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It’s Wednesday. Catch up on the latest stories affecting your city with WTTW News. |
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Military personnel in uniform, with the Texas National Guard patch on, are seen at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Elwood, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) |
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The first members of the Texas National Guard have arrived in the Chicago area over the vehement objections of Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who have accused President Donald Trump of declaring war on Chicago.
A Pentagon official on Tuesday confirmed 200 federalized Texas National Guard troops arrived in Illinois “in support of the Federal Protection Mission to protecting federal functions, personnel, and property.” The official said those guardsmen were mobilized for an initial period of 60 days. Military personnel in uniforms with the Texas National Guard patch at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Elwood, 55 miles southwest of Chicago.
“It’s illegal, unconstitutional,” Johnson said at Tuesday morning news conference. “It’s dangerous. It’s wrong. This is not about deportations, this is not about safety for this president. This is about authoritarianism. It’s about stoking fear. It’s about breaking the Constitution.”
Johnson asked Chicagoans to “remain calm.”
“I understand the turmoil and the level of anxiety, that families are experiencing,” Johnson said. “I’m asking folks to operate in the long tradition of nonviolence, while also organizing the community to resist and find ways in the region to continue to come together and push back and against this.”
Johnson said he was “hopeful” that U.S. District Court Judge April Perry will block the deployment. Perry is scheduled to hold a hearing at 11 a.m. Thursday to decide whether to grant the temporary restraining order requested by Chicago and Illinois officials.
What else happened?
On Monday, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Communications Director Brandon Lee said a deployment of the National Guard to Chicago would be an escalation of an already “harmful, hateful operation” against communities by federal immigration agents.
The coalition’s goal will be to continue to make sure that community members know their rights, that communities look out for each other and that elected officials take proactive measures to protect communities in Illinois, according to Lee.
The organization runs a family support network hotline that people can call to report ICE activity and receive legal support and social service resources if someone in their family is taken by immigration officials. The hotline has typically seen 200 to 400 calls on a daily basis since heightened operations began in the beginning of September, said Lee.
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A rendering of the proposed Chicago Fire stadium, which is being planned as an anchor of "The 78," Related Midwest's 62-acre development of a former rail yard on the South Branch of the Chicago River. (Courtesy Chicago Fire FC and Gensler) |
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Chicago billionaire Joe Mansueto is offering up $750 million of his own money to build a new Chicago Fire FC stadium at The 78, a 62-acre site in the South Loop. The stadium is set to hold 22,000 fans and is expected to break ground in early 2026 with hopes of it being ready in time for the 2028 season. The project is being led by Related Midwest, which has owned the rights to develop the land for the past several years. Chicago Fire FC President Dave Baldwin said he was excited about their partnership.
Related Midwest and the Fire still need to agree with the city on how much money will come from taxpayers. Although stadium construction will be financed by Mansueto, tax-increment financing, or TIF, funds will still need to be allocated toward infrastructure around the stadium, including walkways and roads. In a vote last month, the Chicago City Council approved construction.
Some pushback?
A recent joint survey from People Matter, The Lugenia Burns Hope Center and the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community found that out of 400 residents, a large percentage were not aware of the stadium plans.
Consuela Hendricks, co-president and co-founder of People Matter, found the lack of awareness around the new stadium troubling. She said it raises concerns about community involvement on the stadium project.
“Displacement is one of our bigger issues, and one of the things we want is a racial equity impact assessment done,” Hendricks said. The assessment would show how the project could impact surrounding communities.
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(WTTW News) |
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A key City Council Committee on Tuesday unanimously endorsed a proposed six-year deal with the city’s police union that would give the city’s nearly 4,900 firefighters and paramedics annual average raises of approximately 3% — but puts off fraught negotiations over how fire stations should be staffed and whether the city needs more ambulances.
Chicago firefighters and paramedics — who are prohibited from striking — have been working under the terms of a contract that took effect in 2017 and expired in 2021. The proposed contract would expire June 30, 2027, shortly after the mayor and City Council members start new terms, records show.
Members of the Fire Department will get $185 million in retroactive pay in 2026, an amount included in the city’s budget projections for 2026, said Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward), chair of the Workforce Development Committee, which sent the proposed contract to the full Chicago City Council for a final vote on the deal Oct. 16.
Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 ratified the tentative agreement with 73% of the vote, said union President Pat Cleary.
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Back in the Day: October 8, 1945 - Cubs Force Game 7 of the World Series Vs. Detroit Tigers |
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In 1945, the Chicago Cubs found themselves in the World Series for the seventh time since they last won in 1908. They had lost in 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, and 1938. Thanks to a 98–56 record in 1945, the North Siders coasted through the postseason and found themselves facing the Detroit Tigers—a rematch of the 1907, 1908 and 1935 World Series. On this day 80 years ago, the Cubs were down 3-2 against the Tigers for Game 6. They had faced what would be known as “The Curse of the Billy Goat” in Game 4, but wanted to stop the Tigers from claiming the title on their home stadium. After 12 innings of dramatic, unpredictable baseball, third baseman Stan Hack hit a sinking line drive to left field, which eluded Tigers outfielder Hank Greenberg. Game 7, which the Cubs lost, would be played two days later. The Cubs would not appear in another World Series for 71 years until 2016. We all know what happened then. |
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Learn about sponsorship opportunities. |
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Oct. 8-14 |
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Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Thursday, Oct. 9
Goon, Beaming at Schubas. Tickets.
Two LA bands that write infectious songs with innovative rock arrangements.
Hiss Golden Messenger, Rett Madison at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets.
This North Carolina folk singer is a can’t-miss show.
Charley Crockett at Salt Shed. Tickets.
A well-dressed country bard who is shaking up the genre.
Friday, Oct. 10:
Laufey, Suki Waterhouse at United Center. Tickets.
An Icelandic-Chinese artist who proves that young people like timeless jazz singing.
Chance the Rapper, Do or Die, Taylor Bennett at Northerly Island. Tickets.
The hometown hero is back with a new album called “Star Line.”
Addison Rae at Aragon Ballroom. Tickets.
Ask a Zoomer in your life about this artist.
Saturday, Oct. 11:
Nico Segal (& The Social Experiment), The O'Mys, more at Metro. Tickets.
The Chicago musicians celebrate 10 years of the mixtape “Surf.”
Richy Mitch and the Coal Miners, Field Medic at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Get there early for the charming folk-pop of opener Kevin Patrick Sullivan.
Model/Actriz, Kassie Krut at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Innovative, danceable and pummeling synth-rock across the lineup here.
Tuesday, Oct. 14:
TOPS, Starcleaner Reunion at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Timeless pop from a locked-in Montreal band.
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The Chicago Cubs have advanced to the National League Division Series round of the MLB postseason. What’s been your favorite moment of the season so far?
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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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