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Lawyer Turns to Art in Effort to Explain Criminal Justice System

A lawyer is using what she learned in that role to create art that helps people better understand the reality of Cook County’s criminal justice system.

CTA Board OKs Budget With No Fare Hikes, But Fiscal Challenges Loom

The CTA’s Board of Directors approved a $1.8 billion operating budget for 2023, a plan that doesn’t include fare increases for passengers. But with ridership still down from pre-pandemic levels, the budget relies on nearly $400 million in federal stimulus money to make up for lost fare revenue. 

Reputed Wicked Town Gang Leader Convicted on Federal Racketeering Charges

Donald Lee, 40, and 30-year-old Torance Benson were each found guilty Tuesday following a two-month trial in Chicago’s federal court building after prosecutors said they each participated in a criminal organization that murdered rivals and violently protected a drug-dealing operation on the city’s West Side.

Donald Trump Seeks White House Again Amid GOP Losses, Legal Probes

Trump had hoped to use the GOP’s expected gains in last week’s elections as a springboard to vault himself to his party’s nomination. Instead, he finds himself being blamed for backing a series of losing candidates after Republicans failed to take control of the Senate. 

AP Source: Russian Missiles Cross Into Poland During Strike

Russia pounded Ukraine’s energy facilities Tuesday with its biggest barrage of missiles yet, striking targets across the country and causing widespread blackouts. A senior U.S. intelligence official said missiles crossed into NATO member Poland and killed two people.

Illinois Workers’ Rights Amendment Approved by Voters: AP

Illinois’ constitution will be amended to explicitly protect unions, according to backers of the change who’ve been closely watching as mail-in ballots get added to totals from last Tuesday’s election. Outside entities and leading critics of the question say it’s too early for unions to claim victory.

Police, CTA Officials Offer Riders Safety Tips Ahead of Holiday Shopping Season

Safety tips offered by the CPD include: being aware of your surroundings, securing wallets and phones in zipped pockets, keeping shopping bags close to you and keeping headphone volume low enough to hear what’s happening nearby.

Walmart Offers to Pay $3.1 Billion to Settle Opioid Lawsuits

The retail giant's announcement follows similar proposals on Nov. 2 from the two largest U.S. pharmacy chains, CVS Health and Walgreen Co., which each said they would pay about $5 billion.

World Population Hits 8 Billion, Creating Many Challenges

The world's population will likely hit an estimated 8 billion people on Tuesday, according to a United Nations projection, with much of the growth coming from developing nations in Africa.

Winter Weather Advisory Tuesday, Days After Record High Temps: Yep, Chicago Weather in a Nutshell

A winter weather advisory went into effect Tuesday morning for much of the Chicago region, a far cry from last week's balmy 70-degree temperatures.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s Oldest Resident Has Been Hiding in Plain Sight for About 300 Years. Its Days Are Now Numbered.

A bur oak has towered over the zoo’s south lawn, opposite the primate house, since before there even was a zoo. It even predates the founding of the United States of America. 

Cook County Property Tax Bills Arrive After Months of Delays and Finger-Pointing

The second-installment of property owners’ 2021 tax bills will be more than 150 days late amid months of bureaucratic wrangling and finger pointing among Cook County officials.

Nov. 14, 2022 - Full Show

A federal court ruling puts student loans on hold. Why Chicago homeowners might face a higher property tax burden. The future of the Illinois GOP after a poor showing last week. And a concert pianist on her time in Chicago.

Illinois GOP Taking Stock, Looking to Future After ‘Very Disappointing’ Election

Last Tuesday was instead an unmitigated disaster for the Illinois GOP — losing every race for statewide office and falling further into super-minority status in the statehouse. It’s prompted calls from within for some soul-searching.

After Formula Shortage, Breast Milk Bank Aims to Meet Demand

In the Chicago area, Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes is the only accredited milk bank. Despite a slow increase in supply, the bank is still providing this valuable resource.  

Pianist Recalls Roots in Chicago and Ukraine – and an Early Appearance on WTTW

Pianist Inna Faliks is an educator, mom and a distinguished concert pianist who is in demand across the globe. But before all that, one of her first television appearances was on WTTW in 1994 when she was just 15 years old.

Crain’s Headlines: McDonald’s Plots World Cup Campaign

Property owners will receive their tax bills soon — and homeowners might be a bit let down. Zoro, an e-commerce platform for business supplies, is joining the list of companies moving from the suburbs to the city. And McDonald's is rolling out what they say is their largest global campaign to date for the World Cup.

Chicago Bakery, Staffing Company Move to Settle Discrimination Lawsuit Brought By Black Temp Workers

A staffing agency and the bakery’s then-owner are set to pay more than $1 million to settle the case. Worker advocates say the suit points to widespread problems faced by temp workers, and the possible legislative solutions.

Chicago Announces Compost Pilot Program That Draws on Expertise of City’s Community Gardens

Six community gardens will test the logistics of a compost program that could be expanded if it proves successful and scaleable.

City Council Set to Pay $5M to Family of Teen Shot and Killed by Chicago Police Officer in 2019

The Chicago City Council is set to pay $5.8 million to resolve three lawsuits alledging misconduct by Chicago Police officers.

Lightfoot, Allies Block Hearing on Proposal to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness

Dozens of Chicagoans who waited hours to get their turn to address the Chicago City Council were prevented from speaking because a majority of the Chicago City Council attended Monday's special meeting.

Federal Appeals Court Ruling Keeps Biden Student Debt Forgiveness Plan On Hold

The ruling by the three-judge panel from the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis came days after a federal judge in Texas blocked the program, saying it usurped Congress’ power to make laws.

Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Stepfather at Bronzeville Home

Kenneth Haywood, 30, was ordered held on a $400,000 D-bond during a hearing Monday following his arrest over the weekend in the killing of 56-year-old Shenan Thompson.

40 States Settle Google Location-Tracking Charges For $392M

The investigation by the states, which officials said was spurred by a 2018 Associated Press story, found that Google continued to track people's location data even after they opted out of such tracking.

SEIU Healthcare Illinois Becomes Latest Union to Back Brandon Johnson for Mayor

The 90,000-member union that represents hospital, nursing home, home care and child care workers throughout the Midwest backed Brandon Johnson, a Cook County commissioner, four days after U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García entered the race for mayor, scrambling the contest.

6 People Killed in Separate Shootings Over Weekend in Chicago: Police

According to Chicago Police Department data, 28 people were shot in 26 separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
 

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