The city of Chicago tries to prepare immigrant residents ahead of increased immigration enforcement expected soon. Choose Chicago, a tourism marketing agency, is trying to change the city’s violent narrative by highlighting the arts.Plus, Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. Organizers say it’s more important now than ever to gather.
Governor Pritzker is urging Chicagoans to get out their phones and record federal agents they see on the streets. Organizers of events this weekend are grappling with the possibility that federal agents could soon arrive in the city. And, Angel Reese may be on the bench for the Chicago Sky’s final Indiana Fever matchup of the season.Plus, while President Trump is attempting to send the National Guard to Chicago, a WBEZ analysis finds a drop in murders. Public safety reporter Chip Mitchell has th...
The White House is still considering whether to send National Guard troops to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is challenging Illinois laws that provide in-state tuition and financial aid to immigrant students who live here but lack legal status. And, The Chicago Public Library has announced its One Book, One Chicago pick for 2025. Plus, with the looming threat of federal troops in Chicago, teenagers who live in a neighborhood notorious for gun violence are sharing their feelings. WB...
President Donald Trump says he plans to direct federal law enforcement intervention in Chicago and Baltimore. Most of Illinois’ congressional Democrats have signed a strongly worded letter telling the President to keep troops out of Chicago. And, many people are mourning after a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago.Plus, you can find Will Liverman on opera stages across the country. But this summer the Chicago baritone did something different. WBEZ contributor Hannah Edgar has the story.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he would welcome more help from the feds to tackle crime in Chicago, but not from the National Guard. Some Illinois veterans are sounding the alarm against President Donald Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago. More than 10,000 people are expected to cycle down a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on Sunday morning. Plus, city officials held a briefing to share what they know – and, mostly, what they don't – about President Trump’s threat...
Some Black faith leaders and elected officials are denouncing President Trump’s threats to send the military to Chicago. Chicago's airports expect nearly 1.8 million passengers to make their way through O’Hare and Midway airports through Tuesday. Free Narcan boxes are now available inside blue newsstand boxes in the Uptown neighborhood, making the life-saving drug more accessible. Plus, today is gonna be the day Oasis plays in Chicago. Fans have been waiting for 16 years for the brothers Liam an...
Republican Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston says a meeting yesterday at the White House was "encouraging." A pickleball tournament kicked off today in Highland Park. And, the federal government wants to send the National Guard to a suburban naval base.President Trump’s threats to send the military to Chicago have some anti-violence organizations concerned. WBEZ’s Melba Lara spoke with Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan who now runs the anti-violence organization Chicago CRED.
People who have survived shootings in Chicago say President Trump’s threats to send in troops will make the city less safe. Star cellist Yo-Yo Ma will appear in concert Tuesday night in Chicago’s Millennium Park with esteemed African vocalist Angélique Kidjo. The Chicago Sky have officially retired former star Candace Parker’s jersey. Plus, we hear from one of the Chicago-area doctors who are meeting with Illinois lawmakers to share their experiences and prompt action to end the war in Gaza.
President Donald Trump appears to be walking back his threats to send the military to Chicago. The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is opening a satellite in the Loop. The Chicago region can expect autumn-like highs ranging between the upper sixties and the lower seventies – signaling that fall is on the way. Plus, Chicago’s new police oversight chief has been wiping out or dramatically scaling back recommendations to fire officers who investigators say have committed serious misco...
Teachers at Naperville School District 203 will strike on Tuesday if they don't have a contract deal. A new report shows Illinois is slowly making progress on funding the state’s pension systems. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is signing a new law aimed at giving journalists greater protections against retaliatory lawsuits. Plus, we look at how CPS school lunches went from delicious to disappointing.
The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project is raising the alarm about the lack of water safety education and the dangers of Lake Michigan. Chicago's Loyola University is celebrating Sister Jean's 106th birthday. Chicago’s Museum of Broadcast Communications will reopen this fall in a new location with exhibits that will dive deep into the history of late night television. Plus, steakhouses open regularly, but this year brings an especially large crop of newcomers to the Chicago area. Between the fresh f...
An autopsy shows that the shot that killed Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera struck her from behind through an opening in her bullet proof vest. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are at odds over vaccine recommendations for children. NASCAR has announced its 2026 schedule, featuring a new street course in San Diego and the return of Chicagoland Speedway in suburban Joliet. Plus, Chicago’s love for Korean skincare might be facing a setback...
High school seniors in Illinois can use a new online tool to express interest in attending the state's public universities and community colleges. Preschool students are back to school. And, after a hot start to the season, the Cubs are struggling. Plus, WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers talks with a local cheesemonger.
It’s the first day of school for most Chicago Public Schools students. Texas House Democrats are heading back to Austin. And, the Bears won big last night in preseason action, but the real story away from the scoreboard was Caleb Williams’ impressive debut Plus, as the school year gets underway, we hear about the challenges new budget cuts could bring.
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 ...
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.
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....
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.
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...
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....
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...
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...
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.
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.
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....
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
