Good afternoon! It’s Hunter. I’m back in Chicago after a brief vacation in Florida. And I never thought I’d ever say this, but I kinda miss having snowy winters. Anyway, here’s what you need to know today.

1. Lightfoot vowed to boost anti-violence programs with $410 million in federal pandemic funds. But the flow of cash has been slow.

That’s according to an investigation from the Illinois Answers Project, which found City Hall has spent just 6% of the funds — or about $25 million — on programs aimed at tackling the root causes of crime.

“In June alone, the city paid nearly $10 million more in overtime to the Police Department — $34.4 million — than it spent on the package of anti-violence programs over the course of a year,” the nonprofit newsroom reports.

The city is also under the clock to use the funds or else it could lose it.

“The city has limited time to change course, as two-thirds of the money for the anti-violence programs comes from federal COVID-19 relief funds that must be awarded by 2024 and spent by 2026, or the U.S. government could try to claw them back,” the Illinois Answers Project reports. [Illinois Answers Project]

2. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to address Chicago police officers today

DeSantis is expected to be in the Chicago area today for an invitation-only event with members of the city’s Fraternal Order of Police.

The visit from the high-profile Republican is newsy for several reasons. DeSantis, a potential presidential contender, is visiting Illinois after repeatedly being attacked by Gov. JB Pritzker, who has also fueled speculation about his own plans in 2024.

And then there is Chicago’s mayoral election. Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas is running with the support of the city’s FOP, and today’s event illustrates the double-edged sword of the union’s endorsement in a heavily Democratic city.

Amid mounting criticism from his rivals, Vallas said in a statement last week: “There is simply no place in Chicago for a right-wing extremist like Ron DeSantis, and I am disappointed in FOP leadership for inviting him to speak to officers.” [CBS News]

3. Lightfoot suggested Black voters should stay home if they do not support her reelection bid

Chicago’s racial politics heated up over the weekend as Mayor Lori Lightfoot suggested Black residents should stay home if they don’t vote for her in next week’s election.

“Any vote coming out of the South Side for somebody not named Lightfoot is a vote for Chuy García or Paul Vallas,” the mayor said. “If you want them controlling your faith and your destiny, then stay home. Then don’t vote.”

Lightfoot’s rivals quickly criticized the mayor, with U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García describing her comments as “disqualifying rhetoric for anyone hoping to lead a Chicago that is a multi-racial and multi-ethnic city.” [NBC Chicago]

Meanwhile, Lightfoot faces the increasing possibility of being eliminated in the first round of voting. [NBC News]

4. Concerns grow over health risks from a toxic train wreck in Ohio

Some residents in East Palestine, Ohio, say they have developed rashes, suffered from nausea and had trouble breathing after a nearby train derailment released hazardous materials in the air and water early this month, reports CNN.

“My oldest had a rash on her face. The youngest did too but not as bad. The 2-year-old was holding her eye and complaining that her eye was hurting. She was very lethargic, so I took them back to my parents’ home,” said Ayla Antoniazzi, who lives less than a mile away from the site of the train crash.

The state will open a special medical clinic tomorrow for residents who are worried their ailments are linked to the wreck. [CNN]

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg over the weekend said he will push to increase the maximum fine on railroad safety breaches. [Washington Post]

5. An art collector broke a ‘balloon dog’ sculpture by Jeff Koons that was valued at $42,000

In a painful reminder of why you shouldn’t touch the artwork, a woman accidentally knocked over a bright blue “balloon dog” sculpture by famed artist Jeff Koons.

You’ve probably seen these sculptures. Koons made several of them in different colors, and they’ve become one of the more iconic pieces of modern art.

“I was shocked obviously and a bit sad about it,” Cédric Boero, who was managing the booth that displayed the sculpture, told NPR. “But the lady was obviously very ashamed and she didn’t know how to apologize.”

Stephen Gamson, an artist and art collector who witnessed the dog-gone tragedy, said he unsuccessfully tried to buy what remained of the sculpture.

“It shattered into a thousand pieces,” Gamson wrote on Instagram, where he posted videos of the aftermath. “One of the most crazy things I’ve ever seen.” [NPR]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. [NPR]
• A record 6,542 guns were intercepted at U.S. airport checkpoints in 2022. [AP]
• Critics say changes made to Roald Dahl’s books amount to censorship. [AP]
• A longtime Chicago activist celebrated her 90th birthday. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

The deal to bring NASCAR to Chicago this summer has a new critic: softball players.

Softball leagues say they are being squeezed out of Grant Park because of the upcoming street race and an increasing number of big summer music festivals, reports Block Club Chicago.

The softball season at the park has shrunk as a result.

“These people are killing softball,” said Michael Stern, an umpire and organizer of several corporate leagues. [Block Club Chicago]

Tell me something good …

What’s something new that you want to try out?

I thought pickleball sounded stupid when I first heard about it. But my in-laws play the sport, like, every morning. And now I’m thinking of getting in on the action because it looks fun.

Another new thing I want to check out: the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater that recently opened in Wrigleyville. Have you been to it? What was it like?

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