Stories by Heather Cherone

Final Vote Set for Scaled-Back Effort to Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson With New Push to Protect Voting Rights

After winning the endorsement of the Ethics and Government Oversight Committee, a final vote on the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr. Fair Access to Democracy Ordinance by the full City Council is scheduled for Wednesday.

City Council Committee Advances Mayor’s Pick to Serve as Chicago’s Watchdog

David Glockner said he would focus his efforts on areas “that matter most for the effective, equitable and efficient delivery of city services” and use his office’s audit authority to probe the “most significant risks.”

Push to Prohibit Police in Illinois From Using Facial Recognition Software Stalls

Advocates for the bill say they are wary of debates happening in the wake of major news events, which can emphasize the technology’s role in investigations over its risks, including misidentification of individuals and expanded surveillance.

Chicago Sky Forward Rickea Jackson Tears ACL in Her Left Knee

Chicago Sky forward Rickea Jackson suffered a torn ACL in her left knee in a win over the Minnesota Lynx, the team announced Tuesday.

Piping Plovers Are on the Nest, With a Major Couple Shake-Up

Monitors with both Chicago Piping Plovers and Lake County Audubon Society reported eggs laid at Montrose Beach and the Waukegan shoreline, respectively.

New Exhibit at International Museum of Surgical Science Highlights Role of Filipino Nurses in Healthcare

“Unheard Voices of Care: Filipino Nurses in America” runs until Aug. 2 at the International Museum of Surgical Science. The exhibit highlights stories of Filipino nurses from the 1940s to present day.

May 18, 2026 - Full Show

Gas prices are still on the rise as travelers prepare to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend. And what to know about President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing.

Strait of Hormuz Closure Continues to Disrupt Oil, Fertilizer Prices Around the Globe

Gas prices in Chicago are up 70 cents from one month ago, and nearly $1.70 compared to last year, according to data from AAA.

‘They Had a Clear Sense of Priorities’: Key Takeaways From Trump’s Beijing Summit

While President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached some agreement on trade deals, questions still loom large over Taiwanese independence and which country will emerge as the dominant world power for decades to come.

Ald. Jessie Fuentes Sues Federal Government After Being Handcuffed by Immigration Agents at Hospital

Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) claimed that the agents acted negligently when they falsely arrested and falsely imprisoned her on Oct. 3, 2025, in the emergency room of the Humboldt Park Health Hospital.

Judge Denies ‘Field Trip’ Request to ICE Processing Center in Broadview Protester Trial

U.S. District Judge April Perry on Monday rejected the request, saying she believes there’s no need for a jury “field trip” to the Broadview center and that the risk of something going wrong while there would be “massive.”

Further Testing Finds Illinois Resident Did Not Have Hantavirus, Health Officials Say

An Illinois resident suspected of having hantavirus last week was found to not have hantavirus following additional testing, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced.

City Panel Agrees to $2.25M Settlement in Lawsuit Claiming Chicago Failed to Build Enough Affordable Apartments for People With Disabilities

The agreement also calls for the city to build or rehabilitate 2,000 new affordable units accessible to those with limited mobility as well as an additional 840 new affordable units accessible for Chicagoans with limited hearing and sight during the next 12 years, officials said.

Minnesota County Charges ICE Officer in Nonfatal Shooting During Trump’s Immigration Crackdown

A Minnesota prosecutor on Monday announced charges against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the nonfatal shooting of a Venezuelan man during the Trump administration’s crackdown in Minnesota.

Chicago Sky Off to Strong Start Although May Have Lost Rickea Jackson to Knee Injury

The Chicago Sky got off to a hot start to the WNBA season, but the health of young star Rickea Jackson is foremost on their minds after she had a non-contact injury on her left knee in Sunday’s win over Minnesota.

Justice Department Announces $1.7B Fund to Compensate Trump Allies in a Deal to Drop IRS Suit

he Trump administration announced Monday the creation of a $1.7 billion fund to compensate allies of the Republican president who believe they were mistreated by the Biden administration Justice Department, an arrangement that Democrats and government watchdogs derided as “corrupt.”

Northwestern University Picks Purdue’s Mung Chiang to be New President

Mung Chiang, a renowned researcher, educator and university leader is set to become the first ever Asian American president at Northwestern University.

Week in Review: Johnson Marks 3 Years in Office; Democrats Push to Host Another DNC in Chicago

The Chicago Public Schools CEO is summoned to testify before Congress. And Mayor Brandon Johnson marks his three-year anniversary in office.

Rare Ghost Orchid Blooms at Chicago Botanic Garden, Catch It While You Can

The rare ghost orchid bloom will be on public display at the garden’s Tropical Greenhouse through May 25.

New Opera By Chicago Music Critic Unpacks Being a Son of Holocaust Survivors

The new opera, “The Dialogue of Memories,” is embarking on a three-city U.S. tour this month that culminates at the Studebaker Theater in Chicago on May 23 and 24. The opera draws from former longtime Chicago Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich's real-life discovery of his mother’s past and conversations he had with Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.

Behind the Scenes of the Bears’ Bob Ross-Themed Schedule Reveal With Rome Odunze

The Chicago Bears dropped their schedule reveal video featuring Rome Odunze showing off some artistic flair. WTTW News was there for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the video.

School Choice Option at Standstill as Illinois Legislators Weigh Benefits, Political Fallout of Federal Tax Credit

The tax credit, passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025, is a dollar-for-dollar non-refundable federal tax credit for donations of up to $1,700 a year to authorized scholarship-granting organizations.

IDOT Targets Young Engineering Talent With Up to $60K in Student Loan Assistance

The Higher Education Student Loan Repayment Assistance for Engineers Pilot Program will reimburse engineers up to $15,000 annually after four years of service at the agency.

Democrats Test a New Red State Strategy: Back Independents Over Their Own Nominees

In states like Nebraska and Alaska, Democratic officials are, in some cases, looking past their own party’s candidates while subtly encouraging — or even openly promoting — independent candidates they hope can outperform the Democratic label.

Documentary Traces the Journey of 7 Siblings Who Survived the Holocaust and Settled in Chicago

The Weber family will mark 80 years since arriving in the U.S. with a May 20 screening of “UnBroken” at the Wayfarer Theater in Highland Park, hosted by the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

May 14, 2026 - Full Show

We sit down with Mayor Brandon Johnson as he enters his third year in office. And what to know about hantavirus.
 

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