Stories by WTTW News
Assessing Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Record and Legacy
| WTTW News
Chicago Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman has doggedly and meticulously covered Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his predecessors for decades. She joins Carol Marin to discuss his legacy.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 28-31
| Kristen Thometz
Lush plants, show tunes, hot coffee and cold beer usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
White People’s Eating Habits Produce Most Greenhouse Gases, Study Finds
| Alex Ruppenthal
The diets of white Americans contribute to climate change more than the eating habits of African and Latino Americans, according to a new report by a group of Chicago researchers.
New Film ‘The Public’ Explores How Libraries Can Help the Homeless
| Erica Gunderson
In his new film “The Public,” writer, director and actor Emilio Estevez examines the intersection of homelessness and public spaces. Estevez joins us to discuss the film along with Chicago-based artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith and author Ryan Dowd.
Chicago Wrestling Coach Pays it Forward While Building a Dynasty
| Jay Shefsky
In just a few years, Ron Wilson reintroduced Bowen High School’s wrestling program and turned it into a city and regional powerhouse. Now, Wilson, a special education teacher turned firefighter, continues to lead the Boilermakers.
Audit: Slow Legionnaires’ Response at Illinois Veterans Home
| Associated Press
A state audit contradicted former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s claim that his administration had done everything federal experts recommended to remedy a deadly 2015 Legionnaires’ disease crisis.
Honoring Rivalries: Bears-Packers to Open 2019 NFL Schedule
| Associated Press
As part of the celebration of its 100th season, the NFL will break from tradition and feature the Bears vs. the Packers in its season opener Sept. 5.
Booting by Private Companies Remains Source of Tension Between Drivers, Businesses and Aldermen
Leave your car unattended in a private lot and you may pay the price
| DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence
If you park in a private lot and get booted it will cost you nearly three times what the city charges for a regular parking ticket. For more than 15 years it’s been a controversial – and sometimes maddening – fact of city life.
Prosecutors Drop All Charges Against Jussie Smollett
| Matt Masterson
“Empire” actor Jussie Smollett exited the Leighton Criminal Court Building a free man Tuesday morning after prosecutors unexpectedly dropped felony charges against him in a case that’s garnered national headlines for months.
Surprising Outcome in Smollett Case Provokes Anger from Mayor, Police Superintendent
| Nick Blumberg
We discuss the legal underpinnings of the stunning move by prosecutors to drop all charges against “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett, and how media coverage of the case has played out.
EPA to Remove Manganese-Contaminated Soil on Southeast Side
| Alex Ruppenthal
Regulators plan to clean up the soil of several residential yards with high levels of brain-damaging manganese, but they have yet to finalize a plan for addressing homes with elevated levels of lead in the soil.
The Choice for Mayor 2019: Lori Lightfoot
| Paris Schutz
From humble beginnings in Massillon, Ohio, to a high-powered federal prosecutor. We bring you an in-depth profile of mayoral candidate Lori Lightfoot.
The Choice for Mayor 2019: Toni Preckwinkle
| Nick Blumberg
As the April 2 runoff eletion nears, we take an in-depth look at Toni Preckwinkle’s path from high school history teacher to political power player.
Mueller Report Summary Finds No Trump Collusion With Russia
| Paris Schutz
Political fallout over the report’s findings is just beginning. Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti joins us with legal analysis of the document.
40th Ward Candidate Forum: Incumbent Ald. O’Connor vs. Vasquez
| Eddie Arruza
In 2015, 40th Ward Ald. Patrick O’Connor easily won re-election. But the second-longest-serving member of the Chicago City Council is now in one of the most contentious runoff races in the city. He and challenger Andre Vasquez join us.
Landmark Study Offers Data on Pregnancy in State Prisons
| Alex Ruppenthal
About 4 percent of women incarcerated in state prisons across the U.S. were pregnant when they entered jail, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health.
High School Journalists Go Beyond ‘Senn TV’ with New Stories of Chicago
| Evan Garcia
Chicago high school students, with some guidance from WTTW, recently produced stories showcasing one family’s journey from Bangladesh to Chicago and an open mic event sponsored by Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper.
City Beefs Up Pothole-Patching Crews Following Wild Winter
| Erica Gunderson
A volatile winter has left the city’s streets cratered with potholes. What the city is doing to patch them up.
Police: Gunman in Officer’s Murder Sought to Kill ‘First Hispanic Man’ He Found
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police say they’re considering hate crime charges against two men charged in the fatal shooting of off-duty Officer John Rivera.
4 in 10 Chicago Parents Don’t Have Paid Leave, Survey Finds
| Kristen Thometz
Caring for a sick family member, such as a child, is the top reason why parents take off work, according to a new citywide survey. Yet nearly 40 percent of working parents don’t have paid leave.
Social Security Administration Warning of Phone Impersonation Scheme
| Kristen Thometz
While the Social Security Administration may contact people by phone, employees will never threaten a person or a promise Social Security benefit approval in exchange for information, according to the agency.
2 Charged in Fatal Shooting of Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer
| Associated Press
Two men are charged with first-degree murder in the weekend slaying of an off-duty Chicago police officer who was repeatedly shot while sitting in a parked car.
New Poll Suggests Lightfoot Poised to Clinch Mayor’s Race
| Amanda Vinicky
Half of Chicagoans believe the city is “on the wrong track,” according to a new WTTW/Crain’s Temkin/Harris poll, which also indicates that Lori Lightfoot will win the April 2 runoff election to become Chicago’s next mayor.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: $10M NFL Settlement
| Evan Garcia
Eddie Arruza and guests discuss the impact of a reported $10 million settlement between the NFL and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and current Carolina Panthers player Eric Reid.
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Police Brass Agrees to Suspend Officers for Violating Rights of Black Driver During Downtown Traffic Stop
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Rival Budget Proposal Advances Calling for $473M in New Taxes, $35M From Advertising on Light Poles and City Vehicles
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