Stories by paul caine

Frank Ursetta holds a portion of a bionic limb being developed by the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Pioneering Chicago Lab Helps Develop Next Generation of Bionic Limbs

For years, researchers say there was very little advancement in the field. But in recent decades, prosthetic limbs have come a long way. And at the multidisciplinary Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in downtown Chicago, the next generation of bionic prosthetics are being developed.

Week in Review: Illinoisans Prepare to Head to the Polls; Migrant Evictions From City Shelters Set to Begin Sunday

Previewing the big Election Day races. Is the migrant shelter measles outbreak under control? And the Bears could build a domed lakefront stadium.

A mural along Mahalia’s Mile in the Chatham community. (WTTW News)

Bronzeville, Chatham Expect Boost From Cultural District Designation

The cultural district designation will allow districts to apply for a share of $3 million set aside in state funding to support projects that uplift communities, spur economic development and preserve cultural heritage.

Week in Review: Trump Ruled Ineligible for Illinois Primary Ballot; Multiple Warnings Over Migrant Shelter Conditions

Trump is ruled ineligible in Illinois but will stay on the ballot. And all signs point to the Bears drafting a superstar prospect with the first overall pick.

J. Ivy appears on “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” on Feb. 28, 2024. (WTTW News)

Chicago Poet J. Ivy on His Influences, His Gift and Winning a 3rd Grammy

J. Ivy is one of the most high-profile poets on the planet. He has worked with A-list artists including Jay-Z and Beyoncé. He even gave John Legend his “Legend” name. Ivy’s spoken word album “The Light Inside” just earned him a third Grammy.

Week in Review: Judge Strikes Bring Chicago Home Referendum; White Sox Court Springfield Lawmakers

Chicago’s Board of Education votes to remove police officers from schools. And the White Sox head to Springfield in the hopes of scoring a stadium subsidy.

(WTTW News)

US Department of Education Under Fire as New FAFSA Rollout Beset by Delays

The first major overhaul of the FAFSA form since the Reagan era was supposed to make the process simpler and quicker. So far, that’s not been the case.

Week in Review: Johnson Dismisses Questions Over ShotSpotter Cancelation; Madigan’s Former Right-Hand Man Sentenced

Confusion over the end of the city’s ShotSpotter contract. State and county leaders agree to spend millions more in migrant care — but did Johnson renege on his commitment?

Week in Review: Supreme Court Weighs Trump Ballot Challenge; A Decision for the Mayor Over Controversial ShotSpotter Contract

The Supreme Court seems likely to keep Trump on Colorado’s ballot, but a local judge lets an Illinois challenge move forward. And the White Sox reveal renderings of a shiny new stadium — with no details on who pays.

Gospel pioneer Mahalia Jackson. (Courtesy of “Gospel” docuseries)

New PBS Series Explores the Roots of Gospel in Chicago

Historian, professor and filmmaker Henry Louis Gates Jr. explores the history of gospel music and its deep roots in Chicago.

(WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: CPS Elected School Board on Springfield Agenda; Should Chicago Keep ShotSpotter System?

A big decision on whether to keep CPD’s controversial ShotSpotter system. Ongoing tensions between the city and the state over how to care for new migrant arrivals. And an elected school board for Chicago is back on the agenda in Springfield.

Week in Review: Johnson Casts Tiebreaking Vote on Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution; CTU President Called Out Over Violent Rhetoric

A contentious vote in City Hall to back a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. And a CPS principal files a police report over allegedly violent rhetoric by CTU President Stacy Davis Gates.

Week in Review: Pritzker and Johnson Trade Blame Over Migrant Shelter Shortfalls; Haley Sharpens Attacks on Trump

Escalating tensions between Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker over the sheltering of migrants. And former President Donald Trump works to kill a bipartisan border security deal.

Week in Review: Emails Show City Knew of Pilsen Shelter Problems; Sox Ponder South Loop Stadium

Questions of transparency after emails show the mayor’s early knowledge of conditions at a Pilsen migrant shelter. And presidential campaigning moves to New Hampshire after Trump takes Iowa.

A bus is parked at the migrant landing zone in the West Loop. (WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: Amid Freezing Temperatures, Chicago Suspends Migrant Eviction Policy

Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield with migrants top of mind. Bad weather prompts Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to suspend his policy evicting migrants from city shelters after 60 days. And a plea from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.

Week in Review: Johnson Suspends Migrant Eviction Policy; Trump Sounds Off in Courtroom

Chicago bears down for an icy winter storm. And assessing the GOP Iowa caucus on the weekend before voters there go to the polls.

Claudine Gay testifies before Congress.

Resignation of Harvard University’s First Black Female President Continues to Spark Commentary

Claudine Gay resigned after backlash to her testimony at a congressional hearing where she was criticized for not doing enough to tackle antisemitism on campus. She also faced accusations of plagiarism. Gay’s supporters, however, said her ouster reflects a system that wasn’t built for people of color.

University of Chicago professor Robert Pape appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Jan. 9, 2024. (WTTW News)

UChicago Terrorism Expert Says America a ‘Tinderbox’ in 2024

Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of then President Donald Trump.

Amanda Vinicky and guests on "Week in Review" on Jan. 5, 2024. (WTTW News)

Week in Review: Trump Faces Ballot Challenges; Suburbs Move to Block Migrant Arrivals

President Biden on the campaign trail — but it’s not just any campaign speech. And Chicago’s suburbs seek to block buses of migrants.

President Lyndon B. Johnson delivers the State of the Union on Jan. 8, 1964.

How is the US Faring 60 Years After President Lyndon Johnson Declared War on Poverty?

As the 60th anniversary of the war on poverty approaches, the Shriver Center on Poverty Law is hosting a one-day poverty summit, bringing together a diverse group of academic, community and government leaders.

Donald Trump is pictured in a file photo. (CNN)

With Donald Trump’s Ballot Bans Likely Headed to the Supreme Court, How Does the 14th Amendment Fit In?

Former President Donald Trump has been kicked off the ballot in both Maine and Colorado. At issue is whether Trump is disqualified from making another presidential run under the 14th Amendment due to engaging in insurrection.

Paris Schutz and guests on Dec. 29, 2023. (WTTW News)

Week in Review: Looking Back at the Biggest Stories of 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson assumes office and inherits a migrant crisis. Ex-Ald. Ed Burke convicted on 13 federal corruption counts, with Michael Madigan’s trial looming. We recap 2023 in a special year-end edition of “Week in Review.”

File photo of a child in a classroom. (WTTW News)

CPS Board’s Move Away From School Choice Draws Praise, Backlash

In a major departure from past policy, the Chicago Board of Education has announced it intends to move away from a system built on school choice.

Week in Review: Closing Arguments in Burke Trial; Mayor Releases Public Safety Plan

Closing arguments are wrapping up in the corruption trial of former Ald. Ed Burke. And the Chicago Public School board votes on a move away from charters and selective enrollment schools.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: State Pulls Migrant Camp Funding; Alleged Burger King Shakedown in Focus at Burke Trial

Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson at odds over migrant camp in Brighton Park. Ed Burke trial focuses on alleged Burger King shakedown. And the Bears are reportedly looking at land near Soldier Field for a potential stadium.

File photo of a student at a computer. (WTTW News)

FAFSA Changes Take Students, Aid Administrators Into Uncharted Territory

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form is undergoing its first major overhaul since the Reagan era.