Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Stories by

CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on Reaching Migrant Students, Planning for Extreme Weather

Chicago Public Schools’ first day of school saw a wave of new Spanish-speaking students who arrived in Chicago after seeking asylum in the United States. Those migrant students are dealing with both trauma and language barriers.

With Pandemic-Era Learning Losses Driving Demand, Tutoring Nonprofit Looking for Volunteers

Chicago students are still struggling to make up for COVID-era learning losses, and a local tutoring organization is trying to help students close that gap.

Repeated Police Misconduct by 116 Officers Cost Chicago Taxpayers $91.3M Over 3 Years: Analysis

Chicago spent $197.7 million to resolve lawsuits alleging more than 1,000 Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Of that total, $91.3 million came from settlements involving 116 officers whose conduct led to multiple payouts.

5 Chicago-Area Chefs to Host Fundraiser for Restaurant, Hospitality Workers Impacted by Maui Wildfires

All of the funds raised during the event will go directly to the Hawai’i Community Foundation—Chef Hui Fund, which supports Maui restaurants, hospitality workers and their families who were displaced due to the fires.

Illinois Looks to Curb Vehicle Theft With Grants to Police Task Forces

Six interagency law enforcement task forces received grant funding this spring to combat car thefts through an initiative of Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office.

Cities Are Hotter Than Ever. Here’s 5 Things They Can Do to Help Address the Heat

Despite knowing about the perils of global warming for decades, many cities are proving to be woefully unprepared. Many solutions are based on time-tested design principles. Here are five things cities are doing right now to combat rising temperatures. 

Biden Names Chicago’s Former Top Lawyer as New White House Counsel Amid Congressional Probes

Under the Obama administration, Ed Siskel oversaw the White House legal response to congressional oversight and the rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Siskel, a Chicago native and the nephew of movie critic Gene Siskel, served for two years as the top lawyer in Chicago.

Retail Theft Costing Illinois Businesses Billions as Efforts to Steal Become More Organized

In Illinois, the chamber estimates more than $2 billion worth of goods were stolen from retailers in 2021, but it says the cost to Illinois businesses was more than double that when other factors are taken into account.

Aug. 21, 2023 - Full Show

The latest in our series WTTW News: A Safer City highlights the sharp rise in vehicle thefts — and how to protect your car. Efforts to get kids to school safely. And the impact retail theft has on local businesses.

With Carjackings on the Rise, Illinois Looks to Curb the Growing Crime

There’s been an increase in carjackings nationwide, but Chicago is reporting more incidents than any other city in the U.S.

As Chicago Public Schools Students Return to School, Safe Passage Workers Prepare to Keep Kids Safe

As students return, so to do the Safe Passage workers who are tasked with making sure students make it and from school safely.

Illinois Woman Charged in Federal Court With Threatening to Kill Donald Trump, Teen Son

Tracy Marie Fiorenza, 41, was charged earlier this month in the Southern District of Florida with a count of transmitting a threat to kill or injure another person, according to a federal complaint.

Motor Vehicle Thefts in Chicago Have Jumped by 139% in 3 Years, While Only 4% Are Solved

Adding to the problem, the Chicago Police Department has linked several recent robbery sprees to stolen vehicles. That comes as carmakers Kia and Hyundai face scrutiny for failing to provide adequate security systems for their cars.

It’s a (Very Tall) Girl! Brookfield Zoo Welcomes Baby Giraffe

The 6-foot, 130-pound calf was born Aug. 19, Brookfield Zoo announced Monday.

Indiana’s Near-Total Abortion Ban Set to Take Effect Within Days as State Supreme Court Denies Rehearing

In a 4-1 decision Monday, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its order that Planned Parenthood and other health care providers “cannot show a reasonable likelihood of success” with their challenge to the abortion restrictions.

It Could Feel Like 115 Degrees This Week as Weather Service Issues Excessive Heat Watch for Chicago

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for Wednesday and Thursday, when the combination of high temperatures and oppressive humidity are expected to create dangerous conditions.

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a Stunning Ravinia Performance of Shostakovich’s ‘Symphony No. 5’ and More

For the second half of its Ravinia Festival concert this past Thursday the Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivered a bravura performance of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s extraordinary “Symphony No. 5” and it couldn’t have been more timely in subtle way.

First GOP Presidential Debate Puts Spotlight on Wisconsin, One of the Few Remaining Swing States

Republicans chose Milwaukee for the first debate and for the national convention in just 11 months largely because of Wisconsin’s well-earned status as a swing state. Four of the past six presidential elections have been decided by less than a percentage point. 

Screen Time Linked With Toddler Developmental Delays, New Study Finds

Having anywhere from one to four hours of screen time per day at age 1 is linked with higher risks of developmental delays in communication, fine motor, problem-solving and personal and social skills by age 2, according to the study.

CPS Students Head Back to School Monday as Excessive Heat Looms

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined CPS CEO Pedro Martinez and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates at Beidler Elementary School on the city’s West Side early Monday as kids began the 2023-24 school year.

4 Teens Among 7 People Killed by Gunfire Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, seven people were killed over the weekend between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. During that time 40 people were shot in total, in 33 separate incidents.

Residents React to Chicago Top Cop Selection, Share Hopes for Community Engagement: ‘It’s a Two-Way Street’

If confirmed as superintendent, Larry Snelling faces a delicate balancing act — addressing the crime and violence that have plagued Chicago while also changing the way CPD trains and disciplines its officers.

Black Students Face Continuing Challenges in Chicago Public Schools

Data has shown that Black students in CPS schools are disproportionately subject to discipline, underrepresented in the city’s top-rated high schools and have to travel the farthest of any demographic group to get to school.

Local Initiative Works to Address High Maternal Mortality Rates in Black Communities

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women, according to the Centers for Disease Control. It’s a grim reality that led advocates to start The Gathering campaign.

Taqueria Las Flores Owner Hoping to Rebuild After Fire Destroys North Park Restaurant

Jazmin Flores, the young entrepreneur and owner of Taqueria Las Flores, used her savings to open the restaurant four years ago. She stayed open through the pandemic and navigated financial struggles. Now she’s forced to start over.

‘Somos Un Solo Pueblo, Mexico y Puerto Rico’ Creates Cultural Connections Aug. 26

A first-ever concert will bring the musical traditions of Chicago’s two largest Latino communities together at Millennium Park.
 

Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors