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It’s Tuesday. Ryne Sandberg, beloved Chicago Cubs player and Hall of Fame second baseman, has died. He was 65.
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(WTTW News/Michael Izquierdo)
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Chicago Police Board President Kyle Cooper used his last two meetings to plead with Chicago police officers facing allegations of serious misconduct: allow the Police Board to determine whether they should be terminated or suspended even as a protracted legal battle plays out.
But there is no sign those pleas will break a legal stalemate that has lasted more than 16 months, keeping the system Chicago officials used for 60 years to hold officers accused of the most egregious misconduct in a deep freeze.
What’s the debate?
John Catanzara Jr., the president of Chicago’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 7, said he will “not negotiate collective bargaining rights” with Cooper, or the head of any other city agency.
“It’s shameful that this administration and its puppets continue to fight a just interest arbitration process and award,” Catanzara said in an email to WTTW News, referring to the decision by an arbitrator during the most recent round of contract negotiation that would allow officers to elect to have serious discipline cases resolved in private by an independent arbitrator, selected with the approval of union leaders and city officials.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has said that decision would reduce public trust in the police department and vowed to fight it.
Some backstory:
The deadlock will continue until an Illinois appeals court determines whether officers facing termination or a 365-day suspension have the right to ask an arbitrator — and not the Police Board — to decide their fate and whether those proceedings should have to take place in public. That ruling could come at any time, since oral arguments took place more than a month ago.
But that decision is likely to be appealed to the Illinois Supreme Court, making the impasse likely to continue indefinitely, keeping 25 cases in limbo — including three that seek to terminate officers accused of killing Chicagoans without justification, including the officer that shot and killed 13-year-old Adam Toledo in 2021.
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Sponsor Message
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Navy Pier's Pier Park is the go-to spot for summer fun.
Soar above the city on the Centennial Wheel and take in iconic skyline views. Keep the fun going with a ride on the Wave Swinger, a spin on the carousel, or a round of mini golf along Lake Michigan. It's where family outings, date nights, and spontaneous afternoons turn into lasting memories. Get your tickets here now and start planning the perfect summer day.
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(WTTW News)
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Chicago may have become virtually synonymous with speakeasies during prohibition, but that doesn’t mean the Windy City is lawless when it comes to drinking. In fact, we’ve got a lot of rules on the books governing when and where we can enjoy an adult beverage.
For instance, bars can’t sell liquor after 2 a.m. most nights or 3 a.m. on early Sunday morning, at the tail end of a wild Saturday night. Of course, that’s unless they have a coveted 4 a.m. license — which actually extends ‘til 5 a.m. on Sundays.
What about grocery stores? Sundays?
If you want to take the party home, you better have planned ahead. Liquor stores and supermarkets have to stop selling alcohol at midnight every night of the week.
Thanks to a recent move from the City Council, restaurants and bars that serve food can start selling alcohol at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings. You used to have to wait until after 11 a.m.
And if you want to whip up those brunch mimosas at home, the liquor stores can’t ring you up until 11 a.m. on Sundays, but supermarkets can sell you a bottle of bubbly starting at 8 a.m.
Can any establishment get a liquor license?
Some of the barriers to imbibing aren’t just about time; they’re also about place. The city won’t issue liquor licenses near most libraries and churches, or schools, hospitals and nursing homes. And residents can use the power of the ballot box to banish all liquor sales in the precinct where they live.
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Fiesta del Sol co-chair Juana Medina speaks at a news conference on July 28, 2025. (WTTW News)
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Chicago organizers and local officials are calling on federal immigration agents to stay out of community events, days ahead of the Fiesta del Sol festival in Pilsen. Community leaders on Monday demanded that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) refrain from targeting neighborhood celebrations in Chicago.
“It’s unfortunate there has to be this fear around federal immigration enforcement,” said Beatriz Ponce de León, Chicago’s deputy mayor of immigrant, migrant and refugee rights. “We come together to say firmly that people should reject the negative attacks that are coming from our federal government, that we will protect each other and will take care of each other. And that’s what makes Chicago such a great city.”
These statements come weeks after federal agents descended on Humboldt Park’s National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture in what officials there claimed was a show of “bullying and intimidation” of Chicago immigrants days ahead of the Barrio Arts festival.
Federal officials maintain that it had nothing to do with immigration enforcement and was instead related to a separate narcotics investigation. But the incident raised concerns from community members that ICE was preparing to raid community events.
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The Chicago Fire Department responded Monday morning to a blaze at a homeless encampment along the North Shore Channel in the city’s North Park neighborhood. As of late Monday morning, fire officials on the scene said there were no apparent injuries, but they were unsure how many people were displaced.
Community members and leaders, elected officials, and preservation and national monument partners gathered Friday to commemorate the life and celebrate the birthday of Emmett Till, a Black teenager from Chicago whose lynching in Mississippi — 70 years ago — became a catalyst for the Civil Rights
Movement.
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Back in the Day: July 29, 2020 - Kasama Opens
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Drive down Augusta Boulevard any morning from Wednesday through Sunday, and chances are you’ll see a bustling line forming near Winchester Avenue. Those are brunchgoers queueing up for a table at Kasama, the only Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant in the world. A bakery and breakfast cafe by day and a tasting-menu fine dining establishment by night, Kasama opened in Ukrainian Village on this date five years ago. Founded by chefs and husband and wife team Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, the acclaimed
restaurant has been featured on the hit TV show “The Bear,” countless TikToks, and, in 2023, received a James Beard Award in the Best Chef - Great Lakes category. If you’ve ever wondered why this spot garners so much praise and has so many devoted followers, just take one bite of their loganisa, egg and cheese sandwich.
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations
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Defunct Chicago Sports Teams (WTTW News)
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. Today, it’s Jay Smith, news director for WTTW News and executive producer for “Chicago Tonight,” on defunct local sports teams you should know about.
Jay Smith: Chicago has a rich (if championship-poor) sports history. But some of today’s franchises have predecessors that paved the way. Here are 5 notables:
Chicago American Giants
One of the most dominant teams of the Negro Leagues played at Schorling Park (aka Southside Park) and later shared Comiskey Park with the White Sox, all during the first half of the 20th century. Thirteen American Giants are Hall of Famers, including the legendary Rube Foster. They won 9 Negro World Series championships or League titles.
Chicago Sting
Before the MLS and the Chicago Fire Football Club, there was the North American Soccer League and the Chicago Sting. From 1968 to 1984, the NASL helped pave the way for professional soccer in America. Players like Pelé and others attracted attention. In Chicago, German import Karl-Heinz Granitza gave the Sting
star power, and in 1981, the team brought Chicago its first major professional sports championship since the 1963 Bears.
Chicago Packers
Yes, that’s right, there was actually a team named the Chicago Packers. They played in the NBA during the 1961-62 season before becoming the Chicago Zephyrs for an additional season. They finished last in both seasons, then moved to Baltimore, and are now the Washington Wizards.
Chicago Hustle
The Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL) preceded the WNBA by two decades, operating from 1978 to 1981. The Hustle led the league in attendance each year. Star Rita Easterling was league MVP in 1979, and guard Janie Fincher was so popular that after being traded, many fans reportedly canceled their tickets. The Hustle re-acquired Fincher shortly thereafter.
Chicago Blitz
The Blitz was part of the original USFL (1983-1985). The league made a splash by signing college stars like Herschel Walker, Reggie White, and Steve Young. Players who played for both the Bears and Blitz include Doug Plank, Dan Jiggetts, Tom Thayer, and more. New Jersey Generals owner Donald Trump urged a change from the original spring season concept to a fall schedule to compete directly with the NFL. That didn’t happen and the league folded in 1986.
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What’s your favorite movie that takes place in the Chicago area? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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