Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget, which took effect Monday, includes no new taxes, fees or service cuts. Johnson now must make good on his promise to use the city’s $16.7 billion spending plan as a down payment on investments in working-class Chicagoans.

Over the last year, WTTW News introduced you to a variety of Chicago-area residents. Some accomplished extraordinary feats, while others made a difference in their communities through small acts of everyday work.

Tom Wilkinson was nominated for a best actor Academy Award for his work in 2001’s family drama “In The Bedroom” in 2001 and in the best supporting actor category for his role in “Michael Clayton,” a 2007 film that starred George Clooney.

Joey Meyer, who played at DePaul and coached the Blue Demons to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in 13 seasons, has died. He was 74.

Chicago elected a new mayor, Illinois banned so-called assault weapons and the Boss played at Wrigley Field. Here’s what people were reading in 2023.

Mayor Brandon Johnson assumes office and inherits a migrant crisis. Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 federal corruption counts, with Michael Madigan’s trial looming. We recap 2023 in a special year-end edition of “Week in Review.”

A 9-year-old orange tabby named Edgar spent a frosty night alone atop a utility pole in an alley earlier this week. WTTW News reporter Marc Vitali details Edgar’s rescue.

“We know it’ll be a busy night,” Commander Jon Hein said Friday. “We ask everyone to please ensure that you have a safe night and if you’re going to celebrate, do that responsibly.”

Chicago firefighters rescued multiple people from a fire that broke out on the sixth floor of an Uptown high-ride Friday morning.

A Fox News mistake misidentified White Sox legend Frank Thomas as among the notable people who died in 2023. 

Crucial battles over abortion, gerrymandering, voting rights and other issues will take center stage in next year’s elections for state supreme court seats — 80 of them in 33 states.

Funkytown’s beers can be found at more than 100 locations around the Chicago area. It was their pale ale called Hip Hops and R&Brew that kick-started the trio into the craft beer industry.

Live and natural holiday trees can be dropped off in a tree recycling corral at one of 27 designated locations in the city from Jan. 6-20.

First, Colorado’s Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump wasn’t eligible to run for his old job in that state. Then, Maine’s Democratic secretary of state ruled the same for her state. Who’s next?

Pushback to a second waste facility in West Chicago. How educators and alumni are coming together to help migrant students. And what’s behind an unseasonably warm December.