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It’s Tuesday. Dive into these stories from WTTW News on Illinois wildlife, Chicago’s ongoing curfew debate and how “rat birth control” might solve the city’s vermin problem. 

The Trump Administration Plans to ‘Upend’ the Endangered Species Act. Here’s What That Could Mean for Illinois

Habitat protections have been vital to the survival of the northern spotted owl. (Nick Bossenbroek / Stock)

On April 17, the Trump administration announced its intention to “rescind the regulatory definition of ‘harm’ in our Endangered Species Act.” In plain English, the act prohibits all sorts of actions when it comes to endangered species including, trapping, capturing, harassing, wounding and killing. It also forbids “harm” and for decades, habitat modification has been included in the interpretation of harm.

The proposed rule change would rescind that interpretation, with the administration arguing that habitat modification is an overreach of harm, which it says should be more narrowly defined as intentional acts. Endangered species and conservation specialists worry this proposed change could not only reverse decades of progress but also accelerate the pace of loss for Illinois wildlife and habitats. 

What researchers say: 

“The Trump administration has been working overtime to systematically undo all protections for air, water, land, wildlife, our climate,” said Noah Greenberg, of the Center for Biological Diversity. “And this is certainly consistent with that. It would really fundamentally upend how we’ve been protecting endangered species in this country for the last, more than 40 years. That said, it is up to the courts to some degree. … We’ll certainly challenge this in court.”

“Now there’s this push to really spur our economic growth through the exploitation of all the natural resources we have, whether it’s mines, it’s timber, it’s fossil fuel,” Tih-Fen Ting, a researcher at the University of Illinois-Springfield, said. “You can imagine how this extension of ‘harm’ to include habitat modification would not be viewed kindly by people that only have certain economic growth in mind.”

“My suspicion is that Illinois will go on as business as usual, regardless of the federal level,” Phil Willink, a researcher with the Illinois Natural History Survey, said. “But what I think is important is to have these discussions now so that if something does come up, we can handle it proactively.

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Plan to Allow CPD to Impose 'Snap Curfews' to Stop Teen Gatherings Faces Test

Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses the news media on Monday, April 28, 2025, at a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

A proposal to allow Chicago Police Department officials to impose a curfew anywhere in the city with just 30 minutes notice to stop large gatherings of teens is set to face a key test Wednesday amid growing concern that the proposal is unworkable and unconstitutional.

Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling said Monday he encouraged Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd Ward), who has regularly demanded that Mayor Brandon Johnson ban teens from downtown after 8 p.m. in recent years, to introduce a measure that would expand CPD’s power in an attempt to deter teens from gathering in large numbers during the warm weather months.

What Hopkins proposes: 

Hopkins’ proposal would allow police to declare a curfew in the event of “a gathering of 20 or more people in a public place for the purpose of engaging in, or is likely to result in, criminal conduct, including reckless conduct … disorderly conduct … or that otherwise presents or causes, or is likely to present or cause an unreasonable risk to public health, safety or welfare.”

Hopkins has touted the plan as a “compromise” he crafted with the support of Snelling and Mayor Brandon Johnson. 

Johnson's stance: 

But Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday declined to endorse the proposal set to be considered at 10 a.m. Wednesday by the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, which is led by Hopkins. Johnson again said he did not believe that expanding the city’s curfew would stop “teen trends,” large gatherings organized on social media and popular among teens, from turning violent. 

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Rat Birth Control Trial Coming This Summer to Lincoln Park

(Nigel Harris / iStock)

The latest tactic in Chicago’s ongoing war against rats is to attack the problem at the source — with birth control instead of poison. The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce is currently testing rat contraception and Lincoln Park is about to follow suit this summer with a pilot project of its own.  Conservation organizations are pushing for contraceptives as a preferred alternative to Chicago’s current primary weapon against the rodents: poisons known as anticoagulant rodenticides. 

More context: 

These rodenticides, which interfere with an animal’s ability to cycle Vitamin K and clot blood, are becoming less and less effective in rats, but are lethal to other creatures, including birds that prey on rats.

For the Lincoln Park trial, Chicago Bird Alliance is partnering with the Lincoln Park Zoo, Ald. Timmy Knudsen (44th) and the Lincoln Park Conservancy. The group is continuing to raise funds in support of the project.

More From WTTW News 

• Chicago Police Department officials agreed to revise proposed new rules and prohibit officers from stopping and frisking Chicagoans based on their race or ethnicity, a coalition of reform groups told the federal judge overseeing efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department.

• Federal prosecutors are no longer seeking to recoup some $3 million from Michael Madigan, more than two months after the former Illinois House speaker was convicted of bribery and conspiracy charges in his landmark trial.

• On Monday, Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling defended a proposed policy that would allow officers to continue making traffic stops based on minor registration or equipment violations that are designed to find evidence of “unrelated” crimes.

Back in the Day: April 29, 1983 - Harold Washington Sworn In As Mayor 

On this day 42 years ago, Chicago’s first African American mayor was sworn in. Before Harold Washington became the city’s 51st mayor, he was born in Cook County Hospital, attended Roosevelt College (now Roosevelt University) and received his law degree from Northwestern. He served in both state houses — the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate — from 1965 to 1980. From there, he was elected as a U.S. congressman representing Illinois’ 1st district. Though he ran for mayor in 1977, losing the Democratic primary to Michael Bilandic, his 1983 campaign was much more successful. Thanks to majorities on the South and West sides as well as a massive get-out-the-vote drive that registered over 100,000 new voters, Washington defeated primary challengers, incumbent Jane Byrne and future mayor Richard M. Daley. He won 51.7% of the vote in the general election, besting Republican candidate Bernard Epton. 

This Week’s Staff Recommendations 

Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. This week, it’s WTTW News managing editor for TV news and Wisconsin-native Crystin Immel on local sports bars for Packers fans. (The Bears supporters on staff do not endorse this message.) 

Crystin Immel: Anyone else ready for football season or just me? The National Football League’s smallest market just wrapped up hosting a whopping 600,000 fans at last week’s draft — more than doubling initial estimates. Despite the size of Green Bay, Packers fans can be found just about anywhere. Just ask team president Mark Murphy who took the stage on night one of the NFL draft to a raucous applause and told the crowd, “Our fans are everywhere.” That includes Chicago.

If you’re one of many Packers fans living in Chicago, here are my recommendations for where to watch the Green and Gold:

Will’s Northwoods Inn: Located in Lakeview, this spot is considered the mecca of Wisconsin sports bars. Every Packers fan in Chicago knows this place. It has a great food selection and plenty of TVs to catch the game, but be warned, it gets pretty packed on game days so get there early. Their Packerpalooza event is happening Sunday, May 4. Also, if you’re missing a (deep-fried) piece of home, check out their Friday fish fry.

My Buddy’s: Located in Uptown, this spot really treats you like family. Their bloody marys are the only ones I trust to drink outside of Wisconsin state lines (and yes, you get a beer chaser and plenty of snacks piled on top). It’s especially fun to watch a Bears-Packers game here. Bears fans are welcome, but they generally stick to the TVs at the front of the house and Packers fans get the party space in the back. A DJ jams during commercial breaks and also does some running commentary during the game. At halftime, emcee Brian pumps up the crowd and gives away coveted prizes including Packers clothing, can koozies, Miller Lites, a jar of cheese balls, etc. It’s a blast!

Any sports bar: I have yet to go to a sports bar in Chicago and not have a great time watching a game. Sure, you’re going to get heckled a bit for your green and gold attire, but it’s generally in good fun and keeps the rivalry alive. Go Pack Go!

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The 2025 NFL Draft ended last weekend. How are you feeling about the Chicago Bears' moves for next season?

Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.

• Federal prosecutors are no longer looking to recoup millions of dollars from convicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan. Our Spotlight Politics team explores why. 

5:30 PM | 10:30 PM

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