Stories by WTTW News
Destruction of the City’s Last Waterfall Begins
| Evan Garcia
Chicago is losing its last waterfall. We follow up on an earlier story to see the beginning of its demolition in River Park.
CPS Watchdog: Byrd-Bennett Helped Company Land $67M in Contracts
| Paris Schutz
A for-profit company that contracts with Chicago Public Schools comes under fire in a new report for its connections to convicted former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.
Lollapalooza Security Tightened, But Challenges Persist
| Nick Blumberg
The annual music festival gets underway Thursday in Grant Park. Why this year’s four-day event comes with tightened security measures.
University of Chicago Plays Key Role in Trying to Save Niger’s Heritage
| Paul Caine
What a leading paleontologist in Chicago is doing to help the country of Niger save and display its rich cultural heritage.
10 Outdoor Spots to Unwind and De-Stress in Chicago
| Alex Ruppenthal
Despite its moniker as “The City that Works,” Chicago features plenty of places to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Here are 10 spots to zen out in the city this summer.
Van Dyke Case: Trial Venue Won’t Be Decided By New Judge
| Matt Masterson
A new judge won’t be brought on to decide whether the high-profile murder trial of a Chicago police officer will be moved out of Cook County despite a “novel” argument by defense attorneys.
Emanuel Challenger Lightfoot, Police Union Tear Down Consent Decree
| Amanda Vinicky
The Chicago Police Department is one step closer to making reforms, but a draft consent decree is drawing criticism, and the police union has vowed to sue. We speak with FOP President Kevin Graham.
Allegations of Abuse at Chicago-Area Shelters Housing Migrant Children
| Evan Garcia
A ProPublica Illinois investigation uncovers allegations of abuse, inappropriate relationships and threats at nonprofit shelters housing migrant children. We speak with reporter Melissa Sanchez.
Emanuel, Burke Sued Over Workers’ Compensation
| Paris Schutz
Why a longtime political gadfly and a city worker are suing Mayor Rahm Emanuel and powerful Ald. Ed Burke in federal court.
Country’s Only Mosaic School Pieces Together New Home in Edgewater
| Eddie Arruza
One of the oldest forms of art is still practiced throughout the world, but there is only one school in the United States where it’s taught. We go for a visit.
Harvey Reaches Pension Deal, But Problems Persist Across the State
| Nick Blumberg
The city of Harvey finally strikes a deal with its underwater police and fire pension funds. What it could mean for hundreds of other Illinois towns.
‘We Don’t Want Your Trash’: Residents Protest General Iron’s Move to Southeast Side
| Alex Ruppenthal
General Iron announced plans earlier this month to move its scrap metal yard from Lincoln Park to the Southeast Side, where residents are concerned about the company’s environmental track record.
1960s Chaos Meets Upheaval of 2018 in Bernstein’s ‘Mass’
A roundup of recent concerts from the Ravinia Festival
| Hedy Weiss
As visitors to the Ravinia Festival well know, the picnics on the grass staged there tend to be legendary feasts. But it is the musical feasts that are the real food for thought.
How Wisconsin Went Red: New Book Traces Fall of ‘Progressive Bastion’
| Nick Blumberg
How a state that hadn’t voted for a Republican presidential candidate in more than 30 years helped elect Donald Trump. Author Dan Kaufman discusses his new book “The Fall of Wisconsin.”
Wrongful Death Suit Filed by Family of Man Killed in Chicago Police Shooting
| Matt Masterson
Attorneys representing the family of 24-year-old Maurice Granton Jr. claim the June 6 fatal shooting was unjustified because Granton posed no “imminent threat” to law enforcement.
Deal Struck for Federal Oversight of Chicago Police Department
| Paris Schutz
Agreement has been reached on a draft consent decree that would allow an independent federal monitor to enact major changes within the Chicago Police Department.
The Week in Review: Trump Visits Illinois to Tout Trade Policies
| Alexandra Silets
President Trump visits downstate to tout trade. Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson comes under fire. Activists plan to protest at Wrigley Field. And a draft plan for reforming the Chicago Police Department.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Heartland Alliance and ‘Zero Tolerance’
| Alexandra Silets
The Heartland Alliance faces tougher licensing after it takes in children separated the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Stay on the Warpath Protestors!’
| WTTW News
Your thoughts about a planned anti-violence march along Lake Shore Drive to Wrigley Field.
Local School Councils: What They Do, What Challenges They Face
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools implemented local school councils almost 30 years ago with hundreds of thousands of participants. Times have changed.
Jamie Bernstein Recalls Life with ‘Lenny’ in ‘Famous Father Girl’
| Eddie Arruza
Jamie Bernstein on her new book and Ravinia performance remembering her famous father, Leonard Bernstein.
Willie Wilson Addresses Charity Event Cash Controversy
| Nicole Cardos
The Chicago mayoral candidate faces criticism after handing out nearly $300,000 in cash and checks at a charity event. “I haven’t done anything but give my own money away,” Wilson said of the cash controversy.
Mars Glows Bright as it Readies for Opposition, Close Approach
| Evan Garcia
For the next several days, the celestial event calendar includes some stellar highlights for observers in Chicago and around the globe.
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