Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: Today, WTTW News has stories on stalled police reform, meteor showers and delicious local recommendations from “Chicago Tonight” host Brandis Friedman.  (WTTW News) More than 200 positions charged with implementing a court order that requires the Chicago Police Department to stop routinely violating Black and Latino residents’ constitutional rights are vacant, with another 226 positions unaccounted for, according to records obtained by WTTW News.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It’s another Monday and another Daily Chicagoan newsletter with everything you need to know about your city today from WTTW News.  (WTTW News) Chicago police officers accused of serious misconduct have the right to ask an arbitrator — and not the Chicago Police Board — to decide their fate, but those proceedings must take place in public, an Illinois Appeals Court ruled.

Happy Friday, Chicago. Start your weekend with a column from WTTW News nature reporter Patty Wetli and an in-depth interview with Sen. Dick Durbin.  A young Ferris, before the Montrose chicks had even received their names. (Courtesy Chicago Piping Plovers) Patty Wetli: This past week started on a tragic note, with news that one of Chicago’s piping plover chicks, Ferris, had … died? … been killed? … was eaten? I struggled with how to characterize what happened to Ferris. “Died” suggested an illness, which wasn’t the case.

This Thursday, WTTW News has stories on crime, City Council and, of course, armadillos.  ShotSpotter screen. (WTTW News) When Mayor Brandon Johnson scrapped the city’s controversial gunshot detection system, he defied critics who warned that without ShotSpotter, police officers would be unable to stop a wave of gun violence.

Get over the midweek hump with these stories from WTTW News.  Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., Chicago, is pictured on Aug. 4, 2025. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) Medicaid cuts enacted by a sweeping federal rescission bill are sounding alarms for Illinois health professionals, who warn the move could gut insurance coverage, strain already overburdened hospitals and deepen access issues in rural Illinois and across the state.

It’s Tuesday, which boasts a forecast of hazy skies and warm temperatures. Before you face the day, check out these stories from WTTW News.  Texas House Democrats join Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks about the Texas Republican plans to redraw the House map during a press conference at the Democratic Party of DuPage County office in Carol Stream, IL on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

It's Monday. Let's start the week with these stories from WTTW News.  (Courtesy of Mothers Opposed to Violence Everywhere) With violent crime and homicides down in Chicago, anti-violence advocates said continuing their work is more important than ever. However, recent federal funding cuts have created a domino effect on state and local budgets. We talked to two local groups, who say the decrease in funding is already starting to have an impact on what they’re able to do.

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Happy August! It's official, the Chicago Cubs will host the All-Star Game for the first time in more than 30 years. You just have to wait until 2027.  

A natural area in Winnemac Park that had been blooming with native plants has been mowed down without any warning to volunteer stewards, the park advisory council or community at large. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: This Thursday, take a step back from your day to read these stories from WTTW News.  A file photo from a transgender rights demonstration. (WTTW News) Some local hospitals that have been at the forefront of providing gender-affirming care to patients under the age of 19 have pulled back on those services. The move comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to stop federal support for gender-affirming care for young people.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It’s Wednesday. You’re at the midpoint of the work week. Take a breather with these stories from WTTW News.  (WTTW News/Michael Izquierdo) Chicago is seeing a historic drop in violent crime in the first half of the year. According to the Chicago Police Department, homicides and shootings are both down more than 30% in the first six months of the year compared to 2024. City data also shows significant declines in other categories like carjackings, robberies and aggravated assaults.