SORT

FILTER


 

Chicago’s Top Cop Vows to Rein in Police Overtime Spending as 2023 Bill Tops $200M

Even though the Chicago Police Department has exceeded its overtime budget in each of the past five years, the City Council is once again poised to set aside just $100 million to cover the department’s overtime bill in the 2024 budget.

Week in Review: Pushback Over Plans to House Migrants; New US House Speaker

The city moves forward on plans to build a tent base camp in Brighton Park despite pushback. And Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling vows to remove extremists from the department.

Thanks to our sponsors:

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

With a Comprehensive Overhaul for Chicago’s Pension Woes Elusive, Small Fixes on Tap for Veto Session

The working group formed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in June to tackle Chicago’s acutely underfunded pensions has yet to craft a comprehensive plan to address one of the major fiscal challenges facing the city.

Oct. 24, 2023 - Full Show

Brighton Park residents protest a “winterized base camp” for migrants in their community. Controversy over the mayor’s deal with the police union. And if you’re hoping to get a CityKey ID card, you may have to wait a bit longer.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

At Heated Community Meeting, Officials Detail Plan to Transform Vacant Brighton Park Lot Into ‘Winterized Base Camp’ for Migrants

Many furious residents urged Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration to scrap the proposal, while others vowed to protect and care for Chicago’s newest residents.

Top Cop Vows to Rid Chicago Police Department of Officers Tied to Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

The Oath Keepers organization is considered by the FBI to be a “large but loosely organized collection of individuals, some who are associated with militias” who have vowed to “not obey unconstitutional (and thus illegal) and immoral orders.”

City Clerk Cancels Mobile City Hall Events Amid Crush of Demand for Municipal IDs from Migrants

More than 1,000 people – mostly migrants – lined up hours before the city clerk’s event on Oct. 12 at Gill Park in Wrigleyville was scheduled to start, overwhelming the 15-person staff, City Clerk Anna Valencia told WTTW News.

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Oct. 23, 2023 - Full Show

Local members of Congress on aid to Israel. What’s behind record opioid overdoses. And a city program that allows drug offenders to choose treatment over arrest.

Cook County on Pace to Surpass Fatal Opioid Overdose Record as Fentanyl Use Spreads

The rise in opioid deaths is largely due to the increase in synthetic opioids like fentanyl, says law enforcement officials. 

Illinois Members of Congress on House Speaker Vacancy, Aid to Israel and Migrant Funding

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, and U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Chicago, joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss aid to Israel, the House Speaker race and a growing number of migrants arriving to Chicago from the southern border.

Chicago Program That Encourages Drug Treatment Over Arrest Shows Signs of Success, Research Says

The Narcotics Arrest Diversion Program, an initiative launched in 2018, offers those arrested for low-level drug offenses who meet certain criteria a chance to have their charges dropped if they agree to meet with a drug counselor.

Week in Review: Protests Over Migrant Tent Camp; Chicago Budget Hearings

An Evanston mother and daughter held hostage by Hamas are released. And immigration protests turn chaotic as a Chicago alderwoman gets physically assaulted.

‘Nobody Can Sit on the Sidelines’: Chicago’s Top Cop Larry Snelling Talks Training, Technology and Community Trust

The Englewood native has been Chicago’s top cop for less than a month, but after spending nearly three decades serving in various roles throughout the department, he believes he knows what’s needed to make improvements for his officers and residents throughout the city.

Oct. 17, 2023 - Full Show

City Council budget hearings kick off — our Spotlight Politics team on that and more. And efforts to address homelessness with a housing-first approach.

New Reports Examine the Housing-First Approach to Addressing Homelessness

The push for the Bring Chicago Home proposal comes as the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless found an estimated 68,440 people experienced homelessness in the city in 2021. That’s a 2,829-person increase from the previous year.