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Naperville Mayor: ‘Lift the Illinois Mask Mandate’
| Leslie Hurtado
Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico said that he supports Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mitigation efforts but still believes Illinois should follow the other 44 states that do not have a mask mandate.
Parlor Pizza Under Investigation by City: Block Club Chicago
| Blair Paddock
Former Parlor Pizza employees say they were forced to work overtime without pay and under toxic working conditions, according to Block Club Chicago. The restaurant is now under investigation for possible labor and anti-discrimination violations.
Small Business Owners Say Soaring Property Tax Assessments Could Put Them Out of Business
| Paul Caine
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has vowed to fix what has been a broken assessment system, but it’s meant some big increases for business owners who say they can’t afford it.
Coach of NWSL Soccer Team Resigns, A Day Before Report Alleges Verbal and Emotional Abuse of Players
| CNN
The coach of the Chicago Red Stars resigned Sunday, a day after leading his team to the National Women’s Soccer League title game and a day before a Washington Post report alleged that players had accused him of verbal and emotional abuse.
Man Charged with 5 Homicide Counts in Deadly Waukesha Crash
| Associated Press
Darrell Brooks Jr. was charged with five counts of intentional homicide in the crash Sunday in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb. Conviction on first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life sentence, Wisconsin’s stiffest penalty.
Fighting Gas Prices, US to Release 50 Million Barrels of Oil
| Associated Press
The U.S. action is focused on helping Americans coping with higher fuel and other prices ahead of Thanksgiving and winter holiday travel. Gasoline prices are at about $3.40 a gallon, more than 50% higher than a year ago, according to the American Automobile Association.
Ladies of Virtue Seeks to Empower Young Women, Prepare Them for College
| Joanna Hernandez
Jamila Trimuel founded the nonprofit a decade ago and has made it her mission to help young Black girls go to college. “I see myself in the girls that I serve.”
Man Charged After Allegedly Shooting at Chicago Police Officers Sunday
| Matt Masterson
Felton Williams was on parole following a previous aggravated battery against a peace officer when he allegedly fired a gun at Chicago police officers during a foot pursuit Sunday evening.
November 23, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
One-on-one with Cook County’s assessor as Chicago commercial properties face potentially higher taxes. The fate of Build Back Better. Naperville’s mayor calls for an end to mask mandates. A local pizza chain under fire.
The Santa Experience This Year is a Mix of Laps, Distancing
| Associated Press
“Be smart. Be caring. If you have the tiniest tickle in your throat, the tiniest feeling, worry about yourself and worry about everybody else, and know Santa will always be there next year," said 57-year-old Kevin Chesney, who's been donning the big red suit since he was a kid.
Police Seek Help Finding Missing Teens Last Seen Outside Amundsen High School
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department has issued missing persons alerts for 15-year-olds Sujeily Zepeda and Izebella DeLeon, who were last seen Friday outside Amundsen High School, where both are students.
Popular Poinsettia Show Back at Lincoln Park Conservatory, With Candy Cane Theme and 12-Foot Tree
| Patty Wetli
Another holiday tradition makes a comeback in 2021, as winter flower shows open Wednesday at both the Lincoln Park and Garfield Park conservatories. Timed reservations are required.
'Mama, Are You OK?' In Waukesha, Minutes of Terror Recounted
| Associated Press
The Waukesha Christmas Parade was noisy, and most of the people in it had their backs to the vehicle. So they had no warning before the driver started hitting people, sending bodies flying or crumpling while others fled or rushed to help.
Evictions Jump After Ban Ends, But Tsunami Fails to Materialize in Chicago, Cook County: Data
| Heather Cherone
The number of residential and commercial evictions in Chicago and Cook County were 32% lower in October 2021 than in October 2019, according to data provided by the office of Cook County Chief Judge Tim Evans. October was the first full month with no restrictions on enforcing eviction judgements in Illinois.
Book Censorship Debate: Controversy Over ‘Gender Queer: A Memoir’
| Blair Paddock
Last week, students and officials at a west suburban school district discussed whether the graphic novel should be kept in school libraries. What could that mean for educational freedom?
School Districts Canceling Classes Due to Teacher Shortage
| Amanda Vinicky
Evanston/Skokie District 65 had to cancel classes all week due to staffing shortages, but the problem isn’t limited to the district. Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents President Mark Klaisner says there’s an educator shortage statewide.
Violence at University of Chicago Prompts a Search for Solutions to Ensure Safety
| Evan Garcia
While University of Chicago officials promptly indicated they’d increase off-campus patrolling following the recent death of a graduate, some members of the Asian community are calling for systemic change instead of increased surveillance or police presence.
Great Lakes Invaders Storm a Chicago Beach and Next to No One Notices
| Patty Wetli
Recent storm waves stirred up deposits of invasive mussels from the bottom of Lake Michigan and brought them ashore, begging the question: Would you know a quagga mussel if you saw one?
Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade Still On With Safety Plan in Place
| Patty Wetli
Speaking at a press conference Monday afternoon, Mayor Lori Lightfoot addressed concerns about the safety of large public gatherings after a man crashed his SUV into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin over the weekend, killing at least five people.
In Kenosha and Beyond, Guns Become More Common on US Streets
| Associated Press
Across much of the nation, it has become increasingly acceptable for Americans to walk the streets with firearms, either carried openly or legally concealed.
Target to Keep Stores Closed on Thanksgiving for Good
| Associated Press
Target will no longer open its stores on Thanksgiving Day, making permanent a shift to the unofficial start of the holiday season that was suspended during the pandemic.
Police: Parade-Crash Suspect Was In a Domestic Disturbance
| Associated Press
The joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and waving pompoms turned deadly in an instant on Sunday, giving way to screams and scenes of crumpled bodies as the SUV sped through barricades and struck dancers, musicians and others.
Want To Steer Clear of Holiday Gridlock? Here’s the Chicago Route To Avoid at All Costs
| Patty Wetli
Of the 53.4 million Americans planning to visit family and friends or enjoy a mini-vacation, 90% will be hitting the road in cars. For those looking to avoid the worst of the traffic, AAA has identified a few windows of opportunity.
Is Travel Safe During the Pandemic This Holiday Season?
| Associated Press
It depends. It can be safe if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but officials say people who haven’t gotten the shots should delay travel.
New Book ‘Foxconned’ Argues Controversial Wisconsin Facility Was a Bad Deal
| Nick Blumberg
In 2017, federal and state leaders heralded a massive new factory in southern Wisconsin to be built by Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Foxconn. The facility was supposed to create thousands of jobs and spur economic development, but a new book argues those promises have come up short.
November 22, 2021 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The latest on the holiday parade tragedy in Waukesha. Analysis of the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. A substitute teacher shortage causes canceled classes. And book censorship controversy at a suburban school.
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