The Rundown | Chicago News - podcast cover

The Rundown | Chicago News

WBEZ Chicagowww.wbez.org
In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ newsroom, followed by a deep-dive into one of the biggest or most curious stories from our city. The Rundown podcast is a one-stop-shop for all things Chicago.
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Episodes

Morning News: Wednesday November 27, 2024

A church that burned down in Chicago’s South Side broke ground for a new building. Fans of the sitcom “Parks and Rec” can hear from actor Jim O’Heir … aka Jerry Gergich .. about his new book on the show. A Thanksgiving Eve show at Chicago’s Metro will showcase an eclectic mix of local musicians.

Nov 27, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 26, 2024

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church broke ground on its new building today. Government mole Danny Solis is laying out how he helped steer developers to Michael Madigan’s law firm in the federal corruption trial of the ex-Illinois House Speaker. A non-profit addressing housing challenges in disinvested Chicago neighborhoods is getting a $15 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Nov 26, 20243 min

Morning News: Tuesday November 26, 2024

Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial are focusing on his alleged efforts to shake down developers. Why Chicagoans’ electric bills are expected to increase by mid-next year. Record-setting travel numbers are anticipated this Thanksgiving season.

Nov 26, 20244 min

Afternoon News: Monday November 25, 2024

A long and muddy list of misdeeds by government mole Danny Solis was front and center today at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Chicago Bears have reportedly agreed on a property tax bill with the Village of Arlington Heights that could open the door to the team building a stadium in the northwest suburb. The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year.

Nov 25, 20244 min

Morning News: Monday November 25, 2024

A new analysis says Chicago will spend nearly twice as much on the Police Department as much as what Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes in his 2025 budget. What's at stake for the electric vehicle industry during a Trump administration? The Chicago Bears lose their fifth consecutive game in an overtime thriller at Soldier Field.

Nov 25, 20244 min

Afternoon News: Friday November 22, 2024

Illinois lawmakers’ two week fall session has come and gone – with not a lot to show for it. A conservative group is taking its challenge to Illinois' law governing mail-in ballots to the Supreme Court. The Chicago Bears say they’re ready to face the Minnesota Vikings after a crushing loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Nov 22, 20244 min

Morning News: Friday November 22, 2024

The Chicago Teachers Union rallies for a contract. Government mole Danny Solis takes the stand in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. A measure to phase out Illinois’ subminimum wage has cleared the state legislature, but not everyone’s on board.

Nov 22, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Thursday November 21, 2024

The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the felony conviction of actor Jussie Smollett for allegedly lying to police about a fake hate crime. College hopefuls can now fill out the federal application to get financial assistance paying for tuition. Winter weather has finally arrived in Chicago.

Nov 21, 20243 min

They’re weird. They’re wonderful. They’re Chicago’s own Mucca Pazza

It’s been two decades since Mucca Pazza first formed. The not-your-average marching band has been leaving an impression on its audience since the beginning. There are cheerleaders, sure. But their pom poms are made out of caution tape. They have sousaphones, clarinets, and drums, but also a violinist and even an accordion player. “We’re sort of a marching band, for, like, the nerds. Maybe the scientists. Maybe the underdog, and also the whole world,” said founding member and cheerleader Sharon L...

Nov 21, 202421 min

Morning News: Thursday November 21, 2024

Illinois lawmakers have differing ideas on how to curb drugs getting into state prisons… and, lawmakers want more time to study how carbon capture technology impacts the environment. A no-show ComEd contractor and central player in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial takes the stand for a second day.

Nov 21, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 20, 2024

Jurors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial heard how one of his top political operatives got a do-nothing ComEd consulting job. Anti-abortion advocates and some Christian employers are joining together to sue Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other state officials. Chicago breweries and bars say they can’t afford Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hike on alcohol.

Nov 20, 20243 min

Musicians mourn as Pitchfork Music Festival leaves Chicago

Fans and artists were shocked when Pitchfork Music Festival announced this month that it wouldn’t be returning to Chicago next summer after 19 years. The festival had become a staple for the city’s music scene, and an opportunity for local artists to perform alongside big names. In a social media post, organizers blamed the rapidly evolving music festival landscape for their exit saying, “the decision was not made lightly.” “We are deeply grateful to the City of Chicago for being our Festival’s ...

Nov 20, 20246 min

Morning News: Wednesday November 20, 2024

Some Chicago alderpersons say they’re working on reducing Mayor Johnson’s proposed property tax hike. Federal prosecutors are moving to a new phase of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering conspiracy trial. Illinois nursing homes that are understaffed may have to pay the state hefty fines next year.

Nov 20, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 19, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is now pitching a $150 million property tax increase – half of what he initially wanted for next year. The organization that thwarted George Lucas’ vision of a lakefront museum in Chicago is now calling for the city to slow down plans for another massive development on the city’s Far South Side. The unusual warmth for this time of year could soon come to an end as Chicago prepares for the first snowfall of the season.

Nov 19, 20244 min

Morning News: Tuesday November 19, 2024

Chicago’s top cop says more needs to be done to protect police and society as a whole. Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial their first glimpse of something called the Magic Lobbyist List. Week two of lawmakers’ fall veto session in Springfield gets underway today – will we see a pension fix by the end of the week?

Nov 19, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Monday November 18, 2024

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is trying to keep Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms intact while the state appeals a legal challenge to it. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was in Joliet today for the installation of the first electric vehicle charging station funded through the state Climate Equitable Jobs Act. The Chicago Sky will have the third-overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Nov 18, 20244 min

Morning News: Monday November 18, 2024

Hundreds of Chicagoans gather on the Northwest Side to discuss how Trump’s policy proposals may affect them once he takes office in January. A new study from the University of Georgia looks at the proximity of crisis pregnancy centers to abortion providers in Illinois. Local environmentalists are raising questions about a plan to develop so-called clean hydrogen in Northwest Indiana.

Nov 18, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Friday November 15, 2024

A Democratic Cook County commissioner wants to boost access to reproductive health services. The Cannabis Research Institute has launched in Chicago. A new play in Chicago has become a space where people can share post-election feels.

Nov 15, 20243 min

Morning News: Friday November 15, 2024

The City Council has resoundingly rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed property tax increase. So what’s next? A new lawsuit aims to hold the state accountable for the death of a man incarcerated in a dilapidated Illinois prison. A new recording shows how former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan considered turning to a ComEd lobbyist to hire the wife of a political ally.

Nov 15, 20246 min

Afternoon News: Thursday November 14, 2024

Testimony concluded today from a key government witness in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. A new lawsuit wants to hold the Illinois Department of Corrections accountable for the death of a man incarcerated in a dilapidated state prison. The last supermoon of the year will light up the sky tonight.

Nov 14, 20244 min

Morning News: Thursday November 14, 2024

Another special Chicago city council meeting is expected this afternoon — this time in an attempt to vote down a key part of the mayor’s budget proposal. U of I’s leader is planning to step down after this year. A study out today finds a reduction in Illinois’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Nov 14, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 13, 2024

More than 1,000 unionized nurses at UI Health in Chicago are on strike for an indefinite period of time. Defense lawyers in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are attacking the credibility of a government mole. A group representing retailers is warning hiking taxes on goods to avoid a massive property tax increase is still going to hurt Chicagoans.

Nov 13, 20244 min

Morning News: Wednesday November 13, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is prepared to resist Immigration Enforcement agents if they attempt to operate in Chicago once Donald Trump becomes president. Prosecutors show how former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan wanted to help a congressman’s son who’d been convicted of misconduct. New Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh had his introductory news conference this week.

Nov 13, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 12, 2024

Aldi has abruptly closed its location in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood. The Chicago Bears have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games. Defense lawyers in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial are getting their first crack at a star government witness.

Nov 12, 20244 min

Morning News: Tuesday November 12, 2024

Illinois state lawmakers are back in Springfield today for a truncated legislative session. Illinois lawmakers are trying to shore up protections for vulnerable populations ahead of a second Trump presidency. This Thursday students are invited to learn about a new bill that could make going to college in Illinois more affordable.

Nov 12, 20244 min

Afternoon News: Monday November 11, 2024

Some Chicago City Council members are questioning how a police oversight body decides what disciplinary actions to take. The Chicago City Clerk’s office plans to raise prices to bring in more revenue as the city faces a massive budget gap. The Pitchfork Music Festival is leaving Chicago.

Nov 11, 20243 min

Morning News: Monday November 11, 2024

City Civics Day draws hundreds of Chicagoans eager to get involved in their communities. A Springfield-based nonprofit is trying to change Illinois state law around compensation for exonerees. The Chicago City Clerk’s office is planning to hike prices on permits to raise more revenue.

Nov 11, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Friday November 8, 2024

The Associated Press has called two more Chicago School Board races. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes an increase for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. A Chicago public school in the city’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood has a new name.

Nov 08, 20243 min

Morning News: Friday November 8, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker isn’t ready to say what his plans are for the next election. Mayor Brandon Johnson doesn’t have the budget to re-open more mental health clinics next year. Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial play a profanity-laced recording involving the ex-speaker’s son.

Nov 08, 20245 min

Afternoon News: Thursday November 7, 2024

Some Chicago alderpersons want to give more resources to the Chicago agency that investigates discrimination complaints in light of Donald Trump’s election win. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’ll continue to push back against federal policies he says are a threat to “common Illinois values.” The Black Harvest Film Festival kicks off Friday at the Gene Siskel Film Center downtown.

Nov 07, 20243 min
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