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.

It's Tuesday and we're back to work after a long holiday weekend. Catch up with these local stories from WTTW News  Leighton Criminal Court Building (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) Abdul “Malik” Muhammad sat in Menard Correctional Center in disbelief. It was 2006 and he was facing nearly 50 years in prison for a murder he alleges he didn’t commit. Muhammad said he was in Washington state — not Chicago — at the time of the shooting. But his trial lawyer requested incorrect flight records from the airline to place him there.

WTTW News remembers those who served today. In this newsletter, we have stories on local vets and more. If you’re spending this Memorial Day relaxing and dreaming of the summer that awaits, check our Summer Festival Guide below to better explore the city and everything it has to offer. National Memorial Day Concert 2025 (PBS)  America's national night of remembrance live from the West Lawn of the U.S.

(gorodenkoff / iStock) Patty Wetli: One of the big news stories earlier this week was the Chicago Sun-Times’ publication of a syndicated insert that contained content generated by artificial intelligence. Fake content, as it turned out, with AI compiling a summer reading list full of books that don’t exist. I imagine the incident sparked some interesting conversations in newsrooms across the country, but really, everyone needs to be taking a hard look at their use of generative AI. I’ve written about this before, but honestly, I don’t think it’s an issue we’re examining closely enough.

Good news, Chicago: The city’s beaches open Friday and pool season is less than a month away. Plus, a busy City Council day and more stories from WTTW News. Chicago City Hall. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) Seventeen members of the Chicago City Council joined together in an unprecedented show of force yesterday to block a vote on a measure to allow Chicago Police Department officials to preemptively impose a curfew anywhere in the city and begin enforcing it with just 30 minutes notice in an effort to stop large teen gatherings.

Have at least $200,000 lying around? You can buy one of these historic items from the Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s Abraham Lincoln auction. Plus, more stories from WTTW News.  A pair of stained leather gloves carried by Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre the night of his assassination on April 14, 1865, will be up for auction. It is estimated at $800,000 to $1.2 million.