Chicago police made at least 17 arrests during Tuesday’s anti-ICE protest downtown. Chicago officials are bracing for more immigration raids as President Donald Trump has announced he’ll target five Democratic-led cities, including Chicago. Chicago aldermen could soon have a bigger say in banning AirBNB rentals in their wards. Plus, ahead of WBEZ's Father's Day Prisoncast special this Sunday, we hear from a father and son who rebuilt their relationship while both were incarcerated.
Jun 11, 2025•11 min
Immigration and labor organizers rallied in Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago to protest the Trump administration travel ban. Activists and community members plan to gather Tuesday to protest recent ICE raids in Chicago and Los Angeles. Federal prosecutors want a new trial for Illinois lawmaker Emil Jones III. Plus, the decade-long criminal pursuit of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan concludes this Friday. Sun-Times reporter David Struett and WBEZ reporter Dave McKinney give a preview...
Jun 10, 2025•7 min
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling says he feels for the officer who accidentally shot and killed their partner last week. Travelers into O’Hare International Airport this morning reacted to President Trump’s travel ban that went into effect at midnight. Dozens of immigrant and labor organizers rallied in Daley Plaza today to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Plus, local rapper Jay Wood visits our studios to share his fashion inspirations in the latest segment of...
Jun 09, 2025•7 min
Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford said haze from Canadian wildfire smoke will persist for the rest of the day and through the weekend. Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera, who was shot and killed Thursday night, is being remembered as a “vibrant” “hero.” The Chicago Sky will head to the United Center for Saturday’s game against the Indiana Fever. Plus, some experts are crediting community violence intervention for Chicago’s decline in murders this year. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell takes a close...
Jun 06, 2025•10 min
The Chicago area is under an air quality alert until midnight for people in sensitive groups because of wildfire smoke from Canada. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is condemning the ICE arrests of nearly a dozen immigrants Wednesday in the South Loop. The Chicago White Sox have announced a deal between owner Jerry Reinsdorf and investor Justin Ishbia that lays the groundwork for Ishbia to become the majority owner of the team. Plus, the NBA Finals tip off tonight between the Indiana Pacers and the...
Jun 05, 2025•8 min
Meta has signed a 20-year agreement to buy electricity from the nuclear power plant in downstate Clinton. A federal court has ordered the city of Chicago to install thousands of accessible pedestrian signals over the next 10 years. And two notable local deaths: influential Chicago media columnist Gary Deeb has died at age 79. And Edmund White, who documented and imagined the gay revolution through journalism, essays, memoirs and novels, died at age 85. Plus, Chicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell...
Jun 04, 2025•11 min
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the state should consider alternate revenue sources before taxing everyday riders to make up for a $770 million budget shortfall for local transit agencies. Despite a state law barring cooperating with immigration officials, Illinois State Police are sharing their gang database with ICE. The Chicago Fire plan to build a new stadium at The 78, a vacant space on Roosevelt Road along the Chicago River in the South Loop. Plus, we look at a new opera premiering at t...
Jun 03, 2025•8 min
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was in Joliet today talking about water. A new study shows exercise improved survival in colon cancer patients. And a bill that would increase funding for Illinois public transit stalled in the General Assembly over the weekend. Illinois lawmakers have adjourned for the summer. WBEZ’s Alex Degman has an update on the state budget passed this weekend.
Jun 02, 2025•8 min
The archbishop of Chicago has issued a rare statement to condemn a bill at the Illinois statehouse known as “Medical Aid in Dying." People living with old criminal records may soon get what advocates are calling a “second chance.” Illinois health organizations and doctors are concerned about HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s announcement that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. Plus, WBEZ’s Curious City looked at Chicago’s curious hundred-year...
May 30, 2025•10 min
The Illinois House passed a measure restricting the ability of ICE to operate at public schools. A measure to overhaul public transit has surfaced at the Illinois capitol – this one includes tax and fee hikes to pay for it. The Chicago area has been stuck with daily cloud cover and cooler temperatures but higher temps are expected by the start of next week. Plus, a conversation with Chicago musician Dreamer Isioma on their new album, Star Crossed Lover.
May 29, 2025•7 min
An Illinois House committee has approved a measure that would let doctors prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients. A City of Chicago program wants to turn vacant city land into housing for working middle-class families. Pope Leo won’t make an in-person appearance at Rate Field next month to celebrate his papacy. Plus, WBEZ Contributor Adora Namigadde reports on a new play co-written by children who are in the foster care system.
May 28, 2025•7 min
Shootings and homicides this past Memorial Day weekend were significantly lower compared with last year. The Chicago Housing Authority has a new team that will address environmental issues like lead, mold, and air quality. State lawmakers are considering a bill to place a statue of Pope Leo the 14th on the grounds of the state capitol in Springfield. Plus, Sueños Music Festival was this past weekend. WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana reports on a shift in its reggaeton identity....
May 27, 2025•8 min
Local Jewish leaders are condemning the killing of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. Chicago’s lakefront beaches are officially open for the summer. Festival season is back with Sueños this Saturday and Sunday. Plus, the Trump administration’s tariffs are meant to encourage companies manufacturing overseas to shift operations back to American soil. WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports on some people in Northwest Indiana hoping to take advantage of a process known as “reshoring...
May 23, 2025•8 min
Chicago city leaders are condemning the killing of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C. last night. This season Chicago Sky fans have the opportunity to purchase student-designed apparel. The Northwestern Women's Golf team are national champions. Plus, President Donald Trump is going after student borrowers and it has some Chicagoans feeling stressed and hopeless. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip shares the story of a longtime Little Village resident who is trying to navigate the...
May 22, 2025•7 min
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the Bears moving to Arlington Heights is not a done deal. The Chicago City Council is considering a measure to require landlords to have a valid reason for evicting tenants. Beloved Chicago actor and comedian George Wendt died this week. Plus, President Donald Trump is going after student borrowers and it has some Chicagoans feeling stressed and hopeless. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip brings you the story of one man who went back to school to gain financial securit...
May 21, 2025•7 min
House Republicans are proposing roughly $300 billion dollars in cuts to SNAP. The non-profit Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Evanston says it has raised one-million dollars. A former Chicago priest with several accusations of child molestation says the newly-elected pope signed off on moving him into a monastery that sits next to an elementary school. Plus, new analysis by WBEZ and Chalkbeat shows about 25,000 Chicago public school students were absent for more than a month last year. WBEZ...
May 20, 2025•11 min
The WNBA is investigating racial slurs directed at Chicago Sky star Angel Reese by fans during the Sky’s season opener loss against the Indiana Fever on Saturday. Illinois preschool providers say they're struggling after the Trump administration closed half of the federal offices for the early childhood education program Head Start. The dust storm that swept across the Chicago area on Friday is believed to be the first of its kind to reach Chicago since the 1930s. Plus, an investigation by WBEZ’...
May 19, 2025•8 min
A measure in Springfield to preempt potential actions by President Trump on abortion is one vote away from heading to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. The Chicago Bears are reportedly shifting their focus back toward Arlington Heights as the site of the team's new stadium. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has tapped two people – the CEOs of the Chicago Urban League and the investment banking firm Loop Capital – to help solve the city’s financial problems.
May 16, 2025•9 min
After months of negotiations, some Illinois lawmakers are convinced they can find enough money to stave off cuts to public transit. A new study from Northwestern Medicine finds participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program leads to better health outcomes for kids. The Illinois governor’s budget office says the state will have less money than expected going into the next fiscal year. Plus, WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip sat down with Chicago State University President Z Scott to discu...
May 15, 2025•7 min
New analysis shows the Illinois governor’s budget office expects fewer revenue dollars for the next fiscal year. A new HIV center in Edgewater hopes to be a resource for the thousands of people living with HIV in Chicago. Chicago has been selected to host next year’s UNESCO’s International Jazz Day. Plus, WBEZ’s data intern Ashley Soriano looked into Chicago landlords denying potential tenants that rely on Section 8 housing vouchers, despite that being illegal.
May 14, 2025•8 min
Illinois plans to sue the Trump administration again. Chicago's former cultural commissioner was in town today urging local arts leaders to think big when it comes to advocacy in the Trump era. And, an innovative public defender's office is now open on Chicago’s far south side. Plus, WBEZ’s Dave McKinney reports on whether Governor Pritzker should seek re-election if he’s also eying the White House.
May 13, 2025•8 min
Democratic Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is offering DEI advice to businesses, nonprofits and educators by encouraging noncompliance with Trump administration demands. Illinois now has a new state law to protect victims of domestic violence; Karina’s Law took effect on Mother’s Day and mandates judges to order the removal of guns from people accused of abusing a domestic partner. Tick season is beginning. Plus, Chicago-area teens say participating in a United Nations simulation is helpin...
May 12, 2025•7 min
Pope Leo is the first American pope in the history of the Catholic Church. Born in Chicago, Pope Leo the 14th is being honored at the most revered place in Chicago -- Portillo's. Despite celebrations around the election of Pope Leo – there are some groups asking questions. WBEZ's Anna Savchenko checked in with Chicago Catholics to get their reaction.
May 09, 2025•6 min
The Catholic Church has a new pope and he has local roots. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the election is a "historic moment” for the Chicago-area native. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote on X: “Everything dope, including the Pope, comes from Chicago!” Plus, a new exhibition on display at Wrightwood 659 in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is attracting a lot of local attention. It's called “The First Homosexuals: The Birth of a New Identity, 1869 to 1939.”
May 08, 2025•5 min
Barricades outside Trump International Hotel and Tower have finally come down. The roll out of Real IDs for travel kicked off smoothly today. Senior drivers may be able to wait a few more years before being required to take a driving test to renew their license. Plus, our former colleague and Rundown host Adora Namigadde filed one last report on property taxes and their appeal process.
May 07, 2025•9 min
Illinois state Senator Laura Fine is running for US Representative Schakowsky's seat. US Representative Robin Kelly has entered the race to replace Senator Durbin in 2027. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias says people should make sure they need a REAL ID before trying to get one. Plus, Vocalo’s Morgan Ciocca asked Chicago musician Chillona about her fashion sense. The alt-reggaeton diva takes inspiration from drag and burlesque.
May 06, 2025•7 min
Attorneys general in 19 states, including Illinois, are challenging cuts to the U.S. Health and Human Services agency. Longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky announced she is not seeking re-election. The Chicago Blackhawks have the second-best odds to win the top pick in tonight’s NHL Draft Lottery. Plus, WBEZ’s Mike Davis reports from New York at the Broadway opening of “Purpose,” a play recently nominated for six Tony Awards that had its world premiere at Steppenwolf last spring.
May 05, 2025•9 min
Former Illinois Governor George Ryan has died. The non-profit organization that oversees WBEZ is bracing for a possible financial hit from President Trump’s latest executive order. Jeppson’s Malört has something new for Chicagoans.
May 02, 2025•4 min
Thousands of people in Chicago joined in a May Day rally in opposition to President Donald Trump’s attacks on immigrants and workers. Fallen Illinois law enforcement officers were honored in Springfield yesterday. Landmarks Illinois announced this year’s list of the state’s most endangered historic places.
May 02, 2025•6 min
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the next leader of the CTA will need to beef up staffing at the agency and help create more express bus lanes to speed up service. Police say the driver of a car that barreled through a building used for a popular after-school camp in central Illinois may have had a medical emergency. Illinois organizations are seeing firsthand the effects of federal cuts to Americorps services.
May 01, 2025•4 min
