Stories by Eddie Arruza
DCFS Director George Sheldon Abruptly Resigns
| Eddie Arruza
George Sheldon’s departure comes as he faces an ongoing ethics probe involving contracts and DCFS is under fire for its handling of the Semaj Crosby case.
Joe Ferguson Says Cash-Strapped City Could Save Millions
| Paul Caine
With collective bargaining agreements covering more than 90 percent of city workers set to expire this year, a new report from the inspector general highlights millions in potential savings.
Chicago Band Local H Opens for Metallica
| Marc Vitali
In April, veteran Chicago band Local H was announced as the winner of Metallica’s “Hit the Stage” contest. Now they’re adjusting to playing stadium shows. We speak with one of the founders of the band.
Large-as-Life Dinosaurs Frighten and Fascinate at ‘Jurassic World’
| Erica Gunderson
A new exhibit aims to be an immersive experience that brings the 2015 movie and its gigantic reptilian stars to life.
Chicago’s Fountains Make a Splash in New Book
| Nicole Cardos
“Chicago’s Fabulous Fountains” details the history and curiosities behind some of the city’s aquatic art, from politically induced mischief to true crime stories.
Ask Geoffrey: Lyric Opera’s Marquee Mystery
| Erica Gunderson
Geoffrey Baer drops the curtain on an opera house mystery in this week’s edition of Ask Geoffrey.
Study: Thrill, Lack of Recreational Activities Attract Youth to Gangs
| Kristen Thometz
Former gang members cited a lack of recreational activities and the rush of adrenaline they got from participating in gang violence as reasons for joining gangs, according to a new study.
Louise Bernard Named Museum Director of Obama Library
| Kristen Thometz
As museum director, the Yale graduate will lead the design, development and operation of the Obama Presidential Center’s museum, according to the Obama Foundation.
‘Stingray Touch’ Opens at Shedd Aquarium
| Alex Ruppenthal
Visitors to Shedd Aquarium’s seasonal exhibit can dip their hands into a pool and discover the texture of this unique sea creature.
Cook County Drug Court Program Designed to Break Cycle of Addiction
| Brandis Friedman
Often when criminal court defendants are placed on probation, they’re sent back to jail if caught using drugs. But in one Cook County courtroom, they’re given a second chance – and sometimes a third or fourth.
Chris Kennedy: State Property Tax System a ‘Racket’
| Paris Schutz
In a speech Tuesday on the city’s South Side, gubernatorial candidate Chris Kennedy called for abolishing the current property tax system, calling it a “racket” and likening it to extortion.
Vocal Heroes: Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 Share the Stage
| Marc Vitali
Alan Paul and Claude McKnight join us in discussion.
Supreme Court Crunch Time
| Alexandra Silets
A look at the cases to watch as U.S. Supreme Court decisions start rolling in.
Real Estate Website Zillow Sued Over Price Estimates, Offers Reward
| Evan Garcia
In a class-action lawsuit filed this month in Cook County, a suburban family argues that estimates on the real estate website are inaccurate and illegal under Illinois law because they’re not licensed appraisals.
More to Love: Polyamory in the Real World
| Erica Gunderson
Is monogamy the gold standard for romantic relationships, or is more better?
Protesters Demand Budget as Legislators Edge Closer to Adjourning
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois legislators are edging closer to their adjournment Wednesday at midnight, but as of Tuesday evening no agreed plan had surfaced.
State Commission Could Lose Power to Overturn Charter School Closures
| Matt Masterson
If signed by the governor, a Senate-approved bill would leave authority over charter closures with local school boards.
Okapi Calf Born at Brookfield Zoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
The striped “forest giraffe” is the 28th okapi to be born at the suburban zoo since 1959, when it became the first zoo in North America to have a birth of the species.
‘Comic Nurse’ Addresses Illness, Caregiving in Graphic Novel
| Kristen Thometz
MK Czerwiec began writing comics as a way to cope with the challenges of being an AIDS nurse during the height of the epidemic. Now, she’s hoping to use comics as a way to begin conversations around caregiving.
Ed Paschke Exhibit Features Rare Works of ‘Mr. Chicago’
| Maya Miller
When asked to describe the late artist Ed Paschke, Vesna Stelcer, the director at the Jefferson Park art center that bears his name, chooses one word: timeless.
Rumors of Underground Railroad in Irving Park Prompt Archaeological Dig
| Maya Miller
A farmhouse built in 1856 may have ties to the Underground Railroad. This summer, the homeowners and a Lake Forest archaeologist will begin work to uncover the mystery.
Mayor Applauds Gun Bill, But it’s Stuck
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson on Monday commended the Illinois House for passing a long sought-after measure cracking down on people caught multiple times for illegal gun possession, but perhaps they were too quick with their praise.
Illinois Still Has No Budget (But a Bunch of Other Bills In the Works)
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois legislators are under the gun to pass Illinois’ first complete budget since July 2015. The spring session ends Wednesday, though with time running short it seems more likely that the deadline will be put off until the end of June.
Without a Budget, ‘That’s It’: Weekend State Budget Update
| Amanda Vinicky
Lawmakers heard tales of woe Sunday as the Illinois House resumed what’s supposed to be the swan song of the annual spring session. There is, increasingly, a prevailing sentiment that the Democratic-led General Assembly will fail to pass a budget by May 31.
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June 29, 2026 - Full Show
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