The Chicago police officer who fatally shot his partner Krystal Rivera while pursuing a suspect was stripped of his police powers today – but not for that shooting. The back and forth between the Trump administration and the Illinois State Board of Elections continues. Plus, each fall, more than 1,5000 freshmen start class at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Half are the first in their family to attend college. That’s a big milestone for a group that faces challenges not only in applying ...
Aug 15, 2025•8 min
Amid a crowded Democratic primary, there’s now a Republican candidate vying for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin’s seat. Cook County and school officials are urging families to get their children vaccinated against the measles ahead of the start of a new school year. The Savannah Bananas make their Chicago debut this weekend. Plus, we take a look at a push to bring tattoo removal programs to Illinois prisons.
Aug 14, 2025•8 min
Chicago Public School officials presented a balanced budget proposal today ahead of a vote at the end of the month. A former student at a Chicago public high school says the district failed to do a sufficient background search on a security guard who allegedly raped her. And, Senator Tammy Duckworth is taking the gloves off when discussing President Trump. Plus, WBEZ’s Alex Degman talks about the potential district remapping Governor Pritzker is considering in response to Texas Republicans....
Aug 13, 2025•8 min
The Chicago Cubs will hold a public memorial for Ryne Sandberg next week. EPA workers gathered in downtown Chicago to protest. And, the Field Museum is celebrating Sue the T-Rex. Plus, WBEZ’s Mike Davis talks with the cast of the MJ the Musical.
Aug 12, 2025•7 min
Chicagoans are raising the alarm about President Trump threatening federal intervention in the city. Senator Durbin joins a growing list of Illinois Democrats calling out a Republican effort to redraw Texas’ congressional maps. And, the Chicago area could see some rain tonight and tomorrow. Plus, the Department of Housing and Urban Development dismissed two Chicago cases involving affordable housing and polluting industries. Sun Times reporter Brett Chase joined WBEZ’s Melba Lara to break down t...
Aug 11, 2025•8 min
After a visit from the US Homeland Security secretary today, Illinois politicians say they will continue to protect the state’s sanctuary laws. Weiss Memorial Hospital on Chicago’s north side has closed. And, an Illinois appellate court today ruled serious Chicago police discipline cases need to be heard in public. Plus, WBEZ’s Lauren Frost was at an art gallery in East Garfield Park. She spoke with a group of advocates making quilts for people incarcerated in Illinois prisons....
Aug 08, 2025•7 min
There were no signs of the FBI this afternoon confronting any Democratic Texas lawmakers who have sought refuge in Illinois. As many as 1,000 detainees could be housed at a prison near Indianapolis the Trump administration is calling the Speedway Slammer. Nearly 1,000 applicants for U.S. citizenship left Chicago’s Wrigley Field today as citizens. Plus, Chicago chef Curtis Duffy is opening up about life and restaurants in a new memoir, “Fireproof.” His restaurant is prominently featured in the FX...
Aug 07, 2025•7 min
An Air Quality Alert is in effect until midnight for the Chicago region. Texas Democrats in Illinois say they are safe and secure after a potential bomb threat this morning. And, the Chicago Sky ended their 8-game losing streak at home last night. Plus, almost half of all home health care aides are immigrants. As the Trump administration continues its mass deportation campaign, WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang has the story of one Chicagoan with a disability who is struggling to get the help she needs...
Aug 06, 2025•6 min
Governor Pritzker is not ruling out redrawing Illinois’ congressional maps in response to Texas. Cook County plans to award a 2 million dollar grant to the nonprofit group Chicago Abortion Fund. And, training camp continues for the Chicago Bears. Plus, Chicago Sun Times reporter Emmanuel Camarillo and WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spoke to Chicago area teenagers about finding summer jobs.
Aug 05, 2025•8 min
More than two-dozen House Democrats from Texas are in Chicago as they grind business to a halt in Austin over redistricting. Cleanup is underway in Grant Park after Lollapalooza wrapped up last night. And, the Chicago Sky loses again. Plus, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp spoke with teenagers working on a social media anti-violence ad campaign.
Aug 04, 2025•7 min
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing the Trump administration to protect access to gender-affirming care. Today is the first day on the job for the new chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. And, Wrigley Field will officially be the host of the 2027 MLB All-Star Game. Plus, local artist Kaicrewsade will make his debut at Lollapalooza. Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez spoke with the Chicago musician ahead of his performance at the festival on Sunday....
Aug 01, 2025•7 min
An air quality alert is in effect through tomorrow for northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. Illinois Congressman Danny Davis says he is retiring after more than 40 years in politics. A state investigation has found the emergency room at a hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood doesn’t have enough supervising registered nurses and is not providing adequate care. Plus, we’ll hear from the winner of our artisanal ice cream bucket list challenge and learn how he ate at 12 local ice cream shop...
Jul 31, 2025•8 min
A new bike path has opened on one of the city's most dangerous neighborhood roads for cyclists. Illinois’ Secretary of State wants to hear from the public about auto insurance rates. And, actor Joe Keery, aka DJO playing music, is performing at Lollapalooza. Plus, every year the musician-run Chicago Philharmonic performs a concert series in Chicago’s parks. WBEZ contributor Hannah Edgar has the details.
Jul 30, 2025•7 min
One of the greatest players in Cubs history, Ryne Sandberg, died Monday. Paramount recently announced the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late night show. And, kids in suburban Will County can get free books thanks to Dolly Parton. Plus, Lollapalooza returns to Chicago Thursday with several local artists on the line up. Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez talks with the Chicago musician Clairice about her upcoming performance.
Jul 29, 2025•7 min
Organizers for Fiesta del Sol festival are calling on ICE agents to not target community celebrations. President Trump signed an executive order last week seeking to shift federal funding away from organizations that try to get homeless people housing before mental health treatment. And, the weather may be unpredictable ahead of Lollapalooza weekend. Plus, the musician Sinead O’Connor inspired a generation of artists. A panel of writers discuss her impact.
Jul 28, 2025•11 min
A new report from the Council on Criminal Justice shows the decline in crime in Chicago is part of a national trend. Today would have been Emmett Till’s 84th birthday. And, the Chicago Sky were crushed by the Seattle Storm last night. Plus, President Trump promised lower prices “on day one” during his campaign last year but prices are still high. Sun-Times reporter Stephanie Zimmermann and WBEZ editor Emilie Syberg talk with a consumer about their shopping strategies.
Jul 25, 2025•8 min
The heat advisory for the Chicago area ends tonight at 10 pm. Some asylum seekers in Chicago are considering President Donald Trump's new self-deportation program amid an increase in arrests and deportation. Wrigley Field will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game, its first since 1990. Plus, the start of the school year is just weeks away, but Chicago Public Schools are staring down a massive budget deficit to the tune of $734 million. My colleague Sarah Karp talked about it with anchor Mary Dixon....
Jul 24, 2025•8 min
The Chicago area is under an extreme heat watch today and tomorrow. A plan to reform Illinois' tort laws awaits Governor Pritzker’s signature. And, the 4th annual Breaking Barriers Festival begins Friday at Ravinia. Plus, the Chicago soul producer and arranger Charles Stepney died in 1976. His daughters spoke to WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers about their father’s legacy.
Jul 23, 2025•7 min
An extreme heat watch in Chicago goes into effect Wednesday morning. The world premiere play Billie Jean follows the rise of tennis legend and women’s rights activist Billie Jean King. And, the Cubs have dropped from first place in the National League Central. Plus, WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad has more on a couple she’s following that are seeking asylum in the US.
Jul 22, 2025•11 min
A federal judge is imposing a two-year prison term on ComEd’s former CEO for her role in a long-running conspiracy to illegally influence former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen is among a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for the release of investigation files into Jeffrey Epstein. Dangerously hot conditions are expected later this week beginning Wednesday. Plus, we hear a first-hand account from a Chicago–based asylum seeker during his time in immigr...
Jul 21, 2025•11 min
Chicago Public Media CEO Melissa Bell said the company will continue to serve the city following Congress' approval of a rescissions package. Demolition of the Damen Silos is moving quickly. A pilot program to bring rat contraceptives to Lincoln Park will launch later this summer. Plus, WBEZ’s Mary Dixon talks more with Bell about the forthcoming cuts to public media.
Jul 18, 2025•10 min
Chicagoans will gather tonight downtown for the “Good Trouble” Day of Action honoring the legacy of civil‑rights icon John Lewis. The Democratic U.S. Senators from Illinois are slamming Senate approval of a $9 billion dollar rescissions package. A statewide campaign is sounding the alarm and trying to raise funds to address homelessness. Plus, for 15 years, the Chicago dance troupe behind the Fly Honey Show has built a following for its mix of club moves and burlesque. The group says it is stagi...
Jul 17, 2025•7 min
Chicago Police will not be able to enact so-called "snap curfews." The mother of a 13-year-old girl is suing Chicago Public Schools - accusing the district of allowing her daughter to be subjected to race-based bullying, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is not seeking reelection but is leaving the door open to running for mayor of Chicago in 2027. Plus, when you drive through Chicago - are small, neighborhood traffic circles slowing you down? Our Curious C...
Jul 17, 2025•9 min
State Farm is defending a looming rate increase in homeowner insurance for 1.5 million Illinois customers. FX’s “The Bear” received 13 Emmy nominations for its third season. And, a drinking water notice has been issued for Aurora and Elgin after samples collected this year had elevated levels of lead. Plus, Chicago has more lead pipes than any other city in the country. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco reports on the city's federally mandated responsibility to notify its residents....
Jul 15, 2025•9 min
A former ComEd executive convicted of falsifying business records and conspiracy is going to prison. An air quality alert is in effect for multiple counties in northwestern Illinois. And, Chicago's newest piping plover chicks now have names - Bean, El and Ferris. Plus, Food and Drink contributor Maggie Hennessy talks about restaurant reservation etiquette.
Jul 14, 2025•7 min
The U.S. Department of Education said federally-funded programs cannot provide career and technical and adult education to undocumented students. The state Department of Public Health said a measles outbreak in southern Illinois is over. The Chicago Public Library added more than 400 new events this year tailored specifically for adults. Plus, Chicago honors people who have left their mark on the city with an honorary street sign. Our Curious City team found out what happened when one of these s...
Jul 11, 2025•8 min
The city of Chicago has joined a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump’s funding cutoff to sanctuary cities. The federal spending and tax bill passed last week could have big and harmful consequences for student loan borrowers. The Chicago White Sox are celebrating 20 years since their dominant World Series victory with a reunion weekend. Plus, A bill that could help bring pilot programs for overdose prevention sites to Illinois didn’t pass during the recent legislative session. WBEZ’s Isa...
Jul 10, 2025•7 min
Nurses at Veterans Affairs hospitals in the Chicago area are sounding the alarm about staffing levels. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is making a push to allow homeowners to add coach houses or basement rental units to their homes without red tape. And, Chicago’s current longest-serving alderperson says he’ll leave the City Council soon. Plus, the musical The Color Purple, based on Alice Walker’s book, is coming to the Goodman Theatre. WBEZ’s Mike Davis has the details.
Jul 09, 2025•9 min
Adult education programs in Illinois are in limbo with a funding freeze in their future. Lawyers for Commonwealth Edison’s former CEO say she shouldn’t serve any prison time for conspiring to influence Illinois’ one-time House speaker. And 30 years ago this week a heat wave killed more than 700 Chicagoans. Plus, WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip met with a Depaul student fighting back against the university’s total ban on distributing birth control.
Jul 08, 2025•10 min
The National Weather Service is warning swimmers to stay out of Lake Michigan today. Students from a Southwest Side trade school at risk of closing due to federal funding cuts are speaking out. The NASCAR race may be over, but tire marks are still etched into Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. Plus, a new segment from Chicago Public Media where we take your financial questions, and get them answered by experts.
Jul 07, 2025•7 min
