Good morning, Chicago.

Once a busy manufacturing plant that produced water valves for its parent company, the Henry Pratt facility on Highland Avenue in Aurora now sits empty, with nothing on the outside to remind passersby of the fatal mayhem that took place at 1:27 p.m. on Feb. 15, 2019.

But Thursday – five years later, on that same date, at that same time – a few dozen people, including police officers and former Pratt employees, stood quietly near the wind-whipped flagpole of the now-shuttered warehouse to remember and to draw strength from each other.

Mostly they were there to pray – for those who survived the mass shooting and for those who did not.

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‘Doozy’ of a career: After nearly a half century on air, Tom Skilling nears his final forecast

For many Chicago viewers, retiring WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling has long been an eternally sunny on-air presence, whose detailed forecasts and genuine enthusiasm somehow made upper air patterns interesting.

The cult of Skilling runs so deep, just about everybody does an overly-cheerful impression of Chicago’s longest-tenured weathercaster.

What they may miss, however, goes on behind the scenes, where Skilling is far more complex than his caricature: a diligent, almost obsessive meteorologist who spends 15 hours a day glued to computer screens, analyzing reams of data in an endless quest to accurately predict the Windy City’s capricious weather.

Chicago aldermen again vote down police union arbitration deal

The Chicago City Council voted again Thursday to reject a police union contract provision that would allow the most serious misconduct cases to be heard behind closed doors.

Johnson says he expects ShotSpotter to remain through September, but dodges contract questions

Amid a lack of clarity from ShotSpotter over whether the gunfire detection devices will stay on in Chicago beyond this week, Mayor Brandon Johnson said he has “been clear” he expects the technology to continue operating in the city through September.

However, Johnson repeatedly refused to answer if the company’s operators had agreed to the contract extension apparently needed to keep the police tool running.

Greece becomes first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex civil marriage

The new law recognizes parental rights for same-sex couples, but will not allow gay men to acquire biological children through surrogate mothers in Greece.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago selects Korean artist, educator as its next president

Completing a successful national search, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago announced that Jiseon Lee Isbara would be its next president, making her the second woman and first woman of color to step into the role in the college’s 158-year history.

Columbia College president resigns

Columbia College Chicago President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim will be stepping down from his post days after he told the Faculty Senate in an announcement that the college will soon start a process to assess its financial situation, which could determine whether full-time faculty members with tenure will be laid off. The news also came on the heels of a fall semester significantly affected by a historic seven-week strike by part-time faculty members.

Steve McMichael admitted to intensive care a week after the Chicago Bears great’s Hall of Fame election

McMichael, 66, has been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for more than three years and has lost his ability to move or speak.

Chicago Bulls have no players participating in NBA All-Star weekend for the 1st time since 1980

There won’t be a Chicago Bull in sight when the NBA’s top talent descends upon Indianapolis for All-Star festivities this weekend.

Chicago Bears release veterans Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, clearing almost $22 million in salary-cap space

General manager Ryan Poles decided to cut them as he dives into a crucial offseason that ramps up in two weeks at the NFL scouting combine, followed by free agency. Cutting Whitehair will clear $9.15 million in salary-cap space, according to overthecap.com, while cutting Jackson will clear $12.56 million.

Review: Gorgeous ‘Girl From the North Country’ at CIBC Theatre roots Bob Dylan in 1930s Duluth

The Bob Dylan catalog is rooted in Woody Guthrie-style folk, Robert Johnson-style blues and Hank Williams-like country. To watch this show is to be reminded that other, gentler artists singing Dylan songs have changed how they have been perceived, softening their hard-edged exteriors, writes theater critic Chris Jones.

What to do around Chicago: From Burna Boy to ‘Blade Runner in Concert’

Also around the area this weekend, the Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown, and Civl Fest is ongoing at 15 Chicago music venues.