|
Get over the weekday hump with these stories from WTTW News. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Chicago City Hall is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
|
Budget negotiations between members of the Chicago City Council have accelerated following Mayor Brandon Johnson’s initial proposal, which he unveiled last week.
Johnson’s proposal would generate $617 million in new revenue through, among other things, taxes on Chicago companies with more than 100 employees, taxes on large social media firms and by reclaiming a property tax surplus, $550 million of which has been earmarked for Chicago Public Schools.
His plan got a cool reception Tuesday from alderpeople, who warned that the move could backfire. As aldermen kicked off nearly a month of hearings by quizzing the mayor’s finance team for nearly five hours, several alderpeople told Budget Director Annette Guzman and Chief Financial Officer Jill Jaworski they were shocked by the amount of money the mayor had proposed taking from the city’s tax increment financing districts, known as TIFs.
Where some alderpeople stand:
“Many of the things he (Johnson) puts on the table have been designed not to hurt everyday Chicagoans in their pocketbooks,” Ald. Jason Ervin (28th Ward), chair of the City Council’s Budget Committee, said. “The budget is not something that I’m sure everybody is happy with, but at the end of the day, no one wants to decrease services. We talked to residents about that — they don’t want to see decreased services.”
“At a time we’re already very much worried about affordability in this city, I’m concerned about all the taxes and fees we’re adding on Chicagoans here,” Ald. Bill Conway (34th Ward), said. “We really need to grow the size of the city, and what that’s going to require is affordable housing as well as jobs. This budget really hurts both those things by taking a massive TIF surplus, which often is used in affordable housing, as well as the jobs tax, which I worry certainly won’t create jobs and will add a tax on people who are trying to do that.”
"Not raising property taxes and fees is essential to everyday Chicagoans," Ald. William Hall (6th Ward) said. “Again, in my ward, 42,000 people — the average income is less than $40,000 a year — so we must make sure that people stay in their homes. That’s how you have a Trump-proof economy: you have people working, people maintaining their homes and paying their fair share of property taxes without increasing them.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
A still from a video captured by State. Rep. Hoan Huynh of federal immigration agents. |
|
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent pointed a gun at state Rep. Hoan Huynh while he warned North Side residents that immigration agents were conducting enforcement operations, Huynh said.
Some backstory:
Huynh, a Vietnamese refugee and candidate to represent Illinois’ 9th District in Congress, said he was near Montrose and Kimball avenues at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday after receiving reports that Department of Homeland Security agents were in Albany Park.
As Huynh honked his car’s horn and yelled to warn residents about the presence of the agents, “six armed CBP agents blocked the front and back of the vehicle, sandwiching it on the street, and approached the car with a gun drawn, which the officer pressed against the window of the car and tried to bash the car windows in,” according to the statement released by his congressional campaign.
The video shared by Huynh’s campaign does not show the agent pointing the gun at Huynh, but it does show one agent photographing Huynh during the tense exchange. Eventually, Huynh was allowed to leave the area and was not detained, according to the statement.
“This was federal agents using violent intimidation trying to silence us,” Huynh said. “If they can pull a gun on an elected official and try to bash in my window, there’s no end to the terror they will continue reigning on our communities. We must fight back against this fascist regime that has no place in America.”
In a statement to WTTW News, representatives of the Border Patrol did not deny that agents pointed a gun at Huynh.
“Rep. Huynh was stopped, not once but, twice {Tuesday) [sic] for stalking law enforcement and attempting to interfere with operations,” according to a statement from a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security sent Wednesday morning. “He was given a warning the first time he was stopped, and he ignored that warning forcing agents to get out of their car a second time to assess if he was a threat. This behavior is unbecoming of a public servant and is just another example of sanctuary politicians putting our officers at risk.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ald. Jessie Fuentes is put into handcuffs by ICE agents while asking about a warrant for a detained man on Oct. 3, 2025. (Credit: 26th Ward Office) |
|
Chicago Ald. Jessie Fuentes is filing a federal claim and seeking damages, weeks after an immigration agent briefly handcuffed and detained her during a confrontation inside a Humboldt Park hospital.
Attorneys for Fuentes on Tuesday said the 26th Ward alderperson will make the filing under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows those who have been injured “by the negligent or wrongful act of a federal government employee acting within the scope of his or her employment” to seek monetary damages.
“It is indeed a frightening time, when unidentified federal agents shove, grab, handcuff, and detain an elected official in the exercise of her duties,” Jan Susler, an attorney with the People’s Law Office who represents Fuentes, said in a statement. “Ald. Fuentes is demonstrating the importance of standing up for herself, her community, and her constituency, holding accountable those who, in their anonymity, wreak terror and havoc.”
More context:
Her attorneys claimed ICE “spread fear and hysteria” through their actions and have engaged in “unlawful force and violence” against Fuentes, the local community and their immigrant neighbors.
“Federal agents have been deployed to our city in an effort to create chaos, violate individuals’ constitutional rights, and unjustly separate families,” Fuentes and her attorneys said. “Federal agents are not above the law, and we must hold them accountable. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
The Trump administration has consented to a monthlong extension to an order barring the deployment of National Guard troops into Illinois as it continues appealing that order to the U.S. Supreme Court.
-
The city of Chicago is suing the Trump administration over “unlawful conditions” placed on Department of Homeland Security grants that would force the city to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion efforts or risk losing that funding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back in the Day: October 22, 1985 - Fireman’s Park Dedicated
|
|
On February 1, 1985, three Chicago Fire Department firefighters were killed in the line of duty after responding to an arson blaze at 2847 N. Milwaukee Ave. Their names were Captain Daniel Nockels, Firefighter Michael Forchione, and Firefighter Michael Talley. On this day 40 years ago, Fireman's Park, a stretch of land at the intersection of Milwaukee and Kimball, was dedicated to the three men. Fireman's Park is public land owned by the city of Chicago, and does not fall under the purview of the Chicago Park District. It featured a mural depicting the three CFD officers with angel wings, which was retouched in the early 2000s. A new version done by South Shore artist Damon Lamar Reed was commissioned and unveiled in 2023. |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learn about sponsorship opportunities. |
|
|
|
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Oct. 22-28 |
|
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Thursday, Oct. 23:
Blue Earth Sound, Chalk Cross at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Cinematic jazz from a Chicago indie rock mainstay who has found more chill musical pathways.
Jessica Risker, Raybody, Ava Brennan at Color Club. Tickets.
The headliner is an acclaimed Chicago songwriter and a licensed therapist.
Friday, Oct. 24:
Grateful Shred at Park West. Tickets.
The best Grateful Dead cover band plays the Lincoln Park venue.
Saturday, Oct. 25:
Cusp, Tenci, Pictoria Vark at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
Originally from New York state, this excellent pop-rock outfit found its footing in Chicago.
Madi Diaz, Clover Country at SPACE. Tickets.
The folk mainstay just released her seventh studio album.
Sunday, Oct. 26:
Herbie Hancock at Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Tickets.
You owe it to yourself to see the 85-year-old jazz icon and Chicago-born musical legend.
My Morning Jacket, BALTHVS at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Louisville rock heroes play the third of three shows at Chicago’s best big venue and will perform their album “Z” in full.
Robbie Fulks at Old Town School of Folk Music. Tickets.
The country and folk veteran will play a career-spanning set in Lincoln Square.
Monday, Oct. 27:
Resavoir, Mamey at City Winery. Tickets.
Chicago trumpeter and composer Will Miller headlines a benefit show for Merit School of Music.
Tuesday, Oct. 28:
David Byrne at Auditorium Theatre. Tickets.
The Talking Heads frontman has a new solo album out and will bring his massive band to the Loop. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What's your favorite gameday meal in Chicago for watching the Bears? |
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
