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Illinois Republicans File Lawsuit Asking State Supreme Court to Toss Legislative Map

Republicans argue the map is an example of “extreme partisan gerrymandering,” which renders it unconstitutional under state law.

Bird Flu Toll Continues to Rise in Chicago. Are Massive Die-Offs the New Normal?

Wildlife professionals and advocates are grappling with an avian influenza outbreak that seems to be growing more virulent among Chicago's wild birds.

Respiratory Illness Level ‘High’ in Illinois and Chicago Area, Driven by Increase in Flu Cases

There were about five times as many emergency department visits for flu as there were for COVID-19, according to IDPH data during the week ending Jan. 25.

Local Live Music Recommendations for Feb. 5-Feb. 11

Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.

Donald Trump Administration Drafting Executive Order to Initiate the Elimination of Department of Education

The Trump administration has begun drafting an executive order that would kick off the process of eliminating the Department of Education, the latest move by President Donald Trump to swiftly carry out his campaign promises, two sources familiar with the plans told CNN.

El Salvador Offers to Accept Deportees From US of Any Nationality, Including American Citizens

El Salvador President Nayin Bukele confirmed the offer in a post on X, saying El Salvador has “offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system.”

FBI Agents Sue Over Justice Department Effort to ID Employees Involved in Donald Trump-Related Investigations

The class-action complaint, filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington, seeks an immediate halt to the Justice Development’s plans to compile a list of investigators who participated in probes of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol as well as Trump’s hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump Administration Opens Antisemitism Inquiries at 5 Colleges, Including Northwestern

In an order signed last week, Trump called for aggressive action to fight anti-Jewish bias on campuses, including the deportation of foreign students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests. The cases were opened using the department’s power to launch its own civil rights reviews, unlike the majority of its investigations, which stem from complaints.

Feb. 3, 2025 - Full Show

A WTTW News special: Mayor Brandon Johnson and community stakeholders join us for a town hall discussion to address major issues facing the city like public safety, immigration, housing and much more.

Johnson Vows to Try Again to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Homes to Fight Homelessness

“At the point of which we go for this revenue again, let’s not allow the interests of the corporations as well as the ultra rich to dictate what working people deserve in this city,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “We have to pass Bring Chicago Home.”

Illinois Groups Demand Release of $50M in After-School Program Funding

The organizations say tens of thousands of students are being denied access to services because the money is not being spent.

Now Paused Tariffs Could Impact Hundreds of Billions of Dollars of Trade in Illinois

President Donald Trump’s plan to implement tariffs on key United States trading partners could affect more than $100 billion worth of goods imported to Illinois from Canada, Mexico and China. The countries were Illinois’ top trading partners in 2023.

Donald Trump Agrees to Pause Tariffs on Canada and Mexico After Pledge to Boost Border Enforcement

The White House confirmed the pause to the United States, which followed a similar move with Mexico that allows for a period of negotiations about drug smuggling and illegal immigration. There is a risk that the tariffs could still come into effect, leaving the global economy uncertain about whether a crisis has been averted or if a possible catastrophe could still be coming in the weeks ahead.

Starved Rock to Receive $30M in State Funds for Much Needed Improvements, Maintenance

Illinois officials announced $60 million in funding for improvement projects at five parks and historic sites, with the lion's share being funneled to Starved Rock.

Neko Case Just Published a Memoir. Here’s What She Had to Say About Life on the Road in 2001

Neko Case has written the book on her sometimes wild life. She returns to Chicago this week to talk about her memoir, “The Harder I Fight the More I Love You.”

Homicides Up Slightly, Shootings Down in Chicago Through First Month of 2025: Police

There were 38 homicides recorded throughout the city in January, an 8.6% jump over the same month in 2024, according to new data from the Chicago Police Department.

People Left to Navigate Immigration Court Complexities Alone After Federally Funded Aid Pulled

Without the programs that educate people in immigration courts and detention centers about their rights and the complicated legal process, many will end up navigating the system on their own. Advocates worry that due process and the backlogged immigration courts will suffer.

EU Leaders Ponder the ‘Cruel Paradox’ of a US Ally Threatening Tariffs and a Possible Land Grab

Since taking office in the White House last month, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on EU imports and refused to rule out the use of military force to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark.

Elon Musk Says President Donald Trump ‘Agreed’ USAID Should Be Shut Down

Members of Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, eventually did gain access Saturday to the aid agency’s classified information, which includes intelligence reports, the former official said. Musk’s DOGE crew lacked high enough security clearance to access that information, so the two USAID security officials — John Voorhees and deputy Brian McGill — believed themselves legally obligated to deny access.

Paper Mail Is Seen as a Source for Drugs in Illinois Prisons. How Is It Tracked?

Correctional workers and Republican lawmakers have said exposure to synthetic cannabinoids in IDOC facilities has led to hospital visits and impacted prisons across the state. One man incarcerated at Hill Correctional Center said moving away from paper mail would have “devastating consequences.”

Donald Trump Says Americans Could Feel ‘Some Pain’ From His New Tariffs Against Canada, Mexico and China

The trade penalties that Trump signed Saturday at his Florida resort caused a mix of panic, anger and uncertainty, and threatened to rupture a decades-old partnership on trade in North America while further straining relations with China.

Black History Month Explained: Its Origins, Celebrations and Myths

The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

Week in Review: Trump Funding Freeze Sows Confusion; ICE Raids Begin

Federal immigration agents — and Dr. Phil — carry out raids in Chicago. And the wide-ranging impact of a federal funding freeze.

University Health, Medical Researchers in Chicago Face Uncertainty as Trump Administration Aims to Cut Federal Funding

Fears and frustrations linger among university researchers around the country whose research work is now in limbo as President Donald Trump’s administration aims to cut what it deems as “wasteful” federal spending.

FDA Approves Painkiller Designed to Eliminate the Risk of Addiction Associated With Opioids

It’s the first new pharmaceutical approach to treating pain in more than 20 years, offering an alternative to both opioids and over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

Illinois Students Remain at or Above National Average, According to ‘Nation’s Report Card’ Test

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, is a set of standardized tests administered every two years to a representative sample of fourth and eighth students nationwide. Because the tests are administered uniformly nationwide, it allows for accurate comparisons between states and over time.
 

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