McCormick Place Lakeside Center's walls of glass and location on the lakefront are a deadly combination for birds. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Monday’s meeting of the McPier board was dominated by discussion of the mass death of 1,000 birds in a single day, killed after colliding with McCormick Place. Bird conservationists want a solution in place by spring migration.

Field Museum staff collected 1,000 dead birds Thursday from the grounds of McCormick Place. (Courtesy of Taylor Hains)

Chicago is one of the deadliest cities for migrating birds and Thursday’s “insane abundance of migratory action” led to “insane mortality,” birders said. The remedy is as simple as flipping off a light switch.

C2E2 recommended fans wear masks inside the exhibition halls on Aug. 6, 2022. (Yahya Salem / WTTW News)

This year’s C2E2 took place in the summer, less than eight months after its 2021 iteration, as organizers gradually revert to the event’s original spring calendar, which was disrupted due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Motor Row in the South Loop. (WTTW News)

It’s another sign that Chicago is returning to normal: Conventions are beginning to return to the city, including the Chicago Auto Show, which is set for mid-July at McCormick Place in the South Loop. We hit the streets as part of our community reporting series.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces the Chicago Auto Show will return July 15-19 to McCormick Place on Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (WTTW News)
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The 113th edition of the Chicago Auto Show will be the first convention to return to Chicago since the pandemic began in March 2020, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday, and it marks a major step toward normalcy after a harrowing year.

McCormick Place (WTTW News)

Chicago’s convention industry took a huge financial hit when COVID-19 shut down the city. McCormick Place, North America’s largest convention center, is looking to rebound this summer with dozens of events scheduled through the end of the year.

Inside the McCormick Place alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients on April 17, 2020. (WTTW News)
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“Today, we are pleased to report that the curve is flattening, and our local hospitals and health care systems continue to operate with capacity,” Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a joint statement.

Inside the McCormick Place alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients on April 17, 2020. (WTTW News)
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New statewide totals: 43,903 cases, 1,933 deaths

The state reported another 2,126 COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities Sunday. Despite those rising numbers, Illinois is not seeing so many severe cases that the medical system is overwhelmed.

McCormick Place in Chicago (Courtney McGough / Flickr)
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Illinois health officials on Friday reported the largest single-day jump in COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state – 1, 209 cases and 53 deaths – as Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot toured the alternate care facility at McCormick Place.

McCormick Place in Chicago (Courtney McGough / Flickr)
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A portion of the convention center will become an alternate care center for patients with mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

McCormick Place in Chicago (Courtney McGough / Flickr)

The American College of Cardiology has called off its upcoming conference at McCormick Place due to coronavirus concerns, adding to a run of cancellations at the Chicago convention center because of the outbreak.

McCormick Place in Chicago (Courtney McGough / Flickr)

An annual trade show that brings close to 60,000 visitors to McCormick Place each year has canceled its plans to meet in Chicago this month, citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

As Mayor Rahm Emanuel pushes McCormick Place as the new location for the Lucas Musuem, a group of faith and community leaders met Tuesday to throw their support behind the plan. WBEZ's Lauren Chooljian will bring us the latest.  

While a monthslong architecture celebration underway in Chicago, there are some big changes in store for the city’s architectural landscape. We discuss the planned and potential changes to the city’s skyline with Lee Bey, host of Rivet Radio’s Architecture360; and architect and author Edward Keegan. 

At half an acre, the rooftop garden atop McCormick Place West is the largest in the entire region. We revisit the backstory behind this little-known space. Read an article.

At half an acre, the rooftop garden atop McCormick Place West is the largest in the entire region. We bring you the backstory behind this little-known space. Read an article.