U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland spends two days in Chicago touting a new task force to combat surging summer violence. The Illinois native arrived in the wake of three mass shootings that happened in a single day in the city. Police Superintendent David Brown said of those shootings: “We are in a battle for the heart and soul of these communities.”
Read: Garland Launches Gun Trafficking Strike Forces in 5 Cities
Meanwhile, after years of negotiations, the Chicago City Council voted 36-13 to create an elected board of Chicago residents to oversee the Chicago Police Department, enacting the most far-reaching police reform ordinance in the country.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker makes his reelection bid official after playing coy for months. He also notes a trip to what could be the summer’s biggest superspreader event, Lollapalooza.
Read: Pritzker Says He Plans to Attend Lollapalooza
Mayor Lori Lightfoot warns that COVID-19 restrictions could return with the current spike in COVID-19 cases driven by the more transmissible delta variant.
Meanwhile, Chicago Public Schools students and staff must continue wearing masks inside facilities and practice social distancing where possible when in-person learning resumes next month.
In national news, will House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appoint Republican U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger to the Jan. 6 investigation panel? Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy pulls another member of Congress, Illinois U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, as well as all other GOP members from the panel after Pelosi rejects outspoken loyalists to former President Donald Trump, Reps. Jim Jordan and Jim Banks, from serving on the committee.
Read: Pelosi Bars Trump Allies from Jan. 6 Probe; GOP Vows Boycott
And Illinois’ unemployment fraud losses total nearly $15 million and could reach $1 billion.
Guests
Craig Dellimore, WBBM Newsradio | @CraigDellimore, @WBBMNewsradio
Sarah Schulte, ABC-7 News | @SchulteABC7, @ABC7Chicago
Lourdes Duarte, WGN-TV | @WGNNews, @LourdesWGN
Joan Esposito, WCPT-820 | @WCPT820, @JoanEspositoCHI
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