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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.
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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. (AP Photo / Mark Black) |
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Texas Democrats on Monday prevented their state’s House of Representatives from moving forward, at least for now, with a redrawn congressional map sought by President Donald Trump to shore up Republicans’ 2026 midterm prospects as his political standing falters.
After dozens of Democrats left the state, the Republican-dominated House was unable to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing members who are absent from their seats. Democrats counter that Abbott is using “smoke and mirrors” to assert legal authority he does not have.
The House quickly issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Abbott ordered state troopers to help find and arrest them, but lawmakers physically outside Texas are beyond the jurisdiction of state authorities.
Some backstory:
The revolt by Democrats in the state House and Abbott’s threat ratcheted up a widening fight over congressional maps that began in Texas but expanded to include Democratic governors who have floated the possibility of rushing to redraw their own state maps in retaliation. But their options are limited.
After one group of Democrats landed Sunday in Chicago, they were welcomed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, but declined to say how long they were prepared to stay away from Texas.
What Illinois House Republican leader Tony McCombie and law professor Harold Krent have to say:
“I don’t think anybody should be gerrymandering, Republican or Democrat,” Illinois House Republican Leader Tony McCombie told “Chicago Tonight,” “It should be an independent commission. That is how it should be done. Legislators should not be picking their voters. Voters should be picking us.”
“[Abbott] says that these [Texas Democrats] have abandoned their positions and that he calls for new elections and appoint interim individuals because of their abandonment, but that’s not what abandonment means,” said Harold Krent, professor of law at Chicago Kent College of Law. “They have an intent to return. They haven’t renounced their interest in becoming legislators. They’re doing this because of their interest in being legislators.”
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(WTTW / Michael Izquierdo) |
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Chicago education officials on Monday announced plans to expand wraparound supports for students, families and staff at 16 schools as part of the city’s Sustainable Community Schools model. Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union leaders at the South Shore Cultural Center to announce the SCS expansion, which nearly doubles the number of sustainable schools in the city.
“Until our schools become community hubs in every single neighborhood, we will not see real transformation,” Johnson said. “Sustainable Community Schools is truly the future of public education, not just in Chicago, but across America.”
Launched in 2018, CPS based its SCS model around engaging academic curriculum, high-quality teaching, wrap-around supports, restorative justice discipline, parent engagement and inclusive school leadership. By the end of the 2024-25 academic year, 20 Chicago schools were classified as sustainable community schools, but after Monday’s announcement, that total has jumped up to 36.
Interim CPS CEO Macquline King called that expansion a “significant step forward in our investment in education.”
More context:
Click here for a list of the just-announced sustainable community schools
Johnson said those schools will see additional mental health support, more mentorship programs and community-oriented events and increased access to job and housing resources.
The mayor’s remarks come as CPS officials work to close a major budget shortfall before the district’s final spending plan for fiscal year 2026 is due later this month.
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Longtime HIV/AIDS activist Lori Cannon in 2020 for WTTW’s Firsthand: Coronavirus. (WTTW) |
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Lori Cannon, a longtime HIV/AIDS activist and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community in Chicago died Sunday following complications from pancreatic cancer. She was 74.
Cannon was known for her advocacy work with ACT UP Chicago, the AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power, in the 1980s. She co-founded Open Hand Chicago, an in-home meal delivery program for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Sidetrack bar owner and friend Art Johnston, who knew Cannon from her activism with ACT UP Chicago, said he thinks about the thousands of people with HIV/AIDS who Cannon saved or helped make more comfortable in their final days.
“She did everything for everyone with such love and such care and such concern,” Johnston said. “Even those of us with the most expansive imaginations cannot envision a world that does not have Lori Cannon.”
Until the end of her life, Cannon continued serving clients at the food pantry, which was renamed to Vital Bridges, and most recently Groceryland.
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Back in the Day: August 5, 1970 - Janis Joplin Rocks Ravinia in Final Chicago Area Show |
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The legendary recording artist Janis Joplin would’ve been 82 years old this year. A raspy-voiced and affecting vocalist who wowed crowds with her charisma, passion and range, she died of an accidental overdose in October 1970 at 27. Months before her tragic death, she made her final appearance in the Chicago area, playing a raucous and sold-out show at Ravinia Festival on Aug. 5, 1970 — 55 years ago today. 18,000 fans showed up to the outdoor show, and while there was a heightened police presence due to a riot at a Sly Stone Grant Park concert, the actual performance went without any issues. Concertgoers remember her "ratty hair and throaty voice” as well as rousing renditions of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee” as well as the then-new song “Half Moon.” Eight days after the Ravinia show, Janis Joplin gave her final public performance at Harvard Stadium. She died on Oct. 4, 1970.
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. This week, it’s “Chicago Tonight” producer Paul Caine on the best local places to go thrifting.
Paul Caine: I’ve been a keen thrifter from my teens growing up in the UK back in the 1980s. Back then, it was largely driven by a desire to make what little money I had go further, but at the time there was still something of a stigma attached to buying almost anything used. Thankfully, any stigma attached to thrifting has long since dissipated and thrift stores are now home to hipsters, fashionistas and anyone who appreciates searching out a good bargain. For me now, thrifting is the joy of treasure hunting and saving money all at once. Over the years, I have bought furniture, hi-fi stereo equipment, clothes and a multitude of kitchenware and other household items. Some collectible, some practical — but all were easy on my wallet.
Here are three of my favorite thrift stores. Happy thrifting!
Brown Elephant, 5404 N. Clark St.
Great location, which means you can combine weekend thrifting with brunch at any of the many great restaurants and bars in the neighborhood. The Brown Elephant is extremely well curated and great for clothes, furniture, artwork, CDs and vinyl along with jewelry and kitchenware. All proceeds support LGBTQ+ health care and fund care for the uninsured and under-insured at Howard Brown Health so you can feel good about spending money there.
Unique Thrift Store, 3748 N. Elston Ave.
Great for clothes, books and DVDs as well as kitchenware. It also boasts electronics and a limited amount of furniture. If you donate any items, they’ll give you a coupon giving you a discount on future purchases.
Village Discount Outlet, 2032 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Great thrift store that is especially good for clothes, household items, some electronics as well as more valuable random items kept behind a long glass counter. The only drawback is that if you’re driving, finding parking can be tough.
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It’s been hot, mild, smoky, rainy and stormy this summer. What’s your ideal weather in Chicago? Tell us why.
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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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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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