Stories by
Inspector General Decries ‘Keep Your Mouth Shut’ Culture at City Hall
| Paul Caine
Amid a stunning corruption scandal that includes government raids, undercover moles, Viagra and massage parlors, Joe Ferguson has called for reform of the City Council’s culture.
Shiver, Fluff and Cuddle: How Birds Keep Warm in the Winter
| Alex Ruppenthal
Unlike humans, birds do not have the luxury of high-powered heating systems to keep warm in the winter, but they do have a variety of unique adaptations to help them survive.
Frostbite Can Hit in Just 5 Minutes. Here’s What You Can Do To Prevent It
| Matt Masterson
With temperatures nearing record lows across the Midwest, frostbite can occur in a matter of minutes. We ask a local surgeon about frostbite symptoms, treatment and prevention.
Boeing Soars and Lifts Markets with It
| Associated Press
Boeing reported annual revenue of more than $100 billion for the first time and shares soared after the company easily beat Wall Street’s profit and sales expectations for the fourth quarter.
McDonald’s Logs Strong Growth Globally
| Associated Press
The world’s biggest hamburger chain said sales rose 4.4 percent at established locations in the fourth quarter and 4.5 percent for the year.
Flights Canceled, Mail Suspended Amid Frigid Midwest Weather
| Associated Press
A deadly arctic deep freeze enveloped the Midwest with record-breaking temperatures on Wednesday, triggering widespread closures of schools and businesses, and the canceling of more than 1,500 flights from Chicago's airports.
CPS Cancels Thursday Classes, Students Off Until Next Week
| Matt Masterson
“Since temperatures are expected to stay at dangerous levels through Thursday, we are canceling school to ensure families have ample time to plan ahead,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said in a statement Tuesday.
Speaker Madigan the Latest Snared in Solis Wiretap
| Amanda Vinicky
Bombshell reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times details a federal probe of Ald. Danny Solis, and tells of a secretly recorded conversation involving, arguably, the state’s most powerful politician.
Solis Investigation: Attorneys Explain Potential Impact of Yearslong Federal Probe
| Nick Blumberg
Analysis of the possible legal implications of the investigation surrounding Ald. Danny Solis, and the power brokers he recorded for the government.
Congress Back to Work Despite State of the Union Delay
| Alexandra Silets
Congress looks to avoid another shutdown. “PBS NewsHour” correspondent Lisa Desjardins reports on a very busy day on Capitol Hill – that doesn’t include the State of the Union.
The Implications of Six Flags Biometrics Ruling on Silicon Valley
| Erica Gunderson
What an Illinois Supreme Court ruling about biometrics privacy could mean for Google, Facebook – and everyone else.
‘Arresting’ Exhibition Showcases Fine Art, Sculpture of Medieval Africa
| Marc Vitali
The new Block Museum show “Caravans of Gold, Fragments in Time” showcases the splendor and influence of medieval West and North Africa. We tour the exhibition with a special guest from the Smithsonian.
American Auto History Shines at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage
| Erica Gunderson
Travel through American automotive history with a glimpse at an extraordinary private collection of vintage cars.
Call Before Bringing Pets to Chicago Warming Centers, City Says
| Alex Ruppenthal
Those seeking refuge from this week’s bitter cold at one of Chicago’s public warming centers should not assume their dog or cat will be allowed in with them.
Laquan McDonald’s Family, Advocacy Groups Demand Action on Van Dyke Sentence
| Matt Masterson
Attorneys from several legal groups penned a letter on behalf of the slain teen’s great uncle, claiming the former cop received an “illegal” sentence based on reasoning that “cannot be reconciled” with Illinois law.
UIC Receives $12M to Study Latino Health
| Kristen Thometz
The University of Illinois at Chicago will continue its role in the largest-ever prospective epidemiological study of Latinos, the largest minority population in the U.S.
BBB Warns of Cold-Weather Scams as Temperatures Plummet
| Alex Ruppenthal
As extreme cold sets in, be on the lookout for scams involving driveway shoveling, furnace inspections and utility bills, the Better Business Bureau says.
CSO’s 2019-20 Season Celebrates Beethoven’s 250th Birthday
| Hedy Weiss
A wide array of concerts designed “to explore (Ludwig van Beethoven’s) individuality, power and genius” highlight the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2019-2020 season.
State Education Superintendent Tony Smith Leaving Office
| Matt Masterson
Tony Smith announced Tuesday that his contract will not be renewed after it ends on Jan. 31, bringing to a close his nearly four-year term as Illinois’ schools chief.
Police: ‘Empire’ Star Attacked in Possible Racist, Homophobic Hate Crime
| Matt Masterson
Chicago police are asking for help in identifying two offenders who allegedly attacked a star of the TV series “Empire” in what investigators believe may have been a “racially-charged assault.”
Cook County Courthouses to Close Wednesday and Thursday Due to Cold
| Matt Masterson
Bail hearings and some pretrial hearings will continue, but all other court operations will be postponed for part of the week in anticipation of a near-record cold snap.
Illinois Braces for Brutal Cold, Schools and Courts Closing
| Associated Press
Chicago Public Schools announced that Wednesday’s classes have been canceled. The University of Chicago, DePaul and Northwestern Universities will close their campuses from Tuesday until Thursday morning.
Chicago Mayor’s Race: Mendoza, Preckwinkle Spar Over Ethics
| Paris Schutz
Susana Mendoza, one of 14 candidates running for Chicago mayor, releases her ethics plan as early voting is set to begin Tuesday.
Gillette’s ‘We Believe’ Ad Sparks Controversy, Dialogue
| Nicole Cardos
What does a new ad campaign say about masculinity in the #MeToo era? We explore reactions both positive and negative to Gillette’s “We Believe” commercial.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
2025 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
The Adams County Sheriff Has Been Cooperating With ICE. Does That Violate Illinois Law?
As Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Illinois Elections Officials Say Fraud is ‘Extremely Rare’
Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report
Billboard Promoting Far-Right Group Proud Boys Pops Up in Southern Illinois
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter