Stories by WTTW News
R. Kelly Judge Orders Lawyers Not to Talk About New Evidence
| Associated Press
A federal judge has barred attorneys from divulging new evidence in R. Kelly’s child pornography case, saying he wants to ensure the celebrity case is tried in court, not in the media.
Judge Won’t Reconsider Special Prosecutor Ruling in Jussie Smollett Case
| Matt Masterson
The high-profile case won’t be transferred to another court and the judge handling the proceedings has denied Jussie Smollett’s efforts to get involved.
US to Set Up Plan Allowing Prescription Drugs from Canada
| Associated Press
The Trump administration said Wednesday it will set up a system to allow Americans to legally import lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada, weakening a longstanding ban that had stood as a top priority for the politically powerful pharmaceutical industry.
Key Takeaways: Should the 2020 Democrats Go Big or Get Real?
| Associated Press
Should Democrats be going big or getting real? That’s the question that dominated the Democratic presidential primary debate as progressive favorites Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders fended off attacks from lesser-known moderates.
A New Way to Measure the Mental Health Benefits of Nature in Cities
| Alex Ruppenthal
A new study offers a framework cities can use to begin measuring the mental health benefits of nature, while helping municipal planners and policymakers integrate nature into their projects.
Body of 1930s Gangster John Dillinger to be Exhumed
| Associated Press
The body of notorious 1930s gangster John Dillinger is expected to be exhumed in September at an Indianapolis cemetery but it could be a tough job because his grave is encased in concrete.
Chicago on Fast Track to Vehicle Ticket Collection Reform
| Andrea Guthmann
Vehicle fines are driving thousands into debt each year. City Clerk Anna Valencia gives us the road map to changes in parking fees and fines.
Report: Illinois Parents Give Up Child Custody for College Cash
| Evan Garcia
Why are some well-off parents in Chicago’s north suburbs giving up custody of their children? An investigation by ProPublica Illinois finds it may be to get college financial aid.
Can – and Should – Chicago Take Over ComEd’s Infrastructure?
| Alexandra Silets
For years, ComEd has had control of Chicago’s power supply. Now, nearly two dozen aldermen want to take a closer look at a possible public takeover of the utility. A look at the pros and cons of a takeover.
Eve L. Ewing Explores Race Riots in New Poetry Collection ‘1919’
| Quinn Myers
A new book by local poet and sociologist Eve L. Ewing investigates the legacy of the 1919 Chicago race riots through poetry, blending verse with historical text and archival photos.
Police: 2 Chicago Moms Killed in Shooting Likely Not Targets
| Associated Press
Two women who worked with other mothers to try to stop gun violence in their South Side Chicago neighborhood were killed by bullets police do not believe were intended for them.
City of Chicago Launches Website Dedicated to 2020 Census
| Kristen Thometz
The new website answers common questions about the census, offers a timeline, resources and more in an effort to ensure a complete count of Chicago residents next spring.
Report: Incarceration Rates Drop Nearly 20% Under Kim Foxx
| Matt Masterson
A new report analyzes the prosecution practices and case settlements under Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. Among the findings: The number of sentences involving prison time fell “significantly” in 2018.
Capital One Target of Massive Data Breach
| Associated Press
A security breach at Capital One Financial, one of the nation’s largest issuers of credit cards, compromised the personal information of about 106 million people, and in some cases the hacker obtained Social Security and bank account numbers.
Northwestern Memorial Tops ‘Best Hospitals’ List for Chicago, State
| Kristen Thometz
For the eighth consecutive year, Northwestern Memorial Hospital has been named the best hospital in both the Chicago metro area and the state by U.S. News & World Report.
For 20 Years, Music Center a ‘Beacon of Hope’ on Chicago’s West Side
| Angel Idowu
A Chicago youth orchestra is playing tribute to some of the greats in a summer music concert series. We catch up with the Chicago West Community Music Center.
Planned Parenthood on Abortion Access, Reproductive Health Care
| Quinn Myers
Jennifer Welch, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois, discusses the impact of new federal restrictions on reproductive health care.
What to Watch for in Next Round of Democratic Presidential Debates
| Alexandra Silets
This week, 20 Democratic hopefuls again take the stage to debate the issues currently at the forefront of the 2020 presidential election. Jason DeSanto of Northwestern University previews the event.
Rep. Krishnamoorthi on Mueller, Trump and Impeachment
| Nick Blumberg
Last week, former special counsel Robert Mueller testified before Congress. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi was there to question Mueller, and now he joins us in conversation.
Harvest Time for Onions, Garlic – and Dandelions
| Paul Caine
Jeanne Nolan shows us how to harvest red onions, garlic, scallions and edible weeds from our organic garden at WTTW.
Electric Scooters in Chicago: Are They Here to Stay?
| Paul Caine
Chicago’s pilot program to allow electric scooters on city streets is proving popular – at least with scooter users. We check in on the four-month program.
Pritzker, Other Governors Pitch Plan to Protect Great Lakes
| Alex Ruppenthal
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and four of his counterparts in the region are urging candidates in the 2020 presidential election to back a new plan aimed at protecting the Great Lakes.
Ravinia Festival Pulls Out All the Stops in Celebration of Leonard Bernstein
| Hedy Weiss
The widely celebrated 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein is now in the midst of a grand-scale finale as the Ravinia Festival moves through its second summer of programs devoted to all aspects of his legacy.
Health Officials Investigate 2 Cases of Legionnaires’ Disease at Suburban Hospital
| Kristen Thometz
The individuals were both patients at Rush Oak Park Hospital within the past three months, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2025 Chicago Festival Guide
ICE ‘Unwilling’ to Share Details After Agent Killed Suburban Man During Immigration Operation, Pritzker Says
Chicago Among Major US Cities That Are Slowly Sinking: Study
‘I Think He’s Losing It’: Pritzker Brushes Aside Latest National Guard Threat From Trump
2 More Developments Designed to Transform Chicago’s Financial District Into a Residential Neighborhood Advance
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter