Hey there! It’s Wednesday, and it’s Hunter. I’m back, and someone next door is singing very badly to mariachi music — and I needed that. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. The average number of daily COVID-19 cases has almost doubled in Illinois since the start of July

The state has recently seen an average of 1,436 cases per day, almost double the 788 cases per day reported for the first week of July, according to The New York Times. While cases are increasing, it’s still down from Illinois’ peak in May, when the average number of cases surpassed 2,500 per day.

Many public health experts agree that the number of cases alone does not paint a complete picture of the pandemic’s toll, but they say a rise in cases can be followed by a jump in hospitalizations and deaths two to six weeks later.

The state’s positivity rate is also increasing. For the first week of July, the rate was 2.6%. It’s now near 4%. You can find more numbers in this link. [WBEZ]

Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker today announced restrictions on youth and adult recreational sports, citing the rise in cases.

“We’ve made progress in Illinois, but we’ve also seen that it can be fleeting. And right now things are not headed in the right direction,” Pritzker said. [Chicago Tribune]

Pritzker’s comments come weeks after some health experts warned the state was suffering a setback and urged officials to take action. [WBEZ]

2. Tech giants are grilled at antitrust hearing

The CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google appeared before a congressional hearing today where they faced a bipartisan interrogation over whether they stifle competition.

The key question in today’s hearing is whether the country’s century-old antitrust laws can adequately address growing concerns in the Capitol over giant tech companies, or if new legislation and enforcement funding is needed.

“Any single action by one of these companies can affect hundreds of millions of us in profound and lasting ways,” said Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., the chairman of the House Judiciary’s antitrust subcommittee. “Simply put: They have too much power.”

The antitrust subcommittee has investigated the business practices of big tech companies for about a year, from their treatment of workers to the way they handle online content. [AP]

3. GOP plan to slash jobless benefits could result in delayed payments, states warn

And those delays could take weeks or even months.

The warning comes as congressional Republicans propose cutting the $600-per-week boost in jobless payments to $200 a week. They also want state unemployment offices to cap payments at 70% of what an individual earned before the pandemic. State officials say adjusting their old computer systems to accommodate the GOP’s plan could take months. [AP]

Meanwhile, Congress and the White House have until Friday to reach a deal on a new coronavirus rescue plan before tens of millions of Americans see cuts in their unemployment benefits.

And congressional Republicans remain divided over the GOP’s $1 trillion proposal. [New York Times]

4. Reputed gang leader in Chicago arrested in federal takedown

Darnell McMiller, who goes by the street name “Murder,” was among 23 people arrested in a federal investigation of drug and weapons trafficking, reports the Chicago Tribune. McMiller is described in court records as the current leader of the Black Disciples.

Also among those arrested was John Ector, owner of the South Side nightclub V-75, who is accused of bank fraud and helping the gang launder drug money. Shongo Collier, the owner of the popular chicken restaurant Wings Around the World, also faces allegations of “dealing fentanyl and other narcotics,” the Trib reports.

Today’s news comes after a two year investigation that also saw several alleged gang members charged with unlawfully trafficking handguns. [Chicago Tribune]

5. Federal tactical teams will soon leave Portland, Oregon governor says

Federal officers who violently clashed with protesters will begin leaving Portland tomorrow, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced today. Under an agreement between state and federal officials, the Oregon State Police will provide extra security to federal buildings.

But acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf struck a different tone about the deal. He said the removal of officers was contingent on whether federal officials believed property owned by the U.S. government would not be attacked.

The use of federal force in Portland has drawn national criticism and stoked concerns that a similar situation could spiral in Chicago, where federal officials say they will send a “surge” of agents to help local authorities reduce crime. [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• Here’s a fascinating look at how President Donald Trump’s focus on Chicago plays into the November election. [Politico]
• Mercy Hospital on Chicago’s Near South Side plans to close next year. [WBEZ]
• The CEO of Commonwealth Edison apologized for the company’s role in an eight-year bribery scheme. [WBEZ]
• Chicago tourist trap Navy Pier is $20 million in the hole. [WBEZ]

Oh, and one more thing …

Are you looking for podcast recommendations? Well, the second season of WBEZ’s Motive has one of the best episodes of the year so far, according to an extensive roundup of podcasts by entertainment website IndieWire.

The last season of Motive followed a group of young women seeking justice abroad. You can find all the episodes in this link.

Also on IndieWire’s “best episodes” list is WNYC’s Nancy, which was one of the only public radio podcasts about the LGBTQ community. [IndieWire]

Tell me something good …

What song brings back a good memory for you?

Vijay writes:

“ ‘We Found Love’ by Rihanna/Calvin Harris was the song my wife and I walked into at our wedding reception. We had an amazing wedding DJ who accompanied the song with an Indian drum, a dhol. To this day it gives me goosebumps!”

And Marcia writes:

“I am a 60-something girl who was transported by my 30-something neighbors blasting The Beach Boys while playing in the yard with their kids! Hearing ‘Good Vibrations’ just as I did in seventh grade was such a wonderful time warp!”

What song brings back a good memory for you? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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