Stories by 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.

U.S. Senate candidates talk affordability, immigration, healthcare and more in a WTTW News forum. Hear from Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy.

Juliana Stratton and Don Tracy are vying to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, who will end his political career in January after 30 years in the Senate.

A new report examines 20 years of data to examine systemic economic barriers in North Lawndale and the role community-based reentry and work development programs can play in helping lower recidivism rates.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s resurrection of the so-called head tax — which was soundly rejected by the Chicago City Council a year ago — would impose a $25 per month per employee tax on all firms that have more than 125 employees, according to the proposal.

A preview of tonight’s U.S. Senate forum. And the history of one of Chicago’s most intimidating streets.

Lower Wacker Drive might be the bane of the uninitiated Chicago motorist. But the underground road has a history dating back to 1909.

Chicago’s progressive labor community will be split between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Alexi Giannoulias during the 2027 mayoral election.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is running for reelection, has been under intense pressure to replace ShotSpotter, the city’s controversial gunshot detection system, which he scrapped two years ago, by members of the Chicago City Council.

Election Day is just two weeks away, and WTTW News has one more live televised candidate forum for candidates on the ballot for the 2026 general election.

Another sign of progress: All six rescued belugas have now been consistently eating their full daily diet for nearly a month, according to Shedd officials.

One person is in custody after allegedly firing a gun in downtown Chicago near the Kluczynski Federal Building early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

U.S. News and World Report unveiled its individual state rankings, which listed Edison Elementary Regional Gifted Center and Skinner North Elementary School as the top elementary schools in Illinois.

Candidates for Chicago mayor begin filing signatures to get on the February ballot. And Chicago hotel workers are on strike — they explain why.

A malfunction with an AR-style rifle is likely all that stopped a potential mass shooting at a Hindu temple in west suburban Aurora earlier this month. Now local members of the Hindu community are saying more can be done to prevent future attacks.

About 85% of workers represented by UNITE HERE Local 1 voted to authorize a strike after more than 7,000 workers across 46 Chicago hotels were left without a contract as of Sept. 1. The workers include room attendants, cooks, dishwashers and other hospitality workers.

The first batch of candidates seeking to deny Mayor Brandon Johnson a second term each filed tens of thousands of signatures Monday to officially get on the Feb. 23 ballot, waiting in line for hours among aspiring alderpeople, staff members, lawyers and candidates for other offices.

Questions that have been proposed for removal deal with memory, fatigue, arthritis, difficulty walking and climbing stairs, as well as others about the use of hearing aids, canes, wheelchairs and scooters.

Saturday was one of the deadliest days for birds in Chicago since 2023, when 1,000 were killed or injured at McCormick Place Lakeside alone.

Cook County College Teachers Union Local 1600 and the City Colleges of Chicago reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract late Sunday, meaning Monday’s planned strike had been averted.

“It’s important to make a voting plan today,” said Chicago Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez during a Monday news conference. “Decide who you’re voting for before you get to your early voting location, and make your voices heard. Make your vote count.”

JB Pritzker and Darren Bailey meet at WTTW for their only forum this election cycle. And Chicago City Council squares off over borrowing power — and approves a massive police misconduct settlement.

CPS Inspector General Philip Wagenknecht on Friday said the investigation was conducted pursuant to his office’s standard practices and procedures, and that “in no way was this investigation rushed or concluded prematurely.”

A thwarted mass shooting targeting a large Hindu temple in suburban Chicago was fueled by years of hateful rhetoric on social media against Hindus and Indians, community leaders say.

In a win for residents on Chicago's Southeast Side, a Cook County Circuit Court judge this week ordered Pullman Innovations to cease its “odor-causing operations” until it comes into compliance with environmental law.

No suspects are in custody and police have not made any arrests, but the university said a person of interest has been identified. The man is not a University of Chicago student and has been banned from the campus, the university said.