Amara Enyia received big donations from some music superstars during her bid for mayor. But state election officials are now looking into exactly how that money is accounted for.
Stories by Paris Schutz
Chicago Developer Linked to Ald. Burke Faces Bribery Charge from US Attorney
Federal prosecutors allege a Chicago developer steered business to 14th Ward Ald. Ed Burke in exchange for Burke’s help getting a City Hall permit.
Spotlight Politics: Warm Send-Off for Mayor Emanuel
Mayor Rahm Emanuel gets a warm send-off from his colleagues at his final City Council meeting. Our politics team tackles that and some of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering over Lincoln Yards.
City Council Approves Massive TIFs for Lincoln Yards, The 78
After months of debate, the controversial $1 billion public subsidy for Lincoln Yards is now law. City Council approved the measure hours after Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot softened her opposition to the project.
Emanuel, Lightfoot Strike Deal on Lincoln Yards Vote, Rankling Aldermen
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot cut a deal on Lincoln Yards, confusing aldermen who were set to make a key vote Monday.
Burke’s Finance Committee Paid Aldermen’s Phone Bills, Travel Expenses, Records Show
Ald. Ed Burke, arguably City Council’s most powerful member for much of his 50-year reign, had various ways of dishing out perks and favors to colleagues. One of those, apparently, was to help some aldermen pay their bills.
Mayor-Elect Lightfoot Mends Fences on Day One of Transition
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot wasted no time getting ready for her new job. Just hours after her historic victory, Lighftoot met with city leaders and talked about plans for a transition of power.
Lori Lightfoot Makes History as Chicago Mayor-Elect
Lori Lightfoot has become the first African-American woman elected mayor of Chicago, defeating her opponent, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, in a landslide.
Mayoral, Aldermanic Candidates Try to Close the Deal
Chicago’s historic 2019 election will soon be over, ushering in big changes to city government.
Osundairo Brothers’ Former Attorney Speaks Out
Many people were surprised by the abrupt dismissal of charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett. Among them, Gloria Schmidt, the former attorney for the brothers whose testimony was key to the case.
The Choice for Mayor 2019: Lori Lightfoot
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From humble beginnings in Massillon, Ohio, to a high-powered federal prosecutor. We bring you an in-depth profile of mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot.
Mueller Report Summary Finds No Trump Collusion With Russia
Political fallout over the report’s findings is just beginning. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti joins us with legal analysis of the document.
Lightfoot, Preckwinkle Clash on Campaign Cash
The back-and-forth over political donations during Thursday’s forum was the latest in a series of contentious public appearances between Chicago mayoral candidates Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle.
Aldermen Seek to Curb Burke ‘Staff-Loaning’ Habit
The former chair of the City Council Committee on Finance is no stranger to scrutiny. But now, Ald. Ed Burke’s practice of loaning out employees to work for aldermen is coming under fire.
Why Aldermen Who Need Extra Help Call Ed Burke
A WTTW News Exclusive
For years, Ald. Ed Burke ran what amounts to an employee loan-out program from his perch as head of City Council’s powerful Finance Committee. “It’s a way of exercising control,” said one City Hall staffer.
City Council OKs Lincoln Yards, Police Academy
Two major projects – both of them controversial – got the full City Council vote Wednesday in Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s second-to-last meeting.
Lincoln Yards Project Passes Another Hurdle
The massive $6 billion Lincoln Yards development has nearly passed through all of its regulatory hurdles.
Millionaires Would Pay 3 Percent More Under Pritzker Tax Plan
Want to know how much you’d pay under the governor’s graduated income tax proposal? Specifics of the plan, released Thursday, show it would hit high earners the hardest.
Feds to Drop Charges Against Former Congressman Schock
The federal corruption case against former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock is likely to come to a rare conclusion, and it calls into question some apparent missteps along the way.
What Maggie Hickey’s Appointment Means for Chicago Police Reform
The Chicago Police Department now has a monitor to oversee big reforms. The latest on the appointment and what it means for policing moving forward.
Lightfoot vs. Preckwinkle in Chicago Mayoral Runoff
Calling Tuesday’s election a referendum on the “crumbling political machine of the past,” former Chicago Police Board chair Lori Lightfoot claimed a spot in the historic mayoral runoff set for April 2.
Election Officials to Undecided Voters: Time’s Up
Election day is almost upon us as the 14 mayoral candidates make their final pitches to voters.
Preckwinkle Parts Ways with Top Aide After Controversial Social Media Post
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, considered a front-runner in the race for Chicago mayor, has cut ties with Scott Cisek after he made a controversial post on Facebook.
Spotlight Politics: Incumbent Aldermen Under Pressure
Six days to go until Chicago’s mayoral and aldermanic elections, and in many races, it’s anybody's guess who will win. Paris Schutz and Carol Marin take us behind the scenes in this week's political roundtable.
Mayoral Candidates Play Nice in Final WTTW Forum
If the mayoral candidate forum Monday was punctuated by testy exchanges between Susana Mendoza and Bill Daley, Tuesday’s crew of five candidates – moderated by Carol Marin – kept it mostly civil.
