Stories by Patty Wetli

The Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved a special event permit for Riot Fest on Wednesday, a decision that did little to bridge the divide between residents of Lawndale who welcome the fest and those who want to oust it from Douglass Park.

The Little Village Arch was built in 1990 by Mexican American Vietnam War veterans Ronald Baltierra and David Ramirez and was designed by Mexican architect Adrián Lozan. The Chicago Department of Transportation undertook a $1.25 million project to restore the archway following its designation as an official city landmark.

Officer Ella French was shot and killed during a traffic stop on Aug. 7, 2021. Emonte Morgan was found guilty of first-degree murder and attempted murder.

The Australian comedian is known for being open about their life — from talking about growing up as a lesbian in a place where homosexuality was illegal until 1997 to navigating relationships as an autistic person.

U.S. District Court Judge John F. Kness ordered former Ald. Carrie Austin, 75, to undergo a physical examination by an expert doctor to determine whether she is too ill to stand trial, as her lawyers insist.

Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed that consumer prices rose 2.5% in August from a year earlier, down from 2.9% in July. It was the fifth straight annual drop and the smallest since February 2021. From July to August, prices rose just 0.2%.

Taylor Swift said Tuesday she is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for president, ending speculation about if or when the superstar singer would share her political views ahead of November’s election.

The Democratic vice president tried to get under the skin of the Republican former president, provoking him with reminders about the 2020 election loss that he still denies and delivering derisive asides at his other false claims.

Illinois has some of the nation’s strictest gun laws. However, firearm legislation in neighboring states has a significant impact on Illinois. Despite the restrictions and regulations in place, gun trafficking still poses a problem.

Harris and Trump face off for the first time on the debate stage — what to expect. Exploring the details of Illinois’ assault weapons ban. And looking at ways to stop the flow of illegal firearms.

If the verdict is upheld, it would be equivalent to more than 60% of Chicago’s annual $82 million budget to cover the cost of police misconduct lawsuits.

Ian Maksin is a master cellist, guitarist, composer, recording artist, superb vocalist and multilinguist who can finesse more than 30 languages. In addition to everything else, he is a formidable world traveler. 

As Chicago grapples with a nearly $1 billion budget gap in the coming year, the city shouldn’t count on the state to help fill it. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s “read things in the newspaper” about relief Chicago may want from the Illinois government, but at this point that’s not something his budget team is thinking about.

A "who's who" of buildings has been announced for the annual Open House Chicago "urban exploration" two-day festival, set for Oct. 19-20.

The first appeal the court heard Tuesday centered on the new law’s early implementation. It involved a Chicago man who was charged with attempted murder and jailed just before the new law took effect, but who later petitioned for release once cash bail officially ended.

The city's inspector general said it was “troubling” that the city did not hold the firm that leases the city's parking meters accountable for seven years.

Drury Lane Theatre launched its fall season with “The Audience,” a lively and entertaining drama that imagines private conversations between Queen Elizabeth II and the prime ministers who served during her reign. Here, Her Majesty acts as both therapist and sparring partner for the heads of Parliament.

At the end of August, participants in the Sihek Recovery Program, of which Brookfield Zoo is a member, took the first small step toward one day bringing birds and birdsong back to Guam.

It was a powerful and memorable moment at last month’s Democratic National Convention when Gus Walz, the son of vice presidential nominee Tim Walz, emotionally cheered as his father delivered his acceptance speech. But some online commenters mocked the 17-year-old’s actions, sparking backlash.

Conditions at Stateville Correctional Center are so uninhabitable that a federal judge ordered most of the population out by the end of September. WTTW News sent questions to men incarcerated at Stateville to hear how they feel about the shuttering of the prison and the state building a new facility.

Shelters in Pilsen and in the West Loop will close Oct. 1 and a shelter in Hyde Park will close Oct. 24. All of the residents will be offered space in one of the 14 shelters the city will continue to operate, officials said.

Whenever there’s talk about how to curb gun violence, two words often come up: assault weapons. Illinois is one of 10 states — plus Washington, D.C. — with a so-called assault weapons ban on the books. WTTW News Explains what that ban does. 

What's at stake in tomorrow's presidential debate. And what Chicagoans want to hear from both candidates. 

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump go head-to-head for the first time at Tuesday night’s debate. 

WTTW News hit the streets in Chicago to speak with people and find out what they want to hear from the candidates during the debate.

The pioneering Jones, who worked deep into his 80s, won two Emmys, a Golden Globe, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, the Kennedy Center Honors and was given an honorary Oscar and a special Tony for lifetime achievement. In 2022, a Broadway theater was renamed in his honor.