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March 2, 2023 - Full Show

The latest on the Chicago police officer shot and killed in the line of duty. Three of the city’s newest elected officials: police district council members. And Will County residents fighting a major distribution hub.

New Police District Councils Aim to Build Better Relationship Between Officers and Community

Starting in May, each of Chicago’s 22 police districts will be overseen by a three-person council. The goal is to help build trust in a beleaguered department that is under a court-ordered consent decree aimed at forcing reform.

Half of Discount Mall Vendors to Close Shop in Little Village: ‘We Don’t Have Any Choice’

For the last two years, Discount Mall has been in the middle of a battle between its vendors and property owner Novak Development. Now, half of the mall’s vendors have until the end of this month to pack up and leave.

Why Will County Residents Are Fighting a Major Logistics Hub — and Why Backers Say It’s Needed

Will County is home to the largest inland port in the United States, taking in an array of products that just about all of us depend upon. But serving as a major logistics hub has made its mark on the community: traffic jams, potholes, open land converted to warehouses.

5 Things to Do This Weekend: Spring Flower Shows, Holi Festivities

Indoor garden shows, a wintry polar plunge and Holi festivities usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.

18-Year-Old Charged With Murder of Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso

Steven Montano is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated discharge of a firearm and two additional misdemeanors, the Chicago Police Department announced Thursday.

Warrant: Bomb Materials Found at Home of Alleged Highland Park Parade Gunman

According to an affidavit, the alleged gunman charged in last year’s Fourth of July shooting in Highland Park told FBI agents he mulled the possibility of deploying explosives in the attack.

Vallas Loans $100,100 to His Bid for Mayor, Lifting State Limits on Campaign Contributions

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson can now raise nearly unlimited amounts of cash for their mayoral campaigns, after Vallas loaned his own campaign $100,100 two days after advancing to the April 4 runoff.

There Will Be Nasty Weather Friday, But Forecasters Still Aren’t Sure What Form It Will Take

At some point Friday, it will probably rain or snow, but how much of which form of precipitation will fall, and where, forecasters still can’t say with confidence.

Chicago Police Officer Fatally Shot in Exchange of Gunfire on Southwest Side, Officials Say

Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said the officer was a five-year veteran who had responded to a call of a woman being chased by a man with a gun. “This is something that no family should have to face.”

Trump Can Be Sued for Jan 6 Actions, Justice Department Says

The department wrote that although a president enjoys broad legal latitude to communicate to the public on matters of concern, “no part of a President’s official responsibilities includes the incitement of imminent private violence.”

COPA Publishes Body Camera Video From Officers Involved in Fatal Irving Park Shooting

Body camera footage of the fatal police shooting of a man in Irving Park last month appears to show he was attempting to get up off the ground and run away when he was killed.

March 1, 2023 - Full Show

The day after election night: We’re one-on-one with Brandon Johnson and meeting four of the freshman City Council winners. David Brown resigns as police superintendent. And where the race between Johnson and Paul Vallas goes from here.

City Council Poised for Big Change with Runoffs on the Horizon

Four newly elected alderpeople joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss public safety, community investment and planned first steps in City Council.

Spotlight Politics: Vallas, Johnson Headed to April Runoff

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her bid for reelection Tuesday. Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are now headed to an April 4 runoff election. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

Brandon Johnson on Addressing Crime, Finding a New Police Superintendent

Chicago mayoral candidates Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson are off to the races with little more than a month before the April 4 runoff election. Johnson joined “Chicago Tonight” Wednesday for a one-on-one conversation. 

Incumbent Chicago City Council Members Hang On, as 14 Races Likely Headed to Runoffs

None of the City Council members appointed by Lightfoot, who lost her bid for a second term as mayor on Tuesday, won their seats outright.

New Era of Police Oversight Dawns with Election of District Council Members

Starting in May, each of Chicago’s 22 police districts will be overseen by a three-person council as part of an effort to rebuild trust in the Police Department, which is governed by a court order requiring city leaders to change the way it trains, supervises and disciplines officers.

U.S. Attorney John Lausch to Leave Office March 11 After Tenure Marked by Indictments of High-Profile Politicians

John Lausch, who has served as U.S. attorney in the Northern District of Illinois since 2017, is planning to leave the office in “early 2023,” U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced during an unrelated press conference Thursday.

Chicago’s Top Cop David Brown to Resign From Department March 16

Mayor Lori Lightfoot — who nominated Brown for the position in 2020 and will be leaving office herself after failing to make April’s mayoral runoff election — announced Brown will be leaving the department effective March 16.

Number of Shootings, Homicides Across Chicago Down So Far in 2023 Compared to Last Year: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data published Wednesday, the city has recorded 79 homicides through the end of February — a total that is down 14% compared to the same point last year but 13% over 2021.

Long-Lost 19th Century Ship Found in Lake Huron, Confirming Tragic Story

The 191-foot cargo vessel collided with a grain hauler on a blustery night in September 1894, sinking both. The Ironton’s captain and six sailors clambered into a lifeboat but it was dragged to the bottom before they could detach it from the ship. Only two crewmen survived.

February Was Uncommonly Warm and Light on Snow, But March Could Change That

The big story was the amount of rain that fell in the Chicago region: There have only been seven wetter Februarys since 1871.

Indicted Ald. Carrie Austin Resigns from City Council After 29 Years in Office

Ald. Carrie Austin, 73, who did not seek a seventh term on the Chicago City Council, stepped down the day after Chicago voters went to the polls to pick a new mayor and City Council. 

Feb. 28, 2023 - Full Show

Election Day is here. We break down the key races as results flow in. And we’re live with reaction to the results from candidates for mayor. 

Control of Chicago City Council Up for Grabs as Aldermanic Runoffs Loom

Twelve members of the Chicago City Council are not seeking reelection, which will mean nearly a quarter of the city will get new local political leadership in 2023.
 

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