Good afternoon. Tomorrow’s weather includes a chance of rain. Here’s what you need to know today.

1. Authorities are investigating a ‘sexual misconduct’ allegation involving Chicago cops and at least one immigrant housed at a police station

The city’s independent police oversight agency today announced it has launched an investigation into “a sexual misconduct allegation” involving officers and at least one immigrant who was temporarily housed at a police station, reports the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability did not provide details about the allegations and the scope of the investigation. But the agency noted investigations involving alleged sexual misconduct “may involve criminal actions and require cooperation with CPD and ultimately, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.”

Law enforcement sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that an officer assigned to the Ogden District, covering the Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods, has been accused of impregnating a teenager whose exact age is unknown. And multiple other officers were also accused of engaging in sexual acts with immigrants.

COPA has said the allegations haven’t been corroborated. [Chicago Sun-Times]

2. Pressure grows to stop housing immigrants in police stations amid allegations of ‘sexual misconduct’

City officials are moving roughly 40 asylum-seekers out of a police station where allegations of “sexual misconduct” surfaced.

Those allegations have put even more pressure on city officials to come up with a long-term plan for housing thousands of immigrants who have arrived in Chicago from southern border states since August.

Immigrant advocates have long criticized the city’s use of police stations, where some asylum-seekers spend nights sleeping on floors.

“This is not what police stations are designed to do,” said Karina Ayala-Bermejo, the president and CEO of the Instituto del Progreso Latino.

A spokesperson for Mayor Brandon Johnson said the allegations are being taken “very seriously.”

As of this morning, 760 immigrants were sheltering at police stations across the city. [WBEZ]

3. Hiring in the U.S. slowed down last month, but the labor market remained strong

U.S. employers added 209,000 jobs in June, and the unemployment rate inched down to 3.6% from 3.7% in May, according to figures released today by the Labor Department.

The job gains fell short of predictions from economists, and they suggest the labor market is cooling down.

But at the same time, the job numbers show the labor market remains resilient amid concerns about a recession that has yet to materialize.

The news may force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates when it meets later this month, a strategy aimed at slowing the economy and getting inflation back under control. [NPR]

4. What your rideshare driver wants you to know about the gig economy

Policymakers in Illinois and Chicago have increasingly focused on the rideshare industry amid complaints from drivers about wages and their safety.

Rideshare drivers in May protested at Uber’s Chicago office for better pay and more safety measures. Chicago’s City Council has weighed an ordinance that would help drivers adjudicate their suspensions. And a bill that would impose more safety regulations on the industry moved through the state legislature last session and was sent to Gov. JB Pritzker to be signed.

WBEZ asked five experienced drivers — including some who’ve been involved in organizing efforts — to describe how they currently feel about rideshare work.

Their interviews revealed that, while flexibility continues to be a perk, drivers have lingering concerns about declining wages, safety and the overall precariousness of gig work for an elusive algorithm. [WBEZ]

5. AI-enabled robots held a press conference in Geneva and said they could be better leaders than humans

And you have to check out the photo of the robots in the story. It’s like a crossover between The Matrix and The Silence of the Lambs.

Anyway, nine AI-enabled robots spoke to reporters today in what “the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union billed as the world’s first news conference featuring humanoid social robots,” reports The Associated Press.

When asked about AI-powered robots becoming government leaders, a robot named Sophia responded: “I believe that humanoid robots have the potential to lead with a greater level of efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders. We don’t have the same biases or emotions that can sometimes cloud decision-making and can process large amounts of data quickly in order to make the best decisions.” [AP]

Here’s what else is happening

• President Joe Biden approved sending cluster munitions to Ukraine. [AP]
• A self-described white nationalist who killed 23 people at a Walmart store in El Paso was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences. [AP]
• Chicago will likely see more days of bad air quality. [Chicago Sun-Times]
• Taylor Swift released a highly anticipated rerecording of an old album. [AP]

Oh, and one more thing …

Here’s an interesting fact about Illinois: Nearly 30% of the state’s LGBTQ+ population has a child, putting Illinois above half the country in LGBTQ+ parenthood, according to 2019 data from the University of California’s LGBT Data and Demographics Project.

My colleague Violet Miller today looks specifically at how transgender Chicagoans find joy in building their own families at a time when their rights — and very existence — are being challenged in other parts of the country.

“In spite of all the crap, the oppression and all that, you can still raise children and grandchildren in the midst of that,” said Alexis Martinez, a 73-year-old paralegal who helps transgender people fleeing to Illinois from other states.

“I’ve done it. I know it can be done. … Don’t give in to the bitterness … That’s how you get to 73.” [Chicago Sun-Times]

Tell me something good …

What’s your favorite summer dish?

Carrie Eizik writes:

“Aunt Doris’s potato salad … potatoes, lots of onion, lots of hard boiled eggs, celery seed, generous with salt and Hellman’s mayo. Simple, but everyone loves it.”

Linda Gartz writes:

“I love to buy fresh vegetables: fennel, carrots, red onions, zucchini and yellow squash — whatever veggies look great. I cut into similar-sized pieces, douse with olive oil and lots of fresh sprigs of thyme, bake at 400 degrees and keep an eye on them so they don’t get too soft, but are a bit charred on the edges. I display around a big platter, and voila! A festive, delicious, and healthy side to any main meat dish. (Or go totally vegetarian!)”

And Barb Gillan writes:

“Hands down (and messy) corn on the cob with butter, salt and pepper.”

Thanks for all the responses this week. They definitely made me hungry.