Good morning, Chicago.

The family of Joseph Zephries, a 20-year-old utility worker fatally struck last January on Main Street in Huntley, received an $11.5 million settlement from a lawsuit against driver Brandon Evans and Enterprise Rent-A-Car—Judge Joel Berg approved the record settlement in McHenry County.

University of Chicago professor Eve Ewing, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist trina reynolds-tyler and City-Bureau co-founder Andrea Faye Hart have been named new co-owners of Build Coffee and Books on the South Side and will take over in June while expanding literary events and community programming—they will launch a book club with the biography 'Marsha' on May 20 and celebrate the transition on June 28 at the 61st Street Farmers Market.

Holden Thorp, editor in chief of Science, spoke at a UIC Chair Chat on April 23 at Moss Auditorium during Research Week about challenges in US research funding and support—he said scientists must work clearly to share how their research overcomes cuts and criticism.

He encouraged researchers to communicate their work plainly to help the public understand science.

Long Grove Village President Bill Jacob replaced planning commission chair Helen Wilson at Tuesday’s board meeting and nominated former trustee Anne Kritzmire following a unanimous recommendation to reject a proposed QuikTrip gas station at Routes 53 and 83—the board approved the nomination. Wilson said she felt singled out after serving past her term, which expired in 2021 despite her continued service.