Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils his first budget proposal. A controversial scholarship program is set to expire — what it could mean. And efforts to rename a Chicago neighborhood with close ties to the history of slavery.
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Ald. Robinson to Propose Name Change for Douglas Neighborhood Due to Historic Ties to Slavery
Oct 11, 2023 | Acacia Hernandez
Douglas is currently named after Stephen Douglas, a 19th century political figure in Illinois whose beliefs and actions were deeply intertwined with the history of slavery. He profited from the labor of people enslaved on a plantation inherited by his wife.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Proposes $16.6B Spending Plan That Closes Budget Gap, Expands Mental Health Services
Oct 11, 2023 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first spending plan does not include a property tax hike to keep up with the rising rate of inflation, or new taxes or fee hikes to cover the city’s budget deficit.
Ahead of Chicago Appearance, Fox News’ Bret Baier Talks Donald Trump and New Book on George Washington
Oct 11, 2023 | Paris Schutz
Brett Baier co-authored the new book “To Rescue the Constitution: George Washington and the Fragile American Experiment.” Baier will discuss the book this weekend as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival.
Visceral Dance in a Riveting Revival of ‘Take’
Oct 11, 2023 | Hedy Weiss
At once abstract, often acrobatic, and driven by alternately intensely challenging solo turns, strongly varied and emotionally heated interpersonal relationships, and ensemble riffs that are technically demanding and expertly finessed — “Take” is performed to stunning effect.
Man Who Spent 16 Years in Prison for Rolling Meadows Killing Set for Release After Murder Charges Dropped
Oct 11, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Patrick Taylor, who spent 16 years in custody following his arrest and conviction in the fatal shooting of a suburban rapper in a Rolling Meadows home, is set to be released Wednesday after prosecutors dropped charges against him.
Illinois Nurses Unions Push for Mandatory Staff-to-Patient Ratios
Oct 11, 2023 | Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Unions representing nurses in Illinois are pushing for legislation that would impose mandatory staff-to-patient ratios in hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities. But lobby groups representing hospitals and nursing homes argue a nationwide nursing shortage makes it impossible to comply with such a mandate.
Republicans Nominate Steve Scalise to be House Speaker and Will Try to Unite Before Floor Vote
Oct 11, 2023 | Associated Press
House Republicans narrowly pushed aside Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, in favor of Rep. Steve Scalise, the current majority leader, lawmakers said. A floor vote of the whole House could come as soon as Wednesday afternoon.
Technical Issues Force CPS to Pause High School Admissions Testing Wednesday
Oct 11, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The district said it paused the administration of the hour-long High School Admissions Test for eighth grade CPS students seeking to enroll in a district selective enrollment high school.
Former NFL Player Sergio Brown Deported From Mexico and Taken Into Custody in Connection with His Mother’s Death in Chicago Suburbs: Source
Oct 11, 2023 | CNN
Authorities discovered the body of 73-year-old Myrtle Brown on Sept. 16 after relatives alerted police they’d been unable to find or contact her or her son, the Maywood Police Department said in a news release. Her body was found near a creek behind her home in Maywood, about 11 miles from Chicago, according to the department.
CO2 Pipeline Project On Hold While Company Reevaluates the Route in 5 States, Including Illinois
Oct 11, 2023 | Associated Press
The proposed 1,300-mile project would carry planet-warming carbon dioxide emissions from more than 20 industrial plants across South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois. The Illinois permit is crucial because that’s where the company planned to store the carbon dioxide underground.
104-Year-Old Chicago Woman Dies Days After Making a Skydive That Could Give Her a World Record
Oct 11, 2023 | Associated Press
On Oct. 1, Dorothy Hoffner made a tandem skydive that could land her in the record books as the world's oldest skydiver. She jumped out of a plane from 13,500 feet.
Skokie Man Charged in Connection to Several Suburban Bomb Threats
Oct 11, 2023 | Matt Masterson
Skokie Police on Wednesday announced that 23-year-old Jacob Spiro was arrested this week and charged with two counts of falsely making a terrorist threat and one count of disorderly conduct.
Oct. 10, 2023 - Full Show
Oct 10, 2023 | WTTW News
The battle for representation on Chicago’s elected school board. A local Palestinian reacts to the devastating attacks in Gaza and Israel. And a lesson in Indian history and culture, one sip at a time.
State Lawmakers Seeking Community Input on Chicago’s Elected School Board Map. Here’s What to Know
Oct 10, 2023 | Blair Paddock
Chicagoans are set to see a new office on their ballot in November 2024. For the first time, voters will elect members to the Chicago Board of Education. While election day is set, the districts that board members will run in have not been decided.
Azadi Brewing Introduces Indian Flavors, Culture to Chicago’s Craft Beer Scene
Oct 10, 2023 | Nicole Cardos
Longtime friends Bhavik Modi and Ray “Gator” Schrand have created what might be the only Indian brewery on tap in the American craft beer market: Azadi Brewing Company. The co-founders said everything about each Azadi beer is a lesson in Indian history and culture.
Israel Pounds Gaza Neighborhoods, As People Scramble for Safety in Sealed-Off Territory
Oct 10, 2023 | Associated Press
The war, which has already claimed at least 1,800 lives on both sides, is only expected to escalate. The weekend attack that Hamas said was retribution for worsening Palestinian suffering under Israeli occupation has fired Israel’s determination to crush the group’s hold in Gaza — hiking risks of an expanded regional conflict.
Pritzker Says Illinois ‘Unequivocally’ Stands With Israel Amid Hamas Attacks
Oct 10, 2023 | Amanda Vinicky
Israel declared war after a surprise attack Saturday by Hamas, an Islamist militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. Authorities report hundreds of deaths.
Snail Newly Discovered in Florida Keys by Field Museum Curator Named After Jimmy Buffett Song
Oct 10, 2023 | CNN
Named Cayo margarita as a nod to Buffett’s song “Margaritaville,” the bright yellow specimen is a worm snail, a type of mollusk that sticks to hard surfaces within the coral reef and forms a tubular shell around itself.
City Panel Endorses Plan to Sell Vacant Little Village Fire Station to National Museum of Mexican Art
Oct 10, 2023 | Heather Cherone
The fire station at 2358 S. Whipple St. was in use for more than a century but has been vacant since 2011 when a new fire station was built two blocks away. The Chicago Historic Resources Survey determined the two-story structure is significant in the context of the surrounding community.
After One Week Without a House Speaker, Republicans Appear No Closer to Choosing a New Leader
Oct 10, 2023 | Associated Press
On Tuesday evening, two leading contenders for the gavel, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, were scheduled to address colleagues behind closed doors at a candidate forum, but they appeared to be splitting the vote.
Villa Park Man Charged With Property Damage, Stalking After Incident at Gov. Pritzker’s Chicago Home
Oct 10, 2023 | Matt Masterson
The Illinois State Police on Tuesday announced that 38-year-old Adam Dabash had been charged with two counts of stalking and one count of criminal damage to property.
Bird Carnage Continued Over Weekend in Chicago. Whatever Happened to City’s Bird-Friendly Ordinance?
Oct 10, 2023 | Patty Wetli
While the full tally of dead will never be known, wildlife advocates are certain of one thing: The vast majority of bird losses in the past week were preventable.
The US Has a Blood Supply Crisis. Here’s How High School Blood Drives Can Help
Oct 10, 2023 | CNN
The American Red Cross, which provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, says the distribution of blood products to hospitals is outpacing the number of donations. Since early August, there has been a nearly 25% decline in donations, it says.
The Vocal and Emotional Brilliance of Audra McDonald at the Lyric Opera House
Oct 10, 2023 | Hedy Weiss
Audra McDonald's glorious soprano voice sounded as beautiful and emotionally expressive as ever, and her delightful commentaries between each of almost 20 mostly classic Broadway songs were at once witty and revealing.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Set to Unveil Spending Plan Designed to ‘Undo Trauma,’ Close $538M Gap
Oct 10, 2023 | Heather Cherone
The spending plan crafted by Mayor Brandon Johnson and his team will provide the most comprehensive response to the myriad of intractable problems facing the mayor, including how to handle the more than 1,700 vacant positions in the Chicago Police Department, since he took office nearly 150 days ago.