News | WTTW Chicago

Pedestrians yell at federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as they walk along North Clark Street near West Oak Street in the River North neighborhood, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in Chicago. (Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Pritzker Expects Trump to ‘Keep the Militarization Going’ Despite Government Shutdown

It’s not yet clear when military troops could be deployed into Illinois, but Gov. JB Pritzker expects President Donald Trump to “keep the militarization going” even after the federal government shut down overnight.

A Sig Sauer P320 pistol. (TexasWarhawk / Wikimedia Commons)

Federal Judge Orders CPD to Ban Gun Union Says is Likely to Misfire

Jane Goodall kisses Tess, a female chimpanzee, at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary near Nanyuki, north of Nairobi, on Dec. 6, 1997. (AP Photo / Jean-Marc Bouju, File)

Jane Goodall, Conservationist Renowned for Chimpanzee Research and Environmental Advocacy, Has Died at 91

September 30, 2025 Full Episode

Politics

A closed sign stands in front of the National Archives on the first day of a government shutdown, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

What Happens Now That a Government Shutdown is Underway?

Washington is bracing for what could be a prolonged federal shutdown after lawmakers deadlocked and missed the deadline for funding the government. Neither side shows any signs of budging.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul warns on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, he would sue the Trump administration if federal troops arrive in Chicago. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

New Lawsuits Against Trump’s Immigration Actions in Illinois Continue to Take Shape; Raoul Ready Should Troops Arrive

President Donald Trump is greeted by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth before speaking to a gathering of top U.S. military commanders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Quantico, Va. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci)

Donald Trump Alludes to Using Cities Like Chicago as Training Grounds for the Military in Speech to Leaders

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin)

Politics

Mayor Johnson Hits Back at Trump’s ‘Illegal’ Plans to Deploy National Guard to Chicago

Aug 22, 2025 | Matt Masterson

The United Methodist Church announced it will rent the billboard space where a Proud Boys hate group billboard cropped recently. They’ll replace it with a “Hate Divides… Love Unites” campaign as depicted in a rendering. (Molly Parker/ Capitol News Illinois photo, artwork provided by the United Methodist Church)

Politics

United Methodist Church Buys Southern Illinois Billboard Space That Hosted Proud Boys Sign for ‘Love Unites’ Message

Aug 22, 2025 | Molly Parker — Capitol News Illinois

Gov. JB Pritzker signs bills aimed at further protecting reproductive rights in Illinois on Aug. 22, 2025, at the University YMCA in Champaign, Illinois. (Courtesy of state of Illinois live stream)

Health

Pritzker Signs Bill Requiring Public Colleges in Illinois to Offer Contraception, Medication Abortion

Aug 22, 2025 | Eunice Alpasan

Hazel White, mother of Alicia White, who is the president and founder of the Project Petals, waters plants at Paradise Community Garden, Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, in Inwood, N.Y. (AP Photo / Yuki Iwamura)

Science & Nature

Green Spaces Are Key to Combating Record Heat in Marginalized Communities

Aug 22, 2025 | Associated Press

Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions from the news media at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois)

Politics

Pritzker Signs Law Expanding Lawsuit Protections for Illinois News Media

Aug 22, 2025 | Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois

The Dirksen Courthouse is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois)

Crime & Law

Feds Launch New Unit to Prosecute Health Care Fraud Cases in Illinois

Aug 22, 2025 | Matt Masterson

The dinosaur would have had an exaggerated sail-like feature on its back. (James Brown / University of Portsmouth via CNN Newsource)

Science & Nature

New Dinosaur Just Dropped. This One Had a Striking Sail-Like Back

Aug 22, 2025 | CNN

Brandis Friedman hosts the Aug. 21, 2025, episode of "Chicago Tonight." (WTTW News)

Aug. 21, 2025 - Full Show

Aug 21, 2025 | WTTW News

(WTTW News)

Politics

Veterans Affairs Workers, Unions Push Trump Administration to Reinstate Collective Bargaining Rights

Aug 21, 2025 | Bridgette Adu-Wadier

Yayoi Kusama created an installation called “Love is Calling.” It features polka dot tentacles rising up like stalagmites in an endless psychedelic cave. (Marc Vitali / WTTW News)

Arts & Entertainment

Wonders of Art and Technology Get Clicks at WNDR Museum, an Influencer Hotspot: Review

Aug 21, 2025 | Marc Vitali

President Donald Trump, from left, speaks as Cody Campbell, WWE CCO Triple H and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listen during an event for the signing of an executive order restarting the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP Photo)

Crime & Law Health

Supreme Court Lets Trump Administration Cut $783M of Research Funding in Anti-DEI Push

Aug 21, 2025 | Associated Press

FILE- United and Delta Airlines jetliners taxi down a runway for take off at Denver International Airport, Dec. 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo / David Zalubowski, File)

Crime & Law

Passengers Sue United and Delta for Selling ‘Window’ Seats Next to Blank Walls

Aug 21, 2025 | Associated Press

Amelia Gray, an 8-year-old female polar bear, is coming to Brookfield Zoo from Oregon, as matchmakers hope she'll mate with Brookfield's male, Hudson. (Courtesy of the Oregon Zoo)

Science & Nature

New Female Polar Bear Coming to Brookfield Zoo This Fall, Bringing Long Gestating Hope for Cubs With Her

Aug 21, 2025 | Patty Wetli

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks at the Kennedy Center, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo / Alex Brandon, File)

Politics

Trump Administration Reviewing All 55M People With US Visas for Potential Deportable Violations

Aug 21, 2025 | Associated Press

(Courtesy of Illinois Department of Transportation)

Business

Some Outbound Kennedy Lanes to Reopen Next Week, But Expect Some Ramp Closures: IDOT

Aug 21, 2025 | Eunice Alpasan

A 2023 storm caused extensive home damage in parts of Springfield, including trees falling on homes. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois)

Business

Insurance Industry Opposes Regulation, Blames Inflation and Climate Change for Rate Hikes

Aug 21, 2025 | Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Crime & Law

Applications Sought for Chicago’s Next Police Misconduct Agency Chief

Aug 21, 2025 | Matt Masterson

Giant water lily plants, native to the tropics, can grow up to a diameter of 10 feet and hold the weight of an adult. (Dreamnordno / iStock)

Science & Nature

Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?

Aug 21, 2025 | Patty Wetli

The Walter Athletic Facility and Ryan Fieldhouse are pictured on the Northwestern campus in a 2023 file photo. (Joe Hendrickson / iStock)

Crime & Law Education

Ex-Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Settles Lawsuit Following His Firing Amid Hazing Allegations

Aug 21, 2025 | Matt Masterson

(Courtesy of the Mexican Folkloric Dance Company of Chicago)

Arts & Entertainment

From a Timely Theater Festival to an Evening of Mexican Soul, Here Are 6 Arts Picks for This Week

Aug 21, 2025 | Marc Vitali

Brandis Friedman hosts the Aug. 20, 2025, episode of "Chicago Tonight: Black Voices." (WTTW News)

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 20, 2025 - Full Show

Aug 20, 2025 | WTTW News

(Photography By Tonelson / iStock)

Health Politics

Illinois’ SNAP Education Program to End Amid Federal Funding Cuts. How That Could Impact Local Communities

Aug 20, 2025 | Abena Bediako

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates appears on “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” on Aug. 20, 2025. (WTTW News)

Education

CTU President Rejects Pritzker’s Assertion No More Money to Be Found in Springfield for Schools

Aug 20, 2025 | Paul Caine

The first phase of the mobile vehicle emissions testing pilot began this week at the Chicago South DMV, 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and will run through Sept. 12, 2025, excluding Labor Day. Emissions testing runs Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (WTTW News)

Health

Vehicle Emissions Testing Offered at Chicago South DMV as Part of Pilot Program

Aug 20, 2025 | Eunice Alpasan

(txking / iStock)

Crime & Law

What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? With Illinois Seeing Historic Highs, We Asked Incarcerated People

Aug 20, 2025 | Blair Paddock

A still from a promotional video for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race. (Courtesy of NASCAR)

Arts & Entertainment

NASCAR Returning to Joliet’s Chicagoland Speedway in 2026 Amid Pause in Chicago Street Race

Aug 20, 2025 | Matt Masterson

A Lamar Advertising representative on Monday moves an ad for the far-right extremist group Proud Boys; the sign was taken down entirely around noon Tuesday. (Molly Parker / Capitol News Illinois)

Politics

Billboard for Proud Boys Hate Group Removed in Southern Illinois After Local Public Pressure

Aug 20, 2025 | Molly Parker — Capitol News Illinois

Case Oats (Credit: Braeden Long)

Arts & Entertainment

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 20-26

Aug 20, 2025 | Josh Terry

(FierceAbin / iStock)

Science & Nature

Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report

Aug 20, 2025 | Patty Wetli

Nick Blumberg hosts the Aug. 19, 2025, episode of "Chicago Tonight." (WTTW News)

Aug. 19, 2025 - Full Show

Aug 19, 2025 | WTTW News

Leslie Vinjamuri, the new president and CEO of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, joins “Chicago Tonight” on Aug. 19, 2025. (WTTW News)

Politics

New Leader of Chicago Council on Global Affairs Discusses America’s Foreign Policy Challenges

Aug 19, 2025 | Paul Caine

A voter casts her ballot in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Politics

As Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Illinois Elections Officials Say Fraud is ‘Extremely Rare’

Aug 19, 2025 | Matt Masterson