Good afternoon! The sun — and my motivation to go outside — is back after a gloomy, windy couple days. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Did the Gaza protest vote make a mark on the Illinois primary and impact support for Joe Biden?

It’s hard to gauge the success of an effort to protest President Joe Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza, but he appears to have gotten less support from Cook County voters than any incumbent Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter 44 years ago, Nader Issa writes for the Chicago Sun-Times.

There were 553,867 Democratic ballots cast and counted as of Tuesday evening in Cook County. But 67,350 of those didn’t vote for a certified presidential candidate — that is, they either wrote in a phrase, “Gaza” being one possibility, or they left the presidential line blank. There were another 44,891 people who picked a different candidate, like Marianne Williamson or Dean Phillips, the Sun-Times reports.

When added together, a little more than 20% of Democrats who voted in Cook County didn’t pick Biden for president.

Local and state election authorities don’t track write-in votes for phrases or noncertified candidates, so there’s no telling how many write-ins with “Gaza” or other messages were submitted. And, as Issa reports, not all of them can be considered a protest against the president — there are voters every election who write in things like “Mickey Mouse” or simply don’t pick a candidate.

In comparison, Barack Obama saw fewer than 9% of Cook County voters ignore him in 2012. Bill Clinton had about 16% of ballots pick someone other than him or nobody at all. And Jimmy Carter faced 57% of voters who looked to other candidates during a year in which his handling of the Iranian hostage crisis cast a shadow on his presidency. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. More Chicagoans lacked heat in January than any month since 2019 amid historic cold

A WBEZ analysis of the city’s 311 data showed that more Chicagoans reported not having adequate heat this past January than any other month since at least February of 2019.

The Chicago heat ordinance dictates all habitable rooms of a residential space must be at least 68 degrees between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. between Sept. 15 and June 1.

The city’s Department of Buildings told WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times that it responds to thousands of no heat complaints annually and said it holds owners accountable through administrative hearings and the courts.

After a complaint is filed with 311, a building inspector visits the property and records one of several outcomes: the temperature is adequate and there isn’t a violation; the inspector wasn’t able to gain entry into the building; or there is a building code violation.

But some people say the current system isn’t working because inspectors may arrive weeks after a cold snap has passed or when tenants aren’t home to let them in. [WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Campaigning begins for Chicago’s first-ever elected school board

Yesterday was the first day candidates could circulate petitions to get on the ballot for the city’s elected school board.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill this month establishing that Chicago voters will elect 10 school board members to represent geographic districts this fall, while Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint another 10 and the school board president. All 21 seats will be up for election in November 2026.

But, as my colleagues Sarah Karp and Nader Issa report, much of the public still knows little if anything about these elections.

Behind the scenes, candidates and special interest groups are gearing up to take advantage of this new opportunity to shape the city’s education system.

Some organizations are conducting candidate training sessions. Others are hosting informational meetings for parents. And at least three political action committees are raising money to support candidates, including a newly formed one led by defeated mayoral candidate Paul Vallas and former charter school executive Juan Rangel. [WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times]

4. What we know and don’t know about Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse

Rescue efforts are underway to recover the bodies of six people assumed to be dead and federal investigators are trying to determine what caused yesterday’s bridge collapse, NPR reports.

Authorities say they believe the six people were construction workers repairing potholes on the bridge when the collapse happened.

The Dali, a nearly 1000-foot long container ship registered in Singapore, appeared to lose power as it began moving toward the bridge at about 8 knots, or 9.2 miles per hour. It’s unclear why the ship drifted so far off course.

Investigators have recovered the voyage data recorder, which is similar to the black box recorders found on airplanes.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of reopening the shipping channel as soon as possible, saying it’s “really important to the entire economy.” [NPR]

5. After ceasing operations and canceling shows, Chicago’s Lookingglass stages a second act

The Lookingglass Theater Company’s building in the Mag Mile has been eerily empty as it works on renovations ahead of its reopening this fall.

Lookingglass has arrived at this moment after a rollercoaster of events, Mike Davis writes for WBEZ. First, the ensemble theater company was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, shuttering venues and cutting off critical revenue. After emerging from a temporary pandemic-induced shutdown, the theater made a surprising announcement last summer that it was laying off staff and canceling productions due to financial struggles.

Now, after reconfiguring the board, creating a new business plan and raising a whopping $2.5 million in funding — from past donors, new supporters and COVID relief funding from various government agencies — Lookingglass has a fresh path forward steered in part by a new artistic director, Kasey Foster. [WBEZ]

While you’re waiting for Lookingglass’s new season, WBEZ put together this list of plays worth checking out in the Chicago area in April. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• Florida prohibits kids under 14 from having social media accounts. [AP]

• New Hampshire could become the first state to ban French bulldog breeding. [NPR]

• A Michigan nuclear power plant will receive $1.5 billion from the Biden administration to restart operations. [AP]

• Krispy Kreme doughnuts are coming to McDonald’s. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

April’s total solar eclipse promises to be the best yet for experiments thanks to new spacecraft and telescopes, The Associated Press reports.

That’s because of the long period of darkness caused by the moon’s close proximity to Earth and because the sun should be more active with the potential for dramatic bursts of plasma.

NASA and other research groups plan to take photos of the sun’s outer atmosphere, observe the quieting of animals and study temperatures, clouds and communication disruptions, according to the AP.

Rockets will also be sent to an electrically charged part of the atmosphere known as the ionosphere. [AP]

Tell me something good …

What’s something that recently made your day?

Barb writes:

“Today I met with a social worker to discuss getting help in dealing with my husband’s cancer. After a fruitful, positive experience, as I was leaving I was presented with a bouquet of daffodils! Given the torrential rain that was falling, the strong wind, & the grey clouds overhead those cheerful daffodils gave me the feeling that I am not alone in this health crisis!”

Melissa writes:

“What made my day recently was discovering the app To Do. I share it with my spouse and I can assign tasks to them and get them out of my brain.”

And Mary writes:

“It made my weekend on a trip to MI to visit Michigan Wine Co winery. It was very enjoyable.”

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