Stories by Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Battle Over Chicago Police Discipline Heads to State Supreme Court, Sparking Debate on Serious Misconduct Hearings
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
The Illinois Supreme Court is set to weigh in next year on whether serious Chicago Police Department misconduct cases must be heard publicly.
CTA, Metra and Pace Are Offering Free Rides on New Year’s Eve. Here’s What You Need to Know
| Eunice Alpasan
The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace are encouraging residents to celebrate responsibly and take advantage of the free late-night transit services to get around on New Year’s Eve.
Supreme Court Upholds Block of Trump’s National Guard Deployment in the Chicago Area, For Now
| Matt Masterson
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops in the Chicago area to support its immigration crackdown.
Chicago Dog Tests Positive for Rabies, First in Cook County in More Than 60 Years
| Eunice Alpasan
Before testing positive for rabies, the dog was surrendered to a local rescue and euthanized after the dog had a “marked” change in behavior on Dec. 16, according to a news release.
2025 Chicago Holiday Events Guide
| Erica Demarest
From light shows to plays, sing-alongs and festive pop-ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.
Mayor Brandon Johnson Will Not Veto $16.6B Budget Plan Passed Over His Objections
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision not to veto the budget he called “morally bankrupt” immediately averts what could have been the city most severe fiscal crisis in more than 40 years.
1 Killed, 1 Wounded in Shooting on CTA Train in Downtown Chicago
| Matt Masterson
According to the Chicago Police Department, a 44-year-old man was killed in a shooting just before 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Wells.
Dec. 22, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Are Chicago police officers being held accountable for misconduct? And the years-long battle over police discipline makes its way to the Illinois Supreme Court.
What to Know About the Justice Department’s Release of Epstein Files — and What Questions Remain
| CNN
The Justice Department’s release of thousands of documents and pictures related to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein on Friday was highly anticipated and provided a glimpse into the life of the late sex offender and his associations with some of the richest and most powerful people in the world.
Kansas City Chiefs Announce They Will Build New Domed Stadium Across the Kansas-Missouri Border
| Associated Press
The announcement came shortly after a council of Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state Capitol to allow for STAR bonds to be issued to cover up to 70% of the cost of the stadium and accompanying mixed-use district.
‘Accountability is Not Optional’: Illinois Congressional Reps Tour Broadview Ice Facility Monday
| Matt Masterson
Illinois U.S. Reps. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, Delia Ramirez, Jonathan Jackson and Danny Davis toured the controversial west suburban facility Monday, months after being denied access.
‘BDASMOM,’ ‘ICUP,’ and ‘BBL’ Among Illinois Secretary of State’s Rejected License Plates of 2025
| Eunice Alpasan
More than 550 personalized license plate requests were denied by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office this year after it deemed them inflammatory, profane, offensive or too difficult to read.
Chicago Police Board Votes to Fire Officer Who Tested Positive for Marijuana
| Heather Cherone
Officer Elmer Carrillo Jr. is the first CPD officer to be terminated for failing a drug test since Illinois legalized the recreational use of marijuana, and is the first to be fired by the Police Board in nearly a year and a half amid a protracted legal battle, records show.
City Council Votes 30-18 to Approve Final Part of 2026 Budget. Will Mayor Veto It?
| Heather Cherone
“We may not have the majority of the City Council but we do have the people,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said just before the the Chicago City Council voted to approve a budget he fiercely opposed.
Week in Review: City Budget Battle; Bears Suggest Indiana Move
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago City Council takes the first step toward passing a rival budget plan. And the Bears threaten to take their ball and go to a new home — in Northwest Indiana.
Illinois Electrical Grids Could Face Power Shortages and Price Increases, State Report Warns
| Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois
A new report by state regulators projects energy shortfalls will begin in northern Illinois by 2029 and the rest of the state by 2031 if lawmakers and grid operators don’t act.
Push for Chicago Teen Curfew to Control Large Gatherings Faces Uncertain Future
| Bridgette Adu-Wadier
Instead of allowing police to impose so-called “snap” curfews just 30 minutes in advance, a new plan calls for more lead time before dispersing large crowds.
City Council Votes 29-19 to Approve Rival Spending Plan, Rebuking Mayor Johnson
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson stopped short Friday of promising to veto that spending plan but said he has “serious and significant concerns about the plan, which he and the city’s top financial officials contend would leave the city with a deficit of more than $163 million.
From Gardens to Large-Scale Restoration Projects, Native Seed Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving
| Patty Wetli
Collecting native seed can be labor intensive but it eventually pays for itself by creating even more seeds — for free.
Feds Reject CTA’s Revised Safety Plan, Threaten to Withhold Millions in Transit Funding
| Matt Masterson
The Federal Transit Administration on Friday said it determined the CTA failed to comply with a special directive issued earlier this month that required the agency to implement “immediate, measurable corrective actions” aimed at reducing violent crime and addressing “unsafe conditions.”
Federal Report Card Scores Show Positive Trend for Argonne and Fermilab Contractors
| Jared Rutecki
Each year, the Office of Science at the Department of Energy evaluates the performance of the organizations that run its national laboratories. Despite some grades improving in the past fiscal year for local labs, records show scores dropping in some key areas.
US Justice Department Sues 3 States, District of Columbia for Voter Data
| Associated Press
The latest lawsuits were filed against Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia and the District of Columbia. The Justice Department has now filed 22 lawsuits seeking voter information as part of its effort to collect detailed voting data and other election information across the country.
Dec. 18, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The first meeting of the state's Immigration Enforcement Accountability Commission looks at the deployment of chemicals against protesters. Some alderpeople push forward with an alternative budget plan and a new teen curfew. And digital literacy efforts are helping seniors in Chinatown — but lost funding is threatening the effort.
Chicago Man Accused in Blue Line Arson Attack Now Charged With Setting Fire at City Hall Days Earlier
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors unsealed a new indictment against Lawrence Reed, 50, that alleged he “maliciously damaged and attempted to damage and destroy, by means of fire” Chicago’s City Hall building, located at 121 N. LaSalle Street on Nov. 14.
Johnson Stops Short of Vowing to Veto Rival Budget Plan, But Calls It ‘Morally Bankrupt’
| Heather Cherone
While Mayor Brandon Johnson weighed what could be the biggest decision of his time as mayor, the Civic Federation said the proposed "budget does not move Chicago appreciably toward long-term fiscal stability."
Chicago Bears’ Threat to Move to Indiana a ‘Slap in the Face,’ Gov. Pritzker’s Office Says
| Heather Cherone
“The McCaskey family should focus on hosting a playoff game in a stadium that actually exists not distract by pontificating about hosting a Super Bowl in one that doesn’t,” State Rep. Kam Buckner said.
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