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Outrage Over Allison Arwady’s Firing Puts a Spotlight on Brandon Johnson’s Public Health Agenda

During his campaign for mayor, Brandon Johnson promised to fire Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, and Friday night, he did just that — setting off a wave of recriminations and outrage.

Pritzker Vetoes Measure Granting Ameren Authority Over Transmission Line Construction

The governor issued what’s called an amendatory veto, striking only the portion of House Bill 3445. He left the rest of the bill, which modifies a state grant program and requires several policy studies, untouched.

Trump, Rauner, Policy Wins on Democrats’ Minds During State Fair’s Political Festivities

Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner remained popular punching bags for Illinois Democrats as they rallied in Springfield Wednesday, while the party also touted a long list of recent policy wins. Republicans will have their own rally Thursday.

Illinois Will Provide Burial for Migrant Toddler Who Died on Bus Traveling From Texas to Chicago

Jismary Alejandra Barboza González, who would have turned 4 next week, died Aug. 10 while on a chartered bus, part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s program begun last year of sending migrants crossing into the state to Democratic-led cities across the country.

Some Abortion Drug Restrictions Are Upheld by Appeals Court in Case Bound for the Supreme Court

The restrictions won’t take effect right away because the Supreme Court previously intervened to keep the drug available during the ongoing legal fight.

Items Seized in Widely Condemned Police Raid at Marion County Record Newspaper in Kansas Will Be Returned, Officials Say

An attorney for the Marion County Record said the local prosecutor has agreed to withdraw a search warrant executed on the newspaper Friday and will return all seized items, answering demands of press freedom advocates who sharply condemned the police action.

CPS Could Spend Up to $5M on COVID-19 Rapid Tests for the Coming School Year

The city’s Board of Education will vote next week on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million with the Pittsburgh-based Fisher Scientific company to provide COVID-19 testing supplies to the school district for the upcoming academic year.

Choate Director Replaced as New Report Says Abuse at the Facility Hasn’t Stopped

A new report by an advocacy agency details how abuse and neglect at Choate have continued despite calls for and promises of reform.

The department’s about-face on Choate’s top leader follows months of reporting on poor conditions at the facility by Capitol News Illinois, Lee Enterprises Midwest and ProPublica.

About 146,000 United Auto Workers Members to Vote on Strike Authorization Next Week

The union’s contracts with General Motors, Ford and Stellantis expire in about a month, at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.

New Illinois Law Requires Parents to Compensate Child Social Media Influencers

Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker signed a bill amending the state’s Child Labor Law that will allow teenagers over the age of 18 to take legal action against their parents if they were featured in monetized social media videos and not properly compensated. 

Emails Shown at Mapes Trial Detail Madigan World’s Response to 2018 Sexual Harassment Scandal

The email was introduced as evidence in the trial of longtime Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes, who was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice after allegedly lying to a grand jury investigating Madigan and his inner circle.

Aug. 15, 2023 - Full Show

Behind the selection of Larry Snelling as Chicago’s next top cop. A deep dive on the latest criminal charges against former President Trump. And the growing threat of hacking hospitals.

How RICO, a Law Associated With Mobsters, Is Central to Georgia Charges Against Donald Trump

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis used Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, law to charge Trump and 18 associates for allegedly participating in a wide-ranging conspiracy to overturn the state’s 2020 election results.

Why Hospitals Are Being Increasingly Targeted by Cyberattacks

Hacking is a growing concern for hospitals and health institutions. Cyberattacks on hospitals and health systems more than doubled from 2016 to 2021, according to a JAMA report.

Community Leaders Who Chose Top Cop Finalist Weigh in on Snelling Selection and What’s Next

Pending City Council approval, Larry Snelling faces leading the Chicago Police Department at a time when residents are demanding answers to the city’s perennial problem of violent crime. He will also have to lead the department through the transformational change demanded by a court-ordered consent decree.

Are You Ready for Back-to-School Season? Here’s a Health Checklist to Prepare Your Child for the Upcoming School Year

The new school year is just around the corner. WTTW News asked pediatricians and physicians in the Chicago area to share what they think parents should keep in mind as their children head back to school.

Days After Pritzker Signs Law, Gun Industry Group Challenges New Firearms Marketing Restrictions

The Connecticut-based National Shooting Sports Foundation filed the suit in the Southern District of Illinois on Monday, just two days after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed it into law.

In First Public Comments, Biden Says He Plans to Visit Maui Soon as He Mourns Devastation from Wildfires

In his first comments on the disaster since late last week, Biden said he wanted to ensure a possible presidential visit wouldn’t impede recovery efforts.

Chicago Man Left Paralyzed in Police Shooting Files Suit Against City, Officers

Raymond Comer, 38, filed a seven-count civil suit in Cook County court in which he claimed he was shot by a Chicago police officer multiple times as he sat inside a vehicle last August.

Man Who Set Fire at an Illinois Planned Parenthood Clinic Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Tyler Massengill has admitted using a homemade explosive to set a fire at the Peoria clinic in January, a few days after Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law with additional legal protections for abortion procedures.

Biden Approves Disaster Relief for Cook County Residents Whose Homes Flooded During Severe July Storms

Cook County residents are now eligible for assistance, including grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, officials said.

Christkindlmarket 2023 Dates Released: What to Know About the Holiday Market Coming to Chicago, Aurora

Christkindlmarket has announced its 2023 season will begin Nov. 17 at three locations in the Chicago area: Daley Plaza, Gallagher Way at Wrigley Field and RiverEdge Park in Aurora.

Bond Set at $5M for Teen Charged in Fatal Shooting of 16-Year-Old Highland Park Boy

According to Lake County prosecutors, Estiven Sarminento, 16, appeared in court Tuesday after he was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the fatal shooting Sunday of 16-year-old Omar Morales-Diaz.

Former Ald. Brookins Won’t Have to Pay $5,000 For Violating Ethics Ordinance After Lawsuit Against Ethics Board Is Dismissed

Chicago Board of Ethics Chair William Conlon said the settlement was “in the best interest of everyone,” while former Ald. Howard Brookins said he had been vindicated.

Art Institute, School of the Art Institute Workers Ratify Union Contract in a First for a Chicago Cultural Institution

Art Institute of Chicago Workers United was the first in a unionization wave that’s swept across local museums and cultural institutions.

Donald Trump, 18 Others Indicted For Efforts to Overturn Georgia 2020 Election Loss

The historic 41-count indictment unsealed Monday is the fourth criminal case that Trump is facing. All 19 co-defendants must surrender by Aug. 25 at noon, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told reporters Monday after the indictment was released.
 

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