Stories by
White House Reveals Winter COVID-19 Plans, More Free Tests
| Associated Press
After a three-month hiatus, the administration is making four rapid virus tests available per household through covidtests.gov starting Thursday.
COPA Publishes Video Showing Mayor Lightfoot’s Security Detail Exchange Gunfire During Attempted Robbery Last Month
| Matt Masterson
The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Thursday released surveillance videos from the Nov. 1 shooting, which occurred during an alleged robbery in progress in the 1800 block of North Monticello Avenue.
After a Challenging Staffing Year, Chicago Park District Adds 8 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
| Patty Wetli
The Chicago Park District announced a number of new benefits designed to help with recruitment and retention at the December meeting of the district’s board of commissioners.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 16-18
| Kristen Thometz
German-inspired outdoor markets, festive trains and buses, carols and Latino dishes usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
14-Year-Old Charged With Bringing Firearm Into Chicago Elementary School
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police announced the student has been charged with felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon and threat to a school building. He was also cited for possessing a high capacity magazine and metal piercing bullets.
Callery Pear on List of Species Illinois Assessing as Invasive. Here’s What That Means
| Patty Wetli
The candidates include well-known banes like garlic mustard and wild parsnip, but also a plant adored by landscapers and property owners: the Callery pear tree.
Medical Care and Politics Go Hand in Hand at Roseland Community Hospital
| ProPublica and WTTW
Under the leadership of CEO Tim Egan, Chicago’s Roseland Community Hospital has awarded business to his friends and acquaintances, employees have donated to his political funds and he has appeared in a campaign ad for the state’s comptroller.
Dec. 14, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The fate of funding for the massive southern extension of the Red Line. Immigrants who are victims of crimes are being denied visas even though they're entitled. And a new community hub for South and West Side families.
Injustice Watch Investigation Examines Why Chicago Police Deny Crime Victims Specialized Visas at Higher Rates
| Andrea Flores
A recent investigation by Injustice Watch found that the Chicago Police Department has prevented undocumented immigrants who are victims of crimes from qualifying to apply for temporary status.
New Community Campus Hopes to Bring Gathering Space, Activity Hub to Austin
| Joanna Hernandez
Broader Urban Involvement and Leadership Development is close to completing a large community campus that will bring services and gathering spaces.
City Council Votes to Fuel Far South Side CTA Red Line Extension with Downtown Property Taxes
| Heather Cherone
The move will generate $959 million for the project by funneling a portion of the increase in property tax revenues for the next 35 years from the 42nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th and 25th wards — even though the extension of the train line would be miles away from any of those wards.
In Cook County, Black Youth Make Up 70% of the Foster Care System. Advocates Say More Support is Needed After They Age Out.
| Medill School of Journalism
In Cook County, Black youth account for more than 70% of the child welfare system. Meanwhile, Black residents make up only 23% of the county’s total population. As of February 2022, there are more than 4,000 Black children in foster care in Cook County.
Chicago Officials Give Final Approval to Bally’s Casino Complex in River West
| Heather Cherone
Bally’s Chicago casino is set to have 3,400 slots and 173 table games in addition to an exhibition hall, 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater and 11 restaurants. The development will include a 2,100-square-foot park and walking path along the river and a three-level underground parking garage, according to the plans released by city officials.
Indiana Man Who Straw Purchased Gun Used to Kill Police Officer Ella French Sentenced to 2 ½ Years in Prison
| Matt Masterson
Jamel Danzy, 40, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring to straw purchase the semi-automatic handgun that was used to kill Ella French and critically wound her partner Officer Carlos Yanez in August 2021.
Chicago to Pay $1.2M to Settle 3 Police Misconduct Cases, Including Raid Where 8-Year-Old Was Handcuffed
| Heather Cherone
Chicago taxpayers will pay $1.2 million to settle three lawsuits claiming Chicago police officers committed a wide range of misconduct, including handcuffing an 8-year-old boy for more than 40 minutes during a raid of his family’s home.
García Backs Proposal to Use $10M in Federal COVID-19 Relief to Help Homeowners Struggling With Property Tax Hikes
| Heather Cherone
The measure is designed to prevent longtime Chicago residents from being pushed out of their homes by soaring property tax bills.
Despite State Incentive Push, Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Slow to Spread in Illinois
| Amanda Vinicky
An economic package, which gives tax credits to incentivize electric vehicle and parts production and training in Illinois, has yielded few results, to the point that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to soon sign legislation that will expand some tax credits.
As RSV Peaks and COVID Cases Rise, Illinois Hospitals Face Limited ICU Availability
| Acacia Hernandez
Illinois reported 3,314 new COVID cases Tuesday, leading to about a 7% increase from last week. Meanwhile, data shows RSV cases are on a steady decline and the virus could finally be peaking.
Fusion Breakthrough Could be Climate, Energy Game-Changer
| Associated Press
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced a “major scientific breakthrough” Tuesday in the decadeslong quest to harness fusion, the energy that powers the sun and stars.
Soul Food Lounge Looks to Bring Upscale Dining Experience to Lawndale
| Angel Idowu
After being approached to enhance the neighborhood, entrepreneur and chef Quentin Love decided to open what he hopes will be a soul food staple on the city’s West Side.
After 36 Flights, NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Exceeds All Expectations
| Paul Caine
NASA’s Ingenuity Mars helicopter is the first aircraft humankind has ever created that is capable of powered, controlled flight on another world. NASA’s team lead on the project discusses its significance.
Dec. 13, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Alderpeople on extending the Red Line and taking down the Trump sign. The state’s top doctor on the “triple-demic.” Electric cars hitting a pothole in Illinois. Helicopters on Mars. And a taste of the Soul Food Lounge.
Michigan Man Charged With Threatening to Shoot Mayor Lori Lightfoot in Message Sent to Official Website
| Matt Masterson
Prosecutors said William Kohles was upset over crime rates in Chicago when he allegedly wrote a threatening message to Mayor Lori Lightfoot in which he claimed he would shoot the mayor.
Biden Signs Gay Marriage Bill at White House Ceremony: ‘This Law Matters to Every Single American’
| Associated Press
The new law is intended to safeguard gay marriages if the U.S. Supreme Court ever reverses Obergefell v. Hodges, its 2015 decision legalizing same-sex unions nationwide. The new law also protects interracial marriages.
Man Facing Hate Crime Charges Allegedly Threatened to ‘Burn’ Rabbi ‘In a Gas Oven’ During Confrontation Outside Jewish High School
| Matt Masterson
Jay Bollyn, 69, was arrested on hate crime charges and ordered held on a $100,000 D-bond during a court hearing Tuesday. He must post $10,000 to be released from custody.
Bally’s Casino Complex Proposal Set for Final Vote by Chicago City Council
| Heather Cherone
The $1.74 billion proposal still needs the approval of the Illinois Gaming Board, which must license Bally’s to operate the Chicago casino set to be built along the Chicago River near Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2025 Chicago Festival Guide
Potential ICE Raids, National Guard Intervention Poses Challenges for Chicago Police on the Ground
Feds Tout New Immigration Operation in Illinois as Communities Await ICE Raids
Chicago Police Officer Shoots, Kills Person in Car That Intentionally Struck CPD Vehicles, CPD Says
Staff Shakeup at Fermilab and Argonne as Buyouts Follow Budgeted Funding Drop, Federal Research Shift
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter