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Mayor Emanuel: Change State Constitution on Pensions
| Paris Schutz
He may be leaving office soon, but Mayor Rahm Emanuel is about to put forward a proposal that’s likely to generate controversy as the race for his successor heats up.
Illinois Schools Must Improve Support for Student Sex Abuse Victims: Report
| Matt Masterson
There’s been a renewed focus on student sexual abuse after hundreds of cases within Chicago Public Schools came to light. But a new report finds that schools across the state aren’t doing enough to support abuse survivors.
McDonald’s to Cut Use of Antibiotics in Beef Products
| Alex Ruppenthal
After years of pressure from public health advocates, the Chicago-based burger chain announces a plan to reduce the use of antibiotics in its beef products.
Former Chicago Cubs, White Sox Players Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
| Associated Press
Lee Smith and Harold Baines both debuted in Chicago during the 1980 season. Smith began with the Cubs and went on to record 478 saves while Baines started out with the White Sox and had 2,866 hits.
Overly Similar Pieces Undercut Impact of Hubbard Street’s New Works Festival
| Hedy Weiss
If you are in search of fresh choreographic talent, why not turn to the dancers who are right under foot in your own studio? Sometimes, this makes perfect sense. But as revealed in “dance(e)volve New Works Festival,” there can be drawbacks to this effort.
Charter Strike Over, But Does it Signal Changing Time in Chicago?
| Brandis Friedman
About 500 Chicago charter school teachers and 8,000 students were back in the classroom after a historic, nearly weeklong strike came to an end Sunday.
Trump’s Troubles: Prosecutors Detail Illegal Activities in Sentencing Memos
| Alexandra Silets
Former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti joins us with insight into the latest legal revelations implicating President Donald Trump of directing criminal activity.
Madigan-Connected Alderman Responds to Election Fraud Allegations
A ‘Chicago Tonight’ Exclusive
| Paris Schutz
David Krupa, a 19-year-old aldermanic candidate, alleges election fraud as he tries to take on Ald. Marty Quinn, a top ally of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, in the 13th Ward.
Model Railroad Club Chugs Along in Chicago for More Than 70 Years
| Evan Garcia
At Clarendon Park in the Uptown neighborhood, a fleet of model trains from multiple places and time periods are chugging through coal country.
City Animal Shelter Waives Fees for Holiday Adoptions
| Alex Ruppenthal
With its building “full to the brim” with cats and dogs, Chicago’s municipal-run animal shelter is waiving adoption fees for those looking to bring home a new pet this holiday season.
Chicago to Host James Beard Awards Through 2027
| Kristen Thometz
The Windy City will continue to serve as host to the annual awards event that dishes out honors to the best in the food and restaurant industry.
NRA Settles Lawsuit with ‘The Bean’ Artist
| Associated Press
The National Rifle Association will remove an image of Chicago's famous bean-shaped sculpture from a video advertisement, ending a legal dispute that began after the artist sued for copyright infringement, according to statements from both sides.
Glenn Beck Gives $50K to Lincoln Artifacts Debt
| Associated Press
Beck's charity, Mercury One, has donated $50,000 toward a $9.2 million debt owed for a collection of 1,400 artifacts purchased a decade ago for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.
Teachers Union: Tentative Deal to End Charter Schools Strike
| Associated Press
The Chicago Teachers Union said more than 500 teachers will return to classes Monday at Acero’s 15 schools with 7,500 predominantly Latino students.
Group to Assign Mayoral Candidates ‘Paw Ratings’ on Animal Welfare Issues
| Alex Ruppenthal
Fix Chicago 2019 aims to end the killing of shelter pets in Chicago. The first task of the new group? Taking inventory of where candidates running for city office stand on various animal welfare issues.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Remembering George H.W. Bush
| Alexandra Silets
Paris Schutz and guests discuss the legacy of former President George H.W. Bush as the nation mourns the 41st president.
The Week in Review: FBI Raid Doesn’t Hinder Burke Fundraiser
| Alexandra Silets
Ald. Ed Burke’s fundraiser goes on despite FBI raids. Mayoral candidates duke it out in petition battles. The fate of three Chicago cops is in a judge’s hands. And the Bears take on the Rams.
Change of Venue Granted in Case of Missing U. of I. Student
| Matt Masterson
A federal judge rules the upcoming trial of Brendt Christensen will be moved from Urbana to Peoria. He is charged with the kidnapping and death of 26-year-old Yingying Zhang.
McDonald Cover-Up Trial Finished, But Verdict Still Weeks Away
| Matt Masterson
Arguments are over in the trial of three Chicago cops accused of trying to cover up details of the Laquan McDonald shooting. Now it’s up to a judge to issue her verdict in a ruling that will come later this month.
Reflections on Turning 100 with Chicago’s Remarkable Timuel Black
| Brandis Friedman
Few Chicagoans can say they’ve lived through 100 years of change. But historian and civil rights activist Timuel Black can when he marks his 100th birthday on Friday.
Analysis Links Black Residents’ Exodus from Chicago with Unemployment
| Kristen Thometz
An analysis by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning posits economic conditions likely played a role in the yearslong exodus of black residents from the Chicago region.
Trump EPA Looks to Weaken Regulations for New Coal Plants
| Alex Ruppenthal
The Trump administration is taking another swing at coal regulations, announcing that it plans to ditch an Obama-era rule that set pollution limits for new coal-fired power plants.
The Art Institute of Chicago Celebrates 125th Anniversary
| Marc Vitali
Saturday marks 125 years since the opening of the historic building that houses the Art Institute of Chicago. We reflect on the past – and look to the future – with James Rondeau, the museum’s president and director.
Chicago Mayoral Candidates Differ on Elected School Board
| Paris Schutz
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle secures a mayoral endorsement from the Chicago Teachers Union as candidates stake out positions on an elected CPS board.
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