Chicago has long had a tortured relationship with recycling. City leaders have scrapped old programs and replaced them with new ones, but the result is the same recycling rates in the single digits.
Stories by paul caine
The Week in Review: Lightfoot Nixes Tax Increase, Pritzker Leads Poll
Mayor Lori Lightfoot nixes a plan for a $42 million property tax increase tied to inflation. And a WGN poll says Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has a double-digit lead over his Republican challenger Darren Bailey, who this week likened Chicago to an unruly child.
Queen Elizabeth’s Death Prompts Mourning But Also Discussions on Monarchy and Empire
To many, Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign was a symbol of tradition and stability that linked the present to the past. But on her death, along with expressions of sympathy, many people from former colonies from Ireland to Kenya — and here in America — have pushed back on the glorification of the monarchy and empire.
Spotlight Politics: Welch Defends Ending Cash Bail; Pritzker Threatens to Sue Conservative PAC
Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch makes a spirited defense of the SAFE-T Act and the end of cash bail. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
The Week in Review: Pritzker Calls for Lawmaker Resignations
Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls for two Democratic lawmakers to step down amid personal controversies, a New Lincoln park alderperson is sworn in, the White Sox implode in a must-win series and the Bears seek to bounce back from Green Bay loss.
Spotlight Politics: State Senator Charged, New Chicago Alderperson Appointed
Federal prosecutors charged state Sen. Emil Jones III, D-Chicago, with three felonies in relation to allegations he took a bribe from a red-light camera firm.. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
The Week in Review: Vice President Kamala Harris Comes to Town
Vice President Kamala Harris in town as more migrants are sent to Chicago, GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey moves to the city amid uproar over a racially motivated ad, and the undefeated Bears head up to Lambeau.
Northwestern Astronomer Part of Webb Telescope Team to Image Exoplanet
For the first time, the James Webb Space Telescope has been used to directly image an exoplanet — that’s a planet outside of our solar system. A Northwestern astronomer was part of the team.
The Week in Review: Bears Make Stadium Case to Arlington Heights
The Bears unveil Arlington Heights dome plans, two more veteran alderpeople decide to hang it up, more migrants are sent from Texas to Chicago, and the Bears are set to open their season at their home for now — Soldier Field.
Spotlight Politics: Texas Gov., Lightfoot Trade Barbs Over Migrant Buses; Aldermanic Exodus Continues
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott are trading barbs over buses of migrants sent to Chicago. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.
Spotlight Politics: Aldermanic Exodus Continues, BGA Raises Questions Over Pritzker’s Blind Trust
More aldermen join the city hall exodus, CPD announces a new time-off policy, Darren Bailey gets a cash infusion, and Governor Pritzker's investments are under scrutiny, our Spotlight Politics team digs into all that and more.
Affordable Housing Activists Protest Uptown Luxury Condo Development
The lot at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Marine Drive was formerly owned by Weiss Memorial Hospital. It was subsequently sold and is now owned by Lincoln Property Company, which aims to build a 314-unit apartment building on the site. But just eight of those units will qualify as affordable.
Northwestern Researchers Develop Dissolvable Implant for Drug-Free Pain Relief
A new study suggests ant colonies work like a collective brain to make decisions. How racial discrimination could negatively impact brain structure. A surgical implant that could provide pain relief without drugs. And how a quirk of evolution gave humans our voice.
Taiwan Consul in Chicago Says China Becoming ‘More Aggressive Abroad, More Oppressive at Home’
In an interview with WTTW News, Johnson Chiang, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Chicago, said that as China’s military and economic power has grown in recent decades, their behavior toward Taiwan has become more aggressive.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Who Traveled to Asia with Speaker Pelosi, Rejects Criticism of Taiwan Trip
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, is rejecting criticism of a visit to Taiwan by a congressional delegation led by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week.
Northwestern Professor Says Response to Viruses Creates a ‘Viral Underclass’
Viruses don’t discriminate, society does. That’s the argument made by Northwestern University journalism professor Steven Thrasher in his new book.
Spotlight Politics: Battle Over Illinois Democratic Party Chair; Lightfoot Pitches Soldier Field Dome
Debate over who should chair the Democratic Party of Illinois continues as Gov. J.B. Pritzker recruits state Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero) to run against current chair U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly.
Legacy of Redlining Continues to Blight Communities of Color
The abandonment and neglect that has undermines the economies of many Chicago and Cook County neighborhoods is very much man-made, according to a new study.
New Fossil Discovery Shows Evolution Isn’t Always Linear
A team lead by a University of Chicago paleontologist says a fossil that was found years ago — and for years largely ignored — could shed more light on that pivotal time in the evolution of life.
States’ Rights, the Supreme Court, and a History of Discrimination
The concept of federalism — the idea that the federal government’s authority is limited, and other powers retained for the states — is a cornerstone of modern conservatism. But historically, states’ rights have also been used as cover to allow southern states in particular to discriminate against African Americans and other marginalized groups.
Toni Preckwinkle Backs President Joe Biden’s Call for Assault Weapons Ban
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle spoke to WTTW News following Biden’s White House celebration of the passage of a federal gun safety law that was attended by elected officials, gun control advocates, gun violence survivors and the families of victims.
Former AG Holder Says Jan. 6 Hearings ‘Extremely Close’ to Making ‘Indictable Case’ Against Former President Trump
In an interview with WTTW News, former Attorney General Eric Holder, who served as President Barack Obama’s Attorney General from 2009 to 2015, said that Donald Trump “clearly had the intent to try to steal the election to foment a coup.”
The Week in Review: Pritzker Gets Opponent He Wanted in Trump-Backed Bailey
Darren Bailey routs the Republican field to take on Gov. Pritzker in the general election. Recapping all the other winners and setting the scene for November. Plus, could Google buy the Thompson Center?
Spotlight Politics: Trump-Backed Bailey to Face Pritzker in Fall
Our Spotlight Politics team has much more on last night's primaries, and how the key races are shaping up for November. We'll also get their take on yet more explosive revelations from the Jan. 6 hearings in Washington.
The Week in Review: Supreme Court Strikes Down Federal Abortion Rights
The Supreme Court overturns the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade. Plus, former President Trump stumps in Illinois. And the governor's race heats up with election day right around the corner.
Spotlight Politics: Throng of Candidates Vie to Replace Bobby Rush; Lightfoot’s Aldermanic Pick
Our Spotlight Politics team discusses damning revelations from the Jan. 6 hearings; the latest on some key primary races with elections less than one week away; And the City Council vote to replace retired Ald. Michael Scott Jr. with his sister, Monique, to represent the 24th Ward.
