|
Today’s Daily Chicagoan is brought to you, in part, by: |
 |
|
|
|
It's Wednesday. Keep your week's momentum going strong with these stories from WTTW News.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
|
President Donald Trump is threatening to deploy the National Guard in Chicago, saying crime is out of control and that he doesn’t believe reports that violence is down, despite statistics to the contrary. Chicago Police Department data shows that compared to last year, violent crime in the city is down 22% through the end of July. There have been 36% fewer shootings, and homicides are down 32%.
“The important thing about looking at crime and levels of crime is even if crime levels are down, if the public’s perception is that it isn’t, it may not matter,” said David Olsen, professor and co-director of the Center for Criminal Justice at Loyola University Chicago. “In the case of Chicago and Illinois, for the most serious crimes, homicides and shootings, those crimes tend to get reported the most by the public, but we also have other sources to gauge whether those trends are consistent.”
More context:
The Chicago Police Department annually tracks violent crime and all crime throughout the city, and the city updates its violence reduction dashboard that provides a statistic of the safety gap.
“The rates of violence victimization across communities has been unequal,” said Kathryn Bocangegra, assistant professor at University of Illinois Chicago’s James Addams School of Social Work. “The burden of violence and victimization has been borne by Black and Latino communities. When you look at those accurate statistics, I think it’s important to ask the questions of those at the epicenter of violence, who feel it most acutely if they are experiencing those reductions.”
Bocanegra said the dashboard is currently showing greater gains in public safety, which experts say should not just be defined by the criminal legal system but under a larger scope.
“We need to expand the way we think of public safety,” said Aaron Gottlieb, associate professor at University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. “It’s not just homicide or crime, it’s public health, it’s education, it’s people’s ability to get a job. These are all things that we should be thinking about when we make decisions.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sponsor Message |
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learn about sponsorship opportunities. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
|
Chicago Public Schools is set to finalize its fiscal year 2026 budget this week, but questions remain about how the cash-strapped school district intends to plug a $734 million shortfall. The Board of Education will vote on the district’s spending plan at its monthly meeting Thursday — just one day before a state deadline for that spending plan to be in place.
Some backstory:
CPS officials unveiled their budget proposal at a previous board meeting earlier this month, but a majority of the partially elected school board expressed concerns about how the district intends to balance its budget.
The district’s proposed spending plan relies on non-classroom cuts, additional TIF dollars and pushing a $175 million municipal pension payment onto the city — unless CPS can obtain enough outside funding to cover that cost — in order to close the $734 million budget gap.
While some board members lauded the district for keeping those cuts out of city schools, others have criticized the plan for banking on unconfirmed TIF funding and dodging the pension payment.
“We’re dreaming here,” Emma Lozano, a board member appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson, said at a meeting earlier this month. “That’s not the way things work and I’m hoping there’s another budget report that’s going to add the (pension) payment because I don’t see how this is gonna work.”
Eleven board members penned a letter to interim CPS CEO Macquline King saying it would be “difficult” for them to support the current proposal without the district taking out a loan to cover the cost of the pension payment — something Johnson has repeatedly pushed for. But King and other CPS leaders have resisted that push, saying it would lead to a “downward spiral” of credit downgrades, higher interest rates and steeper cuts to staff, programs and services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
(Courtesy of The Chicago Reader) |
|
The Chicago Reader is being acquired by the Seattle-based new media company Noisy Creek, the local alternative weekly publication announced Tuesday. Noisy Creek also owns the alt-weekly publications the Stranger, in Seattle, and the Portland Mercury. The company was founded by Brady Walkinshaw, the former CEO of the nonprofit climate news organization Grist and former Democratic state legislator in Washington.
Walkinshaw declined to disclose the financial details of the acquisition, but said the deal is closing this week. Noisy Creek was approached by the Chicago Reader about two to three months ago, said Walkinshaw, who described the Reader as the “grande dame” of alternative weeklies in the U.S.
“The relationship of audiences to alt weeklies are fundamentally different than how audiences relate to their daily paper, to public radio, to other media outlets,” Walkinshaw said. “It’s a more personal connection, and it’s a connection that I think society wants more of right now, and that local communities are hungry for.”
The Reader announced it would be introducing Noisy Creek’s event discovery platform, EverOut, as well as entertainment ticketing service Bold Type Tickets to Chicago as a way to help diversify revenue sources, with goals to launch those services early next year.
The Chicago Reader union will continue to be recognized, according to Walkinshaw. The Chicago Reader union said in a statement it is looking forward to working with Noisy Creek and is “hopeful” that Noisy Creek’s acquisition will “allow the Reader to thrive.” But, the union said its future “remains uncertain,” with three voluntary buyouts in recent weeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back in the Day: August 27, 2015 - Billy Joel Plays Wrigley Field
|
|
Billy Joel’s first Chicago concert was in 1974 at the Auditorium Theatre and the piano bard and New York songwriter would play the area dozens of times, most recently in 2024 at Soldier Field. But throughout the 2010s, Joel’s preferred local venue was Wrigley Field. From 2014 through 2018, he played the stadium five times, including a date 10 years ago today. On Aug. 27, 2015, the then-66-year-old artist took the stage for a 26-song setlist, including favorites like “Piano Man,” “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” “The Longest Time,” “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant,” and more. At the encore, Joel played “Uptown Girl” and brought out actresses Amy Schumer and Jennifer Lawrence, who were in town promoting the movie “Trainwreck,” to dance along to the tune. |
 |
|
|
|
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 27-Sept. 2
|
|
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 27:
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Choir at Northerly Island. Tickets.
His last local show was canceled at the last minute, but even at 79, the songwriting legend is always worth the wait.
JP Harris, Brandon Good at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
The Nashville troubadour has charm, wit and bite to his classic country songs.
Pile, NNAMDÏ, Krill 2 at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
Signed to the local label Sooper, these veteran post-punks are still as great as ever with their new LP “Sunshine and Balance Beams.”
Thursday, August 28:
Sleeper’s Bell, Feller, Joe Glass at Schubas. Tickets.
A great local showcase in Lakeview.
Turnpike Troubadours, Old Crow Medicine Show at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Two popular pickers team up for an outdoor show in Bucktown.
Friday, August 29:
Bleary Eyed, Daundry, Yours Mookie at Schubas. Tickets.
One of the best young shoegaze bands headlines this show.
Shannon Lay, Meerna, Fran at Judson and Moore. Tickets.
Want incredible songwriting? This is your ticket.
Eric Slick, Drumming Bird at Navy Pier. Free.
The Dr. Dog drummer heads to the lake for a free show that starts in the early evening.
Tuesday, September 2:
Pearl & The Oysters, Family Junket at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Sleek, ‘70s-inspired pop music in Avondale.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where's your favorite place to see live music in Chicago? Tell us why. |
|
|
|
Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
|
|
|
 |
-
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on the legal questions if President Donald Trump deploys the National Guard to Chicago.
-
And from job training to legal support — we take a look at the services being provided in a new workplace hub in the Austin neighborhood.
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
