Stories by Eunice Alpasan
O’Hare Expected to See Busiest Ever Fourth of July Travel Period, City Says
| Eunice Alpasan
O’Hare’s busiest day of the six-day holiday travel period is expected to be Sunday, when more than 300,000 passengers are expected to pass through the airport.
Meet Marian and Migizi, Chicago’s Historic Pair of Baby Bald Eagles Now Have Names
| Patty Wetli
The eaglets are the first born in a Chicago park in 100 years.
Top FBI Agent in Chicago Abruptly Leaving Post After Being Pushed to Retire, AP Sources Say
| Associated Press
The head of the FBI’s Chicago field office is abruptly leaving his position, according to a resignation message he sent to colleagues and multiple people familiar with the situation who said he was told to retire.
The Onion’s New Parody of Alex Jones’ Infowars Starts With $100,000 to Sandy Hook Families
| Associated Press
The satirical news site The Onion isn’t waiting to take possession of Infowars to launch a parody of Alex Jones ’ conspiracy platform.
‘Awesome.’ ‘Sad.’ ‘Let’s Keep Democracy Going.’ Americans Weigh In on State of a 250-Year-Old Nation
| Associated Press
Across the United States, many Americans are celebrating their country’s 250th birthday by closing their ears to all the partisan shouting. Instead, in varied ways, they are tuning into their own personal concepts of America the Beautiful.
Shootings, Homicides in Chicago Remain Slightly Above Last Year’s Historically Low Pace
| Matt Masterson
According to Chicago Police Department data, there were 210 homicides recorded through the end of June, an increase of nearly 6% compared to the first six months of 2025 — a year that ended with Chicago’s lowest homicide total in 60 years.
Illinois House Speaker Welch to Rep. Harry Benton: Resign or Be Expelled
| Brenden Moore — Capitol News Illinois
House speaker’s demand of fellow Democrat comes after months of silence over sexual harassment allegations.
A Family-Friendly Film and a Women’s Suffrage Musical: 4 Arts Picks for Your Week
| Josh Terry
Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
July 1, 2026 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Chicago’s top cop, Larry Snelling, announces his retirement. And the separation of church and state is under fire from a White House commission.
Faith Leaders React to Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission Targeting Separation of Church and State
| Blake Thor
A report from the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission calls for a clawback of the separation of church and state, a fundamental American legal principle for more than two centuries. President Donald Trump created the commission via executive order last May.
Developer Withdraws Rezoning Request for Controversial Data Center in Hoffman Estates
| Maggie Dougherty — Capitol News Illinois
State lawmakers failed to pass a legislation this spring that would help the state regulate the growing data center industry, and Gov. JB Pritzker suspended state incentives for new data center projects.
CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling to Retire This Month
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling announced Wednesday he plans to retire this month after three decades with the department and three years as its leader.
Feds Accuse Teen of Conspiracy, Fraud in Connection to ‘Scattered Spider’ Criminal Cyber Hacking Group
| Matt Masterson
Federal prosecutors in Chicago announced conspiracy and fraud charges against a teenager with alleged involvement in a criminal cyber hacking group accused of committing dozens of “network intrusions” resulting in more than $100 million in ransom payments.
Bailey Campaign Embraces Artificial Intelligence in New Era of Politics
| Ben Szalinski — Capitol News Illinois
Republican Darren Bailey’s campaign for governor is embracing images made with artificial intelligence in social media posts. Gov. JB Pritzker’s campaign manager said the governor’s campaign has a policy against using AI in public-facing content.
New Department of Early Childhood Launches Full Operations
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Gov. JB Pritzker called for creating a new agency in 2023 to consolidate and streamline services for infants and toddlers under one roof.
IDOT Warns Drivers to Stay Alert for Road Buckling During Heat Wave
| Eunice Alpasan
Pavement failures, buckling and blowouts can occur with little warning during periods of prolonged heat and humidity, resulting in uneven driving surfaces, according to IDOT.
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 1-7
| Josh Terry
Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
As Chicago Swelters Under Heatwave, ComEd Asks Customers to Immediately Conserve Energy to Avoid Outages
| Patty Wetli
It felt like 106 degrees in Chicago Tuesday, and more of the same is expected for Wednesday and Thursday as the combination of heat and humidity continue to create dangerous conditions.
Norman Powell to Chicago Bulls in Another All-Star Move as Teams Continue Shaping Rosters
| Associated Press
Norman Powell has agreed to a two-year deal that could be worth up to $45 million with the Chicago Bulls, a person with knowledge of the talks said Wednesday.
June 30, 2026 - Full Show
| WTTW News
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship but gives President Donald Trump a big win for his immigration agenda. And Native American leaders share their feelings about America turning 250.
Reflecting on Native American Experiences as the US Celebrates 250th Anniversary
| Jessica Watts
Americans nationwide are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, marked by the signing of the Declaration of Independence. However, the country’s origins started before English settlers claimed the land as their own.
Longtime Illinois Residents at Risk of Deportation After Supreme Court Ruling on Protections for Haitians, Syrians
| Shelby Hawkins
TPS designations are chosen for foreign nations with conditions that temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, when the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately. The program allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. legally.
Nursing Gains ‘Professional’ Label for Student Loans After Judge’s Ruling, But Theology Now Dropped
| Associated Press
Previously, graduate students had been able to take out federal loans up to the full cost of their degree. Trump officials pushed for new loan caps to rein in student debt and lower tuition prices that they said had grown out of control.
U.S. Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Challenge to Cook County’s Assault Weapons Ban
| Matt Masterson
The high court on Tuesday granted certiorari in the case brought by a pair of Cook County residents and gun rights activists who challenged the county’s existing law, which bars residents from owning, buying or transferring 125 rifles, such as the AR-15.
Immigrant Rights Groups Relieved But Vigilant After Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship
| Eunice Alpasan
A divided Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a 6-3 ruling Tuesday, striking down President Donald Trump’s executive order that claimed children born in the U.S. to people who are in the country illegally or temporarily are not U.S. citizens.
Minimum Wage to Increase in Chicago, Suburban Cook County Starting July 1
| Eunice Alpasan
“We encourage you to review your paycheck to ensure you’re being paid the appropriate wage,” Cook County Department of Human Rights and Ethics Executive Director Jennifer King said.
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