Stories by Alex Ruppenthal
Gov. Pritzker Signs Pact Committing Illinois to Paris Climate Goals
The move by Illinois’ new governor marks a sharp departure from his predecessor, former Gov. Bruce Rauner, who made little to no mention of the state’s role in curbing carbon emissions that most scientists agree contribute to global warming.
Surfers on Lake Michigan Battle High Waves, Heavy Winds
Cold and snow sends many of us indoors this time of year, but some adventurous souls welcome nasty weather so they can hit the waves.
In ‘The Realistic Joneses,’ 2 Couples Try Desperately to Connect
In a joint production by Shattered Globe Theatre and Theater Wit, director Jeremy Wechsler and his cast have tapped into the deftly conjured, fragmented, offbeat rhythms of Will Eno’s characters with impressive skill.
Survey: 10 Percent of Chicago Parents Refuse Flu Vaccine for Kids
The flu can keep kids out of school and parents out of work. So why do some parents chose not to get their children vaccinated against it? A new citywide survey offers some insight.
Report: Ald. Danny Solis Secretly Recorded Ald. Ed Burke
The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that 25th Ward Ald. Danny Solis secretly recorded Ald. Ed Burke on multiple occasions to assist an FBI investigation.
Chicago Mayor’s Race Set at 14 Candidates
The field of candidates running for Chicago mayor is narrowed again. A look at who’s out and who’s in for the Feb. 26 election.
Federal Courts in Chicago in Triage Mode as Shutdown Trudges On
The chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois speaks out on the effect the shutdown is having on the federal courts.
Photographer Dawoud Bey Reimagines Journey on Underground Railroad
In a 1967 speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said the Underground Railroad “symbolized hope when freedom was almost an impossible dream.” Chicago photographer Dawoud Bey talks about his new exhibition, “Night Coming Tenderly, Black.”
What You Should Know About the 2020 Census
The next U.S. census will take place April 1, 2020. How the data is collected, what it’s used for and the latest on the controversial citizenship question.
Senate to Vote Thursday on Dueling Bills to End Government Shutdown
Yamiche Alcindor of the “PBS NewsHour” brings us the latest on the longest partial federal government shutdown in U.S. history, now in its second month.
‘Let the People See’ Dives Deep into Murder of Emmett Till
A new book takes a close look at the murder of Emmett Till, and suggests that our memories of the horrific crime can sometimes deceive us.
Authors Look to Other Cities to Chart a ‘New Chicago Way’
The challenges facing Chicago are problems with clear solutions. So argue the authors of a new book that charts a path for government reforms in the city.
Judge Limits Access to R. Kelly’s Chicago Recording Studio
The ruling comes a week after Chicago building inspectors found code violations at the R&B star’s recording studio on the city’s Near West Side during a court-ordered inspection.
Kari Steele Elected as New President at MWRD
New MWRD President Kari Steele is the only chemist on the organization’s nine-member board. She was re-elected in November to a second term as commissioner.
WWCI Names George Preston WFMT Vice President, General Manager
George Preston will take over as vice president and general manager of WFMT starting March 1. WWCI President and CEO Sandra Cordova Micek says Preston is “uniquely qualified” for the position.
Police Seek Man Suspected in Fatal Shooting at Orland Park Mall
Orland Park Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old parolee Jakharr Williams of University Park. The department said that Williams, who fled after the shooting and has not been arrested, should be considered armed and dangerous.
Puppet Theater Festival Explodes the Boundaries of Classic Art Form
A sampling of a trio of shows conveyed a strong sense that puppets have the power to take on the most vivid existences, even as their human puppeteers project powerful profiles of their own.
Federal Employees in Chicago Turn to Food Pantries for Help
A growing number of federal workers in Chicago are turning to food pantries as the government shutdown enters its second month.
A Closer Look at O’Hare Expansion Proposals
Making sense of the proposals in the O’Hare design competition with the Chicago Tribune’s architecture critic Blair Kamin.
WTTW Launches Voters’ Guide to the Chicago Election
Early voting is scheduled to being next week for Chicago’s municipal election on Feb. 26. If you haven’t done your homework yet, fear not: our 2019 Chicago Voters’ Guide is now available.
Activists, Local Business Leaders Push Back Against Lincoln Yards
A master plan for the $6 billion Lincoln Yards development is released. The developer says it has taken community concerns to heart, but critics say the plan is being pushed too fast.
Van Dyke Sentence a Complicated ‘Victory’ for McDonald Family
The sentencing of Jason Van Dyke raises questions about criminal justice and police reform in Chicago and beyond. The Rev. Marvin Hunter, Laquan McDonald’s great-uncle, weighs in.
Laquan McDonald and the Future of Police Reform in Chicago
In the wake of two historic cases, a discussion with two central figures in the story of the 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald: journalist Jamie Kalven and former police union president Dean Angelo.
Shark Remains Discovered in Rock That Contained Sue the T. Rex
Tiny fossilized teeth found in sediment that surrounded Sue the T. Rex have led to the classification of a new shark species.
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2026 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
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Earthquake Reported on Chicago’s North Shore, USGS Says Magnitude 2.9
Bipartisan Housing Bill Still Awaits Trump’s Signature. Here’s What the Bill Would Do
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