We have a bit of a flu theme today, with updates on avian flu in area wildlife and rising numbers of respiratory illnesses among local residents. Here’s what else you need to know this Wednesday morning.  A dead merganser, seen on the Chicago lakefront, Feb. 1, 2025. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News) Michele DiBernardo has started carrying garbage bags and rubber gloves in her coat pockets during her morning walks along the Chicago lakefront just in case she comes across more dead birds.

Thanks for watching “The State of Our City” community event last night. Here’s a recap of the town hall conversation with Mayor Brandon Johnson and more stories from WTTW News.  Brandon Johnson (left) speaks at a WTTW town hall event on Feb. 3, 2025.

Good morning, Chicago. Today at 5:30 p.m., WTTW and community nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City are presenting "The State of Our City: A WTTW News Town Hall." A live audience will have the chance to ask questions of Mayor Brandon Johnson and other community stakeholders. Watch live on television or our website.  A file photo of prison cells. (txking / iStock) Dré Patterson recalls his cellmate smoking “openly, back to back, for hours on end,” with smoke encircling his head.

Happy Friday. On Monday, Feb. 3, at 5:30 p.m. WTTW and community nonprofit My Block, My Hood, My City are presenting "The State of Our City: A WTTW News Town Hall." A live studio audience will have the chance to ask questions of Mayor Brandon Johnson and other community stakeholders. Attend in person or watch live on television or our website. 

WTTW News takes you deeper into the stories that matter most in Chicago and beyond. Here's what we have for you today.  Michael Madigan is depicted in court on Jan. 7, 2025. (Illustration by Cheryl Cook) After months of testimony and arguments, a 12-person jury began deliberations Wednesday in the landmark corruption trial of powerful former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and his longtime right-hand man Michael McClain. Here's a rundown of what you need to know about the case. What Are the Charges?

It’s been a very busy news week already. Get caught up with these stories from WTTW News.  Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul speaks at a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025. (WTTW News) Illinois is wasting little time in joining with other states in asking the courts to immediately block President Donald Trump’s sudden pause of federal funding.

Today’s stories on local politics, arts and nature. Straight to your inbox from WTTW News. Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) on the floor of the Chicago City Council. (WTTW News) Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward), facing a number of lawsuits and investigations, spent $122,028 in campaign cash to pay five law firms in 2023 and 2024, according to records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.

WTTW News hopes you had a good, cozy and relaxing weekend. Start the week off on the right foot by staying ahead of the news. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan exits the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Oct. 31, 2024.

It’s Friday, thanks for sticking with WTTW News during what was a news-packed week. (IR_Stone / iStock) Patty Wetli: Sorry to be a buzzkill heading into the weekend. But this week, a report came across my desk that helped me understand the cost of technology in a way that hadn’t computed with me before (pardon the pun). So I thought I’d share the existential dread with all of you.

It’s almost Friday, which means it can only be Thursday. Get ready for the rest of the week with these stories from WTTW News.