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

Afternoon News: Thursday April 10, 2025

Homeowners in Cook County who struggle the most with big property tax hikes could soon get a thousand dollars. The Illinois Supreme Court will not consider a lawsuit over what Republicans call unconstitutional political maps. Plus, Third Coast Percussion, is celebrating its 20th year with a new album out tomorrow.

Apr 10, 20254 min

Morning News: Thursday April 10, 2025

Northwestern faculty say the Trump Administration’s pause on federal funding could devastate research there. A new lawsuit aims to prevent Northwestern from cooperating with a Congressional investigation. Illinois State Board responds to the Trump threat to pull funding if diversity, equity and inclusion programs aren't eliminated.

Apr 10, 20255 min

Morning News: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The police officer charged with murdering Sonya Massey in Springfield is getting his trial moved. President Trump has reportedly frozen nearly $800 million in federal funding for Northwestern University. Cook County residents who struggle with big property tax hikes might get a one-time payment of $1,000 dollars.

Apr 09, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 8, 2025

A group of former Northwestern football players is settling a series of lawsuits against the university, which alleged hazing and abusive behavior on the team. A top economic official in Chicago is warning about possible shellshocks from President Trump’s tariffs. The Chicago Bears are back on the field.

Apr 08, 20254 min

Morning News: Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Early findings suggest that Cook County’s guaranteed income pilot program helped provide economic stability for thousands of residents. How a U.S. Supreme Court order affects teacher training programs in Illinois. Democrats in Springfield are hoping to crack down on so-called “crime-free” housing laws.

Apr 08, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Monday April 7, 2025

A Chicago man is in police custody in connection with multiple sex crimes against female victims on the city’s North West Side. Blustery snow showers are expected to continue across the Chicago area into the evening as temperatures are expected to tumble into the mid-20s tonight. Registration for Chicago Park District summer camps begins Monday April 14 at 9 AM.

Apr 07, 20253 min

Morning News: Monday, April 7, 2025

Thousands of Chicagoans took to the streets this weekend (SAT) to protest the way the Trump administration is running the country. Medical students at Northwestern University are urging their teaching hospital to resume surgeries for transgender youth. A Chicago OBGYN is on a Fulbright scholarship in Uganda. Now that Washington has frozen her funding, she has to cut her mission short.

Apr 07, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Friday April 4, 2025

Parts of the Midwest and South are facing the possibility of torrential rains and life-threatening flash floods. Illinois’ Attorney General is once again battling President Donald Trump – this time over election law. Plus, Wrigleyville is alive once again.

Apr 04, 20253 min

Morning News: Friday, April 4, 2025

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul likely isn’t going to take any action against hospitals in Chicago that have stopped gender care surgeries. Democratic attorneys general in 19 states – including Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan – are suing over President Donald Trump’s attempt to reshape elections across the U.S. The Chicago Cubs will play in their home opener at Wrigley Field today after a long stretch of away games to start the season.

Apr 04, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Thursday April 3, 2025

Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services are endangering the Head Start child care program that serves thousands of Illinois’ neediest kids and families. Tree pollen is higher than usual for this time of year thanks to an unseasonably warm March. The Chicago Latino Film Festival begins today and runs through April 14.

Apr 03, 20254 min

Morning News: Thursday, April 3, 2025

The installation of a citywide air monitoring network has been pushed back several months. Pollen counts by Loyola Medicine help Chicagoans manage their allergies. For over a year, the Bears have said Chicago’s lakefront was their sole focus as the site for a new stadium. But now, their vision is shifting.

Apr 03, 20254 min

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 2, 2025

The union for Cook County probation officers is concerned about a huge increase in caseloads now that the sheriff is no longer handling electronic monitoring. More than 900 flights have been delayed at O'Hare and Midway airports today as severe weather moves through the area. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is throwing shade at billionaire Elon Musk after Pritzker helped a Democrat win a key Wisconsin Supreme Court seat.

Apr 02, 20254 min

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 2, 2025

The union for Cook County probation officers is concerned about a huge increase in caseloads now that the sheriff is no longer handling electronic monitoring. More than 900 flights have been delayed at O'Hare and Midway airports today as severe weather moves through the area. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is throwing shade at billionaire Elon Musk after Pritzker helped a Democrat win a key Wisconsin Supreme Court seat.

Apr 02, 20254 min

Morning News: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Dozens of new employees will have to be hired by the Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County now that the county sheriff is no longer allowing new adults into its electronic monitoring program. Illinois’ Attorney General is asking for more money from state lawmakers as he tries to plan his budget for next year. We’ll hear about a debt relief program for those with outstanding driving tickets in Chicago.

Apr 02, 20256 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 1, 2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson is taking a victory lap as the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools are on the verge of inking a contract. Illinois State Senator Robert Peters is sounding the alarm about a new congressional inquiry into Northwestern University’s law school. Also, stormy weather is in the forecast for the next 24 hours.

Apr 01, 20254 min

Morning News: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

The Chicago Teachers Union has an official tentative agreement with Chicago Public Schools. What’s at stake in the latest federal investigation into Northwestern? An executive order signed by President Trump won’t affect today’s municipal elections in Illinois.

Apr 01, 20256 min

Afternoon News: Monday March 31, 2025

Northwestern University officials today released a “progress report” on efforts to combat antisemitism on campus. The CTA has long lagged in its goal to make all train stations accessible by 2038 — citing funding as the biggest impediment. Plus, the Chicago Blackhawks debuted two recent draft picks during last night’s 5-2 loss to the Utah Hockey Club.

Mar 31, 20254 min

Morning News: Monday, March 31, 2025

Federal prosecutors in Chicago are seeking a multimillion-dollar judgment from convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Some Illinois lawmakers want to see more of a focus on crime and safety as conversations continue about public transit reform in Chicago. Ice coverage on Lake Michigan was far below historical averages.

Mar 31, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Friday March 28, 2025

Leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools have landed a potential contract deal. The Chicago law firm targeted by a punishing executive order from President Trump is fighting back in federal court. Plus, The Chicago Bulls bested the Los Angeles Lakers last night.

Mar 28, 20254 min

Morning News: Friday, March 28, 2025

The Trump administration this week cancelled $125 million in funding for infectious disease prevention in Illinois. Some small business owners in Chicago say potential tariffs are adding to an already uncertain economic future. Some Metra services could be gone for a long time if they get cut due to budget constraints next year.

Mar 28, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Thursday March 27, 2025

The Trump administration this week pulled back $153 million in funding to the Illinois Department of Human Services and Department of Public Health. The Chicago City Clerk is waiving vehicle sticker penalties in April. The White Sox host the Angels while the Cubs visit the Diamondbacks on Major League Baseball’s Opening Day.

Mar 27, 20254 min

Morning News: Thursday, March 27, 2025

The Arab American Action Network is focusing on community-based organizing ahead of an expected announcement of a new federal “travel ban.” A new poll shows that most Illinois residents want more funding for public schools. A new study finds wide disparities in who turns out to vote in property tax referendums.

Mar 27, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Wednesday March 26, 2025

President Trump is targeting a Chicago legal powerhouse in his latest attack on US law firms. A major labor union is furious with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Plus, Illinois residents are worried about teacher shortages and underfunded public schools.

Mar 26, 20254 min

Morning News: Wednesday, March 26, 2025

What will happen if Chicago Public Schools refuses to make a $175 million dollar pension payment by the end of the month? A progressive influencer who doesn’t live in the district plans a primary challenge against Evanston Democratic congressmember Jan Schakowsky. Piping Plover “monitors” are gearing up for another season looking after the protected habitat at Chicago’s Montrose beach.

Mar 26, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Tuesday March 25, 2025

The Trump administration's recent program cuts and policy changes are throwing some Chicago-area undergraduates into crisis. The Department of Education is threatening federal funding for some Illinois school districts over accommodations for trans students. Plus, Northwestern women’s basketball coach plans to retire after next season.

Mar 25, 20254 min

Morning News: Tuesday, March 25, 2025

We hear from a local food bank that’s dealing with extensive cuts from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We'll hear about the practice of “curbstoning” and how the city of Chicago is cracking down on it. Should Illinois fix its public defense system?

Mar 25, 20255 min

Afternoon News: Monday March 24, 2025

Members of the unions representing Chicago teachers and Chicago firefighters joined forces this morning at a rally near a school and a fire station in the West Loop. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is trying to chart a path for national Democrats to counter President Donald Trump. Plus, local arborists are encouraging Illinois residents to keep an eye out for a spreading invasive insect.

Mar 24, 20253 min

Morning News: Monday, March 24, 2025

The Chicago-based American Library Association says a recent executive order could make it harder for rural Americans to access the internet. A new library cart at a Lurie Children’s outpatient center features books whose main characters have disabilities. A new study says adopting tougher emission standards for trucks, like the standards in California, would prevent 500 deaths per year in the Chicago region by 2050.

Mar 24, 20254 min

Afternoon News: Friday March 21, 2025

A longtime Education Department staffer told WBEZ that gutting the federal agency will cause irreparable harm, especially for students with disabilities and low-income students. A majority of the Chicago City Council wants state lawmakers to pass legislation to regulate hemp products. The Illinois men’s basketball team takes on Xavier University this evening in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Mar 21, 20254 min

Morning News: Friday, March 21, 2025

The Chicago School Board puts off a controversial budget vote until after the teachers union contract is finalized. Dick Durbin says bipartisanship is needed to save Medicaid. Restaurant owners in Chicago reflect on the COVID pandemic.

Mar 21, 20256 min
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