Good afternoon. It’s Tax Day, and here’s how you can file for free if you haven’t already. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. A 9-year-old girl was killed during a mass shooting over the weekend on the South Side

Ariana Molina was with family celebrating a confirmation Saturday night in the Back of the Yards neighborhood when gunfire erupted, killing the 9-year-old girl and wounding three boys and seven adults, my colleagues Kaitlin Washburn and Matthew Hendrickson report.

“It just came out of nowhere,” said Alejandra Velasquez, aunt and godmother to Ariana.

Two brothers, ages 1 and 8, were also shot several times in the abdomen and hospitalized in critical condition. Among the adults wounded was Ariana’s mother, Velasquez said.

Police say the shooting was likely the result of gang violence. The shooters opened fire on the family with assault rifles and handguns, according to a police report. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. The killing of Dexter Reed exposes a struggle over how Chicago investigates police shootings

The issue stems from a 2016 state law that says an independent law enforcement agency — other than the one involved in the shooting — must investigate such cases.

But in Chicago, no independent law enforcement agencies investigate police-involved shootings for possible crimes, my colleagues Frank Main and Tom Schuba report.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which isn’t a law enforcement agency, investigates whether Chicago officers should face administrative discipline for alleged misconduct in police shootings.

But it doesn’t draw conclusions about potential criminal conduct by cops in those cases. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Meanwhile, the five police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Reed have been investigated a combined 41 times since 2019, my colleague Andy Grimm reports. [Chicago Sun-Times]

3. Three Jewish lawmakers refused to meet with Mayor Johnson

At least three Jewish lawmakers and several Jewish organizations declined to meet with Mayor Brandon Johnson today for a roundtable discussion on antisemitism, my colleague Tessa Weinberg reports.

In a letter sent to Johnson last week, the lawmakers pointed to Johnson’s tie-breaking vote in support of a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war in Gaza as one example of Johnson’s “stunning failure in leadership.”

“True change can only start at the top. Before calling for a roundtable on antisemitism, a true leader should begin by demonstrating a modicum of empathy for the Jewish community — we have seen none of that,” wrote Chicago Ald. Debra Silverstein, state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz and state Rep. Bob Morgan.

Representatives for the Jewish United Fund and Anti-Defamation League Midwest confirmed they were invited to today’s roundtable and also declined to attend. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, a group of protesters against the war in Gaza this morning blocked traffic to O’Hare Airport on Monday morning. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. Illinois and Chicago will split $19.3 million in federal funding for the migrant crisis

The money comes from $300 million in spending Congress previously approved for federal agencies to deal with the migrant crisis, my colleague Lynn Sweet reports.

City officials estimate more than 38,000 migrants have been transported to Chicago since the crisis began in August 2022.

Mayor Johnson’s administration said the cost to the city, through the end of 2023, totaled $295 million, with $143 million of those costs covered by federal grants. [Chicago Sun-Times]

The new federal funding comes as the City Council considers authorizing another $70 million to help migrants bused from Texas.

City officials expect the number of asylum seekers arriving in Chicago will begin to increase as this summer’s Democratic National Convention nears. [Chicago Sun-Times]

5. Caitlin Clark will likely be selected by the Indiana Fever in tonight’s WNBA Draft

Just eight days after playing in front of a record-setting TV audience for an NCAA national championship, Iowa star Caitlin Clark will enter the WNBA when the Fever are expected to select her as the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The transition from college to the WNBA is one of the swiftest in sports, my colleague Annie Costabile reports.

‘‘The game is evolving so fast now,’’ Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. ‘‘These college players are super-skilled. They have size, athleticism. But there’s not always a ton of opportunity on these teams to make rosters.”

Costabile takes a look at who might follow Clark in the draft, including who the Chicago Sky might select. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• World leaders are urging restraint as Israel decides how to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack over the weekend. [AP]

• The first criminal trial of a former president began today in New York. [NPR]

• FBI agents are searching the ship that crashed into Baltimore’s Key Bridge. [NPR]

• Tesla plans to lay off 10% of its workforce as the electric car company faces increased competition. [CNBC]

Oh, and one more thing …

Here’s something I didn’t know: Illinois ranked eighth in the country in dog bite claims last year, my colleague Mohammad Samra reports.

“Insurance companies paid more than $61.8 million for 837 dog-related injury claims,” Samra writes. “The average claim payout was $73,797, over double the average claim of $35,553 from 2018.”

Local dog trainers urge owners to watch out for early signs of aggressive behavior.

“Not all dog bites are the same,” said Pamela Davis, senior trainer at the Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center in Lincoln Square. “The level at which a dog’s bitten in the past is the primary way of assessing risk of future bites.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

Tell me something good …

This delightful weather is getting me jazzed about the summer. And what summer isn’t complete without a beach read? So I’d like to know what was your favorite book to read while bathing in the sun?

Mine is Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann. It’s basically a novel version of a Real Housewives season. There’s drama seemingly on every page, and it’s a fairly quick read.

Feel free to email me and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.