Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Stories by

SEIU Local 1 Backs Brandon Johnson for Mayor, as Willie Wilson Endorses Paul Vallas

SEIU Local 1, which represents 45,000 janitors, security officers, airport workers, home care workers and window washers, is the first major labor organization to back a candidate for mayor after the Feb. 28 election. 

2 Former Cook County Prosecutors Charged in Connection With Jackie Wilson Murder Trial

Special prosecutor Lawrence Oliver on Wednesday announced a 14-count indictment against former Assistant State’s Attorneys Nicholas Trutenko and Andrew Horvat following the botched prosecution of Wilson, who was facing his third trial for the 1982 murders of police Officers William Fahey and Richard O’Brien.

Biden’s Budget Aims to Cut Deficits Nearly $3 Trillion Over 10 Years

The deficit reduction goal is significantly higher than the $2 trillion that Biden had promised in his State of the Union address last month. It also is a sharp contrast with House Republicans, who have called for a path to a balanced budget but have yet to offer a blueprint.

Chicago Police Officer Who Lied About Ties to Proud Boy Returns to City Payroll

Officer Robert Bakker returned to full duty Wednesday, two weeks after members of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee demanded that Chicago Police Department officials do more to weed out extremists from the department’s ranks.

March 7, 2023 - Full Show

State lawmakers weigh new rideshare restrictions. Local doctors on their mission to Turkey and Syria following the devastating earthquakes. And the latest on the battle between a Rockford airport and natural area.

Area Doctors Return From Volunteering in Turkey and Syria Following Earthquakes

MedGlobal, a humanitarian organization based in Chicago, is composed of 12 physicians who deploy to disaster-struck countries to help in times of need. Most recently, three physicians traveled to both Syria and Turkey to help those affected by the disaster. 

Illinois Lawmakers Eye Tougher Safety Standards For Uber, Lyft

Uber and Lyft are currently exempt from the so-called “common carrier” standard that applies to other forms of transportation like taxis, railroads and airlines. Some Illinois lawmakers want to change that. 

Founder of Mr. Beef, Shop That Inspired ‘The Bear’ TV Show, Dies at 69

Mr. Beef, the no-frills sandwich joint in Chicago’s River North, has been a neighborhood staple for decades. But it became a national sensation after it was portrayed by the gritty, fast-paced show released in June 2022. The founder Joseph Zucchero has died at 69.

Illinois Department of Corrections Director Rob Jeffreys to Step Down

“I’m grateful to Director Jeffreys for his years of service, ensuring the dignity and safety of the incarcerated people of Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. 

Plans for Taste of Chicago, Summer Festivals Unclear Amid Grant Park Closures

At least part of the 300-acre Grant Park – known as Chicago’s front yard – will be closed to Chicagoans for 83 days this summer, including every day except June 2, June 3, June 4 and July 16, according to a schedule released Tuesday by the Chicago Park District.

FAA Clears Way for Rockford Airport to Bulldoze Portion of Bell Bowl Prairie

Barring any last-minute court decisions, the Greater Rockford Airport Authority will soon resume construction on its cargo expansion project, bulldozing a portion of ancient Bell Bowl Prairie in order to carve out a new roadway.

US Sues to Block JetBlue From Buying Spirit Airlines, Arguing Deal Would Drive Up Prices

The Justice Department said the tie-up would especially hurt cost-conscious travelers who depend on Spirit to find cheaper options to JetBlue and other airlines.

Joe Biden Plans New Taxes on the Rich to Help Save Medicare

President Joe Biden wants to increase the Medicare tax rate from 3.8% to 5% on income exceeding $400,000 per year, including salaries and capital gains. The White House did not provide specific cost-saving estimates with the proposal

Once More, With Feeling: How to Vote Early in Runoffs for Mayor, City Council

All Chicagoans can cast their votes early starting March 20.

7 People Shot Over Holiday Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 23 people were shot in 23 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday, which marked Casimir Pulaski Day in Chicago.

March 6, 2023 - Full Show

A labor dispute at the United Center. The top environmental issues for the next Chicago mayor. A Waukegan airport’s push to expand gets pushback. And finding the most beautiful places in Chicago with Geoffrey Baer.

From Skyscrapers to Worship Houses, New Special Explores ‘Most Beautiful’ Places in Chicago

In a new WTTW special, Geoffrey Baer takes viewers on a tour of some of Chicago’s most beautiful places. Some may be familiar, but others less so.

United Center Concession Workers Prepare for Strike During Big Ten Tournament as Negotiations Continue

United Center concession workers are in the middle of contract negotiations with the hospitality company that operates the service. On Sunday, dozens of workers walked out on a one-day strike during the Chicago Bulls game. 

Advocates Hopes Chicago’s Next Mayor Puts Focus on Environmental Justice Issues

Crime has dominated much of the local and national media coverage around Chicago’s mayoral election. But environmental justice activists contend that environmental issues also have a significant impact on quality of life for residents.

CTA Holding Friday Job Fair as Agency Looks to Combat Staffing Shortage

The job fair, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the CTA’s 567 W. Lake St. main office, will give job seekers a chance to attend information sessions on the bus positions and apply on site. 

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, March 4, 2023 - Full Show

New research shows that childbirth is still much deadlier for Black women — even those with the highest incomes. A new podcast retells a Bridgeport hate crime. And the Green Book for Black motorists during the Jim Crow era.

Questions Loom as Lake County Considers Forest Preserve Land Sale to Waukegan Airport

A proposal from the Waukegan Port District to buy 52 acres of forest preserve land to accommodate construction of a new airport runway is stirring up controversy in Lake County.

Toblerone Drops Iconic Design Due to Rules on ‘Swissness’

Mondelez International of Deerfield, Illinois, which owns the Swiss-born brand, said Monday that it's in the process of adapting the packaging of Toblerone products to conform with strict rules in Switzerland about how products qualify for the coveted “Swissness” moniker.

Twitter Glitches as Links, Images Fail to Load

The company, which has experienced an uptick instability and bugs in recent months after Elon Musk cut its staff sharply, said “Some parts of Twitter may not be working as expected right now. We made an internal change that had some unintended consequences. We’re working on this now and will share an update when it’s fixed.”

Many Kids Are Struggling in school. Do Their Parents Know?

It’s widely known from test scores that the pandemic set back students across the country. But many parents don’t realize that includes their own child.

As Emergency SNAP Benefits End, Community Food Organizations Prepare to Meet Increased Demand

Households in Illinois receiving SNAP food benefits will see them decrease in March as a pandemic-era policy giving families additional benefits comes to an end. The average person will receive about $90 less in SNAP benefits per month.
 

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