Stories by Associated Press
Trump Expected to Make Election Conspiracies a Focus of His National Address
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump is set to address the nation on Thursday night on topics he said will include elections and voting machines, suggesting he is likely to revisit some of the unproven claims he has previously made about Republican losses, particularly his own in 2020.
Late Property Tax Bills Delaying Additional Pension Payment, Chicago Officials Say
| Heather Cherone
An analysis is ongoing to determine when — and how much — Chicago can afford to send to its pension funds in addition to the $2.85 billion that state law requires the city to contribute this year, officials said.
Chicago Shuts Down Beaches and Pools Thursday as Air Quality Hits Hazardous Level
| Patty Wetli
Night Out in the Parks events and Movies in the Park have been cancelled as well.
Illinois Board of Education Issues AI Guidance, Written With Help From AI
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
The 409-page document includes a disclosure that some of the content was developed with the use of AI tools like ChatGPT.
Peoples Gas Cuts $58M From Rate Request
| Maggie Dougherty — Capitol News Illinois
If approved by regulators this December, the amended request would add around $7-8 to monthly bills for typical residential customers, down from the $10-11 sought in the original request.
Chicago’s Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance Freed From City Council Limbo, Zoning Committee Is Next Hurdle
| Patty Wetli
The bird-friendly ordinance has now been sent to the Zoning Committee for consideration. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for July 21.
Trump Taking Longer to Approve Disaster Aid and Denying Democratic States More Frequently
| Associated Press
Since taking office last year, President Donald Trump has approved about 65 requests for major disaster declarations and denied more than two dozen others from states, tribes or territories seeking federal financial assistance following hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, floods and fires.
A Local Musical Getting a Movie Adaptation and Sketch Comedy: 4 Arts Picks for the Week
| Josh Terry
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
July 15, 2026 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The cost of some goods declines as inflation cools — but uncertainty remains. And a Justice Department memo could have major implications for people with disabilities.
DOJ Targets Integration Mandate, Staple of Civil Rights for Americans With Disabilities
| Blake Thor
While DOJ opinions don’t change the law, disability rights advocates worry the memo could be the first step toward the department backing away from enforcing the integration mandate.
Chicago Fed President Talks Inflation, Central Bank Changes
| Andrew Montequin
New data released this week showed inflation cooled slightly in June. But there’s still uncertainty around what comes next for this issue, which has been a thorn in the side of many Americans for the past five years.
CPS Planning Furlough Days, Spending Freeze to Help Close $732M Shortfall as Officials Call for More State Funding
| Matt Masterson
District officials on Wednesday outlined their $9.88 billion budget proposal for the 2027 fiscal year, as they combat “serious financial challenges” including declining enrollment and revenue and greater student need.
City Lawyers Negotiating ‘Global Settlement’ of Lawsuits Naming CPD Officers Repeatedly Accused of Improper Traffic Stops
| Heather Cherone
U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia Kendall signed an order on July 27 giving U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth Jantz the authority to craft a “global settlement” of 17 cases which accuse the officers of violating drivers’ civil rights between 2023 and 2024.
Cook County Is Offering Free Back-to-School Vaccinations. Here’s What to Know
| Eunice Alpasan
Mobile vaccination clinics will be held at community events and back-to-school fairs throughout suburban Cook County through mid-October. Vaccines for those ages 6 months to 18 years old will be provided at no cost, regardless of immigration or insurance status.
Chicago Voters Won’t Weigh Whether to Tax Millionaires — But Will Be Asked About ShotSpotter, Festivals
| Heather Cherone
The fight over which questions will appear on November’s ballot erupted into a proxy fight between the mayor and his increasingly emboldened opponents on the City Council, even though the results will only carry symbolic weight.
Multiple Loop ‘L’ Stations Closing Next 2 Weekends, Riders Should Allow Extra Travel Time
| Patty Wetli
Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Lines will all be affected by the closures.
CPD Agrees to Fire 8 Police Officers Who Lied to Get COVID-19 Relief Loans: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
The eight officers obtained loans worth approximately $283,000 after making “materially false statements in their applications for forgiveness of the loans,” according to the report.
Blanche Confronts Skeptical Questioning of Fund, Tax Deal for Trump During Attorney General Confirmation Hearing
| Associated Press
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confronted skeptical questioning at a Senate confirmation hearing Wednesday about the creation of a fund to compensate allies of President Donald Trump.
Teen CPD Employee ‘Goose-Stepped’ Across High School Stage Wearing Nazi Uniform: Watchdog
| Heather Cherone
Another member of CPD was fired after showing other employees of the police department photos of the teen dressed in the Nazi uniform while at work, creating “an offensive work environment,” according to the inspector general’s report.
Illinois Confirms 216 Probable Cases of Cyclosporiasis as Parasitic Infection Spreads
| Eunice Alpasan
An outbreak of a diarrhea-causing parasitic infection has hit more than half of U.S. states, including in Illinois, which has 194 confirmed and probable cases as of Monday.
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 15-21
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
July 14, 2026 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Reports that ICE is stopping most traffic stops in the wake of two deadly shootings. And what to know about the parasitic illness that’s sweeping the country.
Mayoral Candidate Joe Holberg on Chicago’s Budget Gap, Violence Prevention and the Future of CPS
| Jessica Watts
Chicagoans have months before casting ballots for the city’s next mayor, but the competition is heating up with seven candidates vying for the top spot. Entrepreneur Joe Holberg was the first to enter the race.
With Larry Snelling’s Retirement as Chicago’s Top Cop, Progress on Court-Ordered Reforms Hangs in Balance
| Heather Cherone
It will be up to Chicago's next top cop to complete the hundreds of tasks laid out by the nearly seven-and-a-half-year-old court order while making sure the changes stick — and put an end to the decades of scandals, misconduct and brutality that have defined CPD and cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars.
US House Passes Bill to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent
| CNN
The U.S. House voted Tuesday to pass a measure to enact year-round daylight-saving time across the country, springing Congress forward into an issue that has long stumped lawmakers and spurred impassioned pleas.
Horner Park Is Saving Its Ash Trees One Beer at a Time Thanks to Annual BrewFest
| Patty Wetli
Money raised at the annual BrewFest supports treatment and preservation of Horner Park’s sizable, and healthy, stand of ash trees. This year’s event is set for Friday.
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