The Chicago White Sox may have won five of their last six games, but it was all too little, too late. The 2024 White Sox officially set a new record for Major League Baseball futility Friday in their 4-1 loss to Detroit, which became their 121st loss of the season.
Stories by Paul Caine
Week in Review: CPS Chief Refuses to Resign; Poll Shows Chicagoans Wary of New Taxes
A new front in the battle for control of Chicago Public Schools. And the high stakes of corruption in City Hall.
Week in Review: Trump and Harris Face Off in Presidential Debate; Chicago Announces Hiring Freeze
Millions watched Harris and Trump face off in the presidential debate — but will it move the needle? And efforts to curb a looming Chicago budget deficit.
Week in Review: Mass Shootings Put Focus on Gun Laws Ahead of Presidential Debate
Safety and the prospect of guns for self-defense on the CTA. Chicago’s deal with a grocer that’s saddled with debt. And the latest in the presidential race.
Excitement Brewing at Soldier Field as Bears Fans Anticipate Caleb Williams’ NFL Debut
For football fans, the wait is nearly over. The NFL regular season is set to kick off this week. And after a disappointing last few seasons — arguably decades — there’s excitement brewing once again at Soldier Field.
Week in Review: City Projects Near $1B Budget Shortfall for 2025; CPS Students Return to School
The school year starts, and already CPS leaders are buried in homework. Work begins on Chicago’s permanent casino. And the city stares down a nearly billion-dollar deficit.
Week in Review: Harris Accepts Historic Nomination; Kinzinger Torches Trump
Kamala Harris makes history as she becomes the Democratic nominee for president. Meanwhile, former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger torches Donald Trump.
Week in Review: Thousands Converge on Chicago for DNC; Riot Fest Staying at Douglass Park
Final touches at the United Center before next week’s Democratic National Convention. And reports that Mayor Johnson is trying to oust the leader of Chicago Public Schools days before classes start.
Black Businesses Hoping to Get a Boost From the DNC
Next week’s Democratic National Convention is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Chicago. Looking to get a slice of the economic action, as well as network with folks from across the country, are many Black business owners.
Week in Review: Democrats Unite Behind Kamala Harris; Outrage Over the Killing of Sonya Massey
As Democrats rally behind a new candidate for president, could Illinois’ governor be on the ticket? And Chicago Public Schools budget math.
Week in Review: RNC Projects Unity as Trump Accepts Nomination; Pressure Grows on Biden to Exit the Race
On the heels of the RNC, Republicans are revved up about Donald Trump’s chances in November. Meanwhile, more Illinois leaders call for Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate.
Proposed Ordinance Aims to Preserve Affordable Housing, Stem Displacement on Chicago’s Northwest Side
The ordinance would expand a pilot program around the area of the 606 Trail that has successfully helped stabilize that neighborhood after it began to experience rapid gentrification.
Bronzeville Renaissance Mural Depicts Community’s Innovative Past and a Hopeful Future
The mural was created by two Chicago artists — Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes and Shawn Michael Warren — with help from high school students. It helps conceal a ComEd battery storage facility that is part of the Bronzeville Community Microgrid.
Week in Review: Biden Campaign Tries Damage Control; Chicago’s Pension Debt Tops $37B
Biden says he’s not going anywhere amid calls for him to step aside. The Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity. And hearings are set for plans to merge the CTA, Metra and Pace.
Bronzeville Community Microgrid Charts a Path to a Green Energy Future
In Chicago’s historic Bronzeville community, a project that could ultimately lead to the transformation of our energy infrastructure is quietly taking shape. It’s a collaboration between the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Chicago Housing Authority and ComEd.
Week in Review: Biden’s Debate Performance Alarms Democrats; Concerns Over CPD’s Mass Arrest Policy at DNC
President Joe Biden tries to shore up support after a shaky debate. CPD’s mass arrest policy for DNC protests raises alarms. And former Ald. Ed Burke is sentenced to just two years on corruption charges.
Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates on Contract Negotiations: ‘We Have to Set a Benchmark’
CTU President Stacy Davis Gates spoke with WTTW News about the ongoing contract negotiations.
Week in Review: Illinois GOP Chair Quits, Mayor Creates Chicago Reparations Task Force
Mayor Brandon Johnson creates a task force to get the ball rolling on reparations. President Joe Biden moves to protect “dreamers” and long-time undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. And Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy quits.
Week in Review: $50M Police Misconduct Case; Massive Data Breach at Cook County Health
Migrants with schoolchildren losing shelter. Massive data breach at Cook County Health. And Chicago pays its largest-ever police misconduct settlement.
PETA Founder Protests Pork Industry Practices, Reflects on History of Activism
For more than 40 years, PETA has worked to change the way many people think about animals. Attention-grabbing media campaigns have raised the public’s awareness of practices like factory farming, fur production and animal testing — while also drawing backlash at times for the group’s tactics.
Week in Review: Biden Takes Executive Action at the Border; Chicago Police Prep for the DNC
Chicago police learn new tactics to handle mass protests ahead of the DNC. And could the president’s new border policy mitigate migrants coming to the city?
Kim Foxx Floats Changes to How Her Office Prosecutes Crime, Drug Cases Tied to Traffic Stops
Under a new proposal from Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, prosecutors would not file drug, gun and theft charges stemming from an initial traffic stop where there was no other probable cause to make the stop.
Local School Council Members React to CPS Funding Changes
Chicago’s school funding model is changing. Instead of basing school funding on student enrollment as the district has done for the past decade, Chicago Public Schools is now taking a needs-based approach.
Week in Review: Brandon Johnson’s First Year; Embattled CTA Chief Facing Calls to Quit
One year into Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. Campus encampment cleared at DePaul. And will Springfield help Chicago Public Schools close its deficit?
Superstar Soprano Renée Fleming’s New Book Aims to Highlight the Healing Power of Music
World-renowned soprano Renée Fleming has a new book called “Music and Mind” – a collection of essays curated and edited by the operatic superstar exploring the healing power of music and the arts, and what modern science is uncovering about that connection.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Says District Underfunded, Needs More Money From State
CPS is anticipating a budget deficit of $391 million for the coming school year as COVID-19 relief funding runs out. That deficit is expected to rise to $700 million the following year.
