Stories by WTTW News

July 14, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the July 14, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Former Meatpacking Plant to Host Vegan Farmers Market

Chicago Vegan Test Kitchen has found a new home for its farmers market — Vegan Paradise — at Bubbly Dynamics’ The Plant, a former meat processing facility in Back of the Yards.  

Freeze on Development Along 606 Trail Extended for 6 Months Amid Pandemic

Aldermen unanimously agreed Tuesday to ban demolitions near the 606 Bloomingdale Trail for another six months as aldermen craft a measure to blunt rapid gentrification along the popular trail.

City Colleges Launches Debt Forgiveness Program to Offer Former Students a ‘Fresh Start’

Students held back by debt who dropped out of the City Colleges of Chicago system before completing their studies can now re-enroll and finish their degrees through a relief program that promises to forgive those unpaid dues.

Aldermen Advance Revised Measure to Give Some Tenants More Notice Before Evictions

A significantly revised measure that would give long-term renters more notice before they are evicted without cause cleared a key city panel Tuesday after progressive aldermen stalled its passage for a month.

Pritzker Says He Won’t Hesitate to Reimpose COVID-19 Restrictions

“I will not hesitate to reimpose some mitigations if we see (coronavirus) numbers moving upward,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday. “My concern again is all about the health and safety of the people of Illinois.”

Lightfoot Orders Visitors to Chicago from Iowa and Oklahoma to Quarantine for 2 Weeks

The 14-day quarantine order currently covers travelers to Chicago from 15 states, including California and Florida. Starting Friday, it will also apply to those coming from Iowa and Oklahoma, according to the mayor’s office.

Officials Offer 2-Week Reprieve For Those Who Don’t Have City Stickers

Chicago residents who don’t have a city sticker will get another two weeks before they risk seeing that dreaded bright orange envelope on their windshields.

Lessons of Deadly 1995 Heat Wave Echo in 2020 Chicago

A look back at Chicago’s deadly heat wave — and how it compares to the coronavirus pandemic — with Eric Klinenberg, author of the 2002 book, “Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago.”

Trump Pressures Schools to Reopen But Many CPS Teachers Fearful of Classroom Return

President Donald Trump is pressuring schools to fully reopen in the fall. But as many teachers, parents and even some students are expressing fears over returning to school, cases of COVID-19 are rising across the country.

Infectious Disease Expert: Better National Leadership Needed to Fight COVID-19

COVID-19 numbers are rising nationally to startling new highs. Cases in the city and state are also climbing. What’s going on? We check in with Dr. Emily Landon of UChicago Medicine.

‘Noble Army’ Makes Thousands of Face Shields for Health Care Workers

Personal protective gear is often in short supply, but a group of people in the Chicago area have made a serious dent in that shortage. And, as we found out, they were inspired by “Chicago Tonight.”

A Virtual Visit to a Luminous Collection of Spiritual Art

A private tour of a collection of artistic treasures with a spiritual focus. Our latest “virtual visit” is a look at artwork designed to inspire. 

Plover Chicks Have Names: Introducing Hazel, Esperanza and Nish

More than 500 names were submitted for the chicks, which hatched in June, and the selected monikers reflect the history and spirit of Chicago.

Sounding a ‘Distress Signal,’ Lightfoot Warns Chicago is Falling Behind on Census Response

Approximately 55% of Chicagoans have so far responded to the 2020 census, but that is “not even close to where we need to be,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. Now, she’s enlisting a familiar face to help with outreach.

Chicago Police Add Language Access Coordinator to Better Engage Non-English Speakers

To better communicate with residents who have limited English proficiency, the Chicago Police Department has hired Roxana Cortes, a former Chicago Public Schools translation specialist.

Got Maskne? Tips to Prevent, Treat Acne Under Your Mask

Wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizer can take a toll on your skin. A local dermatologist shares tips to preventing and treating ailments like “maskne.”

Ald. Carrie Austin Announces She Has the Coronavirus

In a message addressed to “residents and neighbors,” the alderman, who represents the Far South Side’s 34th Ward, said she is “currently progressing toward a full recovery.”

Chicago Breaks Record for Vote-By-Mail Applications

More than 121,000 voters requested mail-in ballots from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners since the application period opened less than a month ago, officials said.

Washington’s NFL Team Drops ‘Redskins’ Name After 87 Years

The Washington NFL franchise announced Monday it is dropping the “Redskins” name and Indian head logo, bowing to recent pressure from sponsors and decades of criticism that they are offensive to Native Americans.

July 13, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the July 13, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Who’s Got the Best Garden in Chicago’s Bungalow Belt? You Be the Judge

Voting is open through Wednesday for the annual Chicago Bungalow Association’s garden contest.

6 Businesses Fined, Brewery Shut Down for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

City officials fined six businesses and shut down a West Loop brewery for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said Monday.

Police: 64 Shot, 11 Killed as Weekend Violence Continues in Chicago

Chicago’s top cop David Brown is again calling for community partnerships and additional investments in South and West Side neighborhoods after yet another violent weekend that saw dozens of people shot.

US Grapples with Pandemic as Its Origins Are Traced in China

The United States was grappling with the worst coronavirus outbreak in the world on Monday. Meanwhile, two World Health Organization experts went to China for a mission to trace the origin of the pandemic.

Virus Spread, Not Politics Should Guide Schools, Doctors Say

As the Trump administration pushes full steam ahead to force schools to resume in-person education, public health experts warn that a one-size-fits-all reopening could drive infection and death rates even higher.
 

Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors