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It’s a new week, Chicago. Read up on stories about the loss of former Illinois governor, the COVID-19 vaccine and a city arts icon celebrating its centennial.
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(Inside Creative House / iStock) |
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Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order last week authorizing medical professionals to provide updated COVID-19 vaccines to nearly anyone who wants it in Illinois, despite an effort by federal officials to limit access to the life-saving shot.
Federal health officials approved updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine but authorized them only for people 65 and older or for younger people with an underlying medical condition that makes the respiratory virus more dangerous.
Pritzker acted because of the “volatile and concerning actions taken by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.,” according to a statement from his office. “These actions have led to the erosion of trust, caused confusion regarding vaccine guidelines and threatened access to life-saving vaccines.”
“This is about making sure no family in Illinois is left wondering if they can protect themselves against preventable serious illness,” Pritzker said. “When the federal government abandons its responsibility, Illinois will step up. We will follow the science, listen to medical experts, and do everything in our power to enable families to receive the care they need.”
Read the full order here.
The governor directed Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra to permit pharmacists and other medical personnel to administer vaccines recommended by state officials.
The state’s Immunization Advisory Committee will meet Sept. 22 to consider “all data that meets scientific standards before issuing fall respiratory vaccination recommendations,” according to the governor’s office. Those guidelines will be issued no later than Sept. 26, officials said.
“Vaccines are safe, effective, and essential to saving lives,” Vohra said, blasting “confusing and conflicting guidelines” released by federal officials.
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Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar speaks during a campaign rally outside the state Capitol on Nov. 3, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo / Seth Perlman, File) |
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Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a popular two-term Republican credited with guiding the state into a period of greater financial stability in the 1990s, died Sunday, according to his family. He was 79.
Edgar died from complications related to his treatment for pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement. He publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
“We are deeply grateful for the love, support and kindness so many have shown to Jim and our family over these last several months,” the statement said.
Some backstory:
A former state legislator who was Illinois secretary of state for a decade, Edgar was elected governor in 1990. The moderate Republican easily won reelection, including winning heavily Democratic Cook County, where Chicago is located.
He surprised many political observers when he announced in 1997 that he would not seek a third term, considering his popularity. Republicans tried to draft him to run for office again, including bids for the U.S. Senate and again for Illinois governor. But he did not accept.
He remained a party statesman and adviser, and grew uneasy with the Republican Party’s shift to the right. Edgar was among high-profile Republicans who did not support Donald Trump’s presidency, joining a campaign to support Kamala Harris ′ bid for president last year called “Republicans for Harris.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday that flags in the state would fly at half-staff in Edgar’s honor.
Edgar is survived by his wife and two children.
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“Ashland Avenue” runs at the Goodman Theatre through Oct. 12. (Todd Rosenberg) |
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Goodman Theatre rings in 100 years with an anniversary season packed with nods to its hometown and an assist from a pair of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers.
Susan Booth joined the theater in 2022 as the heir to departing artistic director Robert Falls. Like Falls, Booth is also a director. She won accolades, including a regional Tony Award, leading the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta.
But before Atlanta, Booth — who grew up in Ohio and Kansas — already had a strong local pedigree. She studied at Northwestern and DePaul, worked with Falls at the Goodman and was an associate artistic director at Northlight Theatre in Skokie. She even worked with the Neo-Futurists — acting in their 1993 show “70 Scenes of Halloween.”
WTTW News spoke with Booth before the opening of the new Chicago-centric play that she directed, “Ashland Avenue.”
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A U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week leaves open the possibility that ICE agents can use ethnicity, among other factors, when making immigration sweeps. "Chicago Tonight“ hosted a Q&A with Kevin Fee, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, about the decision.
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Learn about sponsorship opportunities. |
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Back in the Day: September 15, 1985 - Chicago Bears Defeat Future Super Bowl Foes 20-7
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To remember an unequivocally great NFL season, Bears fans have to look back 40 years to the ‘85 Bears. At Daily Chicagoan, we’ll be looking back on the top moments of that Super Bowl-winning run as much as possible to hopefully bring the good vibes if, once again, the home team has a disappointing 2025 campaign. On this date 40 years ago, the Bears matched up against their future Super Bowl opponents in the New England Patriots. They won 20-7 at Soldier Field thanks to two Kevin Butler field goals, a Matt Suhey rushing touchdown and a Jim McMahon passing touchdown. They’d from this performance by the time they’d play the Super Bowl, where they won 46–10.
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings |
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Council’s Committee on Finance
On Monday at 10 a.m., the City Council’s Committee on Finance is meeting to discuss whether taxpayers will be on the hook for four settlements, including whether to pay $90 million to resolve lawsuits against the convicted former CPD sergeant Ronald Watts. Details and agenda can be found here.
Chicago Public Library
A Board of Directors meeting for the Chicago Public Library will take place in person on Tuesday at the Merlo Library located at 644 W. Belmont Avenue. Entry to attend the meeting will be granted at 8:45 a.m. Per the event page, written statements are the preferred method of public comment and will be accepted up to 24 hours in advance of the meeting at ebjones@chipublib.org. Peruse the agenda here.
WTTW
In partnership with Inspired Generosity, join WTTW on Wednesday evening at the Impact House for a screening of "How Islam Influenced Black Americans in 1920s Chicago," one of six short documentary films from the PBS Digital series "American Muslims: A History Revealed." After the film, Nick Blumberg, WTTW News correspondent and Host of "Chicago Tonight Week in Review," will moderate a conversation with Alia Bilal, Chief Executive Director, Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Chicago-based urban historian; and Dilnaz Waraich, President of the WF Fund. RSVP here.
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Where's the best place to get an Italian beef in Chicago? Tell us how you order one.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM |
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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