Over the past five years, 59 petitions have been filed with the Illinois Department of Corrections from those incarcerated in Illinois state prisons requesting transfers all over the world. Only two people have been approved, and two more are pending.

This Week on Chicago Tonight
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Politics

Don Tracy appears on “Chicago Tonight” on April 1, 2026. (WTTW News)

GOP Candidate Don Tracy on Running for the US Senate, the Future of Birthright Citizenship

Former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in last month’s primary election, pushing him closer to his goal of taking over longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s seat. Tracy is facing Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Nov. 3 general election.

Feb. 17, 2026 - Full Show

| WTTW News

‘He Was This Transformational Figure’: Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson

| Shelby Hawkins

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Chicago Organizer Who Led the Civil Rights Movement for Decades After King, Has Died at 84

| Associated Press

In 1972, Jesse Jackson Joined ‘Sesame Street’ to Share a Message: ‘I Am Somebody’

| Dan Lambert

A Month Late, First Installment of 2025 Cook County Property Tax Bills to Be Due April 1

| Heather Cherone

Bears Stadium Package Has ‘Positive Momentum’ in Springfield, But Work Still Remains

| Brenden Moore — Capitol News Illinois

A ‘Champion’ and a ‘Superhero’: Chicago Leaders Reflect on Passing of Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson

| Matt Masterson

Rescuers Spring Into Action To Save Snowy Owl Injured Along Illinois Tollway

| Patty Wetli

‘Democracy Is a Verb’: How Local Groups Are Working to Increase Civic Engagement as Participation Declines

| Blake Thor

Feb. 16, 2026 - Full Show

| WTTW News

Debate Over Future of ICE, Response to Immigration Raids Roils Race for Cook County Board President

| Heather Cherone

Pritzker to Present State Budget as Illinois Faces Federal Funding Uncertainty

| Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois

Robert Duvall, Versatile Oscar-Winning Actor, Dead at 95

| Associated Press

Penny Shortage Causes Headaches for Retailers in the Land of Lincoln

| Medill Illinois News Bureau

As Some People Push to Make Profound Autism Its Own Diagnosis, This Family Is Raising Twins With It

| Associated Press

Ofelia Torres, Chicago Teen Who Battled Cancer While Her Father Was Detained by ICE, Has Died

| Matt Masterson

No Evidence CPD Provided Required Update on System That Would Flag Officers With Multiple Complaints

| Heather Cherone

Week in Review: New Evidence in Border Patrol Shooting; Mayor Vetoes Hemp Ban

| Nick Blumberg

You’ve Heard About Fat Tuesday, But What About Fat Thursday? Here’s Where Chicago’s Polish Community Gets Their Paczki

| Nicole Cardos

Mayor Vetoes Ban on Sale of Most Intoxicating Hemp Products in Chicago

| Heather Cherone

Judge Grants Temporary Order Halting Cuts to Public Health Grants in Illinois, Other States

| Matt Masterson

Toni Preckwinkle Urging Cook County Prosecutors to Pursue Criminal Charges Against Federal Immigration Agents

| Matt Masterson

Weekend Warmup Is Chicago’s First Dose of False Spring

| Patty Wetli

Chicago Police Leaders Must Change How Officers Are Deployed in ‘High-Demand’ Areas: Study

| Heather Cherone

Feb. 12, 2026 - Full Show

| WTTW News

Meet the Women Behind Mechanista, a Chicago Garage Aiming to Make Car Care More Inclusive

| Joanna Hernandez

Super Bowl Halftime Performers on Making History With Bad Bunny

| Joel Ortiz

Early Voting for 2026 Primary Election Begins in Downtown Chicago, With New Supersite Location

| Eunice Alpasan

Trump Revokes EPA Finding That Greenhouse Gases Threaten Public Health

| Associated Press

Team USA Made History in Curling at the Winter Olympics. Here’s How and Where to Curl in the Chicago Area

| Nicole Cardos

Chicago Board of Education Members Allege ‘Sabotage’ From Mayor Brandon Johnson in Ongoing CPS CEO Search

| Matt Masterson

Deadline to Vote in Chicago’s Snowplow Naming Contest is Saturday; Will ‘Abolish ICE’ Win After Leading Nominations?

| Heather Cherone
 

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