemundo Chicago/NBC5 Poll out today.

About 33% said officials should not provide more assistance.

The poll comes as a plan to transform a shuttered South Side school into a shelter has faced blowback from nearby residents.

“Since August, more than 5,140 immigrants have arrived in Chicago, including those sent on buses from Texas and Colorado,” reports my colleague Elvia Malagón at the Chicago Sun-Times.

“In late December, there were 1,531 new arrivals living at city shelters. In total, 3,936 have sought shelter provided by the city, Cook County and state, according to city officials.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. Does God prefer to go by they/them pronouns?

The Church of England is considering whether to use gender-neutral language when referring to God, NPR reports.

But while the idea is being explored, no changes are imminent at the centuries-old institution, according to the church’s legislative body, the General Synod.

“This is nothing new,” a spokesperson for the Church of England said in a note to NPR. “Christians have recognized since ancient times that God is neither male nor female.”

According to NPR, the church plans to launch a new project in the coming months to consider how gendered language should be used in reference to God. [NPR]

Here’s what else is happening

• The FBI searched former Vice President Mike Pence’s home as part of a classified records probe. [AP]
• An influential COVID-19 tracker is shutting down. [NPR]
• More than half of Chicago voters want the Bears to stay at Soldier Field, according to a poll. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Can Hogwarts Legacy, an anticipated video game taking place in the Harry Potter universe, overcome J.K. Rowling’s transphobia? [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

It’s finally Friday. And I’m counting down the minutes til quittin’ time to watch the latest episode of The Last of Us.

If the show isn’t your thing, WBEZ has a bunch of great podcast episodes that are worth a listen this weekend.

My colleague Erin Allen on The Rundown podcast this week looked at fat phobia and how the bias is accepted in society. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast talks to Oscar-winning director and animator Domee Shi, the creator of the delightful and endearing Turning Red. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

Valentine’s Day is next week. And I’d like to know what you love about the Chicago area.

Patricia B. writes:

“I love Chicago’s architecture. It is so varied unique, and beautiful; from the courtway buildings, bungalows and high rises, to the back porches and front stoops.”

Timothy writes:

“I love the music scene in Chicago. From the South Loop I can literally just take a walk and pass places to go and hear blues, jazz, the Chicago Symphony and modern classical music.”

Laurie writes:

“Have not celebrated Valentine’s Day in 46 years as my beloved father-in-law (Rudy) birthday is Feb 14. He will be 99 this year and we are, at his request, having pizza.”

Happy birthday!

And another Kathy P. writes:

“What I like best is the sport of politics - never a dull moment.”

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