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Stories by Matt Masterson

Chicago State University Faculty, Staff Begin Strike Monday

The Chicago State University chapter of the University Professionals of Illinois (CSU UPI) authorized a potential strike last month, and after the latest bargaining session Saturday didn’t lead to a new contract, members decided to begin a work stoppage Monday.

April 5, 2023 - Full Show

Checking in with some of the big winners from last night and assessing where the city goes from here under Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. And the latest on a second firefighter killed in the line of duty this week.

How Brandon Johnson Weathered Attacks Over Claims He Would Defund the Police

Chicago voters rejected efforts by moderate Democrats and Republicans to turn Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson’s support for criminal justice reform into a fatal liability.

New City Council Set to Be More Diverse as Center of Power Moves Left

Nearly a quarter of the city will get new political leadership in 2023, a result of an unprecedented exodus of veteran alderpeople that led to a generational shift in Chicago politics, with six Black, Latina and Asian American women replacing veteran City Council members, all of them men.

Veteran Chicago Firefighter Dies After Fire Breaks Out at Lake Shore Drive High-Rise

Second firefighter killed in line-of-duty this week

The Chicago Fire Department responded after flames broke out in a high-rise building at 1212 North Lake Shore Drive Wednesday morning. While there, the CFD called for a mayday and an emergency medical response after one firefighter suffered critical injuries and later died.

‘Shut It Down!’ Activists Rally at Preview Event for Controversial Englewood Save A Lot

Activists, community members and local elected officials have for months expressed their concerns to Save A Lot operator Yellow Banana about the poor reputation Save A Lot has among many Chicagoans, particularly Black residents.

O’Hare Airport Named 4th Busiest in the World for Passenger Traffic

Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was still the world’s busiest airport for passenger volume in 2022, holding the top spot it reclaimed in 2021 after being knocked off stride by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Charges Filed Following Reports of a Gun at Highland Park High School

Police were called to Highland Park High School following a report of a student with a gun. The school was locked down Tuesday; no shots were fired.

WTTW News Explains: How Would Ranked Choice Voting Work in Chicago?

What if there were a different way? What if you could rank your choices in order of your preference? Well, there is a system like that and it’s already being used in some jurisdictions. It’s called ranked choice voting. It has its backers as well as detractors.

April 4, 2023 - Full Show

Tonight's the night — the latest results in the race between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas for Chicago mayor. We’re live with both campaigns and full analysis. Plus, Trump’s historic criminal indictment.

Brandon Johnson Defeats Paul Vallas to Become Next Mayor of Chicago: ‘It Is Time for Chicago to Come Alive’

In his victory speech, Brandon Johnson emphasized the importance of coalition in his campain and pointed toward the need to continue building coalitions across the city moving forward. He appealed to those who did not vote for him and promised to work together. 

Chicago City Council Runoff Results Determine Balance of Power

Nearly a quarter of the city will get new political leadership in 2023, a result of an unprecedented exodus of veteran alderpeople that will herald — along with the election of a new mayor — the start of a new era at City Hall.

Donald Trump Pleads Not Guilty to 34 Charges; Admonished by Judge

Wearing his signature dark suit and red tie, Trump turned and waved to crowds outside the building before heading inside to be fingerprinted and processed — a remarkable reckoning after years of investigations into his personal, business and political dealings and an extraordinary moment in U.S. history.

‘Slow and Sleepy’ Chicago Voting Totals on Par With February Election Turnout

Voter turnout sat at 33.2% when polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with 530,382 ballots cast, according to the Chicago Board of Elections. That's compared to 32.1% turnout for the Feb. 28 election.

Florida Has Most Lead Pipes in U.S., Illinois Second: EPA Survey

The survey released Tuesday was the first time the agency asked about lead pipes and gave the best count yet of how many are underground. Illinois ranked second in with 1.04 million lead pipes.

Chicago Firefighter Dies After Battling West Pullman Blaze

One Chicago firefighter died and two others were injured after battling a multi-home fire in West Pullman early Tuesday morning. 

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García Announces Death of 28-Year-Old Daughter

U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García Tuesday morning announced that his 28-year-old daughter has died. 

April 3, 2023 - Full Show

Everything you need to know on the eve of the mayoral election. What to expect from President Trump’s arraignment in New York. A major change in Evanston’s reparations program. And a century of civic pride. 

The OI Gets Rebranded, Drops ‘Oriental’ From Name

“The new name is the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia and North Africa,” said Theo van den Hout, the museum’s interim director.

Family-Owned Chicago Flag Company Has Been Supplying Symbols of Civic Pride for 108 Years

Many of the flags waving from civic buildings aren’t just representing Chicago, they’re made in the city’s South Shore neighborhood, by Chicago residents, who work for a company known as W.G.N.

Johnson v. Vallas: Polls Set to Close in Closest Contest for Chicago Mayor in 40 Years

Chicago will elect a new mayor and voters in 14 wards will also elect a new alderperson to the Chicago City Council. 

Trump Returns to New York to Face Historic Criminal Charges

Former President Donald Trump returned to New York from his Florida estate Monday for his historic booking and arraignment on hush money charges related to allegations of sexual encounters.

Lightfoot Administration Refuses Mother’s Request for Full Watchdog Probe of Son’s Death

“It is an absurd denial that lacks human generosity,” journalist Jamie Kalven said.

WSJ: McDonald's Closes U.S. Offices Ahead of Layoffs

The Wall Street Journal cited an internal email from the Chicago fast-food giant saying U.S. corporate staff and some employees overseas should work from home while the company notifies people of their job status.

Chicago Public Schools Teacher Charged With Stalking Mayor Lori Lightfoot

A 36-year-old Chicago Public Schools teacher is charged with two felony counts of stalking after a confrontation with officers outside of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s home earlier this week.

Evanston City Council Approves $25K Direct Cash Payments in Expansion of Reparations Program

The initial program issued payments of $25,000 for housing benefits like mortgage assistance or renovations. Black residents who lived in Evanston during a 50-year period of discriminatory zoning laws and their direct descendants receive priority for eligibility.
 

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