Stories by WTTW News

Mike Ditka, the former Chicago Bears coach who led the team to a Super Bowl win and became a Chicago legend in the process, has died. He was 86.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city would refinance bonds backed by the city’s sales tax revenues that are at least 10 years old to generate between $65 million and $71 million. But that refinancing generated just $36 million, officials said.

To date, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has determined members of that tactical team violated department policy during 23 separate traffic stops, according to a WTTW News analysis of COPA records.

The Illinois Commerce Commission this week recommended a 54% cut to the proposed $144 million increase, which would bring the number down to $66 million. Peoples Gas says the rate hike is necessary to replace old iron pipes and modernize its system.

No tax hikes to balance Cook County’s budget. And grab your cheese grater — it’s Bears-Packers week.

One of Chicago’s oldest rivalries is back this Sunday as the Bears face off against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It’s their first meeting since a nail-biting playoff game last season.

The state’s annual wagering report shows tax revenues from casinos, sports gambling, slot machines and the lottery exceeded $2.7 billion.

The family of Silverio Villegas González, the suburban father who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a traffic stop last year, is taking legal action against the Trump administration more than a year after the “unnecessary, unjust” killing.

Canadian poet, essayist and translator Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in literature Thursday for “bold and inventive” works that fuse the classical and the modern and blur the boundaries of poetry and prose.

CPD has exceeded its annual overtime budget for the 10th straight year, despite repeated promises from Mayor Brandon Johnson to reign in police overtime spending, according to a database published by Inspector General David Glockner.

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

“This budget magic … we’re only able to do this once,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “We are sweeping the cupboards bare. Once you’ve done that, you have to look for other resources.”

The White Sox return home looking to punch their ticket to the next round of the playoffs. And the federal government looks to ban an opioid-like drug you can buy at the gas station.

College sports fans have watched the business of the game change dramatically in recent years, from rising payments to players to unlimited transfers between schools. The Protect College Sports Act passed the U.S. Senate 77-22 last week.

Federal officials and addiction specialists in the Chicago area are sounding the alarm on a highly potent and addictive drug that can be found at gas stations and vape shops amid a crackdown effort by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Chicago won its first four games in a surprising postseason appearance after going 60-102 last year. It was backed by a frenzied crowd of 40,590 for the franchise’s first home playoff game since 2021.

The 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon kicks off Sunday and organizers say they’re expecting more than 55,000 participants — the largest field in the race’s history. Here are some details for runners, and non-runners, taking part in the 26.2-mile race.

School board president candidate Hilario Dominguez says he met with Chicago Public Schools’ internal watchdog, which is revisiting nearly decade-old allegations that he acted inappropriately with a high schooler.

The majority of the officers found to have used racial slurs were suspended for less than a month, according to Chicago’s watchdog.

Scientists Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in chemistry for a discovery that has been used to develop countless drugs and transformed modern medicine.

The Chicago White Sox last clinched a postseason series at home when Jiggs Donahue and George Davis helped the South Siders beat the Chicago Cubs in Game 6 of the 1906 World Series.

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

What resources are available for child victims of sexual abuse. And Northwestern football debuted its new stadium with a bang — Pat Ryan Jr. shares his reaction to the opener.

“It’s an invisible harm a lot of times,” said Melissa Schuch, senior director of development at Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center. “You may not see bruises or physical signs of abuse. It can fly under the radar and a lot of people just aren’t aware that it’s happening around them.”

The new Ryan Field is the most expensive college football stadium ever. It’s an $870 million development featuring closer seats, classic Chicago food and new game-day festivities.

After powerful storms tore through the Chicago region in August, the leaders of numerous south suburban communities were faced with recovery efforts that far exceeded the capacity of their personnel, equipment and financial resources.