Stories by WTTW News
Local Officials Condemn, Question Trump Travel Ban
| Paris Schutz
The latest from local elected officials on President Donald Trump’s travel ban after a weekend of confusion and protest at O’Hare.
Muslim Civil Rights Group Sues Over Constitutionality of Travel Ban
| Alexandra Silets
The Council on American-Islamic Relations filed a federal lawsuit Monday over the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s executive order, which they say targets Muslims.
Does Trump’s Travel Ban Make Americans Less Safe?
| Paul Caine
The White House pushes back against criticism of President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Is the executive order a big setback for counterterrorism efforts?
Chicago to Give Away 25,000 Reusable ‘ChiBags’ for Start of Bag Tax
| Alex Ruppenthal
Starting Wednesday, customers will pay a 7-cent tax on each paper and plastic bag provided by stores to carry out items in all Chicago retail stores.
Luvvie Ajayi Offers Up Some ‘Act-Right’ in New Book ‘I'm Judging You’
| Nick Blumberg
A Chicago author’s new book lays out the case that we can all do better.
Illinois’ US Senators, Reps. Respond to Trump’s Executive Order on Refugees
| Alex Ruppenthal
A majority of Illinois' congressional members have issued statements about President Donald Trump’s executive order temporarily banning immigrants from seven predominately Muslim countries. Find out what they have to say.
Back to That Same Old Place: Sweet Home Chicago
| Erica Gunderson
For the last couple of years, the news about Chicago has rarely been upbeat. Thus it comes as little surprise that both Chicago and Illinois lost residents faster than any other major U.S. city or state in the last few years. But sometimes, they come back.
Metra Fare Increases Begin Feb. 1
| Maya Miller
Metra fare increases as of Wednesday include 25-cent increases for one-way tickets and $11.75 more for monthly passes.
Refugees, Visa and Green Card Holders Detained, Turned Away at O'Hare
| Paris Schutz
What began as a regular Saturday at O’Hare International Airport grew into a dizzying scene of demonstrators and attorneys working feverishly to release travelers who had been detained by U.S. customs and border patrol officials.
Cook County Laying Blueprint for New Age of Community Solar Projects
| Alex Ruppenthal
Cook County is more than halfway through a multiyear project that aims to make solar energy more affordable for residents.
Supt. Eddie Johnson Gets ‘Light-Headed’ at Press Conference
| WTTW News
Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson “felt light-headed” at a Friday morning press conference but did not lose consciousness, said police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
‘Radical’ Gallery Exhibition Houses 2 Homeless Chicagoans
| Maya Miller
A Chicago gallery’s newest exhibition takes an unusual approach to addressing homelessness. Meet the creative team behind the “House” show.
The Week in Review: Trump, Chicago Off to a Rocky Start
| WTTW News
President Donald Trump and Mayor Rahm Emanuel butt heads over crime and immigration as the new commander in chief tweets about sending the Feds to Chicago. And Springfield’s budget “grand bargain” hits some roadblocks.
AG Madigan Files Motion to Stop State Workers’ Pay Until Budget Passed
| Amanda Vinicky
Attorney General Lisa Madigan took legal action Thursday night that could bring an end to Illinois’ long-running budget imbroglio, by initiating either a shutdown or a compromise.
Lead Testing, Energy Jobs Highlight Illinois’ 2016 Environmental Scorecard
| Alex Ruppenthal
On Thursday, the Illinois Environmental Council released its Environmental Scorecard, highlighting the top pieces of environmental legislation (and legislators) from 2016.
New Reality: 4 Progressives Report on Congress
| Alexandra Silets
Republican lawmakers help President Donald Trump in his first whirlwind week in office. Democratic Congress members join us with their reactions.
Stevenson Students ‘Leading the Way’ in STEM Program
| Matt Masterson
About 1,300 high school students completed Project Lead The Way’s college- and career-readiness credentialing program last year. More than 60 of those came from Stevenson High School – the highest total for any individual high school in the country.
Former Fenger Principal Liz Dozier on ‘Chicago Beyond’ Project
| Nick Blumberg
2017 in Chicago is off to another violent start. Public schools face a resource crunch. And an educator experienced in how those problems intertwine is trying to tackle both.
Women’s March Inspires Trump Taxes March Chicago
| Kristen Thometz
Thousands have expressed interest in a march urging Donald Trump to release his tax returns. “We want to see your taxes, Mr. President,” said organizer Taran Brar.
New Book Seeks to Answer the ‘Why’ Behind the Holocaust
| Paul Caine
For 36 years, professor Peter Hayes sought to understand and explain the Holocaust to students at Northwestern University. He joins us to discuss his new book.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Is This Guy Kidding? Chicago is Rudderless’
| Erica Gunderson
Viewers sound off on our interview with Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Jan. 25-29
| Maya Miller
Restaurant deals, a polar plunge, the White Sox and a hip-hop festival usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Gentler Governor Calls for Compromise but Sticks to Demands
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner largely bypassed Illinois’ myriad troubles and instead spent much of his speech Wednesday listing his administration’s achievements and calling for cooperation.
Sanctuary City Stare Down
| Paris Schutz
Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city that harbors undocumented immigrants is on thin ice, but the mayor and other city leaders say they aren’t backing down.
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