While recovering from open heart surgery in 2021, Chicago-based artist Shar Coulson experienced trippy visions that ultimately shaped her artwork.
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Watchdog Urges City Council to Tighten Rules to Stop Mayor’s Office From Obstructing Probes
The Department of Law “selectively acts in opposition to the OIG’s investigative work when OIG’s work may result in embarrassment or political consequences for city leaders,” Inspector General Deborah Witzburg wrote.
Chicago Police Misconduct Agency Chief Resigns Under Fire; 2 Other City Department Heads Exit
Civilian Office of Police Accountability Chief Administrator Andrea Kersten much of the last 12 months at odds with the city’s top cop and the head of the city’s police oversight board.
Federal Judge Pauses Trump’s Order Restricting Gender-Affirming Care for Trans Youth
The judge’s ruling came after a lawsuit was filed earlier this month on behalf of families with transgender or nonbinary children who allege their health care has already been compromised by the president’s order.
From Broadway Tunes to Hubbard Street Dance, Here Are 5 Shows to Brighten Your Weekend
The Super Bowl is over, and we are now in the 40th year since the Chicago Bears won the big game. Meanwhile, the arts and culture scene in Chicago just keeps winning. Here are a few favorites and underdogs to place your bets on.
Trump’s Education Secretary May Be Asked to Dismantle the Education Department. Here’s What It Does
The agency’s main role is financial. Annually, it distributes billions in federal money to colleges and schools and manages the federal student loan portfolio. Closing the department would mean redistributing each of those duties to another agency.
Vaccine Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as Trump’s Health Chief After a Close Senate Vote
Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had polio as a child, was the only “no” vote among Republicans, mirroring his stands against Trump’s picks for the Pentagon chief and director of national intelligence.
CTU Sounds Alarm for Chicago Students as Donald Trump’s Education Secretary Pick Set to be Confirmed
CTU vice president Jackson Potter said the union is “very concerned” about Linda McMahon’s potential confirmation as she’s expected to carry out orders to essentially dismantle the Department of Education.
Ravinia Gets a Revamp as Historic Outdoor Music Festival Announces Transformation of Entire Campus
The upgrades at North America’s longest-running outdoor music festival will take place in phases over the next few years. Everything is expected to be renewed and enhanced by the 2029 season, when Ravinia celebrates its 125th anniversary.
Chicago’s Snow Total Underwhelmed, But There’s More in the Forecast Along With Bitter Cold Temps
A band of dry air crashed Chicago's snowstorm party Wednesday.
Chicagoans Dissatisfied With CPD, Have No Confidence in Reform Push: Federal Court Monitor Survey
The latest survey from the monitoring team charged with enforcing the consent decree found that Chicagoans’ confidence in CPD and the reform effort is exceedingly low, despite a reform push that began six years ago.
Trump Says He Wants the Department of Education Closed ‘Immediately.’ What That Could Mean for Illinois
Asked by reporters how soon he would like the department closed, President Donald Trump responded: “Oh, I’d like it to be closed immediately. The Department of Education is a big con-job.”
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Feb. 12, 2025 - Full Show
A split verdict in the landmark corruption trial of Michael Madigan. And what funding cuts could mean for local early childhood programs.
After Madigan’s Conviction, Lawmakers Ask: Has Illinois Done Enough to Root Out Corruption?
In a statement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the verdict an “important message to anyone in government” that “if you choose corruption you will be found out, and you will be punished.”
Michael Madigan Found Guilty of Bribery Conspiracy, Other Charges as Jury Deadlocked on Racketeering
Michael Madigan, once the state of Illinois’ most powerful politician during his decades-long run as Illinois House Speaker and chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois, has now joined the long list of local and state powerbrokers convicted on federal corruption charges.
Judge Clears Way for Donald Trump’s Plan to Downsize Federal Workforce With Deferred Resignation Program
A federal judge on Wednesday cleared the way for President Donald Trump ’s plan to downsize the federal workforce with a deferred resignation program.
Sonya Massey Attorneys Detail $10M Settlement as Fatal Shooting Spurs State Bills on Police Hiring
In the early morning hours of July 6, Massey called 911 to report a prowler outside her home, setting in motion events that left Massey dying on her kitchen floor and former Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson facing charges of first-degree murder.
What Does Having the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Hold Mean for Consumers?
Critics complain the independent agency, funded by the Federal Reserve System, lacks sufficient supervision and regularly exceeds its regulatory authority. Defenders argue the bureau’s watchdog mission has strong bipartisan support.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Singer R. Kelly’s Convictions and 30-Year Prison Term
The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum-selling R&B songwriter was convicted in 2021 in Brooklyn federal court of multiple charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking.
Video of City Hall Gift Room Raises ‘More Questions Than Answers’: Watchdog
A 20-second video released Wednesday by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office of a small City Hall room crammed with gifts his office accepted on behalf of the city is “not a substitute for public access to public property,” Inspector General Deborah Witzburg said.
Acting CTA President Pledges Outreach, Engagement as Agency Works to Tackle Budget Gap and Draw Back Passengers
Nora Leerhsen, who has worked at the CTA for more than 10 years, took over as its leader on Feb. 1.
Civic Federation Says Illinois Should Extend Sales Tax to Services to Help Bridge $3B Budget Deficit
“By applying the sales tax only to goods and a small number of services, Illinois is missing the ability to tax much of the spending within its borders,” the nonpartisan Civic Federation said in its latest report.
Feb. 11, 2025 - Full Show
President Donald Trump pardons former Gov. Rod Blagojevich — how local politicians are reacting. And a project aimed at keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes is on hold.
Illinois Politicians React to Trump’s Pardon of Ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich: ‘It Does Not Seem Fair’
“I support President Trump in many ways,” state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) said, “but I don’t think he understands that this just signals that the corruption in Illinois is just accepted, rather than it has to stop.”
For 2 Years, 211 Helpline Has Connected Cook County Residents to Social Services
Housing and shelter, utility assistance, access to food and employment and income assistance were the most common needs for residents, according to 211 Metro Chicago program leaders.
Ethics Board ‘Revokes’ Informal Agreement That Allowed Mayor to Accept Pricey Gifts
No longer will gifts accepted by Chicago’s mayor on behalf of the city be covered by an “unwritten arrangement” dating back to the late 1980s during the administration of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer, Board President William Conlon said.
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