Lawmakers grapple with AI

📝 Keeping score: The Cubs beat the Cardinals, 6-4; the White Sox bested the Guardians, 7-6.

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⏱️: An 8-minute read

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Mostly sunny with a high near 78.

TODAY’S TOP STORY 🔎

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Illinois Democrats weigh pros and cons of AI use

By Tina Sfondeles

AI decisions: As members of Congress grapple with ways to regulate the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence, they’re also divided on how to use it in their own personal and professional lives. In Illinois, U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, a former Fermilab physicist, is using AI to help draft legislation. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says she "involuntarily" uses it in Google searches. Others, like U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, are purposefully steering clear.

Key context: AI is at an inflection point in America and the world, and with stark differences in public opinion, Congress is trying to find ways to regulate it in more than 300 bills.

In Illinois: State lawmakers in May approved legislation that requires AI companies to publish and annually update plans to address severe risks from their models. It also mandates an annual third-party audit on safety issues. That bill is awaiting Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature.

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HEALTH 🩺

Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

Opioid overdose deaths dramatically drop in Illinois

By Elvia Malagón

Deaths decline: Chicago and Illinois have seen a sharp decline in opioid-related deaths, according to a new study. Experts say it could be thanks to a growth in treatment access, a shift to a less punitive approach through harm reduction, and a departure from complete abstinence — plus the wide distribution of the overdose-reversal drug Narcan.

The data: The report details the drastic decrease in opioid overdose deaths from 2023 to 2024, the most recent available data. Those deaths fell by 36% in Illinois. Deaths tied to highly potent synthetic opioids, which include fentanyl, fell even more — 38% — across the state. Separately, Cook County and Chicago reported a major drop in opioid-related deaths, plummeting 37% from 2023 to 2024, according to data from the Cook County Department of Public Health.

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CITY HALL 🏛️

Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times

With police chief leaving, replacement search is clouded by prospect of heated mayor’s race

Analysis by Fran Spielman and Sophie Sherry

Search is on: The search for outgoing Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling's replacement will take place against the backdrop of a highly contested mayoral race. The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability has until Nov. 12 to conduct a nationwide search, interview candidates and present the names of three finalists to Mayor Brandon Johnson. Then, it's in Johnson's hands to pick Snelling's successor, with City Council's approval.

Key context: Johnson has not yet declared his intent to seek reelection, but if he does run, a public approval rating in the low 30s has him in serious danger of becoming a one-term mayor. That kind of political uncertainty is likely to discourage candidates from outside Chicago — and even some insiders — from applying for the $284,016-a-year job.

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MORE NEWS YOU NEED 🗞️

Provided

• Teens wounded in mass shooting: Seven people, most of them teenagers, were shot early Sunday in two separate incidents minutes apart on the same block in West Garfield Park, Chicago police said. A long-time resident said it was the result of a rowdy gathering in the neighborhood.
  
• Three deaths tied to heat wave: The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said the extreme heat that began June 29, compounded by chronic conditions, contributed to the residents' deaths.
  
• Police-involved shooting: Malik Wrightsell, 34, faces charges of attempted murder against a city police officer and charges of aggravated battery against another cop after a shooting Friday, police announced.
  
• Boutros ordered into court: A magistrate judge has ordered U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros into court for a hearing Thursday to discuss "potential violations" of an order sealing a case involving alleged Tren de Aragua members that was touted by top U.S. Department of Justice officials.
  
• State Rep. resigns: State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, stepped down Friday amid allegations of misconduct that were deemed "outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming" by Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside.
  
• Flight hit by firework: A Delta Air Lines plane was landing Saturday night at Midway Airport when crew members said the firework struck the aircraft. No one was hurt and the plane wasn't damaged, Delta said.
  
• Foggy fireworks mean free Ferris wheel: After rain tempered Fourth of July festivities around the city, Navy Pier's fireworks show was hardly visible thanks to fog along the lake. To make up for it, Navy Pier is offering free Ferris wheel rides every Wednesday starting at 6 p.m., until Labor Day.

ON WBEZ 91.5 FM 📻

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons, 9 a.m.

• Deaths drop: The Sun-Times' Elvia Malagón and Raymond Law of Gateway Foundation discuss the decline in Illinois' opioid overdose deaths. 
  
• Design contest: Phil Clement of World Business Chicago, Eleanor Gorski of the Chicago Architecture Center and Kenya Merritt of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events talk about the finalists in a design competition to reimagine Chicago's highways, alleys and boulevards.

Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith, 10 a.m.

• Do you feel safe?: Andrew Papachristos of Northwestern's Institute for Policy Research joins the show as callers weigh in on how safe their neighborhoods feel — and what they think it will take for Chicago to set a new normal for safety.

LISTEN LIVE 🎧

FROM THE PRESS BOX ⚽⚾🏀

• It’s a small world: America is embracing its World Cup squad that, upon closer review, has a distinctive international flavor, writes Steve Greenberg.
  
• ‘Mune’ nears return: Munetaka Murakami is expected to start rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A and might be back later this week.
  
• Some good signs: Things might be looking up for the Cubs' snakebitten rotation, writes Gordon Edes.
  
• GM’s vision: Amid a losing season, Sky GM Jeff Pagliocca still sees playoff potential and an underrated young core.

CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD 🌭

Today's clue: 6A: Didn't take the CTA, maybe

PLAY NOW

BRIGHT ONE 🔆

Arthur Maiorella/For the Sun-Times

Local artists collaborate, showcase talent on viaduct murals

By Genevieve Bookwalter

Portraits. Cartoons. Graffiti-style messages. A new, collaborative mural by 17 Chicago artists showcases the different styles of street art and graffiti writing for drivers sitting in traffic under the I-90 viaduct at Western Avenue and Logan Boulevard in Logan Square.

The goal, say curators James Sturnfield and the artist known as BboyB, is to advertise high quality local work and encourage Chicago residents and businesses to hire their neighbors instead of flying muralists and painters in from other cities.

"There’s a plethora of amazing artists right here in the city," BboyB said.

Those who contributed to the wall include artists known as Face, Exhaust, Hink, Koal, Megan Kind, Shan, Cool Disco Rich, Sens, Oscar Joyo, Hatek, Morgan Nicolette, Serk, Joey D, Stuk One and Kera. BboyB and Sturnfield also added their work.

Work by most of these artists can already be found around Chicago. This mega-mural brought them together in one place.

Sturnfield said he sought to "show the unity of Chicago’s art and graffiti culture."

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YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️

What's one thing you'd like to see Chicago's next police superintendent do?

Reply to this newsletter via email (please include your first and last name). We may run your answer in a future newsletter or story.

PICTURE CHICAGO 📸

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Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia