Stories by Eunice Alpasan
O’Hare, Midway Among 40 US Airports Targeted for Flight Cuts Due to Government Shutdown
| Eunice Alpasan
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday it would reduce air traffic by 10% across “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers go unpaid and exhibit signs of strain during the shutdown.
Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Make Full November SNAP Payments
| CNN
A federal judge in Rhode Island said Thursday that the Trump administration must fully cover food stamp benefits for tens of millions of Americans in November.
No Fare Hikes or Service Cuts Coming for Chicago Transit Agencies, RTA Chair Says
| Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois
The RTA held a special meeting to approve new funding projections for 2026 through 2028 based on revenue estimates from new funding sources for public transportation. Those were approved by the General Assembly last week, which Gov. JB Pritzker said he will sign.
Pay $17M to Man Who Spent 27 Years in Prison After Being Beaten Into Confessing to Murder by Disgraced Ex-Detective, City Lawyers Recommend
| Heather Cherone
If approved, it would be the ninth lawsuit filed by Chicagoans who said they were the victims of former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara’s misconduct to be resolved, for a total cost of more than $112 million to Chicago taxpayers.
Abraham Lincoln Letter Seeking Job for Black Friend and Valet Now on Display at Presidential Museum in Springfield
| Associated Press
Abraham Lincoln penned the entreaty on behalf of his young friend, William Johnson, because ironically, his dark complexion caused freed Black White House staffers with lighter skin to shun him.
Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Admitted He Lied About Firing Tear Gas, Tackling Protester: Federal Judge
| Heather Cherone
U.S. District Court Judge Sara Ellis is the second federal judge in the Northern District of Illinois to find that federal agents have presented unreliable testimony about their actions and the actions of Chicagoans in response to President Donald Trump’s mass deportation effort.
Nancy Pelosi Won’t Seek Reelection, Ending Her Storied Career in the US House
| Associated Press
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the speaker’s office but arguably the most powerful in American politics.
From a Play About Mozart to an Evening of ‘Stand Up, Schtick and Song,’ Here Are 5 Arts Picks for Your Week
| Josh Terry
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Illinois Lawmakers Weigh in on $1.5B Funding Package Set to Reshape Chicago-Area Transit
| Shelby Hawkins
Illinois lawmakers last week signed off on a sweeping $1.5 billion transit funding package that reshapes how the CTA, Metra and Pace are run and funded. The plan also creates what’s called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority to oversee the transit agencies.
Judge Set to Rule Thursday in Case Centering on Federal Immigration Agents’ Use of Force: ‘I Could See Inside the Barrel’
| Matt Masterson
Protesters, clergy members and others who say they’ve been directly impacted by a series of increasingly aggressive raids across Chicago and the suburbs will testify before a federal judge weighing whether to impose a lengthier ban on immigration agents’ use of chemical weapons like tear gas and pepper balls.
Nov. 5, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Community outcry after ICE agents pull a teacher from a day care. And state lawmakers approve at $1.5 billion transit funding bill.
New Book Makes the Case for a Constitution That Was Intended to Be Amended
| Blake Thor
Author and historian Jill Lepore’s new book examines the political gridlock that has left many voters disillusioned with both parties and skeptical of the government’s ability to solve problems. She suggests more frequent changes to the constitutional system as a possible alternative.
Federal Immigration Agents Detain Teacher at Preschool Facility in North Center
| Eunice Alpasan
The video shows two agents detaining the teacher inside the preschool and day care and then removing her from the facility. The teacher can be heard saying she has papers.
Federal Judge Orders Broadview ICE Detention Center to Improve Conditions, Access to Food and Water
| Blair Paddock
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman on Wednesday granted a temporary restraining order requiring ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to provide clean bedding mats, toiletries and at least three full meals per day to detainees at the Broadview detention center.
Illinois Legislature Passes ‘Medical Aid in Dying’ Bill That Pritzker Says He’ll Review
| Maggie Dougherty — Capitol News Illinois
Advocates for the bill say it is rooted in compassion and will bring agency to already dying people in the last stages of life, while opponents cite religious concerns and potential harm to vulnerable populations.
Homeland Security Terminates Automatic Work Permit Renewals; Advocates Say Move Could Broaden Deportation Efforts
| Joel Ortiz
The Trump administration says this move allows better vetting of those using work permits. However, some are skeptical of that reasoning.
Illinois Lawmakers Approve State Vaccine Guidelines, Punt on Gambling Bill
24 Bills Passed During the Fall Veto Session
| Brenden Moore — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois lawmakers passed two dozen bills during their annual fall veto session that ended Friday, Oct. 31, including a measure that will empower the state’s Department of Public Health to issue vaccine guidelines amid federal uncertainty.
Conservative Supreme Court Justices Appear Skeptical of Donald Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs
| Associated Press
While the questions at times seemed to challenge the rationale for the tariffs, the arguments are still ongoing, and further questioning could shed additional light on their positions. A decision in the case could take weeks or months.
Chicago Police Department Overspent Its Budget By $501M Over 5 Years: Data
| Heather Cherone
Allowing CPD to spend unlimited sums of taxpayer money is a “crazy way to run a city,” said Justin Marlowe, a professor in the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, and the director of the Center for Municipal Finance.
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Nov. 5-11
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Nov. 4, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
What a redistricting push in Illinois could mean for the midterms as voters in California consider redrawing districts. And a move to end automatic extensions of some immigrant work permits.
What Redistricting Efforts Could Mean for Illinois Voters
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Republicans and Democrats are in an escalating national fight over congressional seats. Some members of Congress are pushing for Illinois to redraw its districts to get another Democratic seat.
Art Institute Announces New $50M Conservation Center Within Existing Museum Space
| Eunice Alpasan
The Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, projected to cost $50 million to build, will be a space for conservators across departments to collaborate, conduct research, teach and preserve the Art Institute’s collection, according to the museum.
Border Patrol Official Behind Chicago Immigration Crackdown Defends Tactics as Trump Cheers
| Associated Press
From his use of chemical agents to a helicopter raid on an apartment building, Greg Bovino defended the approach of U.S. Customs and Border Protection as appropriate and necessary for what he says are threats his agents have faced in Chicago.
This Week’s Supermoon Will Be the Year’s Biggest and Brightest
| Patty Wetli
Let’s hand it to the moon, it makes skywatching easy.
Shota Imanaga Becomes Eligible for Free Agency After Chicago Cubs, Pitcher Turn Down Options: AP Source
| Associated Press
Left-hander Shota Imanaga became eligible for free agency when the Chicago Cubs declined an option to keep his contract by guaranteeing $57 million for the 2026-28 seasons and he turned down a $15.25 million option for 2026.
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