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This Wednesday, we take a look at how CPD is bracing for next week's DNC. Plus, an update in the Michael Madigan case and concert recommendations. |
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The Democratic National Convention, set to take place in Chicago Aug. 19-22, will pose the most significant test of the Chicago Police Department since the summer of 2020, when unrest triggered by the police murder of George Floyd swept the city.
WTTW News reporter Heather Cherone has the latest on what to know.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling have repeatedly said that Chicago police officers are prepared to lawfully police the expected protests.
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City officials expect the convention to draw 50,000 visitors, including 12,000 volunteers and 15,000 members of the media.
Will it be different from 2020? 1986?
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Federal court monitors required CPD to revamp its policy for handling protests to prevent the chaos of 2020 from happening again.
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CPD officers will now be required to take additional steps to protect the First Amendment rights of protesters.
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Only specific protesters who pose a threat to people or property can be arrested.
When protests are planned:
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The Coalition to March on the DNC, made up of more than 125 organizations, plans to march on the first and last days of the convention near the United Center.
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Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws plan to march Sunday, Aug. 18 on Michigan Avenue, before the convention officially starts.
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The Poor People’s Army will march Aug. 19 from Humboldt Park to the United Center.
The Democratic National Convention is happening Aug. 19-22 at the United Center and McCormick Place. |
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Everybody’s Got a Story: Whitney LaMora |
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For most of the 15 years that Whitney LaMora has been in Chicago, she’s lived in West Town. As the creative director of Drinking Policy, the hospitality company she founded with her wife Chef Zoe Schor, LaMora has worn many hats. She was the owner and founder of the long-running art gallery the Martin, a co-owner of Split-Rail, the beloved neighborhood restaurant, and currently runs the popular lesbian cocktail bar Dorothy.
Now, LaMora and Schor are launching Villanelle, a queer wedding venue in the former Split-Rail space. “I came to Chicago to do theater,” says LaMora. “I've reinvented myself, my career, and my creative identity many times but Chicago has always said yes. There are so many possibilities here. Whenever I've taken the leap, I have always found a creative home in this city.”
On Saturday, Sept. 14, from noon-4 p.m., Villanelle’s doors will be open for vendors, couples and neighborhood friends to tour the space, ask questions and celebrate the launch with LaMora and Schor. |
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Michael Madigan file photo (WTTW News) |
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Federal prosecutors argued ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime confidant and current co-defendant Michael McClain should not be tried separately later this year.
The case was initially set to go to trial earlier this year, but it was delayed until after the U.S. Supreme Court could rule in a separate case in which it narrowed the scope of federal bribery statutes. WTTW News reporter Matt Masterson has the latest developments.
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What prosecutors are saying: “[McClain's motion for severance] makes it obvious that Madigan, even though he has not joined the motion, wants severance just as badly as McClain, for it will allow him (and McClain at his own trial, if there were one) to do precisely what the Seventh Circuit has cautioned joinder is meant to avoid: blame the absent defendant,” writes assistant U.S. attorneys wrote in the 11-page response.
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How the defense responds: “Because of this situation, there is a serious danger, if not an inevitability, that the jury will decide the case by choosing which of the two defense theories they believe to be stronger, instead of deciding whether the Government has proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt,” McClain’s attorneys wrote.
Madigan and McClain are currently set to go to trial Oct. 8.
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Richard Nixon making his resignation speech on August 8, 1974. |
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Less than a week after Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign, the Illinois GOP weighed in. Fifty years ago on this date, according to the Chicago Tribune, the platform committee of the Illinois State Republican Party chose not to censure the disgraced former commander in chief but instead adopted a resolution “praising Nixon for various accomplishments, which drew a standing ovation.” Also of note from that meeting, state Republicans called for tax assessment procedures to be reformed, and asserted that “the public has the right to financial information about a candidate.”
Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal, where Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncovered the connection between an attempted burglary at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the president’s administration. The Chicago Tribune also played a surprising role in the demise of Nixon’s presidency. In May 1974, the paper printed the entire 246,000-word transcript of the Watergate tapes, which were conversations recorded by Nixon in the White House. Later that month, the Tribune's Editorial Board, a longtime bastion of conservatism, called for his resignation. |
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Also From WTTW News: |
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. |
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Other News From Around Town |
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What Was Dennis Rodman Doing On The Northwest Side? (Block Club Chicago)
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Meet the Young Chicagoans Getting Ready for the DNC (WBEZ)
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Is/Was Brewing Opens On Malt Row In Ravenswood This Weekend (Block Club Chicago)
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Via Chicago: Live Music Recommendations From Josh Terry |
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Before newsletter producer Josh Terry worked at WTTW News, he was a music journalist for places like VICE, RedEye Chicago, and his own newsletter at No Expectations. Each Wednesday, Via Chicago presents select shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Wednesday, Aug. 14:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Outset. Tickets.
Thursday, Aug. 15:
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at Outset. Tickets.
Ekko Astral, Tetchy, Sawamura No Hitter at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
Friday, Aug. 16:
The Juju Exchange, Nova Zaii at Schubas. Tickets.
PACKS, Joey Nebulous, Snake Pond at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Saturday, Aug. 17:
Santigold, Ogi at Concord Music Hall. Tickets.
Charley Crockett, Lee Fields at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Tickets.
Sunday, Aug. 18:
Edie McKenna, Winefred RT, Bridig Broderick at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Styrofoam Winos, Cassie Berman at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Monday, Aug. 19:
The Deals, Dust Star, Options at Empty Bottle. Free.
Lia Kohl/Macie Stewart/Whitney Johnson, BSA Gold at Sleeping Village. Free.
Tuesday, Aug. 20:
Vandoliers, Mya Byrne at Schubas. Tickets.
Solipse, Brass Calf, Beige on Beige at Sleeping Village. Tickets. |
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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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