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Chicago Native William Friedkin, Oscar-Winning Director of ‘The Exorcist’ and ‘The French Connection,’ Dead at 87

Born in Chicago on Aug. 29, 1939, he began working in local TV productions as a teenager. By age 16 he was directing live shows.

Neighbors Say Portage Park Man Charged With Killing 9-Year-Old Girl Was Upset Over Noise

The charge was filed against Michael Goodman, 43, in the death of Sarabi Medina, Chicago police announced. The shooting happened Saturday night in Chicago’s Portage Park neighborhood.

DJ Casper, Chicago-Born Creator of the Enduring ‘Cha-Cha Slide,’ Dead at 58

DJ Casper, the South Side native who created the enduring party classic “Cha-Cha Slide,” has died. He was 58.

Aug. 7, 2023 - Full Show

In the latest installment of our series WTTW News: A Safer City, we tackle the issue of domestic violence. We examine state laws that protect survivors and meet a local woman providing essentials to women in need.

Illinois Lawmakers Look to Address Domestic Violence Rise With Laws to Help Survivors

The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline reported a 9% uptick in contacts received between 2020 and 2021, according to The Network for Advocating Against Domestic Violence 2021 annual report. With those grim statistics, Illinois lawmakers hope updates to domestic violence laws will help survivors of abuse.

Chicago-Area Groups Work to Support, Aid Domestic Violence Survivors Amid Surge

An increase in domestic violence reports has not only highlighted the need for better legal protection and laws for survivors, but also the need for creating an improved network of care in cases of abuse. Dozens of organizations in Chicago are working to address those needs. 

Father Charged with Helping Suspect in July 4 Highland Park Mass Shooting Obtain Gun License Asks Judge to Toss Case

The judge said at the hearing in Waukegan, north of Highland Park where the shooting occurred, that he would issue a ruling at the next hearing, on Aug. 28.

Cook County Commissioner, Elgin Woman Receive Successful Lung Transplants Even Though They Have Reversed Organs

All of the organs in  Dennis Deer’s chest and abdomen — including his lungs — were flip-flopped in his body, with organs that should be on the right existing on the left and vice versa.

Pritzker Signs Bills Expanding Cultural Protections for Native Americans and Mandating History Lessons

At a bill signing ceremony in Schaumburg, Pritzker highlighted three historic sites that were significant in Native American history in Illinois.

Watchdog Overseeing Abuse, Neglect Cases at State-Run Facilities Resigns for Job as Chicago Park District’s Inspector General

After serving nearly four years as the watchdog for the Illinois Department of Human Services, Peter Neumer will join the Chicago Park District as inspector general. 

Jury Selection Underway in Perjury Trial of Ex-Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes

Tim Mapes, 68, was indicted more than two years ago on a pair of charges stemming from his alleged false testimony before a 2021 grand jury about Madigan’s relationship with longtime confidant Michael McClain.

Putting 30,000 Out of Work, 99-Year-Old Yellow Trucking Company Winds Down Business

The bankruptcy filing comes more than a week after the trucking company halted operations, putting 30,000 people out of work. It warned in a lawsuit last month it was at risk of running out of the money it needed to continue to operate.

Illinois to Ban Advertising for Guns Allegedly Marketed to Kids and Militants

The prime exhibit in Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s effort is the JR-15, a smaller, lighter version of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle advertised with the tag line, “Get ‘em One Like Yours.” 

9-Year-Old Girl Among 7 People Killed in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police

According to Chicago Police Department figures, 27 people were shot in 25 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That included the young girl who was fatally shot Saturday in the 3500 block of North Long Avenue.

FDA Approves First Postpartum Depression Pill in the US

It’s estimated that each year in the U.S., more than 400,000 babies are born to mothers who are depressed. Without any treatment, postpartum depression can last for months or even years, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.