Stories by Associated Press
Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Bid to Delay Sentencing in His New York Hush Money Case
| Associated Press
The court’s 5-4 order clears the way for Judge Juan M. Merchan to impose a sentence Friday on President-elect Donald Trump, who was convicted in what prosecutors called an attempt to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Jan. 9, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Some alderpeople push to weaken Chicago’s sanctuary city ordinance. And we explore why a Pilsen church is moving its masses online.
Pilsen Church ‘Not Going to Be Sitting Ducks,’ Moves Spanish Services Online Amid Deportation Fears
| Sean Keenehan
As Inauguration Day approaches, President-elect Donald Trump’s declaration to launch the “largest deportation operation in American history” is spreading fear across immigrant communities around the country.
Illinois Lawmakers Pass Karina’s Bill, Measure That Requires Police to Take Guns After Orders of Protection
| Amanda Vinicky
Karina’s Bill seeks to protect domestic violence victims by creating uniform processes for removing guns from alleged abusers who are subject an order of protection.
Chicago City Council to Consider Scaling Back Protections for Undocumented Immigrants as Trump Plans Mass Deportations
| Heather Cherone
The showdown over whether to amend the Welcoming City ordinance, set for Wednesday, will come less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. He has promised to immediately launch the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.”
Bird-Friendly Glass at McCormick Place is Working as Deadly Collisions Drop by 95%, Data Shows
| Patty Wetli
According to recently released information, bird collision deaths have dropped by as much as 95% at McCormick Place Lakeside Center after bird-friendly window film was installed on the convention center’s glass.
Endometriosis, Ovarian Cysts Among Conditions Added to Illinois Medical Marijuana Qualification List
| Amanda Vinicky
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Thursday that patients diagnosed with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and female orgasmic disorder can now register under the state’s compassionate use of medical cannabis program — bringing the total number of qualifying conditions to 56.
Potawatomi Land Transfer in DeKalb County Clears General Assembly
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Nearly two centuries after losing its reservation in Illinois in a land sale that most people now concede was illegal, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation could soon get its land back.
Overnight Closures Announced Ahead of Reversible Lanes on Kennedy Expressway Reopening Next Week
| Eunice Alpasan
Starting Thursday, three overnight lane closures will be required on the inbound and outbound Kennedy and Edens Expressway to remove the work zone and apply new pavement markings, according to Illinois Department of Transportation.
Jimmy Carter Lauded for His Humility and Service During Washington Funeral Before His Return to Georgia
| Associated Press
All of Carter’s living successors were in attendance, with President Joe Biden, the first sitting senator to endorse his 1976 run for the White House, delivering a eulogy. Biden and others took turns praising Carter’s record and extolling his character.
City Poised to Spend $7.5M Settling 1st Federal Lawsuit Claiming Convicted Police Sgt. Ronald Watts Framed CHA Residents
| Heather Cherone
Convicted in 2006, Ben Baker spent 10 years in prison before he was released in 2016, three years after former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts was convicted of taking bribes.
Pay Family of Woman Killed by Driver Being Chased by Police $4.5M, City Lawyers Recommend
| Heather Cherone
In all, Chicago taxpayers spent more than $73 million from January 2019 to August 2024 to resolve two dozen lawsuits filed by Chicagoans injured during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.
After Man Spent Nearly 25 Years in Prison for Wrongful Murder Conviction, City Lawyers Recommend $8.75M Settlement
| Heather Cherone
The Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee is set on Monday to consider the proposed settlement, which would add to the toll of Jon Burge’s legacy of torture and misconduct more than 30 years after he was fired. A final vote of the City Council could come Wednesday.
Pay $17.5M to Man Who Spent More Than 21 Years in Prison After Being Framed by Disgraced Ex-Detective, City Lawyers Recommend
| Heather Cherone
If approved, it would be the seventh lawsuit filed by Chicagoans who said they were the victims of Reynaldo Guevara’s misconduct to be resolved, at a cost of $78 million to Chicago taxpayers.
Chicago Taxpayers Pay $75K to Family of Woman Who Died From Drug Overdose in Cop’s RV
| Heather Cherone
Treasure Hendrix, 35, died after ingesting a toxic cocktail of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and ecstasy, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Her death was the result of an accidental overdose, according to her autopsy.
Developer Moves Forward With Lincoln Park Apartment Complex, Setting Stage for Fight Over Aldermanic Prerogative
| Heather Cherone
One of Chicago’s largest developers will invoke a little-known and untested provision of city law in an attempt to win approval for a 615-unit apartment complex in Lincoln Park.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Jan. 8, 2025 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Illinois’ new legislative session begins. Making it easier for kids in foster care to live with relatives. And connecting pregnant patients with free doula services in Cook County.
Illinois Legislature Approves Bill to Prioritize Family Members in Foster Care
| Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois
The Kindship in Demand Act, or KIND Act, puts an obligation on the Department of Children and Family Services to use a “kin-first approach” when placing children in foster care settings.
Illinois Lawmakers Sworn in Amid Calls for Collaboration, Respect in Springfield
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois’ new batch of lawmakers will face a number of challenges in 2025. Chief among them is a projected $3.2 billion budget deficit.
Cook County Health to Provide Free Doula Services in $1M Pilot Program
| Shelby Hawkins
“Doulas are really the experts at being able to support people emotionally and physically through this process of being pregnant, of labor and delivery and the initial postpartum period,” said Dr. Mary Tate of Cook County Health.
‘HOKTUAH,’ ‘GYATT’ and ‘ABADMF’ Among More Than 300 Rejected Illinois License Plates in 2024
| Eunice Alpasan
More than 300 license plate requests in Illinois were denied last year for profanity, offensive language or illegibility, according to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.
Back on the Witness Stand, Michael Madigan Rejects Bribery and Quid Pro Quo Allegations in Corruption Trial
| Matt Masterson
As Michael Madigan returned to the witness stand for his second day of testimony Wednesday in his ongoing corruption trial, he told jurors outright that he “would not be involved in a quid pro quo.“
Thousands Flee as Wildfires Burn Out of Control and Destroy Homes Across the Los Angeles Area
| Associated Press
Three major blazes were burning in the metropolitan area, from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade. With thousands of firefighters already attacking the flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department put out a plea for off-duty firefighters to help.
Joe Biden Casts Doubt on His Fitness to Serve Another Four Years Days Before Term Ends
| Associated Press
The outgoing Democratic president also told USA Today in the interview published Wednesday that he tried during his Oval Office meeting with President-elect Donald Trump to discourage the Republican from going after his political opponents, as he has said he would.
Lightfoot Campaign Emails to CPS Teachers Raised ‘Significant Constitutional Issues,’ But Watchdog Finds No Coordination With District
| Matt Masterson
A new annual report published Wednesday from the CPS Office of Inspector General (OIG) highlights the office’s major investigations from the previous year.
Pritzker, Johnson Clash Over Hemp Regulation as Bill Stalls in Springfield
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants the state to come through for him in a major way to boost spending on the city’s schools and transportation networks — but Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Johnson and his team “don’t reach out very often, and it seems like they don’t have good relationships in Springfield.”
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