Some Chicago Public Library branches added Sunday afternoon hours beginning in December 2019 after Mayor Lori Lightfoot proposed — and the Chicago City Council approved — an $18 million property tax hike as part of the city’s 2020 budget to fund the expansion.
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All Chicago Library Branches Open Sunday Afternoons For 1st Time Since 2011
Dec 17, 2021 | Heather Cherone
No Bail For Chicago Man Charged With Attempted Murder of 4-Month-Old Son
Dec 17, 2021 | Matt Masterson
A 26-year-old father allegedly shook and beat his infant child to the point where the boy suffered injuries consistent with a car crash and will require medical care for the rest of his life, prosecutors claimed.
Trio of Mass Vaccination Sites to Open Sunday in Cook County
Dec 17, 2021 | Kristen Thometz
Cook County and state officials are hosting a one-day mass vaccination clinic at three suburban locations for all eligible residents.
CDC Endorses Schools’ Coronavirus ‘Test-to-Stay’ Policies
Dec 17, 2021 | Associated Press
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention decided to more firmly embrace the approach, already used by many school districts, after research of such policies in the Chicago and Los Angeles areas found COVID-19 infections did not increase when using the approach.
CDC Recommends Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Shots Over J&J’s
Dec 17, 2021 | Associated Press
Most Americans should be given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines instead of the Johnson & Johnson shot that can cause rare but serious blood clots, U.S. health officials said Thursday.
Chicago Artist Returns Home for Broadway Debut in ‘Pretty Woman’ Musical
Dec 16, 2021 | Angel Idowu
A Chicago artist has returned home to make her Broadway debut in a classic romantic comedy-turned-musical. Arts Correspondent Angel Idowu introduces us to a performer who tells us how she made it from the classroom to the stage.
December 16, 2021 - Full Show
Dec 16, 2021 | WTTW News
Chicago’s would-be casino developers show us their cards. Utility giants selling sensitive information to immigration officials. We’re in Grand Boulevard. And a preview of the Bears game.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Grand Boulevard
Dec 16, 2021 | Marissa Nelson
The area includes part of the Bronzeville neighborhood. And it has a rich history, from its churches to its hospital. We spoke with community leaders about that and efforts to bring people together this holiday season.
Bears Lose All Three Coordinators to COVID Protocols Ahead of Monday Night Clash with Vikings
Dec 16, 2021 | Paul Caine
Rumors are swirling around the future of the Bears organization as big changes loom. Meanwhile, the team has to contend with all three coordinators possibly missing Monday night's game at home against the Minnesota Vikings due to COVID-19.
Utility Giants Agree to Stop Selling Data to ICE But Some Loopholes Remain
Dec 16, 2021 | Acacia Hernandez
For years, companies have sold data from cable, phone and power bills -- including names, home addresses and more.
Multiple Downtown Stores Hit With Retail Theft Crimes
Dec 16, 2021 | Leslie Hurtado
Multiple in-store thefts have been reported recently on the Magnificent Mile amounting to millions of dollars in stolen merchandise. But retailers say it’s not just about lost revenue — it’s about safety — and they’re calling for city officials to put more protections in place for businesses.
Chicago Casino Developers Show Their Cards
Dec 16, 2021 | Amanda Vinicky
At an hourslong hearing Thursday, the public got a look at what a Chicago casino might look like and where it would go.
Biden Calls for Chicago’s Lead Pipes to be Removed Within 10 Years, As Slow Roll Out Continues in Chicago
Dec 16, 2021 | Heather Cherone
The $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill includes $15 billion to fund lead service replacement efforts, and $3 billion will flow to states and cities in 2022, officials announced.
Illinois Records Nearly 12,000 COVID-19 Cases in a Day
Dec 16, 2021 | Kristen Thometz
The number of new COVID-19 infections reported Thursday – 11,858 – is the highest total reported in a 24-hour period in all of 2021, according to data from state health officials.
Chicago Vaccine Mandate Upheld for Most City Employees, Firefighters
Dec 16, 2021 | Heather Cherone
The ruling gives the unions’ employees until Dec. 31 to get their first shot of one of the three approved COVID-19 vaccines, and until Jan. 31 to get the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer BioNtech vaccines.
Can Your Pet Get COVID-19?
Dec 16, 2021 | Associated Press
Dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, otters, hyenas and white-tailed deer are among the animals that have tested positive, in most cases after contracting it from infected people.
It’s ‘Agave Watch’ Time at Garfield Park Conservatory as Plant Begins Its Death Bloom
Dec 16, 2021 | Patty Wetli
Visitors to the Garfield Park Conservatory have a rare and exciting opportunity to witness a plant in its spectacular death bloom as an agave prepares to flower for its first and last time.
Chicago’s Top Doc ‘Confident’ CPS Won’t Return to Remote Learning Citywide
Dec 16, 2021 | Matt Masterson
“We’re gonna have to see what happens with omicron, but I do not expect that we will be making plans to move entirely remotely and certainly not for extended periods, even if that were a thing,” Dr. Allison Arwady said Thursday.
Retired Judge Picked by Mayor to Probe Botched Raid Finds No Wrongdoing by Lightfoot
Dec 16, 2021 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not purposefully conceal information about the handling of the February 2019 raid that left Anjanette Young handcuffed while naked and pleading for help, according to the results of a probe ordered by the mayor released Thursday.
Ousted McDonald’s CEO Returns $105M After Misconduct
Dec 16, 2021 | Associated Press
“During my tenure as CEO, I failed at times to uphold McDonald’s values and fulfill certain of my responsibilities as a leader of the company,” Steve Easterbrook said in a prepared statement issued Thursday by McDonald’s.
How Wild Was the Weather? 74-MPH Winds, Record High Temps and Smoke Blowing in From Kansas
Dec 16, 2021 | Patty Wetli
Wednesday saw record high temperatures across the region, wind gusts above 60 miles per hour and even the smell of smoke, which rode in on winds all the way from brush fires in Kansas.
Chicago Blackhawks Settle Lawsuit With Kyle Beach
Dec 16, 2021 | Associated Press
The confidential settlement was announced after the sides met Wednesday with a mediator for the first time.
Photographer Tells Story of Immigration Through Lens of Small Business Owners
Dec 15, 2021 | Marc Vitali
Many immigrants dream of owning and operating a small business. A Chicago-based photographer has a personal understanding of immigration, and he has spent years documenting small businesses. He calls his project “Immigrant Owned,” and it’s about to be expanded in a big way.
December 15, 2021 - Full Show
Dec 15, 2021 | WTTW News
A dramatic day at City Council. The latest from City Hall. Our Spotlight politics team breaks it all down. We’re learning more about the omicron variant. And a new effort to reduce opioid overdoses.
Chicago Public Health Department Distributing Fentanyl Tests
Dec 15, 2021 | Blair Paddock
The city’s public health department has been distributing the tests since October to try and reduce the number of deaths due to the drug. The city has distributed somewhere between 14-1500 kits.
Chicago to Pay $2.9M to Anjanette Young To Settle Botched Raid Lawsuit
Dec 15, 2021 | Heather Cherone
The Chicago City Council agreed Wednesday to pay $2.9 million to resolve the lawsuit brought by Anjanette Young after police officers handcuffed her while she was naked and ignored her pleas for help during a botched raid in February 2019.