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It’s Wednesday. Today we have stories on Illinois pushing back on federal vaccine guidelines, a new report from the CPS inspector general and an update on overtime spending. |
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A vial of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is on display at the Lubbock Health Department, Feb. 26, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Mary Conlon, File) |
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The decision by U.S. health officials earlier this week to reduce the number of vaccines recommended for all children “has no bearing” on Illinois’ childhood vaccine recommendations, according to Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra.
“As the federal government unilaterally makes changes without transparent review or evidence to support changes, Illinois will continue to promote the well-being of Illinoisans by issuing recommendations based on the full weight of scientific evidence,” Vohra said in a statement.
More context:
The stance is the latest example of Illinois health officials breaking from federal changes to vaccine recommendations under the Trump administration. The federal changes come as U.S. vaccination rates have been slipping, while at the same time, rates of diseases that can be protected against with vaccines, such as measles and whooping cough, are rising.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday it is no longer recommending that all children receive vaccines against: RSV, flu, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease and rotavirus. Instead, the federal government now only recommends protection against these diseases for certain children at high risk.
Dr. Margaret Scotellaro, division director for general pediatrics at Rush Children’s Hospital, described the CDC changes as based on “misguided” information and vaccine schedule comparisons to other countries, like Denmark, that aren’t easily applicable to the U.S.
In her practice, Scotellaro has seen more vaccine skepticism from parents, who she said are often hearing conflicting information from federal officials, pediatricians and medical organizations.
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Sponsor Message |
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(WTTW News) |
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The city of Chicago spent $250.8 million on overtime for members of the Chicago Police Department during 2025 — 151% more than the Chicago City Council set aside for police overtime as part of the city’s annual budget, according to records published by the city’s watchdog.
CPD not only exceeded its annual budget as set by the 2025 city budget, but it also spent 25% more than the amount set aside for police overtime in the 2026 city budget, records show.
CPD exceeded its annual overtime budget for the ninth straight year, records show.
The federal overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule follows a directive from Trump to review how peer nations approach vaccine recommendations and to adjust U.S. guidance accordingly. However, many of the countries recommend some of the vaccines the U.S. removed from its list.
“This is something we have to get right,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday when asked by WTTW News about the new data published by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg.
Even though CPD spent approximately 7.3% less on police overtime in 2025 as compared with 2024, it was still two and a half times more than its budget, records show.
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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
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Chicago Public Schools had to pay back nearly $1.2 million to the U.S. Department of Education after an employee repeatedly falsified data on federal grant applications over the course of multiple years.
Those findings were included in an annual report published today by the school district’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), which is tasked with investigating allegations of CPS employee misconduct.
According to Inspector General Philip Wagenknecht, a CPS program manager allegedly engaged in repeated grant fraud by overinflating the number of students enrolled in their program in order to pull in additional federal funding for the district’s American Indian Education program.
“CPS takes its ethical responsibilities seriously and is committed to transparency in all grant processes,” a CPS spokesperson said in a statement. “The District has agreed to repay funds to the federal government because it could not fully verify historical documentation related to the collection and submission of data confirming the identification of American Indian students as part of its application for the American Indian Education grant.”
The details:
The OIG launched an investigation into this specific program and found back in 2021 that staff had a “longstanding practice” of misrepresenting tribal enrollment.
From 2017 to 2020, the program reported that between 682-700 students were involved each year, while the OIG found fewer than 300 students total over several years, according to the report.
As part of that investigation, the program manager allegedly admitted that she’d overstated the tribal enrollment numbers, but maintained the grant applications still included an “accurate estimate based on CPS data.”
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More From WTTW News:
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City officials can stop large gatherings of teens without expanding the Chicago Police Department’s power to impose a curfew with at least 12 hours’ notice, Mayor Brandon Johnson said Tuesday.
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The Obama Foundation is looking to hire for 150 new full-time positions as the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open its doors this summer, the foundation announced.
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Back in the Day: Jan. 7, 1996 - Bulls Tie Record For Best Start in NBA History |
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Thirty years ago today, the Michael Jordan-led and Phil Jackson-coached Chicago Bulls were cruising to their fourth NBA title. They started the season 12-0 and on this day in 1996, pummeled their midwestern rivals the Milwaukee Bucks in 113-84 victory that found the team reaching a 28-3 record and a 17-game undefeated streak at home. At the time, the feat tied the NBA record for best all-time start in 31 games. Jordan ended the game with 32 points and Pippen tallied 20. The team’s good fortune would continue: their unbeaten home streak would last 37 games in total and they would become the first team to win more than 70 games in a single season, ending the campaign 72-10 and securing another championship.
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Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Jan. 7-13 |
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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, Jan. 7:
Macie Stewart, Zander Raymond & Macie Stewart Duo at Color Club. Tickets
The multi-faceted and adventurous Chicago songwriter kicks off a month-long Wednesday residency in Old Irving Park.
Thursday, Jan. 8:
Official Claire, Sick Day, Almost There But Not Really at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
The annual multi-venue winter music festival Tomorrow Never Knows kicks off at Wrigleyville and runs throughout January.
Friday, Jan. 9:
Pictoria Vark, girly pants at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
Rolling Stone had this Chicago artist’s latest album, “Nothing Sticks,” in their year-end Best Indie Rock of 2025 list.
Swamp Dogg, Marijuana Deathsquads at Metro. Tickets.
An 83-year-old soul, country and blues legend makes a stop in Wrigleyville. Part of TNK Fest.
Discus, Oyeme, Toadvine at Ramova Loft. Tickets.
Three great Chicago bands in Bridgeport. Part of TNK Fest.
Saturday, Jan. 10:
Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff at Chicago Theatre. Tickets.
Two dynamite vocalists team up in the loop.
Joe Glass, Feller, Reciever at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The Sharp Pins bassist released a stellar new album at the beginning of the year.
REZN, Interlay, Stalled at Schubas. Tickets.
Chicago metal stalwarts headline a venue where several of its members once worked.
Tuesday, Jan. 13:
Sam Prekop, Zander Raymond, Paige Alice Naylor at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The Sea & Cake frontman had one of 2025’s best albums in “Open Close.”
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What are you most looking forward to in Chicago in 2026?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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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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