Good morning, Chicago.

Jackson Park’s “Gold Lady” will soon shine again after a $1 million regilding and repair job.

The 24-foot-tall Statue of the Republic, which was built in 1918 to honor both the 25th anniversary of the World’s Columbian Exhibition and Illinois’ centennial, will be cleaned, repaired and regilded over the next several months, Chicago Park District officials said.

Scaffolding was installed last week, Park District spokesperson Irene Tostado said. Next, crews will strip the old gilding, laser clean and repair the sculpture. An epoxy primer, base layer, polymer base and adhesive will be applied before the new gold leaf is applied by hand.

Read the full story from the Tribune’s Evgenia Anastasakos.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day, including ICE enforcement escalating in Chicago, the latest on the plan to spend $425 million in taxpayer money at the Chicago Fire stadium site and why the James Beard Awards are starting a search for a new host city.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announces new policy to test troops for low testosterone

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced yesterday that he is rolling out a new screening program for “testosterone deficiency” among troops, calling it necessary to allow them to operate at their “absolute best.”

ICE enforcement escalates in Chicago as communities mourn immigrant fathers killed by federal agents

As communities across the city and country gather for vigils and rallies to mourn the recent fatal shootings by ICE of two immigrant fathers during traffic stops, federal immigration agents around Chicago and surrounding suburbs continue to approach motorists during their operations.

This week, rapid response teams have documented at least four encounters in which federal agents approached people while they were in their vehicles, including one in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood on Tuesday and another in the parking lot of a South Loop supermarket yesterday morning.

GOP senator singles out former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot during Todd Blanche DOJ hearing

Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was singled out by a Republican senator yesterday as someone who should not be put in “charge of a ham sandwich” during acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing.

Chicago Public Schools lays off 760 teachers as officials look to close massive deficit

Chicago Public Schools leaders unveiled a proposed budget with layoffs of 760 teachers and 801 school-based support staff, along with five furlough days, to help close a $732 million deficit.

Some of the layoffs are the result of the district reducing its student-to-teacher allocation ratio by one, a cost-saving measure first outlined in May. The rest are part of the district’s annual budgeting process, where school leaders reevaluate staffing based on shifting student needs.

Related:

• Cook County will ‘explore’ making Chicago Public Schools eligible for late property tax loan

CTA: 3 Loop train stations to close for next 2 weekends

If you’re heading to the Loop during the next two weekends, beware that traffic and transit will not operate as normal.

Plan to spend $425 million in taxpayer money at Chicago Fire stadium site wins City Council approval

Aldermen approved a plan yesterday to spend $425 million in taxpayer money to spark development at The 78, the barren downtown lot where the Chicago Fire are building a soccer stadium.

The plan backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson will fund a broad array of infrastructure projects at the site, including a river wall, new roads and Metra track adjustments. Around half the money will fund a parking structure, cement foundation and public plaza city planners say are needed to spark high-rise development beyond the stadium at the long-unused site.