Migrant crisis hits fever pitch here as Title 42 expires on the border. Brandon Johnson gets ready to take the oath of office Monday. And Blackhawks fans swept up in Connor Bedard mania.
Stories by alexandra silets
Week in Review: Migrant Crisis Grows; Lightfoot’s Final Days in Office
May 13, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Spotlight Politics: Lightfoot’s Final Days as Mayor; Selecting Chicago’s Next Top Cop
May 10, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is leaving office as waves of migrants arrive in the city. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Week in Review: ‘ComEd Four’ Convicted; Johnson Names New Interim Top Cop
May 5, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
All eyes on Michael Madigan as jury convicts the “ComEd Four.” Brandon Johnson names an interim police superintendent. South Shore residents tussle over migrant shelter. And Matt Mervis makes his debut for the Cubs.
Hammond Kids Have to Crawl Under Freight Trains to Get to School: ProPublica
Apr 27, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
It’s the stuff of nightmares for parents: children crawling under and over idling trains in order to get to school on the other side. Two ProPublica journalists spent months reporting on railroad safety and the kids who are risking life and limb to go to school.
Beto O’Rourke on Voting Rights, His Time as a University of Chicago Fellow
Apr 26, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
For the last three months, Beto O’Rourke has been spending time in Chicago as a University of Chicago Institute of Politics fellow.
Week in Review: Downtown Chaos; Johnson Taps Transition Team
Apr 21, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Increased security following last weekend’s downtown mayhem. The Bears get a bill boost from Springfield. And as Chicago’s next mayor taps his transition team, Lightfoot and members of City Council bid farewell to City Hall.
From Curfew Enforcement to Peacekeeper Presence, Weighing Solutions Following Unrest Downtown
Apr 18, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
In all, fifteen people were arrested in connection with the unrest, which included crowds of young people jumping on CTA buses and fighting. Now downtown residents, city leaders and community organizers are looking for solutions.
Chicago Will Get a New Police Superintendent. Here’s How the Process Works.
Apr 10, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
It’s now the job of the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability to lead a search and to nominate three police superintendent candidates for Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson to consider.
Week in Review: Brandon Johnson Wins Race for Mayor; City Council Turnover
Apr 7, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Chicago chooses Brandon Johnson for mayor. Turnover on the City Council. And former President Donald Trump battles indictment.
Week in Review: Vallas, Johnson Race Toward the Finish Line
Mar 31, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Trump indictment sets the national political world on fire. Vallas and Johnson race toward the finish line. “ComEd Four” trial peels the curtain back on the Madigan machine. And Cubs and Sox are undefeated.
Week in Review: Inside Madigan’s Inner Operations, Voting Opens in the Mayor’s Race
Mar 24, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Inside Madigan’s inner operations. Early voting opens in the mayor’s race. And so many cars on the Kennedy.
Spotlight Politics: Chicago Mayoral Candidates Make Their Case
Mar 22, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
With less than two weeks before Election Day, the candidates for Chicago mayor are still making their case to voters. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
How Social Impact Giving is Shaking Up the World of Philanthropy
Mar 18, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
When it comes to philanthropy, it’s usually universities, museums and hospitals that get major donations. But there’s a Chicago organization shaking up that paradigm.
What Will Policing, Public Safety Look Like Under Chicago’s Next Mayor?
Mar 15, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
The voters of Chicago have spoken, and the message is loud and clear: The next mayor needs new strategies to reduce crime. The two contenders for Chicago’s mayoral runoff, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson, have differing views on how to address crime and violence.
Week in Review: Barbs Fly Between Chicago Mayoral Candidates
Mar 10, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Barbs fly between the would-be mayors. Chicago police mourn one of their own. And the NASCAR race leaves a bad taste in summer festival plans.
Week in Review: Mayoral Runoff Contenders Come Out Swinging
Mar 4, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas steam ahead toward the April mayoral runoff, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot suffers historic defeat. CPD mourns the loss of one of its own. And Blackhawks fans get used to life without Patrick Kane.
Spotlight Politics: Vallas, Johnson Headed to April Runoff
Mar 1, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are now headed to an April 4 runoff election. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Week in Review: Accusations, Big Spending in Chicago Mayoral Race
Feb 24, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Mayor Lightfoot accuses Vallas of dog-whistle politics as Vallas and Johnson surge. Chicago teachers blast their union over big campaign spending. And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes his anti-woke show to Elmhurst.
Explaining What Exactly Hospice Care Means After Former President Jimmy Carter’s Announcement
Feb 20, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
What is hospice care and what does it mean that the longest-living American president is foregoing medical intervention?
Week in Review: Dark Money, Attacks in Chicago Mayoral Race
Feb 17, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Dark money flows along with the attacks in the mayor’s race. Florida Gov. DeSantis’ visit to the area draws rebuke. The Bears close on the Arlington Heights property. And Pritzker’s budget spends big on education.
Spotlight Politics: Mayoral Race Gets Pointed as Election Day Nears
Feb 15, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Things got pointed at the final Chicago mayoral candidate debate. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Week in Review: Chicago Mayoral Forums Get Tense
Feb 10, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
WTTW News probes Paul Vallas’ suburban residency as his campaign closes in on the final two weeks. Meanwhile, candidates get testy with each other and moderators at numerous debates this week. And tax breaks back on the table for the Bears.
Spotlight Politics: Reflecting on the WTTW Mayoral Forum, Where Candidates Stand Now
Feb 8, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Things got heated between the candidates at the WTTW News mayoral forum this week. Our politics team weighs in on that story.
Week in Review: Tensions Arise in Chicago Mayoral Race
Feb 3, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Gloves come off in the Chicago mayoral debate as Paul Vallas cleans up cash and endorsements. City Council puts the breaks on Mayor Lori Lightfoot's ComEd deal. Migrants arrive in Woodlawn. And the complicated legacy of Blackhawks legend Bobby Hull.
Spotlight Politics: Chicago Mayoral Race Heats Up as Election Day Nears
Feb 1, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
Tensions rose at this week's Chicago mayoral forum. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Week in Review: Chicago Mayoral Race Tightens
Jan 27, 2023 | Alexandra Silets
The footage of a Memphis traffic stop that led to Tyre Nichols’ death has been released. Lightfoot turns up the heat on her mayoral opponents. Assault weapons lawsuits come fast and furious. And remembering a beloved local radio DJ.