Stories by

(WTTW News)

Illinois GOP Taking Stock, Looking to Future After ‘Very Disappointing’ Election

Last Tuesday was instead an unmitigated disaster for the Illinois GOP — losing every race for statewide office and falling further into super-minority status in the statehouse. It’s prompted calls from within for some soul-searching.

(CNN)

After Formula Shortage, Breast Milk Bank Aims to Meet Demand

In the Chicago area, Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes is the only accredited milk bank. Despite a slow increase in supply, the bank is still providing this valuable resource.  

Pianist Inna Faliks performs at the Music Institute of Chicago, where her mother was a faculty member. (WTTW News)

Pianist Recalls Roots in Chicago and Ukraine – and an Early Appearance on WTTW

Pianist Inna Faliks is an educator, mom and a distinguished concert pianist who is in demand across the globe. But before all that, one of her first television appearances was on WTTW in 1994 when she was just 15 years old.

(Credit: McDonald's)

Crain’s Headlines: McDonald’s Plots World Cup Campaign

Property owners will receive their tax bills soon — and homeowners might be a bit let down. Zoro, an e-commerce platform for business supplies, is joining the list of companies moving from the suburbs to the city. And McDonald's is rolling out what they say is their largest global campaign to date for the World Cup.

Gold Standard worker Barry Rose says the company discriminated against Black workers. (WTTW News)

Chicago Bakery, Staffing Company Move to Settle Discrimination Lawsuit Brought By Black Temp Workers

A staffing agency and the bakery’s then-owner are set to pay more than $1 million to settle the case. Worker advocates say the suit points to widespread problems faced by temp workers, and the possible legislative solutions.

Food scraps can be composted into nutrients for soil. (herb007 / Pixabay)

Chicago Announces Compost Pilot Program That Draws on Expertise of City’s Community Gardens

Six community gardens will test the logistics of a compost program that could be expanded if it proves successful and scaleable.

(WTTW News)

City Council Set to Pay $5M to Family of Teen Shot and Killed by Chicago Police Officer in 2019

The Chicago City Council is set to pay $5.8 million to resolve three lawsuits alledging misconduct by Chicago Police officers.

Members of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless blast half of the City Council for failing to show up for a hearing on a proposal to tax the sale of properties worth more than $1 million to fight homelessness on Monday, Nov. 14. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

Lightfoot, Allies Block Hearing on Proposal to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness

Dozens of Chicagoans who waited hours to get their turn to address the Chicago City Council were prevented from speaking because a majority of the Chicago City Council attended Monday's special meeting.

President Joe Biden speaks about student loan debt forgiveness in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Aug. 24, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci, File)

Federal Appeals Court Ruling Keeps Biden Student Debt Forgiveness Plan On Hold

The ruling by the three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis came days after a federal judge in Texas blocked the program, saying it usurped Congress’ power to make laws.

(WTTW News)

Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Stepfather at Bronzeville Home

Kenneth Haywood, 30, was ordered held on a $400,000 D-bond during a hearing Monday following his arrest over the weekend in the killing of 56-year-old Shenan Thompson.

In this June 15, 2017 photo, people walk inside the Oculus in New York. Google has agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states in connection with an investigation into how the company tracked users’ locations. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

40 States Settle Google Location-Tracking Charges For $392M

The investigation by the states, which officials said was spurred by a 2018 Associated Press story, found that Google continued to track people's location data even after they opted out of such tracking.

Brandon Johnson speaks after receiving the backing of SEIU Local 73 in his bid for mayor on Nov. 9, 2022. (WTTW News)

SEIU Healthcare Illinois Becomes Latest Union to Back Brandon Johnson for Mayor

The 90,000-member union that represents hospital, nursing home, home care and child care workers throughout the Midwest backed Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner, four days after U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García entered the race for mayor, scrambling the contest.

(WTTW News)

6 People Killed in Separate Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 28 people were shot in 26 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

A residential street in Wicker Park in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Let Chicago Voters Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness, Progressives Propose

Supporters of the proposal say the change will help the nearly 66,000 Chicagoans who are unhoused by generating approximately $160 million annually.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Nov. 12, 2022 - Full Show

A new study and a new lawsuit on the link between hair straighteners and uterine cancer. Inside a call center helping to transform Chatham. And meet artist, architect and now-genius Amanda Williams.

The Discover Customer Care Center in Chatham. (WTTW News)

One Year In, Discover’s Chatham Customer Care Center Is Still Banking on the Community

The ambitious plan included a community center, a technology hub, partnerships to offer free tuition and provisions for contracting with Chatham’s small service businesses.

(WTTW News)

Study Finds Hair Straightening Chemicals Associated With Higher Risk of Uterine Cancer

A study from the National Institutes of Health last month showed women who use chemical hair relaxers or straighteners may have a higher risk of the cancer.

A still image from a video taken of the demolition of the Crawford Coal Plant smokestack, April 11, 2020. (Alejandro Reyes / YouTube)

Environmental Advocates Push for Stronger City Efforts to Monitor and Curb Pollution

The mayor came under fire by some alderpeople for not living up to her campaign promise to re-establish a city Department of Environment. 

Enrique Limón, editor-in-chief of the Chicago Reader, appears on "Latino Voices" on Nov. 12, 2022. (WTTW News)

Enrique Limón Takes the Helm at the Chicago Reader

Tasked with the job of maintaining the Reader’s relevance in an ever-changing media landscape is Enrique Limón. He is the Reader’s new editor-in-chief and the first Latino to hold that position in the publication’s more than 50-year history.

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Nov. 12, 2022 - Full Show

Environmental concerns on the South and West sides. Illinois elects its first Latina to Congress. Meet the Chicago Reader’s new editor-in-chief. And the Irish soldiers of Mexico.

The Joffrey Ballet performs the world premiere of the newly-commissioned “Platée” with choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa set to Rameau’s Suite from Platée performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with conductor Harry Bicket. (Credit: Todd Rosenberg)

A Beguiling Collaboration Between the CSO and Joffrey Ballet at Orchestra Hall

It was an evening of sheer, unadulterated delight as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra joined forces with the Joffrey Ballet on Thursday for a pair of world premieres.

Taylor Ramos, left, and Emani Drake in “Vespers.” (Credit: Todd Rosenberg)

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater Thrills Audience in a Knockout Performance at Auditorium Theatre

In addition to the bravura performances of its dancers, the exuberant works of a number of different choreographers and the excellent group of musicians that gathered for its grand finale, the company attracted an impressively vast, immensely enthusiastic audience.

(WTTW News)

Week in Review: Pritzker, Illinois Dems Have Big Election Day

Gov. J.B. Pritzker wins reelection handily as Democrats sweep the state. National predictions of a Republican wave fail to materialize. Chuy García enters the race for mayor. And the CTA chief gets an earful.

(WTTW News)

With More People Visiting Cook County Forest Preserves, Leader Says Newly Won Tax Revenue Will Help ‘Meet Those Needs’

Nearly 70% of voters approved an additional .025% increase in property taxes, which would bring in $40 million dollars in new revenue annually to the preserves.

The Damen Silos are pictured on Nov. 10, 2022. (WTTW News)

‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: McKinley Park and Future of Damen Silos

The state announced it will enter into exclusive negotiations with MAT Limited Partnership to take over the Damen Silos property. The 23-acre property located along the Chicago River has been vacant for years. 

An empty lot along the Dan Ryan Expressway owned by the CTA.

Park & Ride Disparities Leave South Side Red Line Commuters Without a Spot

Despite thousands of daily passengers, the CTA’s parking availability pales in comparison to other major cities.

Due to the lack of  CTA-provided parking options, South Side commuters are often forced to park on streets, sometimes illegally, risking a ticket or a tow. If they choose to drive the entire commute, they’ll face a packed Dan Ryan Expressway and expensive downtown parking.