Illinois Democrats in Washington gave a resounding “no” to President Trump’s giant tax bill. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the mass shooting last night in the River North neighborhood a "tragic reminder of how far we still have to go as a city." As the Chicago area gears up for a weekend of speedy racecars and booming fireworks, the weather forecast may be just as wild. Plus, we’ll hear from one Illinois family who fear Medicaid cuts the U.S. House voted for today could put their daughter...
Jul 03, 2025•9 min
The Chicago Abortion Fund is celebrating a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that strikes down the state’s 176 year old abortion ban. Despite unrest in the Middle East, gas prices continue to drop heading into the 4th of July weekend. And, nearly 2,000 visitors are in Chicago this week for the Mensa Annual Gathering. Plus, The “World’s Largest Karaoke” party returns to Chicago tomorrow for a second year. WBEZ’s Justin Bull attended the inaugural event.
Jul 02, 2025•9 min
Governor Pritzker has selected his running mate. The Goodman Theatre is teaming up with the city’s cultural affairs department to put on 100 free plays. And, Democrats in Illinois are sounding the alarm bells after The Senate approved President Trump’s tax bill. Plus, Tina Sfondeles is the national politics reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. She breaks down the potential impacts of the “Big Beautiful Bill” on Illinois residents.
Jul 01, 2025•6 min
Still no word on who Governor Pritzker’s running mate will be next year. A Chicago Park District lifeguard will be jailed while awaiting trial on charges that he shot two teenagers. And, the number of dust storms has increased in recent years. Plus, a Curious City story about women in Chicago’s queer community.
Jun 30, 2025•10 min
Chicago advocates express their disappointment after a Supreme court decision today that could reshape the way birthright citizenship is granted in the U.S., Chicago Public Schools new interim leader is pegging the district’s budget deficit as much higher than previously announced. Plus, Chicago’s Links Hall will close its doors for good after this weekend. We hear from dancers on what the venue has meant to them.
Jun 27, 2025•7 min
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is officially running for a third term. Public transit agencies are watching as Illinois lawmakers try to find $1.5 billion to stave off a fiscal cliff and improve service. Northwestern University is planning to reduce staff and make other cuts as it grapples with a federal funding freeze and rising costs. Plus, an incarcerated man who entered the prison system as a teen tried several times at getting the opportunity to earn his GED. We hear about his 18-year battle to ...
Jun 26, 2025•12 min
Chicago is mourning the death of police officer Krystal Rivera. A new report says Illinois is facing a housing shortage of 142,000 homes. Federal lawmakers from Illinois are urging health officials in Washington to protect non-citizen Medicaid data. Plus, after eight years away, actor Amy Morton is returning to her creative home at Steppenwolf Theatre to perform in the play “You Will Get Sick.” She sat down with WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis to talk about working with director Audrey Francis....
Jun 25, 2025•8 min
Sources close to the Illinois governor's campaign say Democrat JB Pritzker will announce he's seeking a third term. The latest from the Marvel Cinematic Universe ventures into Chicago’s South Side. And, Ferris Bueller’s iconic vest has a new owner. Plus, WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad met up with a transgender woman from Venezuela to hear how she’s facing these uncertain times under the Trump administration.
Jun 24, 2025•8 min
A new Illinois law aims to give more due process to gun owners. The state of Illinois is making it easier for students to apply for college. A Chicago-focused story Dhaba on Devon Avenue debuts On stage. Plus, Helpful hand or scam? A new kind of student debt is under scrutiny.
Jun 23, 2025•8 min
It’s going to be very hot this weekend. Cook County plans to spend nearly $160 million dollars to keep nearly 20 programs when federal funding runs out. Misericordia Sister Rosemary Connelly died Thursday at age 94. Plus, dozens of Chicago skaters, unicyclers, and rollerbladers have been spending Thursday nights grooving in an old TJ Maxx. WBEZ contributor Anita Li brings us this report from a recent South Loop “Skate Rave.”
Jun 20, 2025•8 min
A longtime Chicago immigration attorney tells us about the new difficulties of advising clients. Mayor Brandon Johnson will issue the first veto by a Chicago mayor in 19 years. A group of knitters host a community Juneteenth celebration. Plus, how legendary chef Edna Lewis has inspired a new generation of Black chefs in Chicago.
Jun 19, 2025•7 min
Several Democratic members of Congress were denied entry to an Illinois ICE Processing Center this morning. The city of Chicago plans to open cooling centers starting on Saturday as heat and humidity move into the area. And just in time for the hot weather, all of Chicago’s outdoor public pools will be open seven days a week starting Saturday. Plus, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp reports on bullying in one Chicago public school.
Jun 18, 2025•9 min
Illinois US Representative Nikki Budzinski says her name was included in the notes of the man suspected of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers last weekend. Federal Plaza turned into a classroom today, with college educators from across Chicago offering lessons about Palestine. CPS officials are grappling with a large budget deficit for their upcoming school year. Plus, many immigrants from countries like Haiti and Venezuela have a tough decision to make: live in the U.S. illegally and risk d...
Jun 17, 2025•7 min
A Chicago city council committee has greenlit a $14.75 million settlement in a wrongful conviction case tied to disgraced former police commander Jon Burge. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the $55 billion state budget for the next twelve months into law. The James Beard Awards – sometimes called the “Oscars of the food world” – is happening Monday night in Chicago. Plus, we hear voices from the “No Kings” protest against the Trump administration in downtown Chicago on Saturday afternoon.
Jun 16, 2025•7 min
A man carrying a loaded gun and impersonating a police officer was arrested Thursday during anti-ICE protests in the Loop, according to Chicago police. “No Kings” demonstrations are scheduled in Chicago and across the country to coincide with President Donald Trump’s planned military parade in Washington DC on Saturday. Chicago is reporting its first West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes this season. Plus, ahead of Father’s Day, WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana reports on a local dads group that is hop...
Jun 13, 2025•8 min
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker testified before a Congressional committee about the state’s immigration policies and sanctuary state status. A Chicago woman who was injured by the person who drove through an anti-deportation protest on Tuesday says she thinks the driver should lose their license. Brookfield Zoo’s new baby bottlenose dolphin has died. Plus, Chicago’s home for so-called “outsider art” has reopened after a multi- million-dollar renovation and expansion. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers took...
Jun 12, 2025•7 min
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
