Stories by Brandis Friedman

WTTW News visited the Obama Presidential Center for a firsthand look at the exhibits, installations and everything in between.

From the beginning of his appointment in April, Chicago Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Emmanuel Andre has faced a number of challenges — from how to handle teen takeovers and rising domestic violence cases to aggressive federal immigration enforcement and rising political tensions.

The Obama Presidential Center hosted a grand opening ceremony complete with a host of musical acts and notable guests.

Merlin Lu, 21, was charged with two hate crime counts as well as additional charges including arson, property damage, disorderly conduct and cross burning as a means of intimidation.

Here is a look at Juneteenth, the oldest known U.S. celebration of the end of slavery. On June 19, 1865, over two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved African Americans in Texas were told they were free.

Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.

The projected budget gap facing the county next year is fueled by the impact of litigation related to Safe Roads Amendment, growing payroll and pension liabilities, increasing employee benefit costs and Medicaid enrollment declines due to federal policy changes, according to a budget forecast presentation.

One on one with Chicago Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Emmanuel Andre. And former Ald. George Cardenas announces his bid for mayor.

The former alderperson and current Cook County Board of Review commissioner kicked off his campaign during a lunch event on Chicago’s Southwest Side Tuesday at which he pledged to tackle the city’s fiscal and public safety issues.

The city’s 2026 budget set aside just $82.5 million for police misconduct settlements, and authorized officials to borrow an additional $283.3 million to cover the soaring cost of lawsuits alleging wrongdoing by police officers, records show.

Body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of Chicago police Officer Ella French was released Wednesday, nearly five years after she was killed during a traffic stop in the Englewood neighborhood.

Approximately 7,000 unpermitted sweepstakes machines operate in all kinds of businesses across the city — including in bars, restaurants, gas stations, laundromats and convenience stores — but are concentrated on the South and West sides.

Despite years of organizing and city ordinances being put in place, rising housing costs and investor activity continue to threaten gentrification in neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center.

The program, launched in the north suburb in 2021, is the first and only one of its kind in the U.S., allotting $20 million to Black residents — their direct descendants — who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969 and suffered housing discrimination because of city ordinances, policies or practices.

Defense attorneys late Tuesday filed new motions asking U.S. District Judge April Perry to designate a special counsel to investigate, and if warranted, prosecute members of Boutros’ office for criminal contempt following bombshell allegations of grand jury misconduct.

Potential names should reflect Chicago's heritage, culture and diversity.

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Marcel Brown's lawsuit was resolved with the largest payment Chicago taxpayers have ever made to compensate someone wrongfully convicted based on evidence developed by Chicago police, according to a WTTW News analysis.

What a former spokesperson for ICE has to say about current immigration enforcement. And displacement fears on the South Side as the Obama Presidential Center prepares to open.

President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion Republican-backed funding bill for immigration enforcement last week. Democrats have raised concerns that the long-term funding takes away Congress’ oversight power.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed the eighth budget of his tenure on Tuesday as he and Illinois Democrats gear up for an election-year battle centered around affordability.

A federal lawsuit filed last week seeks to block an Illinois law allowing doctors to help terminally ill patients end their own lives ahead of its Sept. 12 effective date.

Pete Crow-Armstrong put his name in the Chicago Cubs’ record book next to Hall of Fame slugger Hack Wilson — and then nearly ruined the celebration at Wrigley Field.

An avian soap opera is playing out in Waukegan where this year’s piping plover breeding season has been full of unexpected plot twists.

As cleanup continues from last week's storms, more severe weather is in the forecast for this week, with the greatest threat on Wednesday.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s annual “June boom” is about to begin, bringing an end to months of speculation. Their rulings could have sweeping implications for birthright citizenship, presidential power, transgender athletes and more.