Good afternoon! We’re starting November with weather that feels more like September — and temperatures could reach 70 degrees later this week. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. A new poll shows Jesús ‘Chuy’ García easily defeating Mayor Lori Lightfoot

The poll, which was bankrolled by García, also shows he is the only challenger who would win a head-to-head matchup against the mayor, my colleague Fran Spielman reports for the Sun-Times.

“It’s further encouragement to consider taking the dive into the race. … If I sense that there is a way forward and that I can win the support of people across Chicagoland, I’m inclined to do so,” García told the Sun-Times.

Adding to the speculation, García today formed a political action committee for the purpose of supporting his candidacy for mayor.

He said he would announce a decision after the Nov. 8 midterm elections, adding that he would only run for mayor if Democrats lose their majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Three children are among the 14 shot in Chicago’s worst mass shooting since 2021

Fourteen people were wounded in a drive-by shooting last night in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. Among the victims were children 3, 11 and 13 years old, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Police say the shooting happened while balloons were being released during a vigil and other people were out for Halloween.

As the Chicago Sun-Times reports: “The shooting is the worst mass attack in Chicago since 15 people were shot, two fatally, in Greater Grand Crossing in March of 2021. Fifteen people were shot in July 2020 outside a funeral home in Gresham.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot called the shooting “another tragic display of gun violence by cowards indiscriminately shooting into a crowd.”

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and offering up to $15,000 for information that leads to charges or a conviction. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Chief Justice Roberts blocks a House committee from getting Donald Trump’s tax returns

The order temporarily stops the Treasury Department from giving the former president’s tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, which has been seeking the returns since 2019.

If Republicans have a majority in the House after next week’s midterm elections, they’re unlikely to continue trying to get Trump’s tax returns.

As The New York Times reports: “Lawyers for Mr. Trump had asked the Supreme Court on Monday to freeze matters while they prepared a formal appeal of a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which held that the House Ways and Means Committee had a right to see his returns.”

The committee’s lawyers have until Nov. 10 to file a response. [New York Times]

4. The number of job openings increased in September despite higher interest rates

The Labor Department reported today there were about 10.7 million job openings at the end of September, a high number given inflation, according to The New York Times.

“The jump in job openings was largely due to huge increases at hotels and restaurants, which added 215,000 postings,” the newspaper reports. “And the health care and social assistance sector was looking for 115,000 more workers than the previous month, reaching 2.1 million openings total, the highest level on record.”

Meanwhile, the number of people who voluntarily quit — often a sign of high confidence in finding a better job — declined only slightly to about 4.1 million workers.

The new data shows the labor market hasn’t responded to rising interest rates, which the Fed could raise again by 0.75 percent when it meets on Wednesday. [New York Times]

5. Smashing pumpkins — not the band — for the planet

We’re officially in November, which means trick-or-treaters have had their fun and jack-o-lanterns across the Chicago area are being cleared from stoops.

Throwing these pumpkins in the trash may seem like a good idea, but it’s not great for the planet, my colleague Indira Khera reports. That’s because pumpkins release methane — one of the most potent greenhouse gasses — when they rot in landfills.

Pumpkin smash events give people an environmentally friendly solution that’s also cathartic. Participants can destroy their old Halloween gourds with baseball bats or other creative methods. The chunks are then sent to composting facilities across Illinois. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• Prosecutors turned over thousands of pages of evidence against the Highland Park shooting suspect. [Chicago Tribune]

• Taylor Swift is the first artist to sweep the entire Top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100. [NPR]

• Meet Alana Mayo, the young, Black, queer studio executive from Chicago who greenlit Till. [NPR]

• Ready or not, Christmas music started playing today on Lite FM. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Oh, and one more thing …

The midterm elections are exactly one week away, and which party will take control of Congress is the big question — especially right now when hot-button issues, such as how to tame inflation and abortion rights, are polarizing the public sphere.

Here’s a look at how Illinois factors into this pivotal moment in American politics. My colleagues at WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times examine congressional races in the suburbs that could flip parties. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

Now that Halloween is over, it’s time to plan for Thanksgiving. I don’t feel like cooking this year, so which local restaurant should I splurge on to celebrate? Feel free to reply to this email, and your answer might be included in this week’s newsletter.

Sam says:

“My wife and I both love to cook but recently started ordering our Thanksgiving meal from the Publican and it has been AMAZING. The food is delicious, the preparation instructions are simple and well thought out, and we end up spending more time with our family in the living room instead of the kitchen. It has become our new tradition and we highly recommend it!”