Former Ald. Ed Burke paid two law firms, Blegen & Garvey and Breen & Pugh, approximately $769,000 per month after his conviction, according to state records.
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Suburbs Slow to Apply for Migrant Aid From $20M Cook County Fund
The deadline for applications is Friday. And while there are more than 100 suburbs in the county that are eligible, only two have applied, including Oak Park and Ford Heights.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, April 18, 2024 - Full Show
Cook County suburbs have until tomorrow to apply for funds set aside for migrant assistance. Exploring the health impacts of food deserts. And why repairing Chicago sidewalks may not be as straightforward as you think.
As Illinois Launches ‘New Stores in Food Deserts’ Grant Program, Local Groups Work to Fill the Gaps
A city report found 29% of Latinos in Chicago are experiencing food insecurity. Not only do families struggle to access enough food, but finding nutritious foods to stay healthy can also be more difficult.
Illinois Senate Advances Bill to Ban Food Additives Linked to Health Problems
The Illinois Food Safety Act passed on a 37-15 bipartisan vote and will head to the state House for consideration. The banned chemicals are used in a wide variety of food products.
Afghan Evacuees’ Resettlement in Chicago Offers Lessons for Caring for Future Humanitarian Arrivals: Report
After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, an initial 80,000 Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. in 2021 following America’s botched withdrawal from the country. More than 2,300 Afghan evacuees have since resettled in Illinois, according the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Howard Brown Health, Union Workers Reach Tentative Contract Agreement After 1.5 Years of Negotiations
It comes after about 1.5 years of negotiations, two strikes, a ruling from the National Labor Relations Board that found merit in charges of unfair labor practices, and the layoffs of 61 unionized workers — some of whom were subsequently brought back on due to an NLRB recommendation.
Wayfair to Open First Physical Furniture Store in Wilmette
The large-format store, clocking in at 150,000 square feet and located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Illinois, will open to shoppers on May 23. It will also feature an onsite restaurant called “The Porch,” the company said, taking a page out of Ikea’s store setup.
Education Leaders Seek Added State Funding to Help Accommodate Influx of Migrant Students in Illinois
The recent surge of migrants arriving in Illinois has brought with it a host of new challenges for state and local officials. Advocates say the state has not done enough to address educating the children of those coming across the border.
Highland Park to Resume Fourth of July Parade This Summer, 2 Years After Mass Shooting
The city of Highland Park is planning to resume its annual Fourth of July parade — two years after a gunman opened fire on attendees, killing seven and wounding dozens more.
Need a Notary? Now You Can Get One Online as Illinois Launches New E-Notary Service
Important documents — the volumes of paperwork that go along with buying or selling a home, for example, or granting the power of attorney — require notarization. Under a new initiative announced Wednesday by Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the entire process can now be done remotely.
Justice Department Ramps up Efforts to Reduce Violent Crime With Gun Intel Center, Carjacking Forces
The Justice Department is ramping up its efforts to reduce violent crime in the U.S., launching a specialized gun intelligence center in Chicago and expanding task forces to curb carjackings.
Look Who's Coming to the DNC: Stephen Colbert Bringing Live 'Late Show' Broadcasts to Chicago
Stephen Colbert, host of CBS's "Late Show," announced Wednesday night he'll be broadcasting live from Chicago during the convention, Aug. 19-22.
Who Decides Which Chicago Sidewalks Get Repaired? Patchwork of Programs Creates Geographical Disparities, Rewards Most Complaints
Bad sidewalks can be found all across Chicago, but the slow pace in getting them repaired is tied to a lack of funding and the city’s complaint-based approach to maintenance, experts say. While a shared cost program has improved some areas, it has also caused disparities.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, April 17, 2024 - Full Show
The history of housing segregation. The latest from today’s Chicago City Council meeting. And a new book on the unraveling of America’s suburbs.
New Book ‘Disillusioned’ Explores Racial Inequity, Tension in American Suburbs
Author Benjamin Herold shares the story of five families, including the Adesina family in Evanston, in “Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America’s Suburbs.”
‘Shame of Chicago, Shame of the Nation’ Delves Into Chicago’s History of Segregated Housing
The new docuseries uses firsthand accounts, archival footage and animation to better explain complex practices like redlining and blockbusting, and how Black families were systemically barred from homeownership.
Votes Delayed on Plan to Spend $70M More to Care for Migrants, Proposal to Borrow $1.25B
Both proposals could get a vote at the next Chicago City Council meeting, set for Friday.
Solar Investments Take Center Stage as Questions Loom on Illinois’ Renewable Future
Even as solar projects have boomed in Illinois in recent years, the head of the state agency responsible for approving renewable projects said changes to state law may be necessary to phase out fossil fuels by 2050.
Advocates Renew Push to Tighten Gun Laws Aimed at Protecting Domestic Violence Victims
“These policies support those communities most impacted by the gun violence crisis,” Yolanda Androzzo, One Aim Illinois program director, said at a rally. “It’s an opportunity to ensure protection and justice for survivors of gun violence.”
Advocates Say Chicago’s New Sustainable Development Guidelines Fail to Protect Birds: ‘That’s Shameful’
Spring migration is still weeks away from reaching its peak in Chicago and already the tiny body bags are piling up, filled with birds killed in collisions with the city’s glass buildings.
WTTW News Explains: Why Will There Be So Many Cicadas in Illinois This Year?
In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are coming, and things are about to get loud. WTTW News explains.
CPS Board Officials Express ‘Grave Concerns’ About Selective Enrollment Bill in Springfield
The measure would put a moratorium on the closure of selective enrollment schools and prevent CPS from altering its standards for admission to those schools until 2027 when a fully elected school board in Chicago is in place.
Ethics Board Urges Chicago City Council to Tighten Rules That Would Allow Enforcement of a Ban on Lobbyists Giving Campaign Cash to Mayors
The recommendation followed the unanimous decision on Monday by the Chicago Board of Ethics to dismiss an enforcement action against a City Hall lobbyist who donated to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign fund.
Ford Recalling More Than 450,000 SUVs and Trucks Due to Potential Loss of Drive Power
The models affected include Ford Bronco Sport SUVs made between 2021 to 2024 and the Ford Maverick pickups made between 2022 to 2023, specifically totaling 456,565 units.
Harmful Counterfeit Botox Has Been Found in Illinois and Several Other States. Here’s What Consumers Need to Know
Some serious symptoms – including blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting one’s head and even hospitalizations – have been linked to the use of counterfeit Botox, the FDA said on Tuesday. As of Friday, a total of 19 women from nine states reported “harmful reactions.”
