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Good afternoon, Chicago. Apologies for the delay. While we would like to blame it on the extreme heat watch issued by the National Weather Service, we just had a brief delay. Stay cool with these stories from WTTW News. |
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
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The city of Chicago spent approximately $510.9 million on employee overtime in 2024 — 1.5% less than in 2023, with more than half of the total amount used to compensate Chicago Police Department officers for working extra hours, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
The Chicago Police Department spent $273.8 million on overtime last year, 6.5% less than in 2023 and but still more than two and a half times the $100 million earmarked for police overtime by the Chicago City Council as part of the city’s 2024 budget, according to data published by the city’s Office of Budget and Management.
More context:
The amount of taxpayer funds spent on overtime by all city departments, including CPD, dropped in 2024 for the first time since 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic upended the city’s operations.
Even as Chicago police officers worked fewer overtime hours, the city recorded a 7% drop in the number of homicides and shootings in 2024, city data shows.
However, since 2019, the annual amount spent by CPD on overtime has nearly doubled, despite routine pledges from police superintendents and mayors to rein in the spending, which occurs without any oversight by the Chicago City Council.
More than 290 city employees earned more than $100,000 in overtime alone, on top of their salaries, according to a WTTW News analysis of the data. Of those city employees, nearly 69% are members of the Chicago Police Department.
Between 2019 and 2024, Chicago’s total overtime bill soared 59%, costing Chicago taxpayers approximately an additional $189 million, according to city data. CPD spent nearly three times as much on overtime than any other city department.
In September 2024, officials imposed limits on overtime for all city departments, except for police and the Chicago Fire Department, amid a massive budget crunch. |
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Leighton Criminal Court Building (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
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In running to become Cook County’s top prosecutor, Eileen O’Neill Burke focused much of her campaign on tackling gun crimes. But over the first six months of her term as state’s attorney, Burke and her office confronted another major issue: domestic violence.
Since she took office last December, 39 women have been killed in Chicago domestic-related homicides, according to the Chicago Police Department — a total O’Neill Burke on Tuesday called a “shocking, shocking number.”
“I thought my priority and my sole focus was going to be on gun crime,” she said at a hearing before the Cook County Board’s criminal justice committee. “I learned very, very quickly that we had a second house on fire.”
What happened yesterday:
The committee held a special hearing on domestic violence focused on rooting out existing issues through the court system and finding solutions to better aiding victims and their families. Several survivors of domestic violence shared their stories, and called on elected officials for more assistance and protections moving forward.
“This system needs to change,” said Sarah Brown, who recounted the experience of her children and herself with domestic violence. “We need a system that prioritizes the safety and well-being of children, not one that perpetuates the cycle of violence.”
While the overall homicide rate across Cook County has decreased “significantly” in 2025, O’Neill Burke said, the number of domestic-related homicides has spiked. After making up just 9% of total homicides last year, those cases now make up 17% of homicides thus far in 2025.
“That is a shocking number,” she repeated. “It is a problem we need to address and we need to address it quickly.” |
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Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a news conference on July 22, 2025, celebrating Union Station’s 100th anniversary. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News) |
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As transportation officials and statewide leaders gathered Tuesday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chicago’s Union Station, Gov. JB Pritzker said he’s confident that legislation will pass to address the $770 million fiscal cliff facing Chicago-area transit agencies.
“The hard work that’s being put in by members of the legislature, working with members of the transit community and with my office, if that is any indication, I’m confident that something will get done,” Pritzker told reporters Tuesday. “I feel very confident that we’re not going to let transit in the state of Illinois … fail as a result of a failure to get something done in the legislature.”
During the event to celebrate Union Station’s centennial, leaders highlighted the station’s history, architecture and its role in Chicago serving as a national railroad hub.
Some backstory:
In the past decade, the station has seen nearly $70 million in improvements, such as repairing skylights in the Great Hall, replacing its famous grand staircases and a new lounge, according to officials.
The station, owned by Amtrak since 1984, serves both Amtrak and Metra commuters.
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Ozzy Osbourne, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice — and drug-and-alcohol ravaged id — of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76.
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Waukegan's lone surviving piping plover chick has been given a name fit for a star: Aster.
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Back in the Day: July 23, 2009 - Mark Buehrle Pitches Perfect Game for White Sox |
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Winning a World Series would be the pinnacle of any major league ballplayer but for White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle, who secured a championship for the South Siders in 2005, the best was yet to come. On April 18, 2007, Buehrle threw his first no-hitter. He then hit his first home run in the big leagues on June 14, 2009. But on this day 16 years ago, Buehrle achieved what had only happened 17 times prior in MLB history: he pitched a perfect game. On July 23, 2009, the Chicago White Sox were wrapping up a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Buehrle was pitching well throughout the season so far with a 10-3 record and a 3.52 ERA. That day, he stunned a crowd of 28,036 at U.S. Cellular Field by retiring every batter he faced. Following an inspired defensive substitution from Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen, a tense fly-out secured by outfielder DeWayne Wise was the final out of the game. “I never thought I’d throw a no-hitter, never thought I’d throw a perfect game, and I never thought I’d hit a home run,” said Buehrle. “Never say never in this game, because crazy stuff can happen. President Obama watched the last inning from a photographer’s iPhone, and praised both Buehrle and the fantastic play by Wise. “Even when you’re pitching a perfect game, you still need help,” he said. “That kind of team play is important. … That’s not how Washington has been doing things.” |
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 23-29 |
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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, July 23:
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gia Margaret at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.
A Chicago artist opens for the New York alternative legends.
Beck with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Molly Lewis at Ravinia. Tickets.
The veteran alternative artist enters his orchestral era.
Friday, July 25:
Teklife Crew at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Want to learn more about the Chicago-bred genre of electronic dance music called footwork? Go to this show.
Uniflora, Feller, Lotties at Metro. Tickets.
Check out the younger generation of local indie rock.
Hotline TNT, Liquid Mike, Sour Widows at Wicker Park Fest. $10 suggested donation.
Another summer weekend, another well-booked neighborhood street festival.
Saturday, July 26:
Pelican, Coalesce, Porcelain at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Chicago post-metal veterans will soon celebrate their 25th year.
Thomas Dollbaum, Glass-Beagle, Sonny Falls at Hideout. Tickets.
If you’re a fan of MJ Lenderman and artists like him, try this bill. Lenderman played drums on the headliner’s new EP.
Sunday, July 27:
Rose City Band, Powers / Rolin Duo at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Are you a fan of breezy jams and the Grateful Dead? If so, buy tickets now.
Mol Sullivan, Ulna, Shoulderbird at Hideout. Tickets.
Tasteful indie rock songwriting exudes throughout this bill.
Monday, July 28:
Horsegirl, Lala Lala at Millennium Park. Free.
Two excellent Chicago songwriters headline Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Tuesday, July 29:
Ducks Ltd., Good Flying Birds, Discus at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Jangly indie rock is the theme of this show. |
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What’s your favorite bookstore in the Chicago area? Tell us where and 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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