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South Side Voters Speak Up for Trees in Jackson Park and South Shore. Is Anyone Listening?
| Patty Wetli
Voters sent a message to officials by overwhelmingly supporting an advisory referendum calling on the city of Chicago to stop cutting down trees in Jackson Park and South Shore.
Democrats Rochford, O’Brien Declare Victory in Illinois Supreme Court Races
If the results hold, the court would shift to a 5-to-2 Democrat majority.
| Matt Masterson
Democratic Lake County Judge Elizabeth “Liz” Rochford has declared victory in her race for the 2nd District seat on the Illinois Supreme Court, a result that would mean Democrats would maintain control of the state’s highest court.
SEIU Local 73 Endorses Brandon Johnson for Mayor, Joining Chicago Teachers Union
| Heather Cherone
Dian Palmer, the president of SEIU Local 73, said Johnson was the “progressive candidate who will unite a multiracial, working-class coalition to unify Chicago into a city that works for all people.”
Early Results Show Illinois Voters Appear in Favor of Workers’ Rights Constitutional Amendment Decision
| Matt Masterson
If passed, the impact of the so-called “Workers Rights Amendment” would be twofold: The change would codify Illinois workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, while simultaneously prohibiting any law from being passed that would interfere with those rights.
Illinois Democrats Show Strength in the Suburbs as General Assembly Super-Majorities Stay in Tact
| Amanda Vinicky
Election results ensure Democrats will hold onto their super-majorities in the Illinois General Assembly. Republican House Minority Leader Jim Durkin was quick to respond to the bad night for Illinois Republicans.
Off-Duty Chicago Police Officer Involved in Shooting in Belmont Cragin
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police say it’s unclear if anyone was struck after an off-duty officer was involved in a shooting in Belmont Cragin on Wednesday morning.
Preckwinkle Declares Victory, Republicans Lead Races For 2 Cook County Board Seats Democrats Hoped to Flip
| Nick Blumberg
With voting coming to a close in Cook County, Board President Toni Preckwinkle is vying for a fourth term in office and fellow Democrats are looking to maintain the party’s control on all countywide seats.
Sale of Damen Silos to MAT Asphalt Owner Draws Fire From McKinley Park Activists, Who Want To Halt the Deal
| Patty Wetli
Activists in McKinley Park are calling on the state to postpone the sale and give the community an opportunity to weigh in on the decision.
Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker Declares Victory Over Darren Bailey, Says He Will Bring ‘Happy Warrior’ Spirit to 2nd Term
| Amanda Vinicky
Just minutes after polls closed in Illinois, the Associated Press called the race for the incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
After 15 Years of Waiting, DACA Recipient Casts Her First Ballot
| Joanna Hernandez
“It was really exciting and I’m really grateful that I have the opportunity to use my voice this time around,” said Karen Villagomez, who cast her first ballot Tuesday.
Nov. 8, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A rundown of some big Election Day races. What you need to know about the constitutional amendment on the ballot. The mayor’s budget passes City Council. And a student walkout at a local high school.
Supporters Celebrate ‘Victory for People and Nature’ as Forest Preserve Tax Hike Appears a Winner
| Patty Wetli
A proposed tax increase to benefit the Forest Preserve District of Cook County met with little opposition. Will voters respond with support at the ballot box?
The MWRD Is Guaranteed To Welcome a Raft of New Commissioners as Democrats Lead Early Counts
| Patty Wetli
With just one incumbent on the ballot and four seats up for grabs, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Board of Commissioners is guaranteed to welcome a raft of new faces once votes are tallied Tuesday night.
Incumbent Sen. Tammy Duckworth Wins 2nd Term in U.S. Senate: AP
| Heather Cherone
Duckworth, 54, was elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving two terms in the U.S House. Salvi, 63, is a Mundelein lawyer who has never before held elected office.
Live Election Results: Senate, Congress and Illinois State Races
| WTTW News
Live updating election results for Senate, Congress, Illinois governor and other local races.
Two-Page Ballots Create Confusion in Chicago, Some Voters Short-Changed
| Patty Wetli
Voters should receive a Ballot A and Ballot B but in roughly two dozen precincts, an unknown number of people were only handed Ballot A, officials said. The problem has been corrected.
Powerball Ticket Sold in California Snags Record $2.04B Win
| Associated Press
The $2.04 billion prize is for a winner who chooses an annuity, paid annually over 29 years. Nearly all winners instead opt for cash, which was valued at $997.6 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.
Chicago Man Gets Life in Prison for Killing 6 Family Members in Gage Park Home
| Associated Press
A judge on Monday sentenced a man to life in prison for killing six members of his family, including two young boys, inside their Chicago home in 2016.
Nov. 7, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
A rundown of some big Election Day races. What you need to know about the constitutional amendment on the ballot. The mayor’s budget passes City Council. And a student walkout at a local high school.
From State Offices to Control of Congress, Illinois Voters Have Plenty of Decisions to Make Election Day
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois voters on Tuesday will decide races ranging from who will be the next governor and secretary of state, to whether the state will amend its constitution. We break down the races.
Students at Jones College Prep Protest Following Halloween Costume Controversy
| Eunice Alpasan
The calls come following their principal’s response to a student who wore a military uniform costume on Halloween that was widely interpreted to represent a Nazi soldier.
Illinois Voters to Decide If Workers’ Rights Amendment Will Be Added to State Constitution
| Blair Paddock
The so-called “Workers’ Rights Amendment” aims to codify in the state constitution the right to form a union and collectively bargain over a host of issues. It would effectively prohibit any future anti-union legislation, like right-to-work laws.
Chicago City Council Approves Lightfoot’s $16.4B Budget After Tense Debate
| Heather Cherone
The budget takes effect Jan. 1, 2023, approximately two months before Mayor Lori Lightfoot is set to ask voters for a second term as Chicago mayor, does not include a property tax hike to keep up with the soaring rate of inflation, or any other tax or fee hikes.
Crain’s Headlines: Walgreens Backs Purchase of VillageMD
| WTTW News
Walgreens backs a deal to purchase a medical center company. The owners of a landmark hotel on Michigan Avenue are hunting for a buyer — again. And a new report finds Chicago’s affordable housing problem isn’t as bad as some other cities.
Brookfield Zoo Marks 100 Years Since Groundbreaking With Eye Toward the Future
| Joanna Hernandez
Brookfield Zoo is celebrating a big milestone. It was a century ago when construction on the grounds began.
‘Native Truths’ Offer Fresh Perspective at the Field Museum
| Marc Vitali
The Field Museum renovated its Native North America Hall and drastically shifted its focus. The new approach emphasizes story-telling and contemporary art – as well as historical items from the collection. The exhibition space is called “Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories.”
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