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Stories by Marc Vitali

Theater Critic Hedy Weiss on 3 Must-See Productions Running This Month

Local stages are heating up this summer. While there may be plenty of worthwhile options, Hedy Weiss joins “Chicago Tonight” to give a rundown of some of her must-see productions.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on Abortion Rights, New Firearm Tracing Database

Incumbent Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. In November, he will face Republican Tom DeVore, an attorney who successfully fought against Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mask mandates in public schools.  

First Graduates of Cook County Restorative Justice Program Recognized

Participants in the the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Restorative Justice Community Court spent six to nine months learning conflict resolution and job skills, as well as receiving emotional support.  

National Education Association President on Plans for the Future of Schools

Thousands of educators from across the country are coming to Chicago to discuss and debate public education policies. The National Education Association is holding its annual meeting here. Amanda Vinicky spoke to the union president about her plan for the future of schools, including emotional learning, standardized testing, and addressing mass shootings in schools. 

Illinois Parts Ways With Supreme Court on Climate Change: ‘Illinois Leaders Must Resist These Calls To Go Backward’

Illinois environmental groups were quick to condemn the Supreme Court’s limits on the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, and placed the state in opposition to the justices’ stance. 

Federal Judge Won’t Toss Charges or Sever Cases in R. Kelly’s Upcoming Chicago Trial

A day after R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison following his racketeering conviction in New York, a federal judge has denied a request to throw out additional charges against the R&B singer ahead of his upcoming trial in Chicago.

Back To Nature: How a Tiny Nonprofit Is Rewinding the Clock on 300 Acres of Illinois Farmland That Wants To Be Wetland

Climate change and the alarming trends of species extinction and habitat loss demand that conservation organizations think big. So The Land Conservancy of McHenry County stepped up its game.

Supreme Court Limits EPA in Curbing Power Plant Emissions

By a 6-3 vote, with conservatives in the majority, the court said that the Clean Air Act does not give the Environmental Protection Agency broad authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants that contribute to global warming.

Ketanji Brown Jackson Sworn In, Becomes 1st Black Woman on Supreme Court

Ketanji Brown Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, is joining three other women — the first time four women will serve together on the nine-member court. President Joe Biden nominated Jackson in February, a month after Stephen Breyer, 83, announced he would retire. 

Supreme Court: Biden Properly Ended Trump-Era ‘Remain in Mexico’ Asylum Policy

President Joe Biden suspended the program on his first day in office in January 2021. But lower courts ordered it reinstated in response to a lawsuit from Republican-led Texas and Missouri. The current administration has sent far fewer people back to Mexico than did the Trump administration.

Illinois Advocates Call for Universal Child Care, Say Current System is ‘Unaffordable, Unavailable’

The Illinois Child Care for All Coalition is calling for publicly-funded universal child care, saying it is unavailable and unaffordable for many in the Prairie State. 

One-on-One With Gov. J.B. Pritzker as the Incumbent Shifts Focus to the General Election

The day after Illinois Republicans handily selected farmer and state Sen. Darren Bailey as his general election opponent, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled glimpses of what’s to come

Spotlight Politics: Trump-Backed Bailey to Face Pritzker in Fall

Our Spotlight Politics team has much more on last night's primaries, and how the key races are shaping up for November. We'll also get their take on yet more explosive revelations from the Jan. 6 hearings in Washington.

Contemporary Artist Paints Chicagoans ‘Wearing’ Local Landmarks

Whether it be catching the wind on the Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier or dancing to the hums of waters splashing at Buckingham Fountain, contemporary artist Paul Brourman is eager to pay tribute to a city he’s called home for the last 30 years, and some of his favorite landmarks with his new series “Chicago Looks Good On You.”

Fritz Kaegi to Face Nico Tsatsoulis in November Election

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi was able to fight off challenger Kari Steele, putting him one step closer to a second term in office.

Republican Tom DeVore to Face Incumbent Attorney General Kwame Raoul

Republican Tom DeVore won yesterday and is looking to replace incumbent Kwame Raoul, who is seeking reelection. DeVore, an attorney, has been behind several lawsuits against the state over mask and other COVID-19 mandates, leading to some tough words from the governor.

Delia Ramirez Wins Democratic Primary in 3rd Congressional District

Should she prevail against her Republican challenger, Justin Burau, in the general election in November, Ramirez wants to focus on environmental issues as well as Medicare for All and immigration reform.

June 29, 2022 - Full Show

The general election campaign has officially begun, as Darren Bailey prepares to take on J.B. Pritzker. Plus, we talk with some of yesterday’s other winners and analyze the results.

1955 Warrant in Emmett Till Case Found, Family Seeks Arrest

A warrant for the arrest of Carolyn Bryant Donham — identified as “Mrs. Roy Bryant” on the document — was discovered last week by searchers inside a file folder that had been placed in a box, Leflore County Circuit Clerk Elmus Stockstill told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

City Announces Plan to Upgrade All Protected Bike Lanes to Concrete Amid Outcry Over Cyclist and Pedestrian Deaths

The city plans to upgrade 15 miles of existing protected bike lanes and add 10 new miles by the end of this year, and upgrade the remaining existing lanes protected by bollards or other means by the end of next year.

A Night of Mirth and Rebirth as Muti and the CSO Bring a Thrilling ‘Concert for Chicago’ to Millennium Park

An audience of 12,000 people poured into Millennium Park Monday evening to hear maestro Riccardo Muti lead the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in a thrilling performance of works by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky on the Pritzker Pavilion stage.

Illinois Launches ‘State-of-the-Art’ Firearm Tracing Database

Attorney General Kwame Raoul was in Chicago Wednesday to announce the launch of Crime Gun Connect — an online platform that allows police departments to access gun trace records more efficiently than ever.

R. Kelly Sentenced to 30 Years in New York Sex Trafficking Case

R. Kelly has been jailed without bail since in 2019. He’s still facing child pornography and obstruction of justice charges in Chicago, where a trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 15.

12 Things to Do This Weekend: June 30-July 4

A pop-up street art festival, summer workouts, circus acts and the sounds of nature usher in the holiday weekend. Here are a dozen things to do in and around Chicago.

Bidders Hit Bump in Road for Chicago’s Asphalt Contract. City Rejects Offers Due to Environmental Concerns

Rejected bids included a $500 million offer from MAT Asphalt, which faced strong opposition from environmental justice advocates. The city announced it will issue a revised solicitation for asphalt production in the fall “to better address environmental and public health concerns.”

Conservative State Sen. Darren Bailey Cruises to GOP Nomination, Will Face Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November

Fresh off an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, downstate farmer and state Sen. Darren Bailey appears to have coasted to a win the six-way Republican contest for Illinois governor. We take a look at the statewide election results and what they mean for November. 
 

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