GOP gubernatorial candidate and Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin has carefully attempted to veer away from any conversation about controversial former President Donald Trump. But text messages written by Irvin in 2018 appear to show he has very strong feelings about Trump, and they are not positive.
Stories by Paris Schutz
Illinois House Speaker Gets Fellow Lawmakers to Donate More Than $200K to Wife’s Judicial Campaign
Much of judicial candidate ShawnTe Raines-Welch’s campaign cash comes thanks to the largesse of Democratic elected officials who work under the political leadership of her husband, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.
Richard Irvin’s Ex-Wife Hired by Development Firm Receiving Millions in Aurora City Incentives
Web of Politically-Connected Companies Involved in $128M Hospital Redevelopment
The ex-wife of Aurora Mayor and GOP gubernatorial candidate Richard Irvin works with a development team that stands to receive up to $15 million in Aurora city incentives, with the potential for millions more to redevelop the former Copley Hospital site.
Developers That Donated to Gubernatorial Candidate Richard Irvin’s Mayoral Campaign Received Tens of Millions in Aurora Incentives
A WTTW News review of public records has also found that Aurora taxpayers are on the hook for tens of millions in tax incentives to two other development companies that have donated thousands to Richard Irvin and political funds connected to him.
Aurora Company that Donated Big to Richard Irvin’s Mayoral Campaign Received Millions in City Contracts
A review of state campaign filings and Aurora public records shows that a company that donated more than $135,000 to political funds connected to Richard Irvin also received millions in city contracts. That same company was also the beneficiary of legislation pushed by Irvin that could prove lucrative.
From Spit Tube to Results: Inside the Massive COVID-19 SHIELD Testing Operation
The unique saliva test was developed by University of Illinois scientists and SHIELD officials say it has become an essential tool in halting the spread of COVID-19.
Area College Providing Scholarships to Afghan Refugees: ‘It Was Kind of My Dream’
Northeastern Illinois University has provided 17 Afghan refugees with one-year scholarships to study at the school.
Aurora Mayor Plans to Enter Republican Race for Governor on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sources Say
Multiple sources tell WTTW News that Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin is currently planning to announce his candidacy for governor on Jan. 17, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Guaranteed Income Program Might Take Months to Roll Out
In October, the Chicago City Council approved a $31.5 million plan to send checks to the city’s families most in need, promising immediate assistance. But no assistance has gone out yet.
Chicago Immigration Groups Scramble to Resettle Afghan Refugees
The White House says more than 116,000 people have so far been evacuated, but not everyone has been able to escape. Hundreds of Afghan refugees could settle in the Chicago area, and local immigrant groups are working around the clock to try and make that happen.
City Extends Deadline for Chicago Casino Submissions
The process to get a Chicago casino is taking longer than originally anticipated. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Friday the city would extend the deadline for interested parties to submit proposals to build and operate the casino.
Chicago Residents Fed Up with Noisy Caravans of Motorcycles
Residents in and around downtown neighborhoods describe a noisy problem that has been festering for a year, and one that seemed to hit a fever pitch during Lollapalooza. But are law enforcement officials listening?
Governor Pritzker Pitches Free College, Expanded Child Care in Reelection Push
The governor launched his reelection campaign Monday, touting his leadership of the state through the COVID-19 pandemic. But Republican opponents used the occasion to bash what they have called a “disastrous” tenure.
Asian Carp to Undergo Name Change
At the end of June, Illinoisans will no longer hear the words “Asian carp.” After several years and hundreds upon hundreds of millions spent trying to keep them from the Great Lakes, how can that possibly be? We explain.
Spotlight Politics: Madigan’s Former Chief of Staff Indicted
Tim Mapes, a longtime confidant to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was federally indicted Wednesday on charges he obstructed justice and lied to a grand jury. Our Spotlight Politics team weighs in on that story and more in this week’s roundtable.
Vaccine Hesitancy Driven for Some by Fear of Allergic Reactions
Demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is dropping, but there is still a large population that’s hesitant to get the shot. Some of that hesitancy is steeped in politics or misinformation, but others fear an allergic reaction. We meet one Chicagoan who says she has good reason to hold out.
Philanthropic Groups Step Up in Last-Minute Tribune Talks
The clock is nearing midnight for the Chicago Tribune and efforts to prevent a takeover from controversial hedge fund Alden Global Capital. WTTW News has learned there are still active talks behind the scenes to come up with a bid that could derail Alden’s plan.
Will Chicago Workers Go Back to the Office in a Post-Pandemic World?
While some people may have gotten used to the comforts of working from home, others may be itching to get out. The stakes for the city couldn’t be higher, especially for the owners and managers of the massive pieces of real estate in the city’s central business district that are still sitting mostly vacant.
Embattled Loretto Hospital Executive Resigns Amid Vaccine Scandal
Dr. Anosh Ahmed, COO and CFO of Loretto Hospital, was at the center of multiple controversies over alleged improper vaccination events, after Block Club Chicago first reported on vaccines administered at Trump Tower Chicago to the building’s employees.
Complaints About Vaccine ‘VIP’ Lines at Loretto Go Back Months
A union representative who works with Loretto Hospital staff says members have complained about so-called VIP lists of vaccine recipients since the vaccine rollout began in January.
Loretto Employee Alleges Vaccine ‘VIP’ Line at Hospital
A Loretto Hospital emergency room technician who appeared Tuesday on “Chicago Tonight” said he witnessed what he calls “VIP” lines of patients coming in to be vaccinated at the West Side hospital.
Inside Advocate Aurora Health, Reflections on an Unprecedented Year
This time last year, hospitals were bracing for the unknown as COVID-19 accelerated its spread across the U.S. We got an exclusive look inside Illinois’ largest private health system as hospital professionals reflect on a year unlike any other.
This Legislation Could End Illinois’ Payday Loan Industry
Legislation awaiting the governor’s signature could shut down the payday lending industry in Illinois, but payday proponents say that could lead to a host of bigger problems.
Violent Conflict in Myanmar Reverberates in Chicago’s Refugee Community
Rohingya have fled persecution and genocide and sought refuge on Chicago’s North Side. But now, military conflict back home is causing new fears.
Aldermen, Mayor at Odds Over Phone Calls in Police Custody
When a suspect is taken into police custody, they are supposed to have the right to a phone call, but data from the Cook County Public Defender’s office shows that isn’t always the case. A new proposal aims to tackle the problem.
Illinois Shipment of Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine to Come From Wisconsin
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines are expected to ship to Illinois and the rest of the country as soon as this weekend, with much of that shipment being stored in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
