Illinois’ ambitious anti-violence initiative

Plus, only 90 CPS schools have a full-time librarian. Here's what you need to know today.

To view this email as a web page, click here. Today's Rundown is brought to you by WBEZ members and by Hunter Clauss Good afternoon. It’s Monday, and I still can’t get over this sign I saw over the weekend near a health care provider. I honestly thought I was hallucinating for a second. Here’s what you need to know today. 1. Illinois begins using $250 million to help fund anti-violence groups   An ambitious $250 million strategy to curb shootings is now underway in Illinois, with about four dozen violence prevention groups receiving the first down payment of $2 million last month, reports my colleague Patrick Smith. Gov. JB Pritzker last year vowed to use federal COVID-19 funds to boost community-based groups working to address gun violence that soared during the pandemic.  Some Democrats and community groups had hoped the money would have been sent ahead of the summer, when the number of shootings typically rises.  But state lawmakers deserve some “grace” because “this is new, they’re trying to put together their strategies and systems,” said Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, who advocated the state to use federal pandemic funds on anti-violence efforts. “But when there’s the urgency related to actually saving lives, I mean, of course, we will say we would have liked for the money to be out sooner.” [WBEZ] 2. Illinois State Police seek to close a hole exposed by the Highland Park mass shooting   The Illinois State Police today announced an “emergency rule” that addresses a hole in the state’s gun laws that allowed the suspect in the Fourth of July shooting to legally buy several guns despite a troubling past. The suspect had been deemed a “clear and present danger” by Highland Park police after he allegedly threatened to “kill everyone” in 2019. But months later, the state police approved the suspect’s application for a gun permit, which was sponsored by his father.  The emergency rule, which goes into effect next week, will allow state police to “retain a clear and present danger report even if the subject doesn’t have a FOID card or a pending application at the time it is received,” the Chicago Tribune reports. “The agency would be to use such reports in evaluating future FOID card applications.” [Tribune] The news comes on the two-week anniversary of the mass shooting. For many people who survived the tragedy, recovering may be a slow and long process, health experts say. [WBEZ] 3. After a series of officer suicides, the Chicago Police Department faces criticism for not doing enough   A sergeant died yesterday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, marking the third suicide reported this month in the Chicago Police Department. Alexa James, the department’s former wellness adviser, blamed the department for canceling days off for officers and is calling for a sweeping plan to address psychological issues within the ranks, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.  “I think what’s happening is inhumane,” James said. “And I’m certainly not linking [regular day off] cancellations to increase of suicide, but we do know that this is the pattern.” Canceling the days off for officers is a controversial practice that’s been used to address the department’s deep staffing issues. Today, Police Superintendent David Brown defended the practice, saying it helps ensure the safety of officers on the street. [Chicago Sun-Times] If you or someone you know may be considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988. 4. Only about 90 of Chicago’s 513 public, non-chartered schools have a full-time librarian   That’s according to the Chicago Sun-Times, which examines why, in an age of misinformation, the nation’s third largest school district has so few librarians? “There are librarians at only 10% of schools where Black students are the largest percentage of the student body, compared with 25% of schools where white kids are, and 21% where Hispanic students are highest,” the newspaper reports, citing an analysis done by the Chicago Sun-Times and a Chicago Teachers Union researcher. Nora Wiltse, perhaps the school district’s most vocal library advocate, was one of eight librarians who were laid off last month. She said the school library landscape when she started at CPS in 2003 was fruitful and well-resourced — “night and day” compared with today. “Now we’re all on our own, and we’re all fighting to prove that we’re of value,” she said. [Chicago Sun-Times] 5. Slow down, Speed Racer. The City Council wants to put the brakes on drag races.   Chicago police would be able to impound vehicles used in drag races under an ordinance making its way through the City Council, reports veteran City Hall reporter Fran Spielman at the Chicago Sun-Times.  “Before impounding the vehicle, CPD would be required to mail the owner a ‘notice of intent to impound’ that includes a statement of probable cause and a police report of the incident that includes the date and time of the violation and a description of the vehicle,” Spielman reports.  “The owner would have the right to contest the impoundment before an administrative hearing officer.”  The news comes after hundreds of people showed up for a dangerous race at the Near West Side intersection of Clinton and Monroe streets early Sunday. When officers showed up, fireworks were thrown at them. [Chicago Sun-Times] SPONSORED BY ADLER UNIVERSITY Create a Healthier and More Just Society Stand for a more just society with Adler University! Since 1952, Adler University has been uniquely dedicated to graduating socially responsible practitioners, engaging communities, and advancing social justice. Graduates are prepared to address health inequities and social injustices within their communities through advanced degrees in psychology, counseling, public policy, public administration, and more. Join us to develop your potential toward a career that can create positive change in your community. Here's what else is happening Dr. Anthony Fauci said he will retire from his government post by the end of President Joe Biden’s term. [CNN] The U.S. Senate is nearing a deal on immigration that could also lower food prices. [NPR] The heat in London on Monday and Tuesday will rival parts of the Sahara. [NPR] Hubble vs. Webb: Here’s a look at side-by-side comparisons of photos taken by the two space telescopes. [NPR] Oh, and one more thing... Thanks to everyone who stopped by the WBEZ tent at the Pitchfork Music Festival on Saturday!  It was extremely nice to hear all of the kind things people said about the station. My colleagues Cassie Walker Burke, Manuel Martinez and Andjela Padejski were taking photos, handing out swag and asking folks what music means to them in these very unusual times. This response from Julian Day-Cooney, who lives in Portland, really stood out to me:  “I just sat working from home for two years, and I was just longing for live music. It is my religious experience — going to concerts. I feel holy in the moment, it’s spiritual, and the emotional intensity I get from live music is like a jolt from the stagnation I’ve been feeling. It’s cathartic.” [WBEZ] Tell me something good I need some movie recommendations. What’s a film you enjoyed recently? Long-time readers know by now I’m a huge fan of John Wick. But I recently caught Bahubali on Netflix. It is a truly epic action movie. Taking place near an ancient kingdom in India, an orphan grows up and, after many sword fights, discovers he is part of a royal bloodline. I also recently enjoyed Lady Snowblood, which follows an assassin as she exacts revenge on her mother’s enemies. Feel free to email or tweet me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week. therundown@wbez.org | @whuntah Thanks for reading and have a nice night! I'll see you tomorrow. — Hunter Clauss P.S. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to receive The Rundown in your inbox. VIEW OUR BROADCAST SCHEDULE ©Chicago Public Media Inc 848 East Grand Ave, Navy Pier Chicago, IL 60611 Please do not reply to this email. If you need assistance, you may contact us here. You are receiving this email because you are a WBEZ member or signed up to receive email communications from us. 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