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Probe into Allegations of Sexual Misconduct by Chicago Police Officers at Police Stations Home to Migrants Closed
| Heather Cherone
There is no evidence that any Chicago police officer had sexual contact with any of the migrants forced to sleep on the floor of the stations after arriving in Chicago from the southern border, the head of the agency charged with investigating police misconduct announced Friday.
Ex-ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore Facing New SEC Fraud Charges
| Matt Masterson
The SEC on Thursday announced it had filed charges against Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd and its parent company Exelon, alleging they engaged in a “multi-year scheme to corruptly influence and reward” former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
United Autoworkers Strikes Grow as 7,000 More Workers Hit Pickets Against Detroit's Big Automakers
| Associated Press
The United Auto Workers union says its two-week strike against Detroit automakers will spread to 7,000 more workers at a Ford plant in Chicago and a General Motors assembly factory near Lansing, Michigan.
2 Chicago Police Officers Not Guilty in Pilsen Shooting That Seriously Injured Unarmed Man
| Heather Cherone
Cook County Judge Lawrence Flood acquitted Sgt. Christopher Liakopoulos, 44, and Officer Reuben Reynoso, 43, after a bench trial, finding they acted reasonably when they opened fire on two men in July 2022.
CPS Sees Increase in Student Enrollment For the First Time in More Than a Decade
| Matt Masterson
CPS officials on Thursday announced that the district’s 20th day enrollment, which serves as the official tally for the academic year, had risen by about 0.4% up to 323,291 students. That marks the first increase in student population in 12 years.
Endangered Black-Crowned Night Herons Are Thriving in Chicago. Researchers Want to Know Why
| Patty Wetli
The more scientists can learn about the Chicago colony of black-crowned night herons, the more they can help these birds help themselves. Because night herons are hanging on in Illinois by a thread.
A Government Shutdown is Nearing This Weekend. What Does It Mean, Who’s Hit and What’s Next?
| Associated Press
The federal government is just days away from a shutdown that will disrupt many services, squeeze workers and roil politics as Republicans in the House, fueled by hard-right demands, force a confrontation over federal spending.
Sept. 28, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Illinois members of Congress on avoiding the looming government shutdown. The history and purpose of Chicago’s water cribs. And reaction to how the city handles Mexican Independence Day celebrations.
Johnson Administration Defends Plan to House Migrants in Tents As Pace of Arrivals Quickens, Costs Mount
| Heather Cherone
The cost of caring for the migrants through the end of the year is now estimated to reach $345 million, according to updated financial projections shared by Cristina Pacione Zayas, the mayor’s first deputy chief of staff. Three weeks ago, those costs were pegged at $302 million, according to city data.
WTTW News Explains: How Do Chicago’s Lake Michigan Water Cribs Work?
| Alexandra Silets
Meet Ellis Chesbrough, Chicago’s first city engineer and designer of the water delivery system we still use today. WTTW News Explains how water cribs work out on Lake Michigan.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Long List of Citywide Arts Events, Massive Jack-O’-Lanterns
| Erica Demarest
Art walks, a charity run and a 12-foot puppet usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
Chicago Taxpayers Pay $100K to Man Who Claimed Ald. Jim Gardiner Had Him Wrongfully Arrested
| Heather Cherone
Benjamin George, a construction worker, said his life was upended on Aug. 19, 2019, when he stopped at a 7-Eleven store in Jefferson Park and mistakenly picked up a cell phone left on the checkout counter that did not belong to him.
A Judge Found Donald Trump Committed Fraud in Building Real-Estate Empire. Here’s What Happens Next
| Associated Press
A judge’s ruling that Donald Trump committed fraud as he built his real-estate empire could strip him of his authority to make major decisions about the future of his marquee properties in his home state.
Average Long-Term US Mortgage Rate Hits 7.31%, Highest Point in Nearly 23 Years
| Associated Press
The average rate on the benchmark 30-year home loan rose to 7.31%, from 7.19% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.70%.
Lee Harris, Who Spent More Than 30 Years in Prison Before Murder Conviction Vacated, Suing City of Chicago
| Matt Masterson
Lee Harris, 67, who claimed he was framed by police and prosecutors before spending 33 years in prison, filed the federal civil rights lawsuit Thursday — six months after his conviction was vacated and he was released from prison following his conviction in the 1989 murder of 24-year-old Dana Feitler.
What Chicago-Area Researchers Are Still Trying to Learn About Long COVID, as Treatment Clinical Trials Roll Out
| Eunice Alpasan
Ongoing research efforts come as many long COVID patients have already exhausted available treatment options and are now left to manage and live with a variety of chronic symptoms.
Spotted Lanternfly Isn’t an Eco Disaster But It Does Have a Major ‘Yuck’ Factor. Here’s How Chicago Can Defend Itself
| Patty Wetli
The first sighting of the invasive pest was confirmed in Chicago, but we’re years from a major infestation and have learned from cities like Pittsburgh how to minimize the nuisance, an expert said.
Sept. 27, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Larry Snelling is sworn in as Chicago’s police superintendent. The city battles the infestation of a new invasive species. And we introduce you to a local champion of artists with disabilities.
Through His Work, Chicago Artist Shines Light on Invisible Disabilities
| Angel Idowu
Matt Bodett recently received a 2023 Midwest Award for Artists With Disabilities. His work is currently on display in a new exhibit in the Hermosa community.
Larry Snelling Confirmed by Chicago City Council as New Top Cop
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson picked Larry Snelling to implement Johnson’s pledge to fight crime in Chicago with a holistic approach that focuses on the root causes of violence.
Get Ready to Stomp and Squash: Illinois’ First Infestation of Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly Confirmed in Chicago
| Patty Wetli
The insect was found in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago, according to a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
Midway Airport to Open Its Own Fee-Based Lounge for Travelers Next Fall
| Eunice Alpasan
The lounge will be accessible to travelers who buy an airport lounge membership or day pass. It is expected to open next fall.
New Recall: Hyundai and Kia Say 3.3 Million Vehicle Owners Should Park Outside Due to Risk of Fire
| CNN
The vehicles addressed in this particular recall could develop an internal fluid leak in the anti-lock brake module. This could result in a short circuit leading to overheating and, possibly, a fire, according to the NHTSA.
Illinois House Speaker Introduces Bill to Allow Legislative Staff to Unionize
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
The bill comes in response to a monthslong effort by Democratic staff in House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch’s office to unionize and negotiate wages, hours and other working conditions.
Chicago Community Activist, Ex-Board of Education Member Joyce Chapman Dies
| Matt Masterson
“Chicago will miss her fighting spirit and her public service,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “I pray for her family during this trying time and send my deepest condolences to her friends, colleagues and loved ones.”
Chicago Police Board Rejects Union’s Call to Move Some Officer Disciplinary Cases to Arbitration
| Matt Masterson
The board on Tuesday rejected a motion brought by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7, which sought to move 22 disciplinary cases from the board to an independent arbitrator, following a summer ruling that opened the door for such a shift.
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