Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Stories by

State Lawmakers Have Quiet Discussions But Take No Formal Action on SAFE-T Act Revisions

It’s been two years since Illinois Democrats passed the major criminal justice law known as the SAFE-T Act, but it’s getting a lot of attention now as the bail overhaul approaches.

Property Tax Investors Exploit Loophole, Add Financial Burdens to Struggling Cook County Homeowners

Delinquent properties are eligible for the Cook County Tax Sale, which is administered by the Cook County treasurer’s office. That’s where a private investor buys the debt and can make a big profit off of it.

Nov. 16, 2022 - Full Show

Why delinquent Cook County property taxpayers face spiraling debt. Meeting Springfield’s new leaders. Who’s in and who’s out in the mayor’s race. And NASA heads back to the moon 50 years after Apollo 11.

Lightfoot Pushes City Council to Use Downtown Property Taxes to Fund Far South Side Red Line Extension

Lightfoot formally introduced a proposal on Wednesday to the Chicago City Council to create a new tax-increment financing district along the southern branch of the CTA Red Line to fund the extension of the train line first envisioned by former Mayor Richard J. Daley in the 1950s. 

Chicago’s Oldest House Was Once Hoisted Over the Green Line. The Latest Change: It Has a New Name

The Clarke House, built in 1836, is now the Clarke-Ford House to reflect the stewardship of Bishop Louis Henry and Margaret Ford, who rescued the building for posterity.

Lightfoot Agrees to Allow Heads of Chicago Public Schools, CTA to Testify at City Council Meetings

Mayor Lori Lightfoot initially opposed efforts by members of the City Council to require the heads of the city’s sister agencies to answer questions from the City Council but dropped her objections Wednesday. 

Same-Sex Marriage Legislation Clears Key Senate Hurdle

Twelve Republicans voted with all Democrats to move forward on the legislation, meaning a final vote could come as soon as this week, or later this month. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill ensuring the unions are legally recognized under the law is chance for the Senate to “live up to its highest ideals” and protect marriage equality for all people.

Large Events — Looking at You, Riot Fest — Now Require Approval of Park District Board of Commissioners

On Wednesday, commissioners unanimously approved an amendment to the Park District’s code that gives members of the board the final say on permits for large-scale events held in the city's parks.  

R. Kelly Asks Judge to Toss Federal Child Pornography Convictions or Grant New Trial

Kelly’s attorneys on Tuesday filed the routine post-conviction motions asking a judge to either toss out the singer’s six convictions or grant him another trial, arguing prosecutors failed to prove their case and allowed a witness to provide false testimony.

NASA’s Mightiest Moon Rocket Lifts Off 50 Years After Apollo: ‘It Was Pretty Overwhelming’

If all goes well during the three-week flight, the crew capsule will be propelled into a wide orbit around the moon and then return to Earth with a Pacific splashdown in December.

Rising Food Costs Take a Bite Out of Thanksgiving Dinner

Americans are bracing for a costly Thanksgiving this year, with double-digit percent increases in the price of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned pumpkin and other staples.

The Check Is in the Mail, And Being Stolen. Chicago Police Warn of Recent Thefts, Check 'Washing'

The Chicago Police Department has issued a community alert following several reports of checks stolen from U.S. postal boxes.

Nov. 15, 2022 - Full Show

Property taxes are due next month — what exactly goes into your bill? Donald Trump is expected to announce his re-election bid. What’s behind a turkey shortage. And a tree that’s seen it all is coming down.

After Election Losses, Illinois Republicans Pick New State Senate and House Leaders

A red wave may not have materialized on Tuesday as polls predicted and the GOP had hoped, but election currents swept in changes across the top ranks of the Illinois General Assembly.

Various Factors Driving Up the Cost of Thanksgiving Turkeys This Year

This year, some turkey farmers have been impacted by avian influenza, which affected more than 50 million birds, according to the CDC. No commercial flocks in Illinois have been affected. 

Lawyer Turns to Art in Effort to Explain Criminal Justice System

A lawyer is using what she learned in that role to create art that helps people better understand the reality of Cook County’s criminal justice system.

CTA Board OKs Budget With No Fare Hikes, But Fiscal Challenges Loom

The CTA’s Board of Directors approved a $1.8 billion operating budget for 2023, a plan that doesn’t include fare increases for passengers. But with ridership still down from pre-pandemic levels, the budget relies on nearly $400 million in federal stimulus money to make up for lost fare revenue. 

Reputed Wicked Town Gang Leader Convicted on Federal Racketeering Charges

Donald Lee, 40, and 30-year-old Torance Benson were each found guilty Tuesday following a two-month trial in Chicago’s federal court building after prosecutors said they each participated in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the city’s West Side.

Donald Trump Seeks White House Again Amid GOP Losses, Legal Probes

Trump had hoped to use the GOP’s expected gains in last week’s elections as a springboard to vault himself to his party’s nomination. Instead, he finds himself being blamed for backing a series of losing candidates after Republicans failed to take control of the Senate. 

AP Source: Russian Missiles Cross Into Poland During Strike

Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy facilities Tuesday with its biggest barrage of missiles yet, striking targets across the country and causing widespread blackouts. A senior U.S. intelligence official said missiles crossed into NATO member Poland and killed two people.

Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment Approved by Voters: AP

Illinois’ constitution will be amended to explicitly protect unions, according to backers of the change who’ve been closely watching as mail-in ballots get added to totals from last Tuesday’s election. Outside entities and leading critics of the question say it’s too early for unions to claim victory.

Police, CTA Officials Offer Riders Safety Tips Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season

Safety tips offered by the CPD include: being aware of your surroundings, securing wallets and phones in zipped pockets, keeping shopping bags close to you and keeping headphone volume low enough to hear what’s happening nearby.

Walmart Offers to Pay $3.1 Billion to Settle Opioid Lawsuits

The retail giant's announcement follows similar proposals on Nov. 2 from the two largest U.S. pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co., which each said they would pay about $5 billion.

World Population Hits 8 Billion, Creating Many Challenges

The world's population will likely hit an estimated 8 billion people on Tuesday, according to a United Nations projection, with much of the growth coming from developing nations in Africa.

Winter Weather Advisory Tuesday, Days After Record High Temps: Yep, Chicago Weather in a Nutshell

A winter weather advisory went into effect Tuesday morning for much of the Chicago region, a far cry from last week's balmy 70-degree temperatures.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Oldest Resident Has Been Hiding in Plain Sight for About 300 Years. Its Days Are Now Numbered.

A bur oak has towered over the zoo’s south lawn, opposite the primate house, since before there even was a zoo. It even predates the founding of the United States of America. 
 

Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors