Hey there! It’s Thursday! And my six-year-old nephew said “the beaver” saw his shadow, so another Christmas is coming up. Here’s what you need to know today.

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1. Summer in Chicago is looking increasingly more “normal”

Three big stories broke this week that are giving shape to when and how Chicago will begin adjusting to a post-pandemic world. It’s something like a “timeline to normal” that is running parallel to President Joe Biden’s goal of providing enough vaccinations to every adult by the end of May.

News broke today that Gov. JB Pritzker’s office wants to begin reopening Chicago’s convention centers by July, reports Crain’s Chicago Business. Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes told the publication that safety guidelines are still being worked out, but he is confident the Chicago Auto Show can take place July 15. [Crain’s]

The news comes as Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she is “very optimistic” about the city’s chances of resuming outdoor summer festivals and events, like the Taste of Chicago and the Air and Water Show.

That’s on top of the mayor earlier this week saying the Chicago Cubs and White Sox can play games with a limited number of fans in stands.

But there are caveats. Lightfoot said the summer could once again be derailed if people drop their guard and the city loses the progress it has made in containing the virus. [Chicago Tribune]

Chicago officials are stepping up those warnings as St. Patrick’s Day approaches. WBEZ’s Libby Berry found that even though officials say it’s too soon to start partying, a quick internet search shows unofficial celebrations and bar crawls will take place. [WBEZ]

2. Deaths in Illinois jumped by 27%

The state reported almost 111,000 deaths between March 1, 2020 and Jan. 2, up 27% from the average between 2015 and 2019, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The newspaper looked at what is known as “excess deaths,” which is the number of fatalities that are higher than expected. Many researchers say looking at excess deaths gives a more accurate picture of the impact of the pandemic, because it factors in people who may have forgone medical care due to concerns over the virus.

According to the Tribune’s analysis, Illinois ranked toward the top nationally in excess deaths because the state suffered two big waves of infections, with a higher number of deaths in between. New York reported a nearly 37% increase in deaths, the highest in the country. [Chicago Tribune]

President Biden tonight will deliver a prime-time address to mark the anniversary of the pandemic. His speech is expected to mourn the more than 529,000 Americans who have died, but also give hope for the “next phase” in fighting the virus. [AP]

WBEZ will provide special coverage of Biden’s speech beginning at 7 p.m. CT. You can listen online, on your smart speaker device or at 91.5 FM.

3. Layoffs dropped in the U.S., offering hopeful sign in the economic recovery

New claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week to 712,000, the lowest since November, according to figures released today by the Labor Department. That’s down from 754,000 the previous week, and some economists are hopeful more improvements are in store for the job market.

The decline comes after the U.S. added a surprising 379,000 jobs last month, the most since October. And as the nation’s vaccination efforts progress, a growing number of economists are optimistic that the U.S. economic recovery will take off like a jet this year.

But looking at the big picture, the U.S. is down about 9.6 million jobs compared to where it was before the pandemic. [AP]

Meanwhile, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion rescue package today. That means many Americans could receive $1,400 stimulus payments by the end of the month. [New York Times]

4. Mexico is poised to legalize marijuana

If it happens, that means the U.S. will be sandwiched between two countries where marijuana is legal.

One chamber of Mexico’s legislature last night approved a bill to legalize marijuana, and the country’s Senate is expected to do the same. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has suggested he will sign the legislation into law.

Supporters say legalizing marijuana will help end Mexico’s drug war that has cost an estimated 150,000 lives. But opponents say that’s an exaggeration because marijuana accounts for only a small portion of drug trafficking business. [New York Times]

5. Prince William: “We’re very much not a racist family”

Prince William basically busted through the wall like the Kool-Aid man today in the public uproar over allegations of racism and rejection from Meghan and Harry.

After Buckingham Palace this week tried to salvage its reputation through a carefully worded statement acknowledging the allegations, William today straight up disputed them.

“We’re very much not a racist family,” William told reporters as he and his wife, Kate, visited a school in London.

As this analysis from the BBC points out, William could have just ignored reporters.

“But, despite the Queen’s statement saying the race issue would be dealt with privately, the prince clearly felt he had to push back on what has become a very public and damaging allegation.

“Remaining silent, he felt, was not the best option.” [BBC]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Biden reportedly will set aside $2.5 billion to address the nation’s mental illness and addiction crisis. [Axios]
• The House today approved legislation that would expand background checks for gun purchasers. [CNN]
• A judge today ruled the former police officer on trial for George Floyd’s death can be charged with third-degree murder. [NPR]
• Do you have something to say about Chicago’s monuments and statues? An advisory committee wants to hear from you today as it considers recommending removing some. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

How does power work in the real world? And how does wielding power change someone?

Those two questions are at the heart of Art of Power, an upcoming podcast from WBEZ that’s hosted by award-winning journalist Aarti Shahani. Each week, Shahani talks to people who have used their passion to gain power and win enormous accomplishments.

The show doesn’t premiere until March 25, but you can check out this teaser to get a feel for what it’s all about. [WBEZ]

Tell me something good …

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

Andrew writes:

“Any of the Star Trek movies. Why?

Food replicators = no cooking.

Cures for most, if not all, ailments = no daily medications or treatments.

Space travel = new exotic places and people.

Sharing in all good things with everybody = no more bickering, wars or class status.

I was going to mention something about politics, but I didn’t want to overreach.”

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

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