The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most people in the state, in direct contrast to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Chicago police officer is accused of using his law enforcement credentials to buy guns, including an AR-style rifle, for a man who then smuggled them into Mexico. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been awarded NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career for his per...
Sep 24, 2025•8 min
Illinois Democrats in Congress have signed a letter asking the federal government to end what it's calling "dangerous and reckless immigration operations" in the state. New video obtained by the Sun-Times is raising questions about the narrative put forth by the Department of Homeland Security after the September 12th shooting death of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued new guidance expanding COVID-19 vaccine access ahead of the fall ...
Sep 23, 2025•10 min
Illinois Democrats in Congress have signed a letter asking the federal government to end what it's calling "dangerous and reckless immigration operations" in the state. New video obtained by the Sun-Times is raising questions about the narrative put forth by the Department of Homeland Security after the September 12th shooting death of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued new guidance expanding COVID-19 vaccine access ahead of the fall ...
Sep 23, 2025•10 min
A WBEZ investigation found the city is months behind a federal deadline to notify residents about their lead pipes. Summer officially ends today, as warm, dry forecasts have persisted through September. Beloved Loyola nun Sister Jean has retired from official campus duties. Plus, WBEZ’s Melba Lara sits down with two members of the Chicago punk band Rise Against to talk about their latest album.
Sep 22, 2025•10 min
Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is Episode 3.
Sep 20, 2025•41 min
Advocates are urging U.S citizens to step up and help immigrant workers with food and financial assistance. Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said state lawmakers have no plans to change legislative maps to try to send more Democrats to Congress in next year's elections. Chicago Public Schools is being tightlipped on how it will respond to a threat from the federal government to strip the district of a 5-year grant worth $15 million. Plus, WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal reached out to every Illin...
Sep 18, 2025•10 min
The latest phase of ramped up immigration enforcement activities in Chicago coincided with Mexican Independence Day. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the death on Friday of a man shot by US immigration agents in Franklin Park. And, architecture buffs can see new sites at this year’s Open House Chicago.Plus, The number of CPS students in special education is at its highest in at least 15 years. Yet this summer the school district cut about 1000 special ed positions. WBEZ’s Sarah ...
Sep 17, 2025•8 min
The Border Patrol agent who led an enhanced immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has arrived in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order aimed at protecting protesters amid any federal law enforcement presence. And, today is Mexican Independence Day.Plus, there are two more events this month with Chicago's prestigious jazz festival. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers gets the scoop from Sun-Times reporter Erica Thompson.
Sep 16, 2025•9 min
Chicago City Council voted in favor of settling nearly 200 police misconduct cases tied to disgraced former police Sergeant Ronald Watts, costing city taxpayers a total of $90 million. Gov. JB Pritzker said he and his family feel safe in light of escalating political threats. Enrollment is up for international students at the University of Illinois despite federal immigration policies. Plus, if you want to know how many arrests immigration officers have made in Chicago this year, you won’t get a...
Sep 15, 2025•8 min
Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is Episode 2.
Sep 13, 2025•40 min
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a full accounting of the circumstances behind what he called the troubling, fatal shooting of a Franklin Park man by a federal immigration enforcement agent. More than 20 Chicago alderpersons are calling for a review of security measures at City Hall following the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. A new study finds low-income patients with anorexia tend to be hospitalized longer than they need to be in Chicago. Plus, this week a local art...
Sep 12, 2025•8 min
The city is moving forward with a 90-million-dollar settlement to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to a former Chicago police sergeant. New data released by the Census Bureau shows a fast-growing immigrant community in Chicago. And, the long-running Taste of Chicago food festival will move back to its mid-summer time slot next year.Plus, Jenna Fischer is the star of the world premiere play “Ashland Avenue” at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. WBEZ’s theater reporter Mike Davis sat down with her to discuss the...
Sep 11, 2025•7 min
The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education meeting was placed on a soft lockdown today after a Brinks security officer shot an alleged robber. Federal agents have seized illegal vaping products nationwide as the Trump administration cracks down on items often used by teens. And, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the Supreme Court is reversing years of progress.Plus, Immigration enforcement actions are ramping up and many immigrant workers say they’re afraid to go to work. But legal experts s...
Sep 10, 2025•7 min
A protest is planned for today in response to President Trump's escalating immigration enforcement in Chicago. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture cut the ribbon on a new outdoor education space and garden yesterday. And, Pitchfork co-founder Mike Reed is back with a new music festival, called Sound and Gravity.Plus, while bracing for the deployment of the National Guard, we look back at Chicago’s history with troops in the city. Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joined WBEZ’s ...
Sep 09, 2025•7 min
The Department of Homeland Security says it is launching an ICE operation in Illinois. The Bears will show off their new-look offense on the national stage tonight. And, it’s apple picking season. This year's crop is right on track. Plus, President Trump has been threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago. Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles has more on what she is seeing in the nation’s capital.
Sep 08, 2025•7 min
Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. This is a series called “The Country in Our Hearts” and it’s brought to us by Nashville Public Radio. That city is home to the largest Kurdish community in the country. We hear from host and reporter Rose Gilbert who traces the story of one Kurdish fami...
Sep 06, 2025•40 min
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.
Sep 05, 2025•3 min
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...
Sep 04, 2025•8 min
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...
Sep 03, 2025•8 min
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.
Sep 02, 2025•8 min
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...
Aug 29, 2025•8 min
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...
Aug 28, 2025•7 min
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.
Aug 27, 2025•8 min
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.
Aug 26, 2025•10 min
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...
Aug 25, 2025•9 min
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.
Aug 22, 2025•9 min
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...
Aug 21, 2025•10 min
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...
Aug 20, 2025•6 min
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.
Aug 19, 2025•7 min
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.
Aug 18, 2025•9 min
