Good afternoon! And my husband and I are in full fall mode. We’re decorating the apartment. We’ve got the pumpkin spice cones out, a wreath on the door and scheduled our next COVID boosters. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. A leaked membership list for the far-right Oath Keepers includes the names of nearly 900 Illinois residents, including law enforcement officers and politicians

The Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism examined leaked membership lists for the extremist group that include the names of “hundreds of U.S. law enforcement officers, elected officials and military members” across the nation, reports the Associated Press.

More than 38,000 names appear on the lists, but the Anti-Defamation League cautions the database of names does not prove someone was ever an active member or shares the group’s ideology.

When it comes to law enforcement, the Anti-Defamation League identified more than 370 names of people believed to currently be on the force and more than 100 people who are members of the military. [AP]

The names of 883 Illinois residents are included in the lists. Of those, 21 are believed to be in law enforcement, 10 are first responders and three are elected officials. The Anti-Defamation League did not identify them.

But the group’s report mentions a county board member in Illinois who “offered up a variety of skills,” including “military training.” The board member also graduated from the “Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command,” according to the report. [ADL]

The database comes nearly a year after leaked records obtained by NPR and WNYC/Gothamist showed at least 13 members of the Chicago Police Department were members of the Oath Keepers. [NPR]

2. How ordinary delays in murder cases leave Chicago families in fear for their lives

So far this year, Chicago police have made an arrest in less than a quarter of all 2022 murders, reports my colleague Patrick Smith, citing data from the Chicago Police Department.

And when cases are solved, the median length of a Chicago homicide investigation is about six weeks, according to data obtained by the investigative news outlet The Trace and analyzed by WBEZ. But many cases take far longer.

For some grieving families, the agonizing wait brings a dark perspective on just how easy it can be to get away with crimes in Chicago.

“It’s frightening to like, see the darkness and know that I’m alone out there,” said Adriana Diaz, whose nephew was murdered earlier this summer. “I feel scared that, you know, anybody could just come.” [WBEZ]

3. Fifteen members of the Chicago City Council so far have declined a pay raise tied to inflation

Less than half of the City Council has declined a 9.62% pay raise that boosts the maximum possible salary for a council member to $142,772, reports my colleague Fran Spielman.

Those 15 council members are Daniel LaSpata (1st); Brian Hopkins (2nd); Nicole Lee (11th); Marty Quinn (13th); Ray Lopez (15th); Matt O’Shea (19th); Silvana Tabares (23rd); Felix Cardona Jr. (31st); Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th); Gilbert Villegas (36th); Anthony Napolitano (41st); Brendan Reilly (42nd); Tom Tunney (44th); Matt Martin (47th) and Maria Hadden (49th).

Lopez, who is running for mayor, told the Sun-Times he would cap future raises to 3%.

“A 10% pay raise during the onset of a recession is outrageous. … It’s obscene. Nobody’s getting 10%. Our constituents aren’t getting a 10% raise. The only thing that’s gotten a 10% raise is the cost of everything that they need to buy because of the inflation,” Lopez said. [Sun-Times]

4. Chicago renters find themselves in bidding wars

Bidding wars are more associated with homebuying in the Chicago area.

But rising inflation and a shortage of available apartments in Chicago have forced renters into New York City-style battles over apartments in hot neighborhoods, reports Block Club Chicago.

In Lake View and West Town, apartments are renting up to $500 over their listed rates, Block Club reports.

“We’d heard a lot of stories from friends in terms of purchasing homes and condos, but I had never heard of such a thing as a rental bidding war. We were very unpleasantly surprised,” said one person who was hoping to find a two- or three-bedroom place on the North Side for about $3,000 a month. [Block Club Chicago]

5. It’s win or go home for the Chicago Sky in Game 5

I love horror movies, but I didn’t have the stomach for the Chicago Sky’s 104-80 blowout loss to the Connecticut Sun last night, resulting in both teams tying 2-2 as they head into tomorrow’s final game in the series.

“Game 5 is a risk against a Sun team hungry for its first title. It’s a team very similar to the Sky’s 2021 championship squad, which featured every player but Parker playing for their first title,” writes Annie Costabile at the Chicago Sun-Times.

Will the Sky pull through? We’ll find out tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Wintrust Arena. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Here’s what else is happening

• Two-thirds of independent voters say they don’t want former President Donald Trump to run in 2024, according to a new poll out from NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist. [NPR]
• Lollapalooza producers will pay more than $400,000 to clean up Grant Park after this year’s festival. [Chicago Tribune]
• The “great resignation” is still in effect in the Chicago City Council. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama were back at the White House today for the unveiling of their official portraits. [Chicago Sun-Times]

Oh, and one more thing …

What does democracy mean to you? Is American democracy in crisis? And if so, what should we do?

A lot of Americans are likely asking themselves those questions as the midterm elections quickly approach — and as access to abortions, voting rights and persistent and false claims about the 2020 presidential election dominant the national discourse.

My colleagues at the Chicago Sun-Times want to hear from you. Send your thoughts in an email of 250 words or less to letters@suntimes.com, with “Democracy” in the subject line.

The Sun-Times will publish a selection of letters in print and online on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, as part of a collaborative project among media organizations nationwide that will be publishing news stories, editorials and other coverage of the state of democracy in America.

Tell me something good …

We are now in the fall TV season, if you didn’t notice the Rings of Power promos everywhere. And I’d like to know what TV shows you’re enjoying right now or looking forward to watching.

Mary Brankin writes:

“The Handmaid’s Tale! I even have a countdown on my phone for the new season to start! If this is the last season, I know I will cry!”

Jessie B. writes:

“Thank you as always for a great newsletter! I simply have to recommend Our Flag Means Death on HBO Max. It’s funny, it’s full of heart, and it’s got gay pirates. What more could you want?”

And Andrew writes:

“If you have Hulu, give Reservation Dogs a try. Taika Waititi of Marvel fame is an executive producer, and it is a well written series that focuses on the Native Americans living on a reservation in Oklahoma. It has it all — humor, heartbreak and hopes and dreams. And the spirit guide that shows up occasionally is hilarious!”

Feel free to email or tweet me, and your response might be shared in the newsletter this week.