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Get over the midweek hump with these stories from WTTW News.
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Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., Chicago, is pictured on Aug. 4, 2025. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
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Medicaid cuts enacted by a sweeping federal rescission bill are sounding alarms for Illinois health professionals, who warn the move could gut insurance coverage, strain already overburdened hospitals and deepen access issues in rural Illinois and across the state.
Reductions to Medicaid, a public health insurance program for families and individuals with low incomes and limited resources, are expected to affect services and facilities across the state. Medicaid benefits are often used by middle-class families needing long-term or specialty care. The reduced budget is expected to impact rural and safety net hospitals.
Hospitals and medical professionals said the cuts could become a looming health crisis threatening outcomes and accessibility for all patients, crossing political and demographic lines. The problems would only grow if the cuts lead to hospital closures.
More context:
Recent figures estimate 330,000 Illinois residents could lose health coverage under the plan. Many who spoke with WTTW News said the law will lead more uninsured patients to seek emergency care, often with advanced conditions.
Medicaid covers more than 3.4 million people in the state including children, seniors and adults with disabilities, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Estimates show 35.6% of Illinois residents had public health insurance in 2023, up 2.1 percentage points from 2019, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
What could this mean?
Health care leaders are still sorting out exactly what the complex 800-page law means for how they provide care for their patients. The reductions will take place over the next decade, and there will be consequences both short- and long-term, they said.
“What you’re going to see with Medicaid cuts is deeper inequities and higher long-term costs,” Dan Regan, spokesperson at Sinai Chicago, said. “We have worse life expectancies here on the West Side by almost 20 years in some cases than what they have just six miles to the east. The health disparities have the potential to worsen.” |
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Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses the news media on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News) |
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A bill that will boost the retirement benefits for some Chicago police officers and firefighter has weakened the city’s already dire financial condition, a Wall Street ratings agency warned Tuesday.
An analysis of the bill by the city’s Office of Budget and Management warned the bill “would increase the city’s pension liabilities by more than $11 billion” in the two funds that pay pensions to retired police officers and firefighters.
The warning from S&P, one of a handful of major ratings agencies, comes six months after it downgraded Chicago’s credit one notch to BBB with a stable outlook. The city’s 2025 spending plan left intact “a sizable structural budgetary imbalance,” S&P warned.
“With the passage of this legislation, the prognosis for Chicago’s long-term fiscal health has weakened,” S&P analysts led by Scott Nees wrote. “Chicago will now face a steepening out-year pension cost curve even as it currently faces a fiscal 2026 budget gap that we already expected would probably be the largest in the city’s history.”
Chicago’s finances have long been out of whack, pinched by soaring pension costs, spiraling personnel costs and a massive amount of debt. The city’s fiscal stability is also threatened by the crises facing the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Public Schools. Both agencies used federal financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic to expand operations and now must stand alone.
Chicago faces a likely deficit of $1.2 billion in 2026, according to the city’s most recent budget forecast.
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Texas state Reps. Vikki Goodwin and Reynaldo Lopez join “Chicago Tonight” on Aug. 5, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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It’s a Texas-sized showdown that’s capturing the attention of the nation.
More than 50 Democratic lawmakers from Texas fled the state for Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to block an effort by Republicans to redraw congressional districts. The plan, backed by President Donald Trump, would increase the number of Republican-leaning congressional seats by five.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has since called for the lawmakers to be arrested, but Democrats say they’re prepared “to stay as long as it takes.”
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows authorized civil arrest warrants for Texas Democrats who left the state. He said Tuesday that the state’s public safety department is “actively working to compel their attendance.”
“Their jurisdiction is within the state of Texas,” said Texas state Rep. Reynaldo Lopez, who represents parts of San Antonio’s West and Northwest sides. “The reach of what they’re trying to get done in Texas will ultimately affect many other states. And I think what we’re trying to do here is make sure all of the states understand the dilemma.”
“I think that’s a lot of bluster,” said Texas state Rep. Vikki Goodwin, who represents parts of Austin. “The voters elected us to be in office, and I don’t believe that the attorney general is basing his opinion on any fact. Our rules say it would take two-thirds of our legislature to kick us out and that would require some Democrats and we’re not going to do that.”
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Jay Doherty, the longtime City Club president and consultant for utility giant ComEd, will be headed to prison for his role in a yearslong conspiracy to bribe ex-Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan. Doherty on Tuesday was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, more than two years after he and his three codefendants were convicted in the “ComEd Four” trial.
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The lineup for a four-day house music festival that will be held at Millennium Park later this month was announced Tuesday. The Chicago House Music Festival and Conference is on Aug. 21-24 and it features Chicago’s own DJs and artists.
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Back in the Day: August 6, 1890 - Cy Young Makes Major League Debut Against Chicago |
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Cy Young is one of the most iconic pitchers in baseball history, so much so that to this day, Major League Baseball’s annual prizes for the most exemplary players in the position are named the Cy Young Awards. On this day, 135 years ago, Young made his major league debut for the Cleveland Spiders in a 1890 game versus the Chicago Colts (the franchise that would eventually become the Chicago Cubs). At his debut at Ohio’s League Park, Young pitched a complete game, allowing only three hits and leading his team to an 8-1 victory over the Colts. His first game was an auspicious start to what would be a legendary career: Young would play until 1911, would win over 500 games, pitch baseball’s first perfect game in 1904 and would eventually be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937. The best pitcher to never win the Cy Young Award (which would be instituted in the 1950s), Young’s legacy lives on today. |
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for August 6-August 12 |
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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.
Wednesday, August 6:
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard with Chicago Philharmonic at Ravinia. Tickets.
Ravinia has yet to see a band quite like these energetic and adventurous Australians.
Roy Kinsey, Mister Wallace, Ameer the DJ at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
One of the city’s best and most unique rappers makes a stop in Ukrainian Village.
Thursday, August 7:
Ten City, Caramelo Haze, DJ Emmaculate at Millennium Park. Free.
Chicago House history graces the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Uhlmann Johnson Wilkes at Constellation. Sold out.
This jazz and experimental trio plays the best venue for jazz and experimental music.
Friday, August 8:
Jamila Woods, Shawnee Dez, Senite, M.E.H. at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
This stacked lineup is a benefit show for Semicolon Books.
Saturday, August 9:
Broncho at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
One of the most infectious rock bands hits Pilsen.
Sunday, August 10:
Kate Teague, Max Subar, Sarah Weddle at Hideout. Tickets.
The Nashville songwriter headlines a night that also features great local talent.
Talib Kweli, NIKO IS, Solene at City Winery. Early show tickets and late show tickets.
This iconic rapper plays two shows in the West Loop.
Tuesday, August 12:
Al Scorch’s Fantastical Residency at Hideout. Tickets.
A charming and boisterous folk, bluegrass and Americana songwriter from Chicago has a year-long residency at the Hideout. |
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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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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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