Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and here’s what you need to know today.

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1. Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the pandemic

There were fewer than 5,000 COVID-19 deaths and only about 125,000 known cases when the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

Now, there are more than 117 million cases and more than 2.6 million deaths, which equals about the entire population of Chicago. Just let that sink in for a second.

The Associated Press looks back at the year, sharing stories of people who suffered unimaginable losses. Jean Allen, a 96-year-old at Queen Anne Healthcare in Seattle, survived the virus, but 19 of her fellow residents and two staff members died.

Latoria Glenn-Carr said her wife, Tyeisha, died next to her in bed after they were diagnosed with COVID-19.

“I woke up on Sunday, and I didn’t feel a pulse,” Glenn-Carr said. [AP]

The anniversary of the pandemic comes as the Biden administration reportedly secured an additional 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. [Axios]

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci said teenagers could begin receiving shots in the fall, with younger children following in the first quarter of 2022. [Chicago Tribune]

And Chicago residents living in 60608, 60619, 60620, 60649 or 60652 ZIP codes can register for appointments at the United Center mass vaccination site. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Biden seeks to avoid a mistake made by Obama

The White House is planning a big campaign to tout the $1.9 trillion rescue package in an effort to drive up public support for his agenda and to put Republicans on the defensive for opposing the legislation, reports Politico.

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and others are expected to travel across the country and highlight various provisions of the relief plan, such as stimulus payments and aid to help public schools reopen.

Behind the scenes, Biden and his allies hope to avoid a mistake that former President Barack Obama made: not taking enough credit for 2009’s Recovery Act or explaining it to the public. [Politico]

Meanwhile, Congress gave its final approval for the stimulus package today, setting up the stage for Biden to sign the legislation into law this week. That means many Americans could receive stimulus payments by the end of the month. [CNN]

Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal say Biden’s relief plan could create the fastest economic growth since 1983. [WSJ]

In an interview this morning with WBEZ, Gov. JB Pritzker said federal aid provided under the plan will be used to pay off billions of dollars in state debt caused by the pandemic. [WBEZ]

3. Arkansas abortion ban aims to overturn Roe v. Wade

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson this week signed into law a nearly total ban on abortions in an effort to force the U.S. Supreme Court to revisit its landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

The law, known as Senate Bill 6, is in “contradiction of binding precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is the intent of the legislation to set the stage for the Supreme Court overturning current case law,” Hutchinson said in a statement.

The Arkansas law bans all abortions except when the life of the mother is in jeopardy. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas says the legislation is “cruel and unconstitutional.” [NPR]

4. Obama Presidential Center agrees to hire workers from South and West sides for construction jobs

The Obama Foundation announced today that 35% of construction jobs will go to people who live on the city’s South and West sides. The news comes as the foundation has faced public pressure over the years to put guarantees in writing that the presidential center will benefit — and not displace — nearby communities.

It’s not clear how large the construction workforce will be, reports the Chicago Tribune, but the presidential center is estimated to create a total of 5,000 jobs during and after construction.

Groundbreaking on the $500 million campus at Jackson Park is tentatively slated for August. [Chicago Tribune]

5. Illinois agency pays off student debt for aspiring homeowners

The Illinois Housing Development Authority is aiming to help 500 to 1,000 young adults buy homes through a $25 million program that pays off some of their student loans, reports Crain’s Chicago Business.

“It’s not about giving people handouts,” IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust told Crain’s. “It’s about helping these people put down roots in their communities, roots in Illinois.”

People who meet certain income requirements could get up to $40,000 to pay their loans. They must also agree to live in the home they buy for at least three years. Many people between the ages of 29 and 38 say student debt is the biggest obstacle to becoming a homeowner, according to the National Association of Realtors. [Crain’s]

Meanwhile, congressional Democrats say President Biden’s relief plan could pave the way to canceling $50,000 in student debt per person. [Business Insider]

Here’s what else is happening

• Former President Donald Trump this week escalated the fight over who has control over the Republican Party’s financial future. [NPR]
• The Senate confirmed Merrick Garland to serve as the attorney general. [NPR]
• A bipartisan group of senators want to make daylight saving time permanent. [CBS News]
• People really enjoyed playing with Legos last year. [CNBC]

Oh, and one more thing …

Can you find all the puns in this NPR story? I mean, just check out the headline: “Major Faux Paw: From The White House To The Dog House.”

President Biden’s dog Major got spooked and nipped at a Secret Service agent’s hand, resulting in an “an extremely minor injury,” a source told NBC News.

The White House said Major has been sent to the Bidens’ home in Wilmington, Del., along with their other German shepherd, Champ, while first lady Jill Biden travels. [NPR]

Tell me something good …

If you could live your life in a movie genre, what would it be?

Katrina writes:

“I want to live in a musical. I don’t understand why I don’t already have a choreographer and backup dancers. I’m even willing to be the backup dancer! I would know my run time, appreciate the intermission and all of my wardrobe crew for the costume changes.”

Feel free to email me at therundown@wbez.org or tweet me at @whuntah.

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