Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday … just Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know today. (PS: You can have this delivered to your inbox by subscribing here.)

1. What we know about Trump’s plan to deploy federal agents to Chicago

The Trump administration is preparing to send about 150 federal agents to Chicago this week, and there are still more questions than answers since the Chicago Tribune first broke the news.

The agents are expected to come from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and could stay in the city for at least two month, reports The Associated Press. Those agents typically investigate human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling.

An unnamed official told the AP that federal agents will help local authorities with the city’s spike in violence, but it’s not clear how the two forces will work together, if at all. The unnamed official told the AP that agents will only be making arrests for federal crimes, not local ones.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot today said that, to her understanding, President Donald Trump is not sending federal agents to Chicago to arrest protesters. “At least at this point … we don’t see a Portland-style deployment coming to Chicago,” the mayor said. [WBEZ]

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could also be deployed to Chicago, according to three Department of Homeland Security officials interviewed by The Washington Post. [WaPo]

2. Coronavirus cases are much higher than reported in parts of U.S., CDC says

The number of people infected with the coronavirus could be anywhere between two to 13 times higher than reported in various parts of the country, according to data released today from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study looked at antibody tests in 10 different cities and states where the pandemic has hit particularly hard, and data suggests that large numbers of people who show no symptoms may be spreading the virus.

The study also suggests that New York City, the former epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S., is nowhere close to achieving herd immunity. [New York Times]

The news comes amid a national debate over reopening schools in the coming months. Teachers in Florida are suing to block an emergency order that would require schools to open with in-person classes. [NPR]

In Chicago, school district officials will begin virtual community events next week about their reopening blueprint. You can learn more about the city’s proposal here. [WBEZ]

In Illinois, cases continue to slightly rise. State officials today reported 955 new cases and 23 additional deaths. The seven-day average of daily cases was 1,134 as of yesterday, according to The New York Times. That’s up from an average of 992 on July 14. [WBEZ]

3. Negotiations begin on next federal relief package, and there’s little room for error

White House officials and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today they hope to forge an agreement over a new coronavirus relief package next week, a plan that leaves little room for error as enhanced unemployment benefits for tens of millions of Americans are scheduled to expire on July 31.

But before negotiations can begin with congressional Democrats, the White House must resolve its disagreements with Republicans.

Some GOP lawmakers are opposed to the White House’s demands to cut funding for testing, contact tracing and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the White House also faces bipartisan opposition to a payroll tax cut. [Washington Post]

Meanwhile, the European Union reached an agreement on a groundbreaking stimulus plan after a marathon summit. The $858 billion plan will provide grants and loans to member nations that have been economically pummeled by the pandemic. [NPR]

4. Biden unveils $775 billion “caregiving” plan for young kids and older Americans

Presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden today laid out a plan to make childcare more affordable and provide universal preschool to 3- and 4-year-olds, speed up construction of new childcare facilities and offer tax breaks for people who take care of older family members.

“The pandemic has laid bare just how hard it is for people in this country to find access to quality caregiving they need for themselves, or to juggle the responsibilities of working and also caring for family members,” the Biden campaign said in a statement accompanying the rollout of the proposal. [NPR]

Meanwhile, NPR takes a look at Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s political career and her growing chances of being picked as Biden’s running mate. [NPR]

5. ComEd scandal raises questions about Pritzker’s appointee to agency overseeing public utilities

Gov. JB Pritzker is defending the politically-connected head of the state agency that regulates the scandal-scarred Commonwealth Edison power company and other public utilities, reports WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos.

Carrie Zalewski, the head of Illinois Commerce Commission, is the daughter-in-law of a former Chicago alderman who profited from the broad and long-running bribery scheme ComEd has admitted to perpetrating in Illinois politics, Mihalopoulos reports.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office has long recommended Zalewski for a job at the state agency before Pritzker appointed her last year. As part of their claims against ComEd, federal prosecutors allege the company steered jobs, contracts and payments to people connected to Madigan.

Pritzker this week said no allegations have been made against Zalewski and “it would be unfair for us to hold against her something that has to do with someone else. Let’s look at her record.” [WBEZ]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Donald Trump wants to bar undocumented immigrants from being counted in the process of dividing up congressional seats. [NPR]
• Ohio’s House speaker was arrested today in connection with a $60 million bribery scheme. [NPR]
• Chicago police officers took 76 bicycles after Friday’s clash with protesters. What happens to them now? [WBEZ]
• Presidential candidate Kanye West tweeted, and then deleted, claims that his wife Kim Kardashian was trying to “lock me up with a doctor.” [NPR]

Oh, and one more thing …

The San Diego Comic-Con, the almighty nerd utopia that takes place every summer, begins this week and will be entirely virtual due to (yup, you guessed it) the pandemic.

The comic-con has broken out of its shell over the last decade. What was once just a humble comic book convention has grown into a broader celebration of nerd culture.

But it’s also something like a Met Gala for cosplayers, which is short for “costume play.” And some of the costumes are amazingly creative.

Here’s a photo gallery from happier days (2019) that features some great costumes, like a dude dressed as Rufio from Hook. [Pop Sugar]

Tell me something good …

What fun summer things are you doing while also being mindful of the ongoing pandemic?

Roger Asplund writes:

“How am I enjoying the summer? Perhaps by putting things off. Spent the last two months thinking about and planning to stain the deck and paint two walls on the house. Now, with about a month to go and no trips planned due to the coronavirus, perhaps it’s time to get them done!”

How are you enjoying summer (while it lasts)? Feel free to email at therundown@wbez.org or tweet to @whuntah.

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