Chicago City Council votes to end tipped minimum wage. The escalating migrant crisis exposes a city divided on what to do. And Northwestern’s fired head football coach sues his former employer.
Stories by Alexandra Silets
WTTW News Explains: How Do Chicago’s Lake Michigan Water Cribs Work?
Meet Ellis Chesbrough, Chicago’s first city engineer and designer of the water delivery system we still use today. WTTW News Explains how water cribs work out on Lake Michigan.
A Proposed Ordinance Would Hike Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers in Chicago. Here’s What to Know
Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) is sponsoring a Chicago ordinance that would eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. The proposal has the backing of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Four and Out with 1985 Super Bowl Bear Emery Moorehead Ahead of Chicago Bears Season Opener
The Chicago Bears kick off the season Sunday by taking on the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Former Bears tight end Emery Moorehead, a member of the 1985 Super Bowl championship team, joined “Chicago Tonight” to preview the season.
What’s Next for Northwestern University’s Proposed Ryan Field Development Plans
To fully fund renovations without direct taxpayer subsidies, Northwestern University said it needs revenue from at least six concerts. Many Evanston neighbors, however, are pushing back on that proposal. The issue is so divisive that a City Council meeting this week is expected to last several days.
Illinois Republicans Call for Stronger Ethics Reforms Following Conviction of Madigan’s Ex-Chief of Staff
In May, four of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s allies were found guilty on all charges of conspiring to bribe the former speaker to shepherd and pass ComEd’s legislative agenda. Madigan’s former chief of staff, Tim Mapes, was convicted last week of lying to federal prosecutors to protect “the boss.”
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on Reaching Migrant Students, Planning for Extreme Weather
Chicago Public Schools’ first day of school saw a wave of new Spanish-speaking students who arrived in Chicago after seeking asylum in the United States. Those migrant students are dealing with both trauma and language barriers.
Week in Review: Johnson Makes Big Moves; Mapes Trial Continues
Larry Snelling gets Mayor Johnson’s nod to lead the Chicago Police Department. Illinois Democrats and Republicans call each other out at the state fair. And the playoff-contending Cubs walk all over the bottom-feeding Sox.
Week in Review: State Gun Ban Decision; Top Madigan Aide on Trial
Mayor Brandon Johnson set to select a new police chief. Nobody gets in to see the wizard, according to a federally charged top Madigan aide. State Supreme Court rules on assault weapons. And the sinking Sox.
Illinois Lawmakers Look to Address Domestic Violence Rise With Laws to Help Survivors
The Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline reported a 9% uptick in contacts received between 2020 and 2021, according to The Network for Advocating Against Domestic Violence 2021 annual report. With those grim statistics, Illinois lawmakers hope updates to domestic violence laws will help survivors of abuse.
Week in Review: Donald Trump Arraignment; Northwestern Hazing Scandal
Trump arraigned on four felony counts tied to Jan. 6. Mayor Johnson defends police response to teenage troublemakers last weekend. Northwestern hires the former U.S. attorney general. And Cubs bat the team into playoff contention.
Week in Review: Rocky Wirtz’s Legacy; Northwestern Lawsuits Pile Up
Chicago mourns the loss of Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz. Northwestern hit with more lawsuits. The city strikes peace with labor unions ahead of the 2024 DNC. And Mayor Johnson meets again with the Bears.
Week in Review: Northwestern Hazing Lawsuits; Eliminating Cash Bail in Illinois
Northwestern players speak out as lawsuits multiply against the beleaguered athletics program. State prosecutors get ready to eliminate cash bail as state Supreme Court upholds law. Chicago City Council addresses snowy winter sidewalks. And remembering Tony Bennett.
New Leader of Rainbow PUSH Coalition Aims to Stand on the Shoulders of Rev. Jesse Jackson
The new president and CEO of Rainbow PUSH Coalition says he’s learned so much from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. that he’s basically a graduate of University of Jesse Jackson Sr. The Rev. Frederick Haynes III is only sort of kidding.
How This Chicago Program is Helping Girls With PTSD, Anxiety and Depression
Teen girls are in crisis. Research found nearly 40% of girls studied in Chicago high schools are experiencing signs of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as anxiety and depression from exposure to violence.
Week in Review: Police Abuse Allegations; NASCAR’s Future in Chicago
Allegations of sexual misconduct by Chicago police against migrants housed at a West Side station. The future of NASCAR in Chicago. And Mayor Brandon Johnson’s blueprint for the city’s future.
Week in Review: NASCAR Chicago Street Race; Supreme Court Rulings
Chicago buckles down for this weekend’s NASCAR race. City residents choke down the world’s worst air quality. The president visits Chicago amid a major week of Supreme Court rulings. And Connor Bedard becomes a Hawk.
Advocates, Lawmaker Push to Send Money from Big Music Festivals Back to Impacted Chicago Neighborhoods
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, says since profits from events go to the Chicago Park District’s general operations fund, the financial gains from Riot Fest don’t help his constituents directly. He has proposed a 2% community benefits tax.
Week in Review: Trump’s Historic Arraignment; Mapping Out the NASCAR Chicago Street Race
Trump arraigned on historic 37-count federal indictment, and turns it into a political fundraising opportunity. City Council grills NASCAR officials as street closures pile up. And another bombshell political corruption conviction.
As Electric Vehicles Drop AM Radio, Broadcasters and Advocates Are Pushing Back
Most of the car companies manufacturing electric vehicles, a quickly growing market, have dropped AM radio from new vehicles. Because more than 40% of all radio listening is done in cars, there has been major pushback to the growing lack of AM access.
Illinois Commission Aims to Research Reparations, Educate Public About the Issue
The state of Illinois’ reparations commission, known as the African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission, is hard at work on a daunting mission.
Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Investigation Into Child Sexual Abuse Among Catholic Clergy
More than 450 Catholic clerics and religious brothers abused nearly 2,000 children across six Illinois dioceses, according to a multi-year investigation from the state’s attorney general’s office, a total significantly higher than what the church itself had reported previously.
Week in Review: Debate Over Migrant Aid; Debt Ceiling Compromise
The Bears look beyond Chicago and Arlington Heights. Emotions run high over aid for asylum seekers. And back from the brink on a debt ceiling.
Spotlight Politics: Heated City Council Meeting; Memorial Day Weekend Violence
Tempers and emotions flared at Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting over the vote to use $51 million for migrants who are struggling to find shelter and food in the city.
Sen. Dick Durbin on Supreme Court Ethics Reform, Reaching a Debt Ceiling Deal
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin joined “Chicago Tonight” to talk about ethics reforms at the high court, the growing migrant crisis and the possibility that the federal government could default on the national debt.
Week in Review: Johnson’s First Week in Office; Springfield Budget Talks
Mayor Brandon Johnson off and running on his first week as Chicago’s 57th mayor. Lawmakers keep state budget specifics close to the vest. And a new bill to assist the Bears in Arlington Heights gets momentum.
