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In Move Advocated by J.B. Pritzker, Democrats Push Abortion Rights to the Ballot in 2024
| CNN
“We should put the right to choose on every ballot across the country in 2024 — not just with the candidates we choose, but with referendum efforts to enshrine reproductive rights in states where right-wing politicians are stripping those rights away,” Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker told CNN.
Proposed US Rule Would Bar Full Ban on Trans Athletes But Allow Exceptions
| Associated Press
The proposed rule sends a political counterpunch toward a wave of Republican-led states that have sought to ban trans athletes from competing in school sports that align with their gender identities. If finalized, the proposal would become enshrined as a provision of Title IX, the landmark gender-equity legislation enacted in 1972.
Save the Date: One Year Until Total Solar Eclipse Sweeps US, Will Hit Illinois
| Associated Press
It’s been less than six years since a total solar eclipse cut across the U.S., from coast to coast. That was on Aug. 21, 2017. The next one is predicted to hit Illinois.
US Adds a Healthy 236,000 Jobs in March Despite Fed’s Rate Hikes
| Associated Press
Measured month to month, wages rose 0.3% from February to March, a tick up from a mild 0.2% gain from January to February. But even that figure signaled a slowdown from average wage increases in the final months of 2022.
April 6, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Why a State Street building is set for demolition. The pros and cons of ranked choice voting. The impact of the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. And we’re “in your neighborhood” as three religious holidays converge.
Faith Leaders Promote Unity as Passover, Ramadan and Holy Week Converge
| Blair Paddock
“I think that faith should always be something that helps people to see the connections between themselves more than the divisions,” said Alia Bilal of the Inner-City Muslim Advocacy Network.
Abortion Drives Liberal’s Win in Wisconsin Supreme Court Election
| Associated Press
Spending on the race topped $42 million, nearly triple the national record for a court race. Almost 40% of the state’s eligible voters cast a ballot, the highest turnout for a spring election that didn’t feature a presidential primary in 20 years.
Illinois Lawmakers Propose Ranked Choice Voting. Here’s How It Works
| Jennifer Cotto
There’s an effort to implement ranked choice voting in Illinois as early as the 2024 presidential primary. Proponents say ranked choice voting helps ensure representative outcomes; opponents say it’s confusing to voters.
Federal Government Plans to Demolish Century-Old Building Next to Threatened Historic Skyscrapers
| Nick Blumberg
The move is the latest development in a fight over historic preservation and courthouse security. The government has also been pushing to demolish the Century and Consumers buildings, two early 20th century skyscrapers located to the east of the Dirksen Federal Building.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Chicago Easter Egg Hunts, Improv Brunch
| Erica Demarest
An art exhibit, improv brunch and classical Chinese dance usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
Johnson, Lightfoot Meet at City Hall to Begin Transition of Power
| Heather Cherone
The mayor-elect has just 41 days to set up his administration and prepare to tackle the myriad problems facing Chicago.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas Accepted Luxury Trips Paid for by GOP Megadonor, ProPublica Reports
| CNN
The report of the connection between Thomas and conservative businessman Harlan Crow is already adding to calls that Congress investigate potential ethical lapses. Key Senate Democrats were previously mulling using this year’s funding legislation for the Supreme Court to pressure the justices to adopt some sort of ethics code.
Chicago Doctor Donates Kidney to Virginia Woman She’s Never Met to Inspire Others
| CNN
Dr. Aleksandra Gmurczyk helped take two people off the waitlist when she donated her own kidney to a woman she had never met and launched a kidney-paired donation.
Chicago State University Faculty, Staff Begin Strike Monday
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago State University chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (CSU UPI) authorized a potential strike last month, and after the latest bargaining session Saturday didn’t lead to a new contract, members decided to begin a work stoppage Monday.
April 5, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Checking in with some of the big winners from last night and assessing where the city goes from here under Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. And the latest on a second firefighter killed in the line of duty this week.
How Brandon Johnson Weathered Attacks Over Claims He Would Defund the Police
| Heather Cherone
Chicago voters rejected efforts by moderate Democrats and Republicans to turn Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s support for criminal justice reform into a fatal liability.
New City Council Set to Be More Diverse as Center of Power Moves Left
| Heather Cherone
Nearly a quarter of the city will get new political leadership in 2023, a result of an unprecedented exodus of veteran alderpeople that led to a generational shift in Chicago politics, with six Black, Latina and Asian American women replacing veteran City Council members, all of them men.
Veteran Chicago Firefighter Dies After Fire Breaks Out at Lake Shore Drive High-Rise
Second firefighter killed in line-of-duty this week
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Fire Department responded after flames broke out in a high-rise building at 1212 North Lake Shore Drive Wednesday morning. While there, the CFD called for a mayday and an emergency medical response after one firefighter suffered critical injuries and later died.
‘Shut It Down!’ Activists Rally at Preview Event for Controversial Englewood Save A Lot
| Nick Blumberg
Activists, community members and local elected officials have for months expressed their concerns to Save A Lot operator Yellow Banana about the poor reputation Save A Lot has among many Chicagoans, particularly Black residents.
O’Hare Airport Named 4th Busiest in the World for Passenger Traffic
| CNN
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was still the world’s busiest airport for passenger volume in 2022, holding the top spot it reclaimed in 2021 after being knocked off stride by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charges Filed Following Reports of a Gun at Highland Park High School
| Erica Demarest
Police were called to Highland Park High School following a report of a student with a gun. The school was locked down Tuesday; no shots were fired.
WTTW News Explains: How Would Ranked Choice Voting Work in Chicago?
| Paris Schutz
What if there were a different way? What if you could rank your choices in order of your preference? Well, there is a system like that and it’s already being used in some jurisdictions. It’s called ranked choice voting. It has its backers as well as detractors.
April 4, 2023 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Tonight's the night — the latest results in the race between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas for Chicago mayor. We’re live with both campaigns and full analysis. Plus, Trump’s historic criminal indictment.
Brandon Johnson Defeats Paul Vallas to Become Next Mayor of Chicago: ‘It Is Time for Chicago to Come Alive’
| WTTW News
In his victory speech, Brandon Johnson emphasized the importance of coalition in his campain and pointed toward the need to continue building coalitions across the city moving forward. He appealed to those who did not vote for him and promised to work together.
Chicago City Council Runoff Results Determine Balance of Power
| Heather Cherone
Nearly a quarter of the city will get new political leadership in 2023, a result of an unprecedented exodus of veteran alderpeople that will herald — along with the election of a new mayor — the start of a new era at City Hall.
Donald Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Charges; Admonished by Judge
| Associated Press
Wearing his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump turned and waved to crowds outside the building before heading inside to be fingerprinted and processed — a remarkable reckoning after years of investigations into his personal, business and political dealings and an extraordinary moment in U.S. history.
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Charlie Kirk, Conservative Activist Raised in Chicago Suburbs, Shot and Killed at Event in Utah
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Rifle Recovered in Search for Charlie Kirk’s Killer; FBI Releases Person of Interest Photos
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