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Applications Sought for Chicago’s Next Police Misconduct Agency Chief

The Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability announced it has begun accepting applications for the role of chief administrator in the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Water Lilies Flex Their Muscles in Global Botanic Garden Weigh-Off Challenge. How Do Chicago’s Contestants Stack Up?

Now in its third year, the Waterlily Weigh-Off has bulked up to more than 40 competitors across eight countries. The winner will be announced Aug. 28.

Ex-Northwestern Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald Settles Lawsuit Following His Firing Amid Hazing Allegations

Former Northwestern University football coach Pat Fitzgerald and his attorneys announced the “satisfactory settlement” Thursday, though terms of the agreement were not immediately known.

From a Timely Theater Festival to an Evening of Mexican Soul, Here Are 6 Arts Picks for This Week

Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s must-see cultural events.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Aug. 20, 2025 - Full Show

The head of the Chicago Teachers Union on the district’s budget deficit and more. And prison lockdowns are on the rise — we explore the reasons.

Illinois’ SNAP Education Program to End Amid Federal Funding Cuts. How That Could Impact Local Communities

More than 1 million Illinois residents have benefitted from an educational program that teaches SNAP recipients about nutrition.

CTU President Rejects Pritzker’s Assertion No More Money to Be Found in Springfield for Schools

CPS is facing a $734 million shortfall with a deadline to pass a balanced budget coming next Friday, but the options facing CPS board members and the interim CEO appear to be narrowing.

Vehicle Emissions Testing Offered at Chicago South DMV as Part of Pilot Program

The pilot is a partnership between the Illinois secretary of state and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Motorists are expected to test vehicle emissions every two years for cars older than four years.

What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? With Illinois Seeing Historic Highs, We Asked Incarcerated People

Lockdowns can be indistinguishable from solitary confinement-like conditions, with those incarcerated given little yard time and limited access to educational programming and commissary.

NASCAR Returning to Joliet’s Chicagoland Speedway in 2026 Amid Pause in Chicago Street Race

For the first time in seven years, NASCAR will be returning to the 1.5-mile speedway in Joliet with an O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on July 4, 2026 and a Cup Series race scheduled for July 5.

Billboard for Proud Boys Hate Group Removed in Southern Illinois After Local Public Pressure

Clinton County Board Chairman Brad Knolhoff said the county had no legal authority to regulate the billboard’s content, but he and many others contacted the company, expressing their outrage.

Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for Aug. 20-26

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

Mega Data Centers Could Drain Water Supplies in Great Lakes Region if Protections Aren’t Put in Place: Report

A new report explores how unprecedented levels of consumption by heavy water users — namely “hyperscale” data centers — could lead to conflicts over and even shortages of water, even in the Great Lakes.

Aug. 19, 2025 - Full Show

Local reaction to President Donald Trump’s effort to ban mail-in voting. And will a peace deal be reached between Russia and Ukraine?

New Leader of Chicago Council on Global Affairs Discusses America’s Foreign Policy Challenges

For more than 100 years, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has sought to play a positive role in helping to shape American foreign policy and its engagement with the world.

As Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Voting, Illinois Elections Officials Say Fraud is ‘Extremely Rare’

Associated Press |

In Illinois, there are numerous security checks in place to ensure the accuracy and security of mail-in voting, according to Matt Dietrich, a spokesperson for the state’s Board of Elections.

Arts of Life Showcases 25 Years of Creativity and Opportunity for Artists With Disabilities

Arts of Life is a place where creative people with intellectual and developmental disabilities produce works of art and earn an income. Now their colorful work fills the gallery at the Design Museum of Chicago in a group exhibition called “Community on the Make: Arts of Life 2000-2025.”

Hit With Flood Damage? Johnson Asks Chicagoans to Complete Survey While Calling for State, Federal Support

Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday blamed climate change and a poorly built water management system on the recent flooding impacting the West and Southwest sides.

Illinois Beekeepers Battle Losses, Costs to Keep Hives Buzzing

Bee loss is a persistent issue throughout the state. It’s not uncommon for beekeepers to lose over half of their colonies each year — primarily during winter — due to disease, competition, poor nutrition or limited resources.

US Pediatricians’ New COVID-19 Shot Recommendations Differ From CDC Advice

The group’s new COVID-19 recommendations come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing.

A Texas Democrat Spent the Night in Legislature Protesting Police Shadowing in Redistricting Battle

The Republican-controlled Texas House scheduled a vote for Wednesday on the new maps while California Democrats are retaliating by advancing their own new U.S. House boundaries ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Pritzker Gives Boon to Trial Lawyers, Vetoes Treasurer-Backed Bill

The Illinois governor signed 266 laws on Friday. The new laws include measures to make public defenders more independent, tighten safety regulations at warehouses and increase the age for required annual driver tests.

Aug. 18, 2025 - Full Show

The Adams County sheriff has been cooperating with ICE — does that violate Illinois law? WTTW News investigates. And CPS board members weigh in on the controversial budget proposal.

Chicago Board of Education Members Weigh in on CPS Budget Proposal, $734M Shortfall

CPS leaders said they crafted a budget proposal to keep cuts out of the classroom, but the plan leans heavily on one-time funding, raising questions about long-term stability.

Argonne National Laboratory’s Advanced Photon Source Gets $815M Upgrade

Since 1995, Argonne National Laboratory, located just southwest of Chicago, has been at the forefront of atomic-scale research in the United States.

Billboard Promoting Far-Right Group Proud Boys Pops Up in Southern Illinois

The sign is located at Old U.S. Route 50 and St. Rose Road, about 1,000 feet from the entrance to Central Community High School. It lists a local phone number for people to call.

 

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