Stories by
Lawsuit: ‘Deliberate Indifference’ of U. of I. Social Workers Allowed Scholar’s Kidnapping
| Matt Masterson
The federal lawsuit claims university social workers should have done more to address the “homicidal ideations” of Brendt Christensen, who is charged in the kidnapping and death of Yingying Zhang.
Chicago Police Officer Charged in Fatal DUI Crash
| Matt Masterson
Terrance Finley, 24, was charged Tuesday with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI after he allegedly drove into an Auburn Gresham neighborhood restaurant, killing a 35-year-old woman.
3 Ex-Workers Charged With Animal Cruelty at Indiana Dairy
| Associated Press
Three former employees of a large northwestern Indiana dairy have been charged with animal cruelty following the release of undercover video showing workers kicking and throwing young calves, officials said Monday.
Bubbly Creek: An Environmental Quagmire for Federal Agencies and Local Activists
| DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence
More than a century after Upton Sinclair described a stretch of the Chicago River as “a great open sewer,” Bubbly Creek is still plagued by waste – and the restoration process has been mired in its own political muck.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Violence, a Chicago Casino and Ald. Ed Burke
| Nicole Cardos
Did the Chicago police union instruct cops not to police during the violent Memorial Day weekend? Mayor Lori Lightfoot clarifies a rumor she says she heard in this wide-ranging, one-on-one interview.
City to Remove Plant Near Chicago River That Can Cause Second-Degree Burns
| Alex Ruppenthal
An attractive yet potentially dangerous plant identified near the North Avenue Bridge will be removed this week, a spokesperson for Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation said Monday.
‘Chicago Tonight’ Host Brandis Friedman Goes on Maternity Leave
| Quinn Myers
Brandis Friedman will be off the air for the next few weeks as she welcomes a new addition to her family. The “Chicago Tonight” host and correspondent has been with WTTW since 2013.
Brendt Christensen Defense Team Wants Mental Health Records of Key Witness
| Matt Masterson
Attorneys for the man charged with the kidnapping and death of a Chinese scholar at the University of Illinois are demanding access to mental health treatment records from his girlfriend, who wore a wire for federal investigators.
List: Free Summer Concerts in Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion
| WTTW News
The annual Grant Park Music Festival kicks off Wednesday. The free concert series is just one way to see music under the stars in Pritzker Pavilion. See the full summer 2019 concert lineup.
Grazing Herd Returns to O’Hare to ‘Do What They Do Best: Eat Weeds’
| Evan Garcia
For the sixth year, O’Hare International Airport is using a herd of wild animals to manage the airport’s vegetation in an environmentally friendly way.
Hubbard Street’s Summer Program a Series of Wildly Poetic Existential Adventures
| Hedy Weiss
The titles of the four pieces provide a telling suggestion of the psychologically probing works being performed with the company’s trademark blend of uncanny fluidity, plasticity, control and ensemble perfection.
‘Sell By’ or What? US Pushes for Clarity on Expiration Dates
| Associated Press
Even if you rely more on sight and smell to size up foods, you might be surprised by the risks and practices around food spoilage.
Free-Agent Closer Craig Kimbrel, Cubs Agree to 3-Year Deal
| Associated Press
Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cubs in a big move to strengthen Chicago’s bullpen.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Lightfoot Names New CPS School Board
| Nick Blumberg
Paris Schutz and guests discuss more of the week’s news: Mayor Lori Lightfoot appoints a new board to oversee Chicago Public Schools, and a dramatic “Jeopardy!” run draws to a close.
The Week in Review: Burke Pleads Not Guilty, Pritzker Signs Budget
| Nick Blumberg
Ald. Ed Burke gets his day in court. Gov. J.B. Pritzker gets his budget priorities passed. Chicago grapples with a spike in violence. And the Cubs get some much-needed pitching help.
Deep Frydays’ Maiden Voyage: Giardiniera Mix
| Erica Gunderson
How do you deep-fry giardiniera? We find out in the first installment of our weekly summer series Deep Frydays, where we go deep on an iconic Chicago food and then sacrifice it to sizzling oil.
2-Year Anniversary of Chinese Scholar’s Disappearance as Death-Penalty Case Begins
| Matt Masterson
Sunday marks the two-year anniversary of Yingying Zhang’s disappearance. Her kidnapping has left a mark on the University of Illinois campus as the trial of the man accused of her killing gets underway.
How Many Chicago Aldermen Have Side Hustles?
| Amanda Vinicky
Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to set some restrictions on outside employment for aldermen. We analyze the latest batch of financial disclosure forms to find out who could be impacted.
Rarely Produced British Play a Bitter Reminder of Veterans’ Fates
| Hedy Weiss
In some ways, “For Services Rendered” is an old-fashioned play, but it is a beauty. And coming at a moment when Britain is undergoing a different sort of social and economic upheaval, it seems ideally timed for a revival.
City Council Cleanup: Aldermen Discuss Mayor’s Plan for Ethics Reforms
| Nicole Cardos
In light of the charges against Ald. Ed Burke, what can Mayor Lori Lightfoot and aldermen do to clean up City Hall?
Legislative Leaders in the Dark on Gaming Bill Specifics
| Paris Schutz
Recently passed legislation to expand gambling in Illinois is so massive, not many people know everything that’s in it. That includes at least two of the state’s legislative leaders who helped negotiate the bill.
Chicago Has the Largest Life Expectancy Gap in the Country. Why?
| Kristen Thometz
An analysis of 500 U.S. cities by NYU School of Medicine offers a startling view of Chicago, but a local physician says the city’s health inequities have been known for years. What’s causing that gap, and how can it be addressed?
Bicyclist Struck by CTA Bus in River North
| Nick Blumberg
A bicyclist was struck by a CTA bus in the 400 block of North Wells Street on Thursday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
Trump Plans to Send Texas National Guard, ‘Armed Military Personnel’ to Chicago: Pritzker
Under Emergency Rule, Illinois Prisons Plan to Withhold Physical Mail in Favor of Electronic Scanning
ICE Strike Team, Troops Could Reach Chicago in 48 Hours: Gov. JB Pritzker
How Chicago’s Changes to Tipped Minimum Wage Are Impacting Businesses, Workers
Northwestern President Michael Schill, Who Led University Amid Hazing Scandal and Funding Freeze, Announces Resignation
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter