Stories by WTTW News

Watch the June 2, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Hundreds of cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of violent unrest across the U.S., employing a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently criticized as being unconstitutional.

The social media campaign running through Friday was founded by 30 African American scientists, birders and nature lovers as a response to the racism encountered by birder Christian Cooper in New York’s Central Park.

Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares tips on how to get yours squeaky clean. 

Following days of violence and looting throughout the city and county, a group of faith leaders, community activists and politicians are urging peaceful protests while calling for reform. “There’s a way we can resist constructively,” said Jahmal Cole.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she made the decision only after speaking with business owners, chambers of commerce and city officials, all of whom she said were fully behind moving into phase three of the state’s Restore Illinois plan.

In Baltimore, protesters shouted the name of Freddie Gray. In Topeka, Kansas, T-shirts were emblazoned with the name of Dominique White. Protesters used their names to drive home the point that Floyd is part of a larger story about the dangers of being black in the U.S.

Several Democratic governors, including Gov. J.B. Pritzker, pushed back against President Donald Trump’s threat to deploy the U.S. military unless they dispatch National Guard units to “dominate the streets” in reaction to violence.

Chicago is cleaning up from a weekend of protests, violence and looting. We check in with residents, business owners and officials on the South Side and in the Loop to talk about recovery efforts and more.

Businesses in downtown Aurora were just beginning to reopen under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. Then they were hit by property damage and theft after peaceful protests on Sunday turned destructive. 

The city plans to allow outdoor dining, barbershops and limited retail to resume operations Wednesday, more than two months after they were shuttered by COVID-19 and after widespread looting devastated the city.

The line between peaceful political protest and chaotic violence can be become blurred in an instant. Activist Jahmal Cole and educator Reuben Jonathan Miller of the University of Chicago weigh in.

The killing of George Floyd has brought the conversation about policing people of color in America front and center — again. What can be done to change the relationship between the police and the people they are sworn to serve and protect?

A “surge of destructive action” across Illinois prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker to issue a disaster proclamation Monday for nine counties and deploy additional state police and National Guard members. 

A 28-year-old man who took part in weekend protests in Chicago and Minneapolis is facing federal criminal charges after he allegedly handed out explosives and encouraged others to “light that b***h and throw it” at police officers.

Officials are worried Chicago may see a spike in COVID-19 cases after a weekend of not just protests but a general abandoning of public health guidelines. 

A weekend of protests, looting and violence rocked many of Chicago’s commercial districts, which were already suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic that temporarily closed many businesses and kept residents at home.

Referencing Chicago’s own “dark days” with police violence, the mayor said additional training and improved relationships between officers and the community are needed following protests and looting across the city.

Watch the June 1, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Police Superintendent David Brown disputed claims that resources were used to protect downtown at the expense of Chicago’s neighborhoods during weekend protests and rioting. The opposite occurred, they said.

Students who count on Chicago Public Schools for meals will not be able to get food from the district on Monday, due to “the evolving nature of activity across the city.”

Looters pillaged businesses throughout Chicago over the weekend, setting fire to stores, breaking windows and taking off with shoes, clothing, cellphones and liquor.

Protests over the death of George Floyd resumed Sunday afternoon following a night of riots and looting downtown that prompted Mayor Lori Lightfoot to impose a citywide curfew and call on the Illinois National Guard for help.

U.S. officials sought to determine Sunday whether extremist groups had infiltrated police brutality protests across the country and deliberately tipped largely peaceful demonstrations toward violence.

At Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s request, Gov. J.B. Pritzker activated 375 guard soldiers – one of several “new precautionary measures” to ensure “health and safety” after peaceful protests boiled over to looting and violence.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said plans to lift some restrictions in Chicago on Wednesday designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 may be delayed after violent protests sparked by the death of George Floyd swept the city.