Stories by

(WTTW News)

Man Charged With Murder, Attempted Murder in a Series of Stabbings in Rockford

Christian Soto, 22, has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder in a frenzied stabbing rampage that killed four people in a matter of minutes in Rockford.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, March 27, 2024 - Full Show

Gentrification concerns in South Shore as Obama Presidential Center construction continues. Efforts to increase access to sickle cell disease treatment. And a new book celebrates Black Chicago’s influence.

(WTTW News)

South Shore Voters Endorse Calls to Expand Protection From Gentrification Sparked by Obama Presidential Center

Nearly 80% of voters in two precincts of the 7th Ward endorsed a referendum asking whether Ald. Greg Mitchell and Mayor Brandon Johnson should support “a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance to prevent the displacement of renters, condo & home owners in South Shore in light of the impact of the Obama Center and growing development in the area.”

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III. (WTTW News)

Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Lead Widens Slightly Wednesday to 1,637 Votes in Cook County State’s Attorney Contest

For the first time since Election Day, Eileen O’Neill Burke widened her lead slightly over Clayton Harris III as election officials in Chicago and suburban Cook County counted ballots. The gap between the two candidates has been essentially unchanged for the past 24 hours.

No Labels Founding Chairman and former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024. (AP Photo / Jose Luis Magana, File)

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

Lieberman died in New York City on Wednesday due to complications from a fall, the statement said. He was 82.

A rendering of a White Sox stadium at The 78 site with additional development. (Credit: Related Midwest)

Chicagoans Should Vote on Using Taxpayer Money for Bears and White Sox Stadiums, Ex-Gov. Quinn Says

Should the former governor succeed, a nonbinding referendum would ask Chicago voters on Nov. 5: “Shall the people of Chicago provide any taxpayer subsidies to the Chicago Bears or the White Sox in order to build a stadium or a real estate development?”

Say hello to Seldovia, Shedd Aquarium’s rescued otter pup. (Heidi Zeiger / Shedd Aquarium)

Shedd’s Rescued Otter Pup Has a Newly Announced Name and It’s a Nod to His Small-Town Roots

The rescued otter pup, now nearly 6 months old, was named in honor of his Alaskan roots.

The Chicago Police Department released video of robbery suspects in incidents that occurred March 14-16, 2024. (Chicago Police / YouTube)

Chicago Police Publish Video of Groups Believed to Be Responsible for Waves of Armed Robberies

Chicago police are searching for at least three groups of men they believe are responsible for more than two dozen armed robberies that occurred over a five-day span earlier this month.

Some of the birds gathered by the Field Museum that were killed in October 2023 after colliding with McCormick Place Lakeside Center. (Courtesy of Taylor Hains)

Advocates Cry Foul Over Forthcoming Policy to Make Chicago’s Buildings Safe for Birds, Call Lack of Mandatory Requirements ‘Enraging’

In mid-April, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development is set to release an update to the city’s sustainable development policy. No section of the policy will make bird-friendly design mandatory.

Hillary Amofa listens to others member of the Lincoln Park High School step team after school Friday, March 8, 2024, in Chicago. (Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo)

Should College Essays Touch on Race? Some Feel the Affirmative Action Ruling Leaves Them No Choice

When the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in higher education, it left the college essay as one of few places where race can play a role in admissions decisions. For many students of color, instantly more was riding on the already high-stakes writing assignment.

Jussie Smollett pleads not guilty at Leighton Criminal Court Building, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Pool / Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Jussie Smollett’s Appeal

Illinois’ high court has agreed to hear an appeal from Jussie Smollett, more than two years after the former “Empire” star was convicted of orchestrating an elaborate hate crime hoax.

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are running for the Democratic nomination in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. (Photos provided)

Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Lead Shrinks Slightly Tuesday in Race to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County’s Top Prosecutor

A full week after the March 19 election, the contest remains a long way from being settled, with 53,712 outstanding mail-in ballots from Chicago and approximately 35,000 outstanding ballots from suburban Cook County that will be counted as long as they were postmarked or dropped off on Election Day and arrive by April 2.

Abortion-rights activists rally outside of the Supreme Court, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana / AP Photo)

Supreme Court Seems Likely to Preserve Access to the Abortion Medication Mifepristone

In nearly 90 minutes of arguments, a consensus appeared to emerge that the abortion opponents who challenged the FDA’s approval of the medication, mifepristone, and subsequent actions to ease access to it, lack the legal right or standing to sue.

March 26, 2024 - Full Show

Abortion access is once again before the U.S. Supreme Court. Still no winner in the Democratic primary for Cook County state’s attorney. And Illinois voters consider ranked choice voting.

(WTTW News)

Illinois Teacher Shortage Persists, Survey Finds

This year’s survey found more than 90% of schools responding reported having a “serious” or “very serious” teacher shortage problem.

Chicago Park District workers and union leaders gather in front of City Hall on March 26, 2024. The union SEIU Local 73 represents over 2,200 Chicago Park District workers. (WTTW News)

Chicago Park District Workers Vote to Authorize Strike as Their Union Calls on Johnson to Intervene in Negotiations

More than 2,200 Chicago Park District workers, represented by the union SEIU Local 73, have been in contract negotiations for nine months, the union said.

Zach Wirtz. (Courtesy of The Morton Arboretum)

Morton Arboretum Names New Director of Chicago Region Trees Initiative

CRTI connects organizations — public and private — across the seven-county Chicago area to promote the importance of trees and improve the quality of the region's tree canopy.

Chicago Public Schools headquarters. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Candidates Can Start Circulating Petitions as Chicago Public Schools Begins Transition to Elected School Board

Tuesday marks the first day board of education candidates can begin to gather the minimum 1,000 signatures they need from neighbors in order to make it on the ballot.

The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that has been converted into the city's largest shelter. (WTTW News)

Measles Outbreak Worsens at Pilsen Migrant Shelter, Prompting Officials to Tighten Vaccination Policy

In all, 31 Chicagoans have been diagnosed with measles since March 4.

State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, is pictured on the floor of the Illinois Senate in 2023. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois)

Battery Storage, Disposal Would Be Further Regulated Under Bills in Illinois Senate

One bill would require facilities that store electric vehicle batteries to register with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency by 2026. The state’s Pollution Control Board would set the regulations for the proper storage of EV batteries.

Illinois State Police Cadet Class 145 participates in classroom training. Only one of the nine cadets in the class is a woman. (Andrew Campbell / Capitol News Illinois)

Highest-Ranking Woman in State Police History Reflects on Experience as Force Looks to Diversify

The Illinois State Police do have a higher-than-average presence of women in law enforcement leadership, however. Women make up 14% of ISP’s leadership, according to an agency spokesperson. A new initiative aims to increase that number. 

Amanda Vinicky (WTTW News)

March 25, 2024 - Full Show

After the killing of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins, a conversation about domestic violence. And controversy over demolishing aging Illinois prisons. 

Prison file photo. (WTTW News)

Proposal Would Demolish and Rebuild 2 Illinois Prisons a Review Found Not Suitable for Use

Housing at Stateville Correctional Center is “not suitable for any 21st century correctional center.” Logan Correctional Center is “inefficient, ineffective, and unsuitable for any population.”

Jayden Perkins (Courtesy of Jayden Perkins Family Support Fund)

Advocates Say Domestic Violence is a Community Safety Issue After Killing of 11-Year-Old Jayden Perkins

“We see a lot with our clients, this cycle of domestic violence, and unfortunately, a cycle of systems failing victims,” said Ashley Olson, associate director of Ascend Justice. 

(WTTW News)

‘A Safer City’ Community Conversation: Violence Intervention

“Chicago Tonight” Co-anchor Paris Schutz was joined by Vaughn Bryant, executive director of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, and Kenoya Ali, the housing coordinator for Chicago CRED, to talk about violence reduction efforts.

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are running for the Democratic nomination in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. (Photos provided)

Eileen O’Neill Burke’s Lead Narrows Again Monday Evening in Race to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County’s Top Prosecutor

Six days after the March 19 election, the contest remains a long way from being settled, with an unknown number of outstanding mail-in ballots that will be counted as long as they were postmarked or dropped off on Election Day and arrive by April 2.