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Stories by Associated Press

Money Stored in Venmo and Other Payment Apps Could Be Vulnerable, Financial Watchdog Warns

The alert comes several weeks after the failure of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank, which all experienced bank runs after fearful customers with uninsured deposits pulled their money en masse.

5 Things to Do This Weekend: Chicago Dance Month, Friday Night Flights

An art fair, beer tasting and James Beard events usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.

Shootings Rose in May, But Homicides in Chicago Remain Below Pace of Recent Years: Police

New crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department show that 229 people have been killed in the city year-to-date. That total is down about 9% from the same time last year (when there were 253 homicides) and down about 12% compared to 2021.

Brother of Reputed Gang Leader Charged After Allegedly Telling Witness ‘I’ll Get You’ During Trial

Federal prosecutors have charged Rosco Blackman with witness tampering following the comment he allegedly made during the ongoing trial of his brother Romeo Blackman, a reputed leader of the Goonie Boss street gang.

Chicago Just Had One of Its Driest Mays in History, How Serious Is This Drought?

State climatologist Trent Ford said conditions aren't alarming, yet, but if June isn't signficantly wetter than May, there's cause for concern.

May 31, 2023 - Full Show

A heated debate in City Council over funding for migrants sent from Texas. One on one with Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch. And a ride-along on the NASCAR street course.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on Budget, Bipartisanship and Immigration

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined “Chicago Tonight” for a one-on-one conversation about the spring legislative session, recently passed $50 billion state budget and asylum seekers.

Spotlight Politics: Heated City Council Meeting; Memorial Day Weekend Violence

Tempers and emotions flared at Wednesday’s Chicago City Council meeting over the vote to use $51 million for migrants who are struggling to find shelter and food in the city.

Touring the NASCAR Chicago Street Race Course With Dale Jarrett, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Racing legends Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took WTTW News correspondent Paris Schutz around the specially designed track that weaves in and out of Grant Park and provides some iconic views for spectators.

City Council Votes 34-13 to Spend $51M to Help Care for Migrants After Tension Between Black, Latino Chicagoans Boils Over at Meeting

In all, city officials expect to spend $112 million through the end of June from a combination of state, federal and local funds to feed and shelter the migrants. More than 4,000 recent arrivals from Texas are living in city shelters, leaving another 500 people to sleep on the floor of police stations across the city.

Mike Pence Set to Launch His Presidential Campaign in Iowa Next Week

Former Vice President Mike Pence will officially launch his campaign for the Republican nomination for president in Iowa on June 7, adding another candidate to the growing GOP field and putting him in direct competition with his former boss.

Are Airplane Seats Too Small? Duckworth Wants the FAA to Look Again

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth criticized 2019 evacuation testing, which used just 60 passengers — far fewer than in most commercial jets — and did not include senior citizens, people with mobility disabilities or carry-on luggage.

Boat Owner Sentenced to Year in Prison for Running Illegal Charter Trips on Chicago River, Lake Michigan

Christopher Mike Garbowski, 37, was issued a year-and-a-day sentence after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of violating an order of the Captain of the Port.

Temps Top 90 at O’Hare, Officials Remind Landlords of New A/C Requirements

With high temperatures in the forecast, city officials issued a reminder to landlords about new air conditioning requirements, put in place in 2022 after three women died in a Rogers Park senior living facility.

May 30, 2023 - Full Show

The city’s watchdog on Chicago cops who lied while on the job. Toxic lead paint threatening kids’ health in suburban Cook County. And closing loopholes in property tax sales.

Inspector General Report Finds Chicago Police Department Allows Dishonest Cops to Stay on the Job

An audit by Inspector General Deborah Witzburg reveals the Chicago Police Department has allowed more than 100 officers who filed false reports to stay on the job. Some were even promoted after being found to have lied.

Lawmaker Raises, Car Title Changes: What’s Included in Illinois’ New $50B State Budget

Backers of a new state budget say they've passed a balanced plan crafted in cooperation. Many Republicans, however, say the measure largely ignores their input and sets the state up for obligations it won’t be able to meet.

Nearly Half Million Suburban Cook County Homes at Risk for Toxic Lead Paint

Toxic lead-based paint was banned in 1978, but the threat of poisoning persists. In suburban Cook County, officials say as many as half a million homes have lead paint hazards that present enormous health threats for young children.

Bill Designed to Revamp Property Tax Sale System That Fueled ‘Urban Decay’ Headed to Governor’s Desk

Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas called the legislation “the most significant property tax reform legislation the General Assembly has approved in decades.”

With $21M Gift, Chicago Botanic Garden Will Accelerate Research to Help Save Plants at Risk of Extinction

A newly announced $21 million gift will help the Chicago Botanic Garden further its conservation and research projects, like the development of a studbook for plants.

More Than 50 People Shot, 11 Killed, Over Memorial Day Weekend in Chicago: Police

The Chicago Police Department said 53 people were shot in 42 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday. One person was also fatally stabbed during the holiday weekend.

Outdoor Dining Set to Become Permanent Under Proposal That Strengthens Aldermanic Prerogative

“This was one of the silver linings to come out of the pandemic,” Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) said.

At the CSO: Knockout Timpani Concerto and Glorious Rendering of Respighi Masterworks

A recent Chicago Symphony Orchestra program juxtaposed works by three masterful yet radically different composers of classical music: Wolfgang Mozart, William Kraft and Ottorino Respighi.

Here’s What’s In, What’s Out of The Debt Limit Bill to Avert US Default

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy have been working the phones in an intense push to sell Congress on the 99-page bill that would suspend the nation's debt limit through 2025 to avoid a federal default while limiting government spending.

Legislative Session Roundup: Updates on Chicago’s Elected School Board, Red Light Cameras

Illinois’ legislative session is wrapping up in earnest, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker will soon face the task of deciding whether to crystalize legislators’ ideas by signing them into law. 

Outdoor Dining Set to Outlast Pandemic Program That Opened Up Sidewalks, Streets to Food Lovers

Restaurants, bars and cafes would be allowed to serve customers outdoors permanently under a plan backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson. The plan would make the rules designed to help restaurants stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic an enduring part of Chicago’s food scene.
 

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