Hey there! It’s Friday, and while I’m excited that the “great reopening” is here, I’m not thrilled about reemerging in society looking like a Jeff Goldblum who was in witness protection. Here’s what you need to know today.

(By the way, if you’d like this emailed to your inbox, you can sign up here.)

1. Chicago’s top cop vows to investigate associates of officer charged in connection to the Jan. 6 insurrection

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown today said the department will launch an investigation into colleagues of Officer Karol Chwiesiuk, who allegedly breached the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and broke into a Democratic senator’s office.

According to a criminal complaint, Chwiesiuk on Jan. 2 sent a text message to an associate, saying, “I’m going to dc. … To save the nation. … I’m f— up some commies.”

Authorities say location data, photos, video and text messages place Chwiesiuk at the Capitol when a pro-Trump mob stormed the building. After the siege, Chwiesiuk allegedly told a friend he was there and used a racial slur, texting “N**** don’t snitch.”

Brown said Chwiesiuk was on medical leave when he allegedly took part in the attempted coup. Chwiesiuk was relieved of his police powers on June 2, when the department learned of the impending charges, the superintendent said.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that any officer who shares Chwiesiuk’s “hateful” views should not be on the force. [AP]

2. Chicago has reopened. Now comes the recovery

The worst days of the pandemic appear to be in the rearview mirror as Chicago lifts restrictions on most businesses today.

But the city now faces a different challenge: how to get the local economy back in shape and fend off competition from other cities looking to attract residents and businesses.

Crain’s Chicago Business looked at the downtown area, a huge economic engine for the city, and the obstacles it must overcome. Occupancy rates for offices are nowhere close to their pre-pandemic levels, and 30% of retail space on the Magnificent Mile remains empty.

“That means downtown will have to somewhat reposition itself as more of a cultural, entertainment and residential center and less of an office complex,” Crain’s reporter Greg Hinz writes. [Crain’s]

3. Illinois lawmakers are tweaking a landmark criminal justice law, raising concerns it could be watered down over time

State lawmakers recently approved some changes to a massive criminal justice law aimed at holding police officers more accountable. Supporters of these tweaks say they’re minor and help clarify when officers can use force and review body camera footage.

But critics are worried the changes signal the beginning of attempts to gut the law, which was fiercely opposed by law enforcement groups who are seeking further modifications.

State Rep. Curtis Tarver, D-Chicago, said the police murder of George Floyd put pressure on lawmakers to tackle police misconduct, and he’s worried the law will be watered down as time goes on and the issue exits the spotlight.

“And now that law enforcement knows that all they have to do is sit around for five months with a handful of individuals … and get what they want. Yeah, I’m concerned,” he said. [WBEZ]

4. Democrats decry the secret seizure of lawmakers’ data during the Trump administration

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois want former Attorneys General William Barr and Jeff Sessions to testify about the extraordinary decision to secretly seize data from House Democrats in 2018.

News broke this week that Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell were notified that the Justice Department had seized their metadata from Apple as authorities searched for leaks of classified information during the Trump administration. The department also seized the records of aides, former aides and family members, including a minor.

Democrats are blasting the seizures as an abuse of power to target another branch of government. The Justice Department today asked for an internal investigation. [AP]

5. Exelon customers could be on the hook for bailout of Illinois nuclear plants

Exelon customers would be on the hook for $694 million in higher subsidies to keep three Illinois nuclear plants afloat under a sprawling, revised green-energy package that could be voted on next week by state lawmakers, reports WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.

The package, pushed by Gov. JB Pritzker, would phase out coal use in Illinois by 2035 and natural gas by 2045. It would also authorize $4,000 rebates for purchasers of electric vehicles as part of a strategy aimed at getting 1 million of those vehicles on state roads by 2030.

The higher subsidies for Exelon would mark the second ratepayer bailout of the company’s Illinois-based nuclear fleet since 2016. This latest round aims to ensure Exelon’s Dresden, Byron and Braidwood plants stay open for at least another five years. [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• At least 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses will be sent to struggling countries under a pledge forged by world leaders at the G-7 summit. [AP]
• A bipartisan group of senators reached a deal on a counterproposal to President Biden’s infrastructure plan that could raise gas prices. [Washington Post]
• Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx says Chicago officers are arresting the wrong people to curb gun violence. [WBEZ]
• A bill providing fertility coverage for LGBTQ couples heads toward Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk. [Chicago Tribune]

Oh, and one more thing …

So is Illinois going to have a vaccine lottery or not? I promise to never work again if the state holds one and I win.

While we wait for any word from the Pritzker administration, Mayor Lightfoot today announced a bunch of incentives to get people vaccinated and visit businesses.

The biggest one is a chance to win a 1-day pass at this year’s Lollapalooza. More than 1,000 passes will be given to people who get shots on June 26 at four city-run sites, located at Wright, Daley, King and Malcolm X colleges. [Block Club Chicago]

Tell me something good …

What movie are you excited to see this summer?

Sandra writes:

“Really excited to see In the Heights — in a movie theater! (I was very lucky to see the original cast on Broadway in 2008.)”

And Michael writes:

“The new Bond movie. My wife’s maiden name is J. Bond, so it is a family tradition to see the Bond films. Beside that, the production values are high, the villains are great and Daniel Craig may be the best Bond ever — apologies to Sean Connery.”

Thanks for all the responses this week. I’m sorry I couldn’t share them all, but maybe I’ll see y’all at a movie theater this summer.

Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday!