Leaders from Chicago’s Chinese and Latino immigrant communities say they feel anxious about today’s Supreme Court hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. The Chicago alderperson behind a much-debated proposal for a stricter teen curfew is back at the bargaining table after a wave of warm weather prompted so-called teen takeovers. A new supportive living community for adults with disabilities is now open in south suburban Alsip. Plus, Macquline King has gone...
Apr 01, 2026•9 min
The Supreme Court today ruled against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy. Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates trans and gender nonconforming people and their right to self determination. The finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards were announced today, and three Chicago chefs are on the short list. Plus, a Chicago man convicted of laundering cocaine funds remains a major player in Illinois’ state regulated cannabis industry. David Berger was found guilty...
Mar 31, 2026•7 min
Property taxes in Cook County have grown at more than double the rate of inflation during the past three decades, according to a new report. Most voters in Chicago opposed last September’s federal deportation campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz, according to a new survey. This weekend’s No Kings protest drew thousands to the streets of Chicago; we hear from a few people about what issues were top of mind as they were protesting. Plus, Navy Pier has unveiled a new symbolic sign marking the s...
Mar 30, 2026•8 min
No Kings protests and rallies are planned in Chicago and nationwide this weekend. A new Northwestern study finds premature menopause raises long-term heart risk by 40%. The season just started for the White Sox, and they were bullied mercilessly in their first game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, falling 14-2. Plus, one of the most anticipated albums of the year is the new one from Chicago’s own Ratboys. The band formed at Notre Dame about 15 years ago and their sixth album came out...
Mar 27, 2026•7 min
Chicago Public Schools will soon have a new permanent CEO with board members set to vote Monday on a three-year contract for interim CEO Macquline King. A measure to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois continues to sit in Springfield. It would allow the Bears to negotiate their payments, instead of paying property taxes, for a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. The Goodman Theater’s new, immersive production “Theater Of The Mind” has debuted and could play on its unconventional stage inde...
Mar 26, 2026•10 min
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is making the case for a bill that would make it illegal for detention centers to be within 1,500 feet from schools, day cares, houses and other places. Chicago’s Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade announced her resignation from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet. As the war in Iran rages on, priceless artifacts, ancient landmarks and entire cultural institutions are at risk of being damaged or lost forever. Plus, Emma Gerstein is second flutist in the Chica...
Mar 25, 2026•10 min
The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to pass a deal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, and Democrats in Springfield are pushing a bill that would allow the Bears to negotiate payments in lieu of paying property taxes to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights. A bill proposed in Springfield would designate the Dan Ryan Expressway between 47th Street and 95th Street the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Memorial Highway. It’s officially spring and the region’s pollinators are busy bringing our p...
Mar 24, 2026•8 min
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted today at O’Hare airport, one of 14 U.S. airports where extra ICE officials are being deployed. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says that about 75 ICE agents have been deployed to O'Hare. There have been no signs of additional federal immigration agents at Midway airport so far. A Cook County jury ruled in favor of Chance the Rapper in a suit brought by his former manager, Pat Corcoran. Plus, one of the more unusual pieces of theater...
Mar 23, 2026•7 min
Leaders at a Chicago public school named for César Chavez have started a process that could change the school’s name after a New York Times investigation released this week reported on allegations that Chavez groomed and sexually abused young girls when he was working in the Farm Workers Movement. Affordability was top of mind for many Illinoisans on Election Day earlier this week, and a new report shows about half of the state’s residents lack what they need to thrive. The 20th edition of the A...
Mar 20, 2026•8 min
People staying in hotels in downtown Chicago and areas on the South Side will soon be subject to the highest hotel tax in the nation. It’s been over a month since the start of the partial government shutdown specifically targeting the Department of Homeland Security following concerns over the way it has handled immigration enforcement. Some passenger rail advocates do not support a plan to sell a rail yard in the South Loop area to the future owner of the White Sox. Plus, a Chicago dancer is su...
Mar 19, 2026•7 min
There is still no winner in the contest for the Democratic nominee for Illinois State Comptroller. State Representative Margaret Croke and State Senator Karina Villa are separated by a thin margin, with Croke ahead by about two percentage points. Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton is now the state’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. A Chicago Public Schools teacher says her first graders are still showing signs of anxiety and depression after last fall's deportation campaign in the ...
Mar 18, 2026•10 min
Today is the Illinois primary election. The ballot is lengthy, packed with hopefuls who want to replace longtime retiring incumbents. The Chicago Board of Elections says voter turnout is skewing close to the 2022 primary when 22 percent of city voters cast ballots. We'll hear from some voters. Some members of the Irish community in Chicago are working to keep the Irish language alive. Plus, there’s a new space for Latinos Muslims to pray and worship while still keeping true to their culture.
Mar 17, 2026•8 min
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is co-leading a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Chicago area will continue to see scattered flurries and strong winds into Monday evening, which could cause blowing snow and reduced visibility. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says Midwest Generation's plan to clean up a coal ash dump does not meet state standards. Plus, Toni Preckwinkle is running in the Demo...
Mar 16, 2026•7 min
Charges were dismissed against two members of the Broadview Six today. Illinois lawmakers are working on a measure to make the ads you see on streaming services quieter. Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will kick off its annual “Winning Works” showcase this weekend. Plus, we wrap up our week-long look at some hot primary contests ahead of Tuesday’s primary election with Illinois’ 2nd congressional district.
Mar 13, 2026•8 min
Nearly 60,000 people in suburban Cook County have already voted in Tuesday’s primary election, and another 52,000 have mailed in their ballots. Six Republicans are making their final cases to replace the seat currently held by Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, a seat that’s open for the first time in nearly three decades. Offering community college students extra support like tutoring and stipends can help them stay in school, but a new study by the University of Chicago finds that kind of help...
Mar 12, 2026•9 min
Illinois voters who wish to cast their ballot by mail for the Illinois primary election must have their application submitted by Thursday. The National Weather Service says one supercell on Tuesday night was responsible for at least four tornadoes across Indiana and Illinois. Classic rocker and poet Patti Smith is promoting her latest memoir, which explores Smith’s personal life from a working class childhood to her later years. Plus, for most of the last 80 years, two people have represented a ...
Mar 11, 2026•10 min
The Justice Department’s settlement of an anti-trust lawsuit against the corporate parent of Ticketmaster is drawing criticism from Illinois and other states. The city of Chicago’s youth jobs program has a new name and motto as officials open this year’s application window. Chicago theater season is gearing up for a new host of shows, including a run of “Hamilton” at the CIBC Theatre through April 26. Plus, four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Gover...
Mar 10, 2026•8 min
Illinois abolished the death penalty 15 years ago today, when former Governor Pat Quinn signed a bill into law banning the punishment. We’ve got record warmth around Chicago today with highs in the low 70s. The Chicago White Sox have named Shane Smith their starting pitcher for Opening Day. Plus, Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years? All eyes are on the Democratic primary in the race to replace longtime retiring U....
Mar 09, 2026•10 min
Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson conclude today. Jackson died in his Chicago home on February 17 at the age of 84. He was known as being one of the most visible civil rights leaders of the last half century and a protege of Martin Luther King Jr. But Jackson also was a divisive figure, remembered for his larger than life personality and sometimes controversial opinions. In this special episode of The Rundown, WBEZ reporter Somer Van Benton sits down with Lisa Labuz to parse through some ...
Mar 07, 2026•25 min
Thousands of people gathered today in Chicago to honor the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Charges were dropped this week against a group of 15 mothers arrested outside of the immigration processing center in Broadview. The New York City Ballet’s principal dancer Tiler Peck is coming to Chicago this weekend. Plus, the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy includes Operation Breadbasket, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and two presidential campaigns in the 198...
Mar 06, 2026•8 min
Governor JB Pritzker is voicing delight at President Trump's firing of former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Developers broke ground this week on the Chicago Fire’s new privately-funded stadium in the South Loop neighborhood. Hundreds of Chicago high schoolers are voting for the first time in this month’s primary election. Plus, thirty year-old conductor Klaus Mäkelä will soon become the Chicago Symphony’s next music director. While working with the orchestra, he’s become a familiar fa...
Mar 05, 2026•8 min
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is asking the federal government to help get U.S. citizens stranded in the Middle East back home. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem testified before Congress on Tuesday, and she claimed to not know the case in which Chicago resident Marimar Martinez was shot five times in an encounter with Border Patrol. The City Club of Chicago threw a party at the Lookingglass Theater on the Magnificent Mile to celebrate Chicago turning 189 years old. Plus, ins...
Mar 04, 2026•10 min
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is emphatically denying any ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is condemning the Trump administration for launching strikes in Iran without Congressional approval. A big challenge for whoever wins the Democratic primary for Cook County Board President is how to treat more uninsured patients. Plus, WBEZ and the Sun Times surveyed 20 top arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits last year. We wanted to see what prog...
Mar 03, 2026•7 min
Early voting and registration for the March 17th primaries began in suburban Cook County and all 50 wards in Chicago. Many of the non-immigration cases brought against people during Operation Midway Blitz are now falling apart in Chicago court. Pulaski Day honors Casimir Pulaski, who was a Polish hero of the Revolutionary War. Plus, Keshia Golden is facing murder charges for fatally stabbing her boyfriend three years ago, and she says she did it to save herself and the couple’s unborn child. Gol...
Mar 02, 2026•7 min
High temperatures in the Chicago region will hit the lower 60s in some areas this afternoon due to warm winds and plenty of sunshine. Young adults, children and their parents made it a priority to honor the late Reverend Jesse Jackson as he lies in repose in Chicago. When conductor Malcolm Merriweather heard that an influential Chicago composer’s grave was unmarked, he decided to change that. Plus, Monday Night Foodball, a popular weekly chef pop-up, is hosting its 200th event next week. Curated...
Feb 27, 2026•7 min
A tax incentive plan aimed at keeping the Bears in Illinois advanced in the state House today amid opposition from City Hall and questions about whether Democrats can whip up enough votes to pass it. Illinois lawmakers are hoping to bring suicide prevention resources to public spaces. The Blackhawks return to the ice Thursday against the Nashville Predators after their long break for the Olympics. Plus, Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior will be lying in repose at Rainbow PUSH Headquarters in Kenwood...
Feb 26, 2026•7 min
The FBI has arrested a man accused of beating Sheila von Wiese-Mack of Oak Park to death nearly a dozen years ago. A survey from the Chicago-based Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shows Americans are turning to social media and artificial intelligence for nutrition advice instead of professionals. NFL Draft prospects will hit the field at the scouting combine in Indianapolis starting Thursday. Plus, Black boys and men are the least likely demographic to get their college diploma within six yea...
Feb 25, 2026•8 min
President Trump is scheduled to give his State of the Union address tonight, and some Democratic lawmakers say they’re boycotting the speech and attending their own counter-rally. The Chicago Park District is asking Springfield for $630 million amid efforts to pass a legislative package to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois. A Cook County judge ruled the City of Chicago is liable for overcharges and interest on more than a million city sticker and parking violations issued between 2012 and 2022....
Feb 24, 2026•9 min
Illinois’ largest teacher’s union released its annual State of Education report, and it found that nearly 60% of those polled are worried about Immigration and Customs Enforcement making arrests on school property. Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson wants to spend $50 million to buy and rehab the Greyhound bus terminal just west of the Loop. The Chicago Blackhawks are gearing up to return to play after their long break for the Olympics. Plus, the Chicago suburbs used to be mostly white, middle-class ...
Feb 23, 2026•7 min
The Reverend Jesse Jackson will be buried at Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side. Illinois U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider says he's bringing Learning Resources CEO Rick Woldenberg to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday. Governor JB Pritzker wants to cancel tax breaks for data centers, pointing to soaring utility costs for families across Illinois. Plus, we check in with a government reporter from Indiana to get a temperature check on how Hoosiers are feeling ab...
Feb 20, 2026•8 min
