This Tuesday, read up on the invasive plants infesting Chicagoland’s forests, an update on Michael Madigan’s impending sentence and the local history of the gyro.  A volunteer helps remove buckthorn. (The Morton Arboretum) European buckthorn — an ornamental shrub that escaped cultivation — has earned a reputation as public enemy No. 1 for ecologists and conservationists. Like most invasives, it crowds out native plants, creating a mono-culture that offers few benefits to wildlife.

It’s Monday. Start the week off by learning more about Chicago with these stories from WTTW News.  (WTTW News) Private waste haulers were slapped with nearly 200 tickets for illegal, early-morning pickups during the first six months of a new enforcement. That’s according to records obtained by WTTW News from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, which began coordinating the crackdown through a newly created 311 complaint category in October 2024. Trash and recycling companies aren’t allowed to make pickups in Chicago between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

It’s Friday. WTTW News reports on a Chicago Police officer who was killed last night in Chatham, science and nature reporter Patty Wetli has a new column and more.  Double rainbow, June 4, 2025. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News) Patty Wetli: Earlier this week, I was walking home from the gym, complaining to my husband that life was missing a certain joie de vivre. And then bam! Nature sent me a double rainbow. Maybe you saw it Wednesday night — it was spectacular and lasted forever.

It’s Thursday. Beware that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an air pollution “action day” as smoke from Canadian wildfires makes its way into the area. Today, WTTW News reports on crime, COVID vaccines and more. Plus, scroll down for a fun fact about “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”  The Dirksen Courthouse is pictured in Chicago. (Capitol News Illinois) Federal authorities are expanding a violence prevention initiative that had previously existed solely on Chicago’s South and West sides to now include downtown and all CTA train lines.

Local MLS club the Chicago Fire want a new home — and it would be privately-funded. That and more stories this Wednesday from WTTW News.  (WTTW News) Chicago’s registry of gun offenders is “incomplete and unreliable,” a city watchdog investigation found, due to a lack of enforcement, procedural controls and inconsistent guidance.

Despite an Illinois law prohibiting data sharing agreements between state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, the Illinois State Police makes available the names and information of individuals who they deem to be gang members to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Illinois and its leaders have positioned the state as a protector of immigrants’ rights as the Trump administration has sent hundreds of migrants who are said to be gang members, often with limited evidence to support those claims, to a mega-prison in El Salvador.

It’s a new week and a new month, start strong with these stories from WTTW News.  U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi appears on "Chicago Tonight" on May 29, 2025. (WTTW News) A heated race is already unfolding to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. Since the 80-year-old senator announced his retirement last month, three Democratic candidates have launched campaigns. That includes Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and two members of congress: south suburban U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and northwest suburban U.S.

Happy Friday. End the shortened work week with these stories from WTTW News, including one on potato chips based off iconic Chicago foods.  Bird friendly pattern on glass at McCormick Place Lakeside. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)  Patty Wetli: A groundbreaking law is about to take effect in Lake County, and you probably haven’t heard much about it.  Earlier in May, the Lake County Board passed a bird-friendly building ordinance that will apply to new residential construction.

Every Thursday, WTTW News highlights the week’s must-see cultural events. This week, it’s newsletter producer Josh Terry filling in for arts correspondent Marc Vitali.  Josh Terry: With our intrepid arts reporter Marc Vitali on vacation, I have big shoes to fill for WTTW News’ weekly roundup of cultural events.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more. Wednesday, May 28:  Blue Earth Sound at Dorian’s. Free.The first show of the new jazz project by James Weir, who played in the influential Chicago indie rock band NE-HI and is a member of the synth-rock project Spun Out.  Justice Hill, Icken Grimms at Schubas.