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Today we have stories on butterfly migration, CPS CEO Pedro Martinez's next job and reaction from the autism community on recent comments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. |
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Mayor Brandon Johnson addresses the news media on Tuesday, April 22. (Heather Cherone/WTTW News) |
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Two months after Mayor Brandon Johnson formed a task force to examine how to rid the Chicago Police Department of officers with ties to extremist and anti-government groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the effort has yet to show any sign of public progress.
Johnson launched the effort in February, nearly eight months after Inspector General Deborah Witzburg urged him to take that step as part of an effort to “implement a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to preventing, identifying and eliminating extremist and anti-government activities and associations within CPD.”
“I’m committed to ensuring that every single city employee represents the values of working people, whether they are a police officer or a teacher or anyone who works in our administration, they have to uphold those principles,” Johnson said at a City Hall news conference Tuesday in his first public remarks about the task force.
There are no public allegations that city workers in any other department other than CPD have documented ties to anti-government or extremist groups.
More context:
Led by Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood and Chief Equity Officer Carla Kupe, the task force was charged with examining “the city’s existing policies and making appropriate recommendations to root out anyone who belongs to a hate group,” according to the mayor’s office.
The task force has met twice, with its third meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Gatewood said. Another four meetings are planned, with a goal of crafting a proposal by the end of the summer, Gatewood added.
Witzburg told WTTW News she had not been informed of any activity by the task force.
Johnson said Tuesday it was “fair” to question whether the task force’s operations have been as transparent as they should be.
“We’re going to use every single means to ensure that people in Chicago know that those who work for this city, not just in our police department, share their values,” Johnson said. |
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A file photo of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (WTTW News) |
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People with autism, their families and advocates are speaking out after U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promised to find the cause of the “autism epidemic” by September.
New research shows an increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism — up from 1 in 36 in 2020, to 1 in 31 in 2022. According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open, the rate of diagnosis in adults ages 26 to 34 increased by 450% from 2011 to 2022. Autism experts say the increases in cases are a sign of broader diagnosis criteria that includes mild cases.
“About 80% of this increase is caused by broader diagnostic criteria, better access to doctors and earlier diagnosis,” said Peter Penzes, director of the Center of Autism and Neurodevelopment at Northwestern University. “But there’s about 20% which is not explained by this.”
Kennedy has made baseless claims that autism is a “preventable disease” that keeps children from carrying on in society and having fulfilling lives. In a speech last week, the secretary claimed kids with autism will “never pay taxes, hold a job,” play sports or participate in the arts. His comments sparked outrage within the autism community, from advocates, experts and parents.
“Many people in this community have been fighting back their whole lives to prove people wrong about what they’re capable of, and to have this rhetoric coming out of our country’s leaders saying what they cannot do at the highest level is so dehumanizing,” said Kristyn Roth, chief marketing officer of Autism Society of America. “It’s incredibly upsetting.” |
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The monarch butterfly, dining on milkweed. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region) |
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The first monarch butterflies of the season have reached Illinois. Journey North, which gathers reports from volunteers across the country, has been tracking the butterfly's movement since the endangered insects began their push north from Mexico in late March. The butterflies that set out from the wintering site are the same ones that migrated last fall.
Some backstory:
After stalling in Oklahoma in early April as they waited for milkweed to emerge — monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed, and monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed (genus Asclepias) — the butterflies have now crossed into Kansas, Missouri and Illinois, according to Journey North. (The ones that reach Illinois are often a second generation — the offspring of the monarchs that left Mexico.)
In addition to milkweed, monarchs are also dependent on weather conditions. Rain will force a ground stop but on the flip side, favorable winds will help the butterflies cover greater distances — from 40 to 100 miles a day. At that pace, Monarchs should reach Chicago in the next few weeks. This winter, the annual count of the monarch population in Mexico showed a rebound from a near-record low in 2024. |
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More From WTTW News |
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The senior-level federal employee charged with supervising operations at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory is ending his tenure, WTTW News has confirmed through the Department of Energy Office of Science.
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The sentencing hearing for Robert Crimo III, 24, is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at the Lake County Courthouse more than a month after he abruptly pleaded guilty to killing seven people and wounding 48 others during the 2022 Highland Park parade festivities.
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Outgoing Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez is set to become the next Massachusetts school board commissioner after a state board approved his nomination Tuesday.
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Back in the Day: April 23, 1989 - Vito Marzullo, Alive, Reads His Own Obituary |
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Vito Marzullo served as the alderman for the 25th Ward from 1953-1985. Though he exemplified machine politics and served as Mayor Richard J. Daley’s right-hand man as dean of the City Council, he’s also likely the only council member to read his own obituary months before his death. On April 23, 1989, the Chicago Tribune ran a premature memorial to the powerful politician. As the Tribune later reported, Marzullo, then 91, “did have an unusual breakfast in his South Oakley Boulevard home. It consisted of a slice of toast, orange juice and corn flakes and reading his obituary in The Chicago Tribune.” The longtime politician was not entirely pleased by the gaffe, which the newspaper blamed on late-night deadlines and an erroneously confirmed tip (there was another death in the building, but it wasn’t Marzullo). Marzullo eventually died at 92 on March 5, 1990. |
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Local Live Music Recommendations for Apr. 23-29 |
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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, April 23:
Natural Information Society and Bitchin Bajas at Constellation. Tickets.
These two local experimental acts merge jazz and electronic for a record release show in Roscoe Village.
Ty Segall, Mikal Cronin at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The rock’n’roll veterans play a stripped down acoustic show in Pilsen.
Thursday, April 24:
Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl at Three Top Lounge. Tickets.
Located on the roof of Salt Shed, Three Top Lounge is a more intimate bar venue that will be perfect for two of the city’s best musical improvisers.
Friday, April 25:
Fort Frances at Hideout. Tickets.
This long-running local folk-rock band is more charming and exciting than ever.
Saturday, April 26:
Rosali, David Nance and Mowed Sound, Rich Ruth, Minor Moon, Frank Hurricane and more at iO Theatre. Tickets.
This stacked lineup is a new single-day music festival called Thawed Out at the Lincoln Park comedy club.
Sunday, April 27:
Cactus Lee, Toadvine at Hideout. Tickets.
If you like gentle Americana and classic country, don’t miss this show.
Tuesday, April 29:
Saya Gray at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
The adventurous Canadian songwriter’s new LP “Saya” is one of 2025’s early standouts.
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The trees are blooming, and the city is getting green again. What's your favorite thing about spring in Chicago? |
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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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