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It’s the middle of the week. Get over the hump with these stories from WTTW News. |
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(WTTW News) |
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Chicago police officers pointed their guns at individuals 4,209 times in 2024, an increase of nearly 44% since 2022, according to Chicago Police Department data shared with the federal judge overseeing the ongoing effort to reform CPD.
That means CPD officers pointed a gun at a person, on average, more than 11 times every day in 2024. In more than 54% of those incidents, the person that an officer pointed their weapon at did not have a gun, according to an CPD annual report on officers’ use of force.
More context:
Between 2023 and 2024, the number of times on-duty CPD officers pointed a gun at an individual jumped 13%, according to data that must be reported publicly under the terms of the federal court order.
There have been no documented instances of “unjustified or unreasonable” firearm pointing incidents, as CPD officially refers to officers’ decision to point their service weapon at a member of the public while issuing a command, Deputy Chief Ralph Cruz, of the Chicago Police Department’s Office of Constitutional Policing and Reform, told U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer during a July hearing about the city’s progress in complying with the consent decree.
Representatives of CPD did not respond to detailed questions from WTTW News about the increase and whether it has contributed to the rise in the number of people shot and killed by CPD officers in 2025.
In 2024, CPD officers shot 12 people, killing six, records show. In 2023, officers shot 17 people, killing three. In 2022, officers shot 17 people, killing two, records show.
CPD has yet to release its 2025 mid-year report documenting officers’ use of force. CPD officers shot 16 people, killing eight, between Jan. 1 and Sept. 6, records show. |
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James “Big Cat” Williams appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Sept. 8, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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The Chicago Bears entered a new era Monday with a disappointing loss against the Minnesota Vikings. Still, it’s early and the Bears are playing with a few major changes this season. Namely, new leadership. Head coach Ben Johnson, the highly sought-after former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, comes to Chicago with big expectations and a reported $13 million salary.
The team also starts the season with a revamped offensive line, rookie tight end Colston Loveland and a renewed spotlight on quarterback Caleb Williams, the former No. 1 draft pick, who kicks off his second year after an up-and-down rookie season. James “Big Cat” Williams, a former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears, took a look ahead of the season during an appearance on WTTW News’ “Chicago Tonight.” Here’s what he had to say:
On Ben Johnson:
“He’s never had to deal with the entirety of the team. As an offensive coordinator, you deal with the offense, but now you’re scheduling things. You have to make sure that everything’s running right, not only offensively but defensively, special teams. You’re being pulled in a lot of different directions, and this is going to be a first time.”
On Caleb Williams:
“I’m not sure exactly what went wrong... with the coaching staff, the lack of ability to protect a player like that, his inability to get the ball out of his hands quickly.”
On how the Bears compare to their division rivals:
“They’re still young. You’ve got a first-time head coach... I think they’re kind of in the middle of the pack right now and depending on how they progress through the season will determine how far they’re able to go in the season.”
On how well the Bears might do this season:
“Nine wins is, I think, a good season. I don’t know if it’s enough to get you into the playoffs, but it’s an improvement and proves that they’re on the right track.” |
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Argonne National Laboratory is pictured in a file image. (Credit: Argonne National Laboratory) |
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Employees at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Argonne National Laboratory have been offered a voluntary separation agreement over the past two weeks, following reductions in budgeted funding and changes in research priorities from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The buyout programs at two of the Chicago area’s pre-eminent scientific research facilities come at an uncertain time for research institutions and universities across the country.
The proposed budget for the DOE Office of Science, which oversees many of the national laboratories and provides support to research across the country, was cut about 14% for fiscal year 2026.
While the pending reduction could impact more than 2,000 staff members at the high-energy particle physics laboratory, Fermilab described the proposition as a proactive path forward.
An email sent to staff by Fermilab Interim Director Young-Kee Kim last Tuesday said the changes will align staffing with DOE and national interests like artificial intelligence, machine learning and quantum science.
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Via Capitol News Illinois: Darren Bailey plans to run for governor for a second time in 2026. The former state senator and farmer from Clay County would become the highest-profile Republican to enter the race, having lost the 2022 campaign against Gov. JB Pritzker.
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P. Scott Neville, a Chicago native and former Cook County judge, has been tapped to serve as the next chief justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
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Back in the Day: September 10, 1970 - B.B. King Records “Live in Cook County Jail” |
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When the iconic blues guitarist B.B. King died at 89 in May 2015, his peer Buddy Guy wrote that, “The tone he got out of that guitar, the way he shook his left wrist, the way he squeezed the strings... man, he came out with that and it was all new to the whole guitar playin’ world.” While the legendary player was born in Mississippi and raised in Memphis, where he became known as the “Beale Street Blues Boy, ” his impact on Chicago’s blues community was palpable and is still felt. He recorded three live albums in this city, including “Live in Cook County Jail,” which was tracked at the infamous South Side institution on this date in 1970. It topped the R&B Charts for three weeks and was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time. His then 18-year-old keyboardist, Ron Levy, remembers the recording. “People don’t realize B.B. King was much more than just a musician and entertainer. He’s a human being, a humanitarian. He cared,” said Levy. “He’s one of the really good guys. There aren’t many like him in history. He’s not just the king of the blues. He’s one of the kings of humanity.” |
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Sept. 10-16
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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, Sept. 10:
Wand, Cory Hanson at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
Cory Hanson, the frontman of the West Coast psych-rock band Wand, opens up for Wand.
Molly Tuttle, Town Mountain, Cecilia Castleman at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Love bluegrass and Americana? Try this.
Wednesday, Sept. 10 through Sunday, Sept. 14:
Sound & Gravity festival at multiple venues. Tickets.
Over 50 genre-fusing avant-garde acts will play this multi-day, multi-venue music festival from the folks behind Pitchfork Festival. Day passes and the festival schedule can be found at the ticket link above.
Thursday, Sept. 11:
Katie Pruitt, Jess Nolan at SPACE. Tickets.
Want a night of tasteful folk and Americana? Head to Evanston.
Friday, Sept. 12:
Prathloons, Edie McKenna, Deerest Friends at Hideout. Tickets.
Only Chicago acts on this bill.
Saturday, Sept. 13:
CMAT, Tele Novella at Park West. Tickets.
Like your pop music with a bit of edge? Try this Irish songwriter.
lots of hands, Deadharrie, Josephine at Schubas. Tickets.
These U.K. songwriters make intimate and charming folk-rock.
Frankie Cosmos, fantasy of a broken heart, Moontype at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Great indie rock lineup featuring opening locals Moontype.
Sunday, Sept. 14:
Geordie Greep at Metro. Tickets.
The former black midi frontman has a critically acclaimed solo project.
Plantasia (Suzanne Ciani, Windy & Car, Kara-Lis Coverdale, more) at Garfield Park Conservatory. Tickets.
Night 1 of a unique, ambient-heavy festival in an unlikely venue.
Monday, Sept. 15:
Plantasia (Tim Hecker, Arooj Aftab, John Carrol Kirby, Voice Actor, more) at Garfield Park Conservatory. Tickets.
Night 2 of a unique, ambient-heavy festival in an unlikely venue.
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What’s your favorite Chicago Public Library or suburban branch? Tell us where, why and a recent thing you read from there.
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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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