Stories by WTTW News

A live report from the East Garfield Park community, recovering from a mass shooting on Halloween. Top priorities in the city budget. And the impact of low Mississippi River water levels. 

Election Day is less than a week away and candidates are out making their final pushes. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Stocks tumble after the Fed hikes interest rates again. Tight midterm races you might not be hearing about. An Illinois Republican wants the party to get back to the center. And traditional Irish and Mexican music mix.

The latest on last night’s mass shooting in East Garfield Park. We meet the latest entrant in the race for mayor. The future of Twitter under new owner Elon Musk. And one-on-one with Chicago-raised music legend Patti Smith.

The latest on indicted ex-Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan’s political fund. The Supreme Court takes up a college affirmative action case. Should the city plow sidewalks as well as streets? And the flowers tied to Día de los Muertos.

A major health care merger involving Deerfield-based Walgreens. Two Illinois nuclear plants that were once at risk of closing will now run for decades to come. And a new report finds that Illinois is among the top states where life sciences companies attract investment.

HIV rates in Chicago reach historic lows — but disparities persist. What do Rihanna, Jesse Jackson and RuPaul have in common? They’re all in the next season of the Making podcast. Plus, a new park in Roseland.

An outbreak of violence in Brighton Park. Calls for shelter locations to house migrants from Texas. And learn about the flower that adorns ofrendas for Dia de Muertos.

In a special hour-long forum in partnership with WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, candidates for U.S. senator Tammy Duckworth and Kathy Salvi on gun violence, abortion, the economy and more.

The candidates for Illinois secretary of state square off. The fate of a private towing ordinance. The controversy over transgender athletes in school sports. And a photography club that has their lens way in the past.

Meet the candidates running for Illinois attorney general in the first of our candidate forums. Plus, a rise in Jewish hate crimes. And the impact of the pandemic on students with disabilities.

Crunching the numbers in the CTA’s latest budget proposal. The impact of a major grocery store merger. A hiccup in plans for student loan debt relief. And WTTW News Explains where your ballot goes after it’s cast. 

Chicago biotech company Tempus raises hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from some big-name players. And another apartment building is proposed for what has become Chicago’s hottest neighborhood for multi-family units.

The impact of the federal student loan debt relief program on Black borrowers. Support for families impacted by the building explosion in Austin. And how you can catch the film “Punch 9 for Harold Washington.”

Health professionals push flu and COVID vaccines — what you need to know. Calls for more Latino political representation. And exploring mental health through dance.

Proposed changes to the SAFE-T Act gather momentum. The future of the financial district. New guidance for detecting anxiety in kids. With winter comes road salt — and some ecological problems.

Federal student loan forgiveness applications are open. Our Spotlight politics team breaks down last night’s gubernatorial debate. Comedian and actor Jeff Garlin joins us. And the author of the book “Black Skinhead.”

Chicago’s top doc on upping the vaccine booster rate. Why Mayor Lori Lightfoot is sitting on federal COVID relief money. A look at why Cook County Forest Preserves is asking voters for a small tax hike. And Hedy Weiss reviews new productions.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said COVID hospitalizations remain a point of some concern in the city.

One-on-one with Sen. Dick Durbin ahead of crucial midterms. Where to vote early in Chicago. Could gig workers become full-time employees? Two downtown high rises hit the market. And a new local art exhibit.

Two Chicago high-rises hit the market, leaving more than 700 downtown apartments up for sale. And a loan tied to a distressed hotel in River North sells at a steep discount.

How to apply for Cook County’s guaranteed income pilot. Disparities in breast cancer outcomes. And “The Last Word” on elevating community voices to address social inequities.

Challenges facing women post-incarceration. Talking with kids about sexual abuse. Highlighting Latino art. And a sweet treat as Hispanic Heritage month comes to a close.

The latest hearing from the January 6 Committee. Starbucks shuts down one of its unionized locations. We’re live in Austin for our In Your Neighborhood series. And meet a newly-minted genius. 

An investigation into deaths and mismanagement at a South Side hospital. Plus, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Chicago’s burgeoning tech scene and Día de los Muertos returns to a prominent Pilsen museum.

A look at the candidates for Illinois Supreme Court. A national housing museum finally breaks ground in Chicago. Plus, the latest in Ukraine, federal spending on children and the Chicago Lowrider Festival.