Stories by Eunice Alpasan

The plan for the “Bronzeville Lakefront” would transform approximately 100 acres that include and surround the former Michael Reese Hospital site in the Douglas neighborhood. At the center of the proposal is a new domed stadium with a capacity of 75,000 for major sporting events and concerts.

The free public toilet features a self-cleaning system that automatically initiates a washing and disinfection cycle following each use. The restroom is available for use between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Dulcey Hunter serves as the University of Chicago’s inaugural banned books postdoctoral scholar, a role that aims to highlight the importance of intellectual freedom and bring awareness to the rise in efforts to challenge or ban books in the U.S. and abroad.

From after-hour events at beloved Chicago institutions to raunchy holiday theater productions, here are some adult-focused events to get into the holiday spirit.

Five of the state’s U.S. House of Representatives seats are open this year, while incumbents are seeking reelection in the remaining 12 congressional districts.

WTTW News visited the 18th Street railyard to see the behind-the-scenes work involved in transforming Metra trains for the holiday season. This year will mark Metra’s fifth year of holiday train rides.

In Chicago, 126,320 in-person early vote ballots were cast through Thursday, a 35% increase from the same time during the 2022 general election, according to data from the Chicago Board of Elections.

A new ChicagoSpeaks survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago offers insight into Chicagoans’ financial pressures, concerns of job loss and the inability to pay bills, along with the role of federal safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid.

Early testing is a key component to preventing lead poisoning in children, according to health officials. Testing events will be held at daycares, schools, libraries, places of worship and community organizations on the South Side over the next two years.

Chicago steppin’ originated in the 1940s as a style of dancing called bopping, but evolved into steppin’ after Chatman noticed a friend breaking away from his partner and walking back toward her. Chatman then took to the mic and encouraged his friend to “step on.”

Track work is set to begin at 4 a.m. Saturday. Regular service is scheduled to resume at 4 a.m. Monday following completion of the work and required testing. Shuttle buses will operate around the affected area.

A new report examines 20 years of data to examine systemic economic barriers in North Lawndale and the role community-based reentry and work development programs can play in helping lower recidivism rates.

“It’s important to make a voting plan today,” said Chicago Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez during a Monday news conference. “Decide who you’re voting for before you get to your early voting location, and make your voices heard. Make your vote count.”

The combined health systems, if approved, would operate under the Rush name, according to an announcement. Together, the unified system would have more than 46,000 employees and serve more than 2 million patients annually, according to the hospitals.

The 16th annual Open House Chicago will be held this weekend. The lineup features more than 200 sites across more than 30 neighborhoods. Adam Rubin, senior director of public engagement at the Chicago Architecture Center, joined “Chicago Tonight” to give a preview.

“The Living Canvas” at the Bridgeport Art Center will feature 15 Chicago-area artists whose clients will model tattoos. The formal event will have a jazz band, living paintings, tattoo artist seminars, a live piercing demonstration and more.

Federal officials and addiction specialists in the Chicago area are sounding the alarm on a highly potent and addictive drug that can be found at gas stations and vape shops amid a crackdown effort by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Early voting for the November general election kicked off Thursday at two locations in downtown Chicago, with more early voting locations across the city expected to open later this month.

Gov. JB Pritzker met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and businessman Pat Ryan, who owns a stake in the Chicago Bears, on Thursday in what the governor’s office described as a “productive meeting” focused on keeping the Chicago Bears in Illinois.

The vote comes after journalists at the suburban newspaper announced efforts in August to form a union following the layoffs of a dozen staffers. The layoffs occurred less than two months after the publication was acquired by Tribune Publishing.

The new 1.5-mile dedicated bus lane will be installed on northbound Michigan Avenue between Roosevelt Road and Wacker Drive in an effort to reduce delays along the downtown corridor, the city announced Wednesday.

Vincenzo Vitelli, a physicist at the University of Chicago, and Kaiyu Guan, an environmental scientist at the University of Illinois, were among a group of 20 fellows chosen for this year’s MacArthur Fellows Program. Recipients receive a “no-strings-attached” $800,000 award.

In the fall, bridges along the Main and South branches of the Chicago River are lifted to allow boats to move into winter storage facilities. The scheduled bridge lifts start this week and run through mid-November, the Chicago Department of Transportation announced.

With the November election approaching, the Chicago Board of Elections and Cook County Clerk’s Office are looking for people to serve as poll workers on Election Day. Election judges must be a registered voter or an eligible college or high school student.

The Obama Presidential Center Museum drew more than 175,000 visitors, including visitors from 50 states and 39 countries, according to the Obama Foundation. More than 61,000 visitors were Illinois residents.

While the risk to Illinois residents remains “very low,” according to IDPH, health officials are reminding residents to make sure they are vaccinated against the disease in order to protect themselves and their loved ones.