Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by:
|
|
|
|
|
It’s Wednesday and it's dangerously hot today. Take a minute this morning to read through the latest stories from WTTW News.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
(nechaev-kon / iStock)
|
The first death from West Nile virus in Illinois this year was reported in Chicago, the Chicago Department of Public Health announced Tuesday.
Further details about the person who died were not immediately shared.
“The year’s first death in Illinois related to West Nile virus is a sobering reminder to take mosquito-borne illness seriously,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a statement. “While most people won’t experience serious symptoms, West Nile virus can lead to severe illness in high-risk groups such as older adults, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and immunocompromised persons.”
In addition, CDPH confirmed Tuesday the first two human cases of West Nile virus in the city. Positive tests in humans have also recently been reported in suburban Cook County.
A bad year:
For many Chicago-area residents, this summer has been a lot itchier than usual.
A growing population of invasive Asian tiger mosquitoes is leaving millions of people with itchy, painful bites. And severe summer storms have created more standing water, which is where mosquitoes breed.
The Asian tiger mosquito bites during the day and can ingest multiple blood meals, meaning these flying nuisances are able to bite more often than the mosquitoes we’re used to.
“Symptoms can be very mild to non-existent, but in rare cases you can get what’s called neuroinvasive West Nile disease,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer of the CCDPH. “That can result in people getting really sick, needing to be admitted to the ICU, be put in a breathing machine, and in rare cases, even death. So, it’s all the more reason to pay attention to all the common sense prevention measures.”
Two of the cases reported last week are neuroinvasive, Joshi said.
Ticks:
Ticks are also seeing record-high activity nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August had the highest rate of tick bite-related emergency room visits since the agency started tracking in 2017.
Ticks most commonly carry Lyme disease and alpha-gal syndrome, an illness that causes a red meat allergy.
“The tick needs to be attached for 36 hours in order to pass along the bacteria,” Joshi said. “So really important to do tick checks if you’ve been out and about, if you’ve been hiking, if you’ve been in areas where there’s tall grass.”
Symptoms can show up within a few days to a few weeks. Possible symptoms include fatigue, rash, heart impacts and death.
|
|
|
|
|
Sponsor Message
|
|
Your next night out is at Paramount Theatre!
The hit Broadway musical Mean Girls is taking over downtown Aurora now through October 11th, in a bold, dazzling, larger-than-life style that only Paramount can deliver.
Based on the iconic Tina Fey movie, this show is filled with unforgettable pop-rock songs and big laughs – it’s perfect for anyone who’s ever tried to find their place in the crowd.
Don't miss the musical everyone will be talking about. Put on your pink and get your tickets now at ParamountAurora.com or call 630-896-6666.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
(WTTW News)
|
Trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada are escalating after Canada announced $20 billion in tariffs on more than 700 U.S. goods, including steel, aluminum and dairy products.
The retaliatory tariffs will take effect Sept. 8 and are a response to U.S. tariffs imposed Aug. 22 on Canadian wine, cement and hockey sticks, among other products.
“President Trump is taking action to hold Canada accountable for its continued discrimination against and unreasonable and unequal treatment of U.S. commerce that has burdened and disadvantaged hardworking Americans,” the White House wrote in a fact sheet announcing the tariffs.
While the tariffs are expected to create uncertainty for businesses on both sides of the border, experts say the broader consequence could be a major shift in U.S. trade relations.
More context:
President Donald Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic policy since returning to office 17 months ago. But Robert Gulotty, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, said the president’s adversarial approach to trade policy could backfire if Canada doesn’t back down.
“The goal here from the Trump administration is to use the leverage the U.S. has to extract more concessions from Canada, and most countries have played ball,” Gulotty said. “(Canada) says, ‘We have to challenge the United States.’ This recent round of conflict is an example of Canada putting its money where its mouth is. It’s trying to enact a pressure campaign by not just backing down.”
Ian Hurd, a political science professor at Northwestern University, said there’s no merit to the idea that Canada is ripping off the United States.
“The import-export trade between the U.S. and Canada is about businesses making business deals with other companies in order to advance the interests of their companies,” Hurd said. “That’s what drives imports and exports, so the concept of taking advantage is ludicrous.”
On top of potentially degrading international credibility, igniting a trade war with Canada could hamper businesses.
Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, said the U.S. tariffs on Canada will cripple companies that rely on Canadian goods. “The ping-pong ball back and forth really creates an issue for businesses that are trying to plan not only next year but five and 10 years down the road,” Denzler said.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Chicago police investigate South Chicago Chapel after authorities discovered dozens of decomposing bodies in the funeral home's basement on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
|
The city of Chicago is suing the owners of the South Chicago Chapel, weeks after dozens of improperly stored, decomposing bodies were discovered at the facility in what city attorneys claim was an “immensely unsanitary” situation.
The city filed its lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against owners Johanna and Clark Morgan, alleging their “unlicensed funeral home” violated the city’s municipal code numerous times through dangerous, hazardous and unsanitary conditions.
Background:
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and Chicago Police Department launched investigations in early August after 56 decomposing bodies were found inside the Southeast Side facility.
According to the lawsuit, 51 bodies were discovered stacked in a rear storage room in “varying degrees of severe decay/decomposition.” Half of those were found inside an “insufficiently operating cooler,” the lawsuit states, while the others were “strewn haphazardly” throughout this storage area in an “advanced state of decomposition.”
“The stench was overwhelming and could be smelled outside the building,” the complaint states, adding that there were swarms of flies and numerous rats discovered around the bodies.
Through the suit, the city is asking the court to issue a daily fine of $11,500 until the violations are remedied, as well as temporary and permanent injunctions to correct the flagged issues.
State business records show Johanna Morgan incorporated South Chicago Chapel Inc. in 2022 and her funeral director’s license was temporarily suspended last month.
The Morgans have not been charged criminally, though an Illinois State Police spokesperson said an investigation of the conduct at a facility they owned in Chicago Heights is ongoing. The Chicago Police Department said it is conducting an independent investigation regarding the Morgans’ handling of bodies at South Chicago Chapel.
|
|
|
|
|
|
More From WTTW News:
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Back in the Day: September 2, 1995 - Northwestern Upsets Notre Dame, Kicks Off Rose Bowl Season
|
On this day 31 years ago, the Northwestern University Wildcats pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the school’s football history. They kicked off their 1995 season against Notre Dame. The Wildcats had not had a winning record since 1971, but they managed to defeat the No. 9-ranked Fighting Irish in a 17-15 shocker. They were 28-point underdogs in the matchup, but came out on top thanks to a spirited performance from the entire team, especially its special teams unit. The
season-opening victory would kick off a legendary campaign for the program, resulting in their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1949.
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations For Sept. 2-8
|
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Thursday, Sept. 3:
Alabaster DePlume, Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes, Kassa Overall at Rockwell on the River. Tickets.
Three acts who push the boundaries of jazz. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Dos Santos, Leroy the Poet at Rockwell on the River Patio. Tickets.
The headliners make head-spinning, experimental and rhythm-first Latin-inspired rock and jazz. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7:
Underworld, Honey Dijon, the Blessed Madonna, Derrick Carter, more at Arc Music Festival. Tickets.
Head to Union Park for a four-day festival of electronic, dance and DJ talent.
Friday, Sept. 4:
Resavoir, Sam Wilkes at Rockwell on the River Patio. Tickets.
Chicago trumpeter/producer Will Miller just announced a gorgeous new album. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Walt McClements, Jessica Risker, Official Claire at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
A wide-ranging lineup: Expect according, folk and local openers. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Woods, Natural Information Society & Bitchin Bajas, Water Damage at Rockwell on the River. Tickets.
The long-running folk rock outfit leads this stellar bill. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Saturday, Sept 5:
Gregory Uhlmann Extra Stars, Tomeka Reid Quartet, Microplastique at Judson & Moore. Tickets.
One of this newsletter producer’s favorite guitarists leads this fantastic lineup. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Marc Ribot, Josh Johnson, Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer & Contre Jour at Constellation. Tickets.
The iconic guitarist and collaborator leads a bill of heavy-hitters. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
My New Band Believe, Setting, TV Buddha at Beat Kitchen. Tickets.
The former Black Midi member’s “My New Band Believe” is one of the best albums of 2026. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Sunday, Sept. 6:
Dagmar Zuniga, Jana Horn, Advance Base at Guild Row. Tickets.
Folk and ambient music in Avondale. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Grouper, Lucrecia Dalt at Athenaeum Theater. Tickets.
Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Joan Shelley, Otto Benson, David Moore at Constellation. Tickets.
Benson’s “Peanut” is an unbelievable album of quiet, dreamy folk. Part of Sound & Gravity festival.
Monday, Sept. 7:
Danny Elfman at Aragon Ballroom. Tickets.
You’ll probably hear a film score created by this adventurous composer.
Tuesday, Sept. 8:
TLC, Salt-n-Pepa, En Vogue at Northerly Island. Tickets.
There’s one rule for attending this concert: “No Scrubs.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's one Chicago business you miss dearly? Tell us why.
|
|
|
Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
|
|
|
|
|
5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
|
|
|
Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on
Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
|
Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
|
|
|
|
|
