Hey there! It’s Thursday, and we are just hours away from the Great Reopening of Illinois. I got the inflatable pool in the front yard, “The Best of Burt Bacharach” on repeat and a whole block of neighbors who’ll regret moving into the area. Here’s what you need to know today.

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1. Advice on how to navigate Illinois’ full reopening

Chicago and Illinois will fully reopen tomorrow, meaning that many businesses will no longer be mandated to follow pandemic restrictions, like capping the number of people inside bars, restaurants and other establishments.

WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel talked to several health experts about how to safely navigate through this new — and hopefully final — phase. For starters, if you’re not vaccinated, you still need to wear a mask, avoid large gatherings and follow social distancing guidelines.

But if you’re fully vaccinated, it’s not “socially irresponsible” to resume your life, says Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease expert at the University of Chicago.

“People who are vaccinated don’t need to worry that they’re part of the problem … and that by eating out, and by spending time in crowded environments, or by hanging out with other people, they’re not making the problem worse, the evidence is clear,” she said.

So what should you continue doing even if you’re fully vaccinated? Respect businesses that still require face masks and if you feel sick, stay home and get tested for COVID-19. And workers in the restaurant industry hope diners will continue tipping more than 20% as wait staff continue to recover from the pandemic’s economic impact. [WBEZ]

2. Congress refocuses on taxes after report showed the ultrarich paid little to almost nothing

Lawmakers from both parties are contemplating plans aimed at ensuring the nation’s super rich pay their fair share in taxes, reports The New York Times.

The move comes after ProPublica obtained a trove of secret tax information for the 25 wealthiest Americans, including Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett. The records showed that, combined, they paid $13.6 billion in federal income taxes at a time when their net worth jumped by $401 billion.

“My intention as the author of the 2017 tax reform was not that multibillionaires ought to pay no taxes,” Sen. Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.) told the Times, mentioning the Trump-era overhaul of the U.S. tax code.

The Biden administration is currently proposing a tax hike on corporations and the wealthy to help cover the costs of his ambitious agenda, such as a $1 trillion infrastructure package. [NYT]

3. Stuff continues to cost more money, keeping inflation at the center of the political debate in D.C.

The prices of everything from used cars to airline tickets jumped last month, raising questions over whether inflation will be a blip or a long slog.

The Labor Department today reported consumer prices rose 5% in May compared to the previous year, the largest increase since 2008. Many economists and policymakers, however, remain optimistic that inflation will fade over time as the economy essentially reboots after the pandemic.

But today’s news will likely fuel concerns from congressional Republicans that the Biden administration is spending too much money, which can contribute to inflation. [NPR]

4. Illinois appears to finally be on solid financial ground. Will it last?

Illinois has a well-earned reputation as a financial pariah. But as the state heads out of the pandemic, it’s flush with federal relief cash, helping pay off vendors at a faster pace than any point in the last 20 years. And a $42 billion budget that appears to be balanced (yes, balanced) is headed to Gov. JB Pritzker.

WBEZ’s Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold talked to budget analysts who say they’re seeing signs the clouds are parting over Springfield after years of budgetary gloom.

But not everyone is convinced, most notably Republican state Sen. Darren Bailey, a possible gubernatorial candidate. To show his disdain for the budget, Bailey posted a video on TikTok showing him firing his Colt .223 rifle at the pile of budget documents stacked on a tree trunk. [WBEZ]

5. City Hall told a Chicago activist to stop criticizing Lightfoot if he wants a new youth center on the South Side

Community activist Ja’Mal Green is accusing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration of playing politics over a proposed youth center aimed at helping young children escape gun violence.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Planning and Development Commissioner Maurice Cox told Green in an email that he would not discuss the center unless Green stopped criticizing the mayor.

Green is a vocal opponent against a mayoral plan to create a new Boys & Girls Club on the campus of the police and fire training academy being built in West Garfield Park. The activist says that plan is a “slap in the face” to Black youth.

Green had endorsed Lightfoot in the 2019 mayoral election after dropping out of the race himself, but their relationship has soured. Last month, Green helped spread a rumor on Twitter that Lightfoot was resigning, and he later apologized. Lightfoot called the rumor “homophobic, racist and misogynistic.” [Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Joe Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson signed a new Atlantic Charter with an eye toward threats posed by China and Russia. [AP]
• Millions of Americans could face eviction as a federal moratorium is set to expire at the end of the month. [NPR]
• Athletes heading to the Tokyo Olympics will face a whole lotta new rules. [NPR]
• Stephen Colbert is joining Second City’s new board of directors. [Chicago Tribune]

Oh, and one more thing …

Actually, here’s a bunch of things because there are a lot of hilarious and fascinating things in the news today.

First, The Washington Post reports that contraception and liquor sales are surging as the nation prepares for Hot Vax Summer. [WaPo]

Monty and Rose, the piping plovers at Chicago’s Montrose Beach, have a new nest after a skunk ate their previous eggs. [Block Club Chicago]

Block Club Chicago talked to a comedian who’s taking on Mayor Lightfoot on TikTok. [Block Club Chicago]

You can now buy Crocs with stiletto heels (h/t to reader @K_Sabbak).

And Kim Jong Un’s weight apparently could have global implications. [Washington Post]

Tell me something good …

What movie are you excited to see this summer?

Tim Paladin writes:

“The new Matrix is top of the list for my wife and I. While the remainder of the ‘trilogy’ didn’t end up as iconic or mindbending as the original, we hope the time apart breathes new life into one of our favorite movies.”

And Jan writes:

“I’m looking forward to In The Heights. Loved the Broadway cast album and everyone says you leave feeling great. Even though I just completed my move to Arizona and the movers dropped off my stuff today — why do I have so much stuff anyway? — AND I now have WiFi and cable, I need a feel good movie WITH popcorn! So when I find it playing near me, I’m going. I think going to see this one, in a theater, is a great 70th birthday present to myself!”

What are you looking forward to watching this summer? Feel free to email me at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

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