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Biden Salutes Troops As ‘Spine of America’ on Veterans Day

President Joe Biden saluted the nation’s military veterans as “the spine of America” on Thursday as he marked his first Veterans Day as president in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Environmental Cleanup of New Park District HQ Runs Into Deeply Buried Hidden Costs

Construction on the Chicago Park District’s new $65 million headquarters in Brighton Park is already $4 million over budget just months after the project broke ground, demonstrating how challenging it is to redevelop former industrial sites, officials said.

Veterans Day Legislation Targets GI Bill Racial Inequities

The new legislative effort would benefit surviving spouses and all living descendants of Black WWII veterans whose families were denied the opportunity to build wealth with housing and educational benefits through the GI Bill.

Security Staffing at Travis Scott Show Unclear, Chief Says

Organizers of the Astroworld music festival have not provided investigators with clear records about private security personnel working the grounds when a massive crowd surge during headliner Travis Scott’s set led to at least eight deaths, Houston’s police chief said Wednesday.

Electric Truck Maker Rivian Zooms to $90B Market Value

The opening trade of $106.75 gave Rivian a market value of about $91 billion, greater than that of Ford and General Motors. That’s noteworthy because Rivian has so far delivered about 150 of its electric pickup trucks to customers, mostly employees, whereas Ford and GM sell millions of cars globally each year.

Rittenhouse Murder Case Thrown Into Jeopardy by Mistrial Bid

The murder case against Kyle Rittenhouse was thrown into jeopardy Wednesday when his lawyers asked for a mistrial over what appeared to be out-of-bounds questions asked of Rittenhouse by the chief prosecutor. The judge did not immediately rule on the request.

November 10, 2021 - Full Show

Plans to renovate the Eisenhower expressway. The fight for a majority Asian American ward. Chicago homeowners drowning in water debt. And “Curb Your Enthusiasm’s” Jeff Garlin on his new photo exhibit.

Photography Exhibit at Weinberg/Newton Gallery Explores Latino Identity

In a citywide exhibition featuring 29 MacArthur Fellows throughout 12 galleries sits a particular exhibit at the Weinberg/Newton Gallery in River North. It’s exploring what it means to be Latino in Chicago.

Jeff Garlin’s Photographs of Funny Friends Show in River North

Comedian and actor Jeff Garlin opens a new show of his photography featuring some of his co-stars and famous friends — Larry David, J.B. Smoove, John Mulaney – often in candid shots backstage and between scenes. 

Chicago Homeowners Owe $421M in Water Debt: WBEZ

A report from WBEZ reveals that homeowners collectively owe up to $421 million in debt, and that includes penalty fees and water taxes. Sixty percent of those homeowners make up the city’s majority Black ZIP codes.  

Advocates Call For Chicago’s First Majority Asian American Ward

Some community leaders want to see Chinatown and the surrounding area included in a single ward as part of the city council’s once-a-decade remap process. Advocates are also calling for Asian American communities in Albany Park, West Ridge, and Uptown to stay together in their respective wards to ensure their voices are heard. 

Federal Infrastructure Bill Could Pave the Road for Rebuilding the Ike

Legislative leaders drive push to move on stalled Eisenhower Expressway project

President Joe Biden is ready to sign a $1 trillion dollar infrastructure bill into law. Illinois is set to receive at least $17 billion from it, with more than $10 billion slated for federal highway projects and bridge replacements.

Park District Budget Anticipates Return to Normal, at Least in Terms of Programming, Staff Levels

The district’s proposed $510.9 million budget for 2022 includes a property tax increase that will add $4.3 million to its bottom line. The tax will cost the average homeowner an extra $4 a year, officials said.

Fire Sergeant Who Led Raid of Anjanette Young’s Home: Top Cop

The sergeant who led the botched raid in February 2019 that left Anjanette Young handcuffed while naked and pleading for help should be fired, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown told the Chicago Police Board.

10 Things to Do This Weekend: Nov. 11-14

Craft beers, handmade pizzas, flamenco dancing and a love story usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Porchlight’s Rousing Revival of ‘Pump Boys & Dinettes’ Serves Up Delicious Diner Nostalgia

Created by a group of six performers and musicians, the 1981 musical is now being brought back to vivid life in a terrific production devised by director Daryl Brooks, music director Robert Reddrick and choreographer Rueben D. Echoles.

Chicago Parks Board President Avis LaVelle Resigns Under Fire Amid Abuse Scandal

Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners President Avis LaVelle said Wednesday she was not forced to resign by Mayor Lori Lightfoot for her handling of complaints that girls and young women were being abused while working at Chicago’s parks.

‘Strong’ Start to Kids Vaccine Campaign, but Challenges Loom

About 900,000 kids aged 5 to 11 will have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in their first week of eligibility, the White House said, providing the first glimpse at the pace of the school-aged vaccination campaign.

Gerrymandering Surges as States Redraw Maps for House Seats

While both parties have gerrymandered, these days Republicans have more opportunities. The GOP controls the line-drawing process in states representing 187 House seats compared with 75 for Democrats. The rest of the states use either independent commissions, have split government control or only one congressional seat.

University of Chicago Leaders Want City’s Help to Improve Safety Plans After Grad Killed

In a joint letter, UChicago President Paul Alivisatos and Provost Ka Yee C. Lee said they’ve spoken with city leaders about formalizing “a number of short and longer-term public safety strategies specifically” for Hyde Park and its surrounding communities.

‘Food Guy’ Steve Dolinsky Explores the World of Chicago Pizza in New Book

The book, “The Ultimate Chicago Pizza Guide: A history of Squares and Slices in the Windy City,” is Steve Dolinksy’s second on Chicago pizza.

Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Working to Address Gaps in Veterans’ Care

After COVID-19 outbreaks earlier in the pandemic, officials say the situation has improved at state-run veterans’ homes, which are only about half full. Admissions are slower than usual because of the pandemic, according to officials.

Ravi Shankar Retrospective on Display at South Asia Institute

Celebrating the life and music of sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar in a new exhibition at the South Asia Institute.

Pathologist: Rittenhouse Shot First Man at Close Range

The first man killed by Kyle Rittenhouse on the streets of Kenosha was shot at a range of just a few feet and had soot injuries that could indicate he had his hand over the barrel of Rittenhouse’s rifle, a pathologist testified Tuesday.

Crowd Surge Wasn’t Mentioned in Astroworld Operational Plan

Emergency plans for the Astroworld music festival did not include protocols for dangerous crowd surges like the one that unfolded during a rush to see headliner Travis Scott, which left eight people dead and injured hundreds of others.

Physicians, Children’s Hospitals Declare Youth Mental Health Emergency

Mental health challenges for children have reached a national emergency, according to several medical organizations representing 77,000 physicians and more than 200 children’s hospitals. “The pandemic has taken its toll in numerous ways,” said clinical psychologist Mashana Smith.
 

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