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Dennis Hastert, whose legacy as Congress’ longest-serving Republican House speaker was later fouled by allegations that he had molested high school athletes during his prior career as a teacher and wrestling coach in Yorkville, has died at 84. Catch up on more stories this Monday from WTTW News. |
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(James Andrews / iStock) |
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The rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage surpassed 7% for the first time since January 2025 last week, according to federal lender Freddie Mac.
That’s after the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2023, raising rates by a quarter of a percentage point.
The Fed said the increase was necessitated by rising inflation, but it could spell bad news for an already strained housing market.
“This will increase monthly housing costs for those that are entering the market,” said Serrater Chapman, director of applied research at the Woodstock Institute. “It will also limit the supply. The people that are currently in their homes will be less likely to sell because they’d have to buy again at a higher rate.”
The national median sale price of a home was $429,000 in August 2026, up from $422,400 at the same time last year, according to data from the Federal Reserve. In Chicago, the median sale price was $405,000 in August 2026, up from $375,000 at the same time last year, according to data from Illinois Realtors.
More context:
When the Fed raises rates, it incentivizes banks to hold their money with the central bank rather than loan it out to homebuyers, which carries more risk. Under these conditions, banks charge higher interest rates on mortgages to justify taking their money out of the Federal Reserve.
The higher mortgage rates could have a special impact on millennials, who make up a large portion of prospective homebuyers, Chapman said.
“Millennials are currently 63% of Illinois’s mortgage market,” Chapman said. “We’re finding that the debt that millennials carry is non-mortgage debt. That includes student loan debt, consumer loan debts and installment loans, which also create a barrier for their debt-to-income ratio, making them less desirable or higher risk for lenders.”
Chapman said that even if new homebuyers break into the market and purchase a home, they could be left without the income to maintain their home.
“Even if they do get into their home, they could be cash-strapped,” Chapman said. “They get into their home and all of a sudden their furnace breaks, etc. — we’re creating a generation of financially unstable borrowers.” |
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Sponsor Message |
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Journey through the 18th century with five composers pushing orchestral music in bold directions, led by Nicholas Kraemer. Concertmaster Gina DiBello takes center stage in one of Vivaldi’s most intriguing violin concertos, while the orchestra revels in the buoyant brilliance of J. S. Bach’s First Orchestral Suite and the restless invention of his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel. Telemann’s cosmopolitan flair shines in a dazzling double concerto, and Haydn’s dramatic Symphony No. 80 completes the program.
Go beyond Vivaldi and experience a century of orchestral transformation, October 18 in Skokie and October 19 at the Harris Theater downtown. |
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(Jacob Wackerhausen / iStock) |
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Changes to Medicaid eligibility have taken effect, impacting about 9,300 lawfully present immigrants in Illinois. Refugees, survivors of human trafficking and people who have been granted asylum are among those no longer covered.
The change comes as part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which issued major restrictions to immigrants’ ability to use government-funded support systems.
For people starting anew in the United States, Medicaid is often their primary way to access healthcare. Losing that insurance adds another layer of complications — particularly when that loss coincides with changes in immigration status.
Married couple Mahmoud and Asmaa and their 19-year-old son, Omar, came to Chicago from Syria as refugees and will soon lose their Medicaid coverage without green card status. The family did not want to be identified by last name as they’re in the process of applying for permanent residency. Omar has Duchenne muscular dystrophy and is connected to a ventilator at all times.
“They are legally here, they are entitled to receive benefits,” said Ali Tarokh, director of development and communications at the Syrian Community Network. “They are highly dependent on Medicaid services, and if they cannot afford the private health insurance, which they cannot, the father told us that his son is going to die.”
Some backstory:
The White House has touted the cuts as part of the administration’s push to reduce spending on people who are not American citizens.
Groups that are exempt from Medicaid loss are lawfully present immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Palau, the Marshall Islands and Micronesia, as well as legally present children and pregnant people, and refugees, asylees and trafficking survivors with permanent status.
In an already overwhelmed healthcare system, there is a concern among medical providers that cuts to Medicaid will result in even greater stress to healthcare facilities.
“These people will have very limited choices about where they can go,” said Mary Sajdak, director of care coordination at Near North Health. “There are people in the community who do take care of folks that don’t have health insurance or health coverage, but the numbers will quickly overwhelm the amount of resources that are available.” |
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
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Through the first three quarters of 2026, Chicago is on pace for fewer homicides than it recorded in 2025, a year that closed with the city’s fewest recorded killings in 60 years.
According to new data from the Chicago Police Department, there have been 321 homicides throughout the city through the end of September, a 3% decline over the same time last year and a 29% decline over that period in 2024.
That comes after Chicago saw 31 homicides during the month of September — 14 fewer than the same month last year. That’s also the fewest homicides in any September dating back to 2010, according to CPD records.
The total number of shootings (136) and shooting victims (165) last month were also down compared to September 2025, police said.
Through the end of September, Chicago has recorded a 4% decline in total shootings and a 2% drop in the number of shooting victims compared to 2025, a year that marked a historic low for violence in the city.
According to the CPD, carjackings are down 26% this year, while robberies (down 21%) and burglaries (down 10%) have also seen declines.
Violent crime on the CTA’s train and bus lines is down 32% this year, while property crime has decreased by 26%, according to CPD data. |
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More From WTTW News:
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The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has announced its annual search for the city’s official Christmas tree, which will be the centerpiece of holiday celebrations in Millennium Park.
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Journalists at the Daily Herald elected to form a union by a unanimous vote, the union announced last week.
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Back in the Day: October 5, 1979 - Pope John Paul II Holds Mass at Grant Park
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Pope John Paul II became the first pope to visit Chicago while in office 47 years ago today. The pope, formerly known as Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła, had visited the city during his tenure as the Archbishop of Kraków in 1969 and 1976. For this trip, he visited several Catholic churches, including Providence of God Church, Five Holy Martyrs Church and St. Peter's Church. It culminated in an open-air mass at Grant Park’s Petrillo Bandshell, where more than 1 million people gathered to witness the service. Pope John Paul II remained pope until his death in 2005. The Archdiocese of Chicago called John Paul II's visit “an extraordinary event which saw an outpouring of devotion and excitement throughout the city.” |
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings |
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
WTTW First Wednesdays at The Field Museum
WTTW is partnering with the Field Museum to present WTTW First Wednesdays, free admission for Illinois residents at the Field Museum, every first Wednesday of the month.
On WTTW First Wednesdays, get the opportunity to discover the Field Museum’s general admission exhibitions with your family or a group of science-loving friends. Adventure through the wilderness on a desert safari, explore ancient civilizations, and come face-to-face with prehistoric creatures— all in one place. Just present a current Illinois driver's license, state ID, or Chicago CityKey card at the ticket desk to establish proof of residency and get ready to explore.
WTTW First Wednesdays are free; tickets can be obtained online in advance.
WTTW: “Firsthand: Democracy” Screening and Discussion
Join WTTW and Illinois State Senator Rachel Ventura for this screening and discussion event in Joliet centered on “Firsthand: Democracy,” the Emmy Award-nominated docuseries produced by WTTW. Through firsthand accounts, WTTW’s “Firsthand: Democracy” shares the stories of five Chicagoans who are tapping into the power of community-driven work to get back to the basics of democratic action and improve their communities.
During this event, we will screen an episode from the series, and immediately following, executive producer Dan Protess will moderate a conversation with Illinois state Sen. Rachel Ventura; DuPage Township Clerk Barbara Parker; Will County Clerk Annette Parker; Pamela Fort of Speak Up and Vote; and Jane Ruby, president of the League of Women Voters.
This event is free, but a required RSVP and more details can be found here. |
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What's your favorite musical artist or band from Chicago? Tell us why. |
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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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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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