Stories by Heather Cherone

Giannoulias, 50, who is running for a second term as secretary of state in November, will simultaneously enter the contest to be Chicago’s 58th mayor.

The Chicago Board of Education passes a nearly $10 billion budget — with a big assumption. And calls for Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch to resign over his handling of a sexual harassment case.

A newly released report shows resigned Rep. Harry Benton engaged in a “pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct” dating back to 2023 when he was first seated to the House.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed sweeping regulations Friday aimed at social media companies and cracking down on “addictive algorithms” that keep kids glued to their screens.

It remains unclear where the additional funds would come from. The $55.9 billion spending plan Pritzker signed into law in June, which relies on hundreds of millions of dollars in tax hikes to bring it into balance, leaves little wiggle room.

That missed deadline comes as CPD officials acknowledged, again, that the number of times officers used force against members of the public “continues to trend upward,” according to the report.

The Chicago Board of Education on Thursday passed an approximately $10 billion budget after hours of contentious debate, a lengthy recess, sharp questions over revenue assumptions and a last-minute amendment.

A recent report from the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice says Cook County judges often ordered accused people to be detained while awaiting trial despite, by the court’s own assessments, being at low risk of rearrest or missing court.

Designed to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.

Until recently, these state programs were split across three state agencies and the governor’s office. But since July 1, they’ve all been brought under the umbrella of the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). 

Chicago Board of Education members weigh a budget vote. And what’s behind dozens of fires at a suburban prison facility.

The $70 million program can support up to 175,000 Illinoisans who lost or received reduced SNAP benefits due to changes in eligibility. No paperwork or application is required; the one-time benefits are issued automatically.

Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.

Chicago taxpayers have already paid $3.4 million to defend the lawsuit that accuses the CPD of making more than 1.5 million traffic stops between 2016 and 2023 based on dubious evidence of minor violations that took direct aim at Black and Latino Chicagoans but spared White Chicagoans, records show.

Chicago Public Schools leader Macquline King on Thursday's anticipated budget vote. And mayoral candidate Lisa Nee joins us to talk about her campaign as ballot petitions begin.

Chicago’s race for mayor is officially underway as candidates begin collecting signatures this week for a spot on February’s ballot. Former cardiologist Lisa Nee is making the case for her spot through a campaign focused on affordability, safety and fiscal responsibility.

CPS CEO Macquline King joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her revised budget and why she thinks board members should pass it. 

Chicago has a rat problem and it isn't likely to improve if the city doesn't come up with a new playbook, according to a just-released analysis by the city's watchdog.

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer dozens of questions from senators in a Republican-led committee hearing about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gun policy group the Brady Campaign has urged elected officials to use their procurement power to force gun companies to change how they do business, since cities and states spend millions of dollars to equip police officers.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

“By administratively closing hundreds of cases COPA may have alleviated its own burden, but it also created a vacuum of accountability within the police oversight system it is mandated to uphold,” according to the analysis released by the Office of the Inspector General.

While Mayor Brandon Johnson has yet to announce if he’s running for a second term, he still has the backing of one of his most prominent supporters.

With a Thursday vote looming on the next Chicago Public Schools budget, a revised proposal from the district looks to avoid furloughs to close its $732 million deficit, but still leaves 1,601 layoffs on the table — including 759 teachers.

Cleanup is underway after damaging storms hit the Chicago area. And a contentious budget battle at Chicago Public Schools. The head of the Chicago Teachers Union joins us.

The 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods, including electrical equipment and machinery, are among the steepest tariffs his administration has levied against any country.