Stories by Angel Idowu
New Exhibition Celebrates Chicago Artist Who Finds Healing Through Expression
| Angel Idowu
The phrase, “A lot can change in a year,” is one that could very well be used to describe artist David Ellis and the role expression has played in his life.
Savor the Sabor: Latin Restaurant Weeks Return to Chicago
| Erica Gunderson
From now through Sept. 30, 40 local restaurants are offering specially priced menus and menu items. Latin Restaurant Weeks founder Karinn Chavarria says there’s never been a better time to taste what Chicago has to offer.
Report Finds Black Workers Overrepresented in Low-Wage Roles
| Erica Gunderson
This month, the Shriver Center released a report based on interviews with low-wage workers across Illinois. It found people like home health aides, rideshare workers and warehouse workers struggle with not just low wages but a lack of benefits, insufficient safety protections and job security.
Local Black-Led Tech Startups Get Funding Boost from Google
| Erica Gunderson
The leaders of events management platform Eventnoire and revenue management tool for the vacation rental industry Buoy Pricing were awarded $100,000 each from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Sept. 17, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
How to improve wages — and lives — of low-wage workers. Plus, how Google is investing in Black tech entrepreneurs in Chicago, R. Kelly is convicted and an Englewood native uses art as therapy.
Government Officials, Local Organizations Work to Respond to Hundreds of Arriving Migrants
| Joanna Hernandez
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott continues to bus hundreds of migrants to cities across the country. That includes Chicago, which has welcomed more than 500 people seeking asylum since Aug. 31. Another bus arrived Thursday night at Union Station.
Music Picks to Get Your Playlist Party-Ready for Hispanic Heritage Month
| Erica Gunderson
Music is an integral part of any celebration – and that includes Hispanic Heritage Month, which officially began this week, and Enchúfate’s Sandra Treviño wants to get you ready to party.
‘Destinos’ Latino Theater Festival Returns for Hispanic Heritage Month
| Erica Gunderson
The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance’s annual festival “Destinos” returns this month to showcase Latino theater companies, artists and stories.
The Week in Review: Vice President Kamala Harris Comes to Town
| Paul Caine
Vice President Kamala Harris in town as more migrants are sent to Chicago, GOP candidate for governor Darren Bailey moves to the city amid uproar over a racially motivated ad, and the undefeated Bears head up to Lambeau.
Weekend Forecast: Perfect Weather for Annual Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup on Lake Michigan
| Patty Wetli
The annual Adopt-A-Beach cleanup, organized by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, is set for Saturday.
A Burlesque-Style Fantasy About ‘Miz Martha Washington,’ Slave Holder and First Lady, Opens at Steppenwolf
| Hedy Weiss
“I don’t come here to shame the founders (of our country), or in the case of my play, their spouses,” playwright James Ijames writes. “I come here to test the strength of their ideals.”
Monthly Sustainability Market Offers Recycling Options for Lots of Things Blue Cart Program Rejects
| Patty Wetli
The monthly Sustainability Market provides a one-stop drop-off point for items that range from crayons to wet suits.
2 Chicago Police Officers Charged in Connection with July Shooting in Pilsen That Seriously Injured Unarmed Man
| Heather Cherone
Sgt. Christopher Liakopoulos, 43, and Officer Reuben Reynoso, 42, are set to appear Friday afternoon in Cook County bond court to face charges of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm and official misconduct.
2 Men Charged With Attempted Murder in Shooting of 12-Year-Old Boy, Still in ‘Very Critical’ Condition
| Patty Wetli
Chicago Police announced arrests and charges tied to a Sept. 13 shooting on the city’s Near West Side. The 12-year-old victim is still fighting for his life after what police say was a random act of violence.
Donald Trump Openly Embraces, Amplifies QAnon Conspiracy Theories
| Associated Press
On Tuesday, using his Truth Social platform, the Republican former president reposted an image of himself wearing a Q lapel pin overlaid with the words “The Storm is Coming.” In QAnon lore, the “storm” refers to Trump’s final victory, when supposedly he will regain power and his opponents will be tried, and potentially executed, on live television.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 15-18
| Michael Izquierdo
Alternative music, jazz music, taco festivals, block parties and more fun surprises usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Sept. 15, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Dozens of migrants are temporarily sheltering in Burr Ridge after being bused to Chicago from Texas. We have a live report. Plus, the impact of the R. Kelly verdict and how a smaller Chicago City Council might work.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Migrants Arrive at Burr Ridge Hotel
| Acacia Hernandez
Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso has criticized Chicago and Illinois officials for not informing the village of the migrants’ arrival ahead of time, and said that at this point, his office is actively working with businesses and the school district to assist the families staying at the hotel.
As Chicago City Council Exodus Continues, Is Now the Time to Examine Its Size?
| Eunice Alpasan
Chicago City Council has 50 alderpeople, representing around 54,000 people each. That’s compared to 51 council members in New York City, each representing 173,000 people. Los Angeles has 15 council members with each member representing about 257,000 people.
As Indiana’s Abortion Ban Takes Effect, Already Overwhelmed Illinois Clinics, Groups Brace for Onslaught
| Heather Cherone
The near-total ban on abortion that took effect Thursday in Indiana will force more people to travel to already-overwhelmed Illinois clinics for reproductive health care and seek help from groups that have already reached their capacity, reproductive health care advocates told WTTW News.
For Many, Split R. Kelly Verdict Is Long-Awaited But ‘Bittersweet’ Moment
| Jennifer Cotto
For survivors of sexual assault and their advocates, it has been a long road as a federal jury yesterday convicted singer R. Kelly of six counts of producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex. The conviction comes more than two decades after the crimes took place.
Hellenic Museum Reopens with Photographs by a Greek Prince
| Marc Vitali
The first show back for one of the last museums in Chicago to reopen following the COVID-19 shutdown has a royal pedigree.
Where Do Birds Go? Audubon’s New ‘Explorer’ Tool Provides Clearest Picture Yet of Species’ Epic Journeys
| Patty Wetli
Audubon's new digital platform, Explorer, brings together puzzle pieces from different elements of migratory science and provides the clearest picture yet of species' epic journeys.
Democrats Punt Same-Sex Marriage Protection Vote Until After Election
| Associated Press
The decision adds to the uncertainty facing the legislation, as it gives interest groups and other lawmakers opposing the bill more time to rally Republicans against it. But supporters hope that by pushing the vote back, they will relieve election-year pressure from some conservative voters and persuade more Republicans to support the legislation.
Biden: Tentative Railway Labor Deal Reached, Averting Strike
| Associated Press
Railroads and union representatives had been in negotiations for 20 hours at the Labor Department on Wednesday to hammer out a deal, as there was a risk of a strike starting on Friday that could have shut down rail lines across the country.
Sept. 14, 2022 - Full Show
| WTTW News
R. Kelly convicted in Chicago child porn trial. What’s true and what’s false about the Illinois SAFE-T Act, now a huge issue in the campaign. New rules for festivals in Chicago parks and Spotlight Politics.
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