Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It's Wednesday. Keep your week's momentum going strong with these stories from WTTW News.  (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) President Donald Trump is threatening to deploy the National Guard in Chicago, saying crime is out of control and that he doesn’t believe reports that violence is down, despite statistics to the contrary. Chicago Police Department data shows that compared to last year, violent crime in the city is down 22% through the end of July.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: This Tuesday, start your day with a story on local leaders pushing back against the Trump administration's threats to send the National Guard to Chicago. That, and more from WTTW News.  Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks alongside dozens of elected officials about threats to send the National Guard to Chicago in a news conference on Aug. 25, 2025. (WTTW News) Gov.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: Happy Monday. Tune in tonight at 5:30 and 10 p.m. for a WTTW News special that’s the latest in our series on policing in Chicago.  Gov. JB Pritzker signs bills aimed at further protecting reproductive rights in Illinois, on Aug 22, 2025, at the University YMCA in Champaign, Illinois. (Courtesy of State of Illinois live stream) Two bills aimed at further protecting reproductive rights in Illinois were signed by Gov.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: Happy Friday. Kick off your weekend with a column from our science and nature reporter Patty Wetli. Plus, more from WTTW News. Water lily at Chicago Botanic Garden. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News) Patty Wetli: I tell you, I might be psychic. Last weekend, I went to the Chicago Botanic Garden and took a ridiculous number of photos of water lilies.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: This Thursday, read a story from investigative reporter Blair Paddock on the conditions for incarcerated people in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Plus, more from WTTW news. (txking / iStock) About three years into his incarceration, Calvin Merritte said he saw Menard Correctional Center’s cafeteria for the first time this summer. Up until then, he’d only received food in his cell.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It’s already the middle of the week. Time flies when you’re staying up to date on your city with WTTW News.  (FierceAbin / iStock) The Great Lakes, a water-rich region, hold 20% of the planet's surface freshwater. However, that doesn't mean cities across Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and New York couldn't become the next Phoenix.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It’s Tuesday. Check out these stories from WTTW News on the TRUST Act, Chicago Public Schools’ first day of classes and local stationery recommendations from science and nature reporter Patty Wetli.  Federal immigration agents in Chicago in a file photo. (WTTW News via CNN) When it comes to Illinois laws aimed at protecting immigrants, Adams County Sheriff Tony Grootens has made his views clear.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It's a new week, Chicago. Start it off strong with these stories from WTTW News.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo pictured in a file photo. (memoriesarecaptured / iStock) A  new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, detention center is in the works in Indiana, dubbed the “Speedway Slammer.” Similar in size to Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” facility, the Indiana center will triple the amount of beds ICE has in the Chicago region.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: Happy Friday. End your week with a new column from science and nature reporter Patty Wetli and more stories from WTTW News.   A bulldozer slices through Bell Bowl Prairie, March 9, 2023. (Courtesy of Jessie Mermel) Patty Wetli: This week, we received an update on the status of Bell Bowl Prairie. If you’re thinking, “Wait, didn’t Rockford Airport plow under that ancient prairie back in 2023?”, you have a good memory. Yes, the fight to save the prairie failed.

Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: It’s Thursday and the weekend awaits. Get prepped with our Summer Festival Guide and the latest stories about your city from WTTW News.  (WTTW News) Chicago Public Schools officials are planning to rely on non-classroom cuts, additional revenue streams and a contingency that puts off a $175 million pension payment in order to close a budget gap of more than $700 million.