Hey there! It’s Friday! What is up with this desk in the newsroom? Here’s what else you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. Trump’s alleged “promise” had something to do with Ukraine

Details are leaking about a U.S. intelligence officer’s complaint that President Donald Trump made a “promise” to a foreign leader that was so troubling that they felt obligated to report it to the intelligence community’s inspector general.

The Washington Post reports that the promise, which has been deemed a matter of “urgent concern” by the inspector general, is centered around Ukraine.

Here’s what we know: Shortly before the complaint was filed, Trump spoke with newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. That call is already under investigation by House Democrats, who are looking at whether Trump or his attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani tried to get the Ukranian government’s help in reelecting Trump. [Washington Post]

In a recent interview with CNN, Giuliani said he urged Ukranian officials to investigate Trump’s political opponents, including former Vice President Joe Biden. [New York Times]

2. What’s going on with federal oversight of Chicago police?

Glad you asked. It turns out the city has missed two dozen deadlines just within the first six months of a legally binding plan to reform the Chicago Police Department. It came about after the U.S. Department of Justice found widespread problems within the department after the infamous police shooting of Laquan McDonald.

As WBEZ’s Patrick Smith reports, “Among the missed deadlines are a requirement that the Police Department post monthly information on shootings and other incidents of police force, a deadline to ‘develop and implement a policy that prohibits sexual misconduct’ by officers and a promised overhaul of the field training program for officers fresh out of the academy.”

Another whopper: “In one instance, the city misrepresented its progress to the judge overseeing the reform plan, which is laid out in a legal agreement called a consent decree.” [WBEZ]

Smith tells me that Maggie Hickey, the court-appointed monitor overseeing the city’s compliance with reforms, will give an update Saturday about the city’s progress.

3. You might not get to smoke pot in bars

That’s because Illinois lawmakers are planning to rewrite part of the state’s landmark bill legalizing recreational marijuana after health advocates raised alarms.

The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, allows local governments to permit bars, restaurants and other businesses to let customers smoke weed indoors. Health advocates object to that language because it is an exemption to the Smoke Free Illinois Act, which snuffed out smoking in most public places.

If the rewrite happens, it could dramatically limit where folks could smoke pot in public. [Chicago Sun-Times]

4. Millions march in worldwide climate change protests

In the U.S., 800 planned marches attracted large numbers of students walking out of classrooms to demand more action to combat climate change.

Among the protesters’ demands is a pledge from governments and businesses to dramatically reduce carbon emissions by 2030. [NPR]

Even the goth kids took part in the worldwide protests.

WBEZ recently talked to environmental experts about ways Chicagoans can help combat climate change, and they gave us 10 tips. [WBEZ]

5. Chicago’s chicken dance

A Chicago alderman wants to ban roosters across the city and place tighter regulations on the ownership of farm animals such as pigs.

Ald. Raymond Lopez told Block Club Chicago he’s pushing the rooster ban after 114 chickens were kept in a garage for illegal cockfighting. He said his plan will also allow neighborhoods to decide for themselves whether residents can own farm animals.

But animal rescue groups said Lopez’s proposal could hamper their efforts and force Chicago’s rescue sanctuaries to close. [Block Club Chicago]

This isn’t the first time chickens have been stuck in an alderman’s craw. Back when I was [deep sigh] a political reporter who was regularly published in [another deep sigh] The New York Times, I followed the long campaign of then-Ald. Lona Lane to ban chickens in the city.

In 2011, I went out to her South Side ward to find the one chicken that was allegedly causing her constituents to call in complaints. I won’t spoil the story’s ending, but I ran into these two guys and asked them if they’d seen any chickens in the area.

“Have I seen any chickens?” said one man. “Is this a prank?”

“I have — at the grocery store,” said the other man. [New York Times]

Here’s what else is happening

Some late-breaking news: An SUV drove through Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg this afternoon. [Chicago Tribune]

Chicago police supervisors will get a 10.5% raise over five years under a contract deal with Mayor Lori Lightfoot. [Chicago Tribune]

Walmart will stop selling e-cigarettes as concerns grow over a mysterious vaping-related lung illness. [CNBC]

The creator of the “Storm Area 51” event, which started today, said he didn’t think anyone would take his joke seriously. [CNN]

Oh, and one more thing …

Thaddeus “T.J.” Jimenez was 13 years old when Chicago cops arrested him for a murder he swore he didn’t commit. He spent 16 years in prison before a judge released him. Jimenez then sued the city and won $25 million in 2012, and he used the money to buy a gang.

WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times have teamed up to present Motive, a podcast hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frank Main. Motive examines why and how Jimenez’s life took a wrong turn and what it means for the rest of us. [Apple]

Tell me something good …

What games do you enjoy playing, either board games or video games or anything else?

Ken Jurish writes:

“Honestly, nothing says Christmas like a marathon game of Monopoly with my brother, son, nieces, and nephews, in front of a roaring fire, smell of pine in the air, tree lights glittering, and some tasty beverages at hand. We play until there is only one person remaining. Game pieces, and tantrums, can (and are) thrown — and I’m not talking just the kids. The game can take hours. And it’s just fantastic.”

And Chris Twarowski writes:

“My wife and I discovered Pandemic a few months ago and have been hooked. So many thrilling, last-minute wins, mixed in with edge-of-your seat losses.”

Thanks for all the responses this week! They were great and I’ve added a lot of games to my list!

Have a nice night! I’ll see you on Monday. And if you like what you just read, you can subscribe to the newsletter here and have it delivered to your inbox.