Jan. 23, 2024 - Full Show
Concerns over whether Chicago bet too big on casino revenue. An escalating spat between local officials over shelters for migrants. And we take you inside a call center connecting Chicagoans to local resources.
211 Helpline Connects Cook County Residents to Health and Social Services: ‘It’s Those Everyday Emergencies’
Have you heard of 211? It’s a free hotline connecting Chicago and suburban Cook County residents to everyday services — from housing resources to utility payment assistance.
Battle Begins to Ban Natural Gas in New Chicago Homes and Businesses to Fight Climate Change
While similar measures are already in place in New York City, Los Angeles and dozens of smaller cities, it is unclear whether the push for Chicago to join those cities will succeed, even with the backing of Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Bally’s Casino Brings in Less Than a Quarter of Projected Revenue for Chicago in 2023
The temporary Bally’s casino in River North’s Medinah Temple brought in just over $3 million in tax revenue last year. That’s almost $10 million short of what former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration projected.
Can Donald Trump Be Stopped? Here are the Key Questions Ahead of New Hampshire After DeSantis Drops Out
With Ron DeSantis ending his 2024 campaign and endorsing Donald Trump on Sunday, the Tuesday primary becomes the first one-on-one matchup between Trump and Nikki Haley.
Jan. 22, 2024 - Full Show
Repeated misconduct by Chicago police officers cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. The latest on the Chicago White Sox eyeing a new home. And looking ahead to the Republican presidential primary race in New Hampshire.
Bye-Bye, Bridgeport? Chicago White Sox Eye New Digs on Near South Side
Discussions are being held with developers and city officials on an early plan to bring a new Chicago White Sox stadium to vacant land known as The 78 south of the Loop.
Effort to Crack Down on New Dollar Stores in Chicago Advances
The full Chicago City Council is set to vote Wednesday on the proposal crafted by Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th Ward), who has been fighting the proliferation of dollar stores for nearly a decade.
Repeated Police Misconduct by 141 Officers Cost Chicago Taxpayers $142.8M Over 4 Years
Cases that involved at least one officer with repeated claims of misconduct accounted for 60% of the cost borne by taxpayers to resolve police misconduct cases between 2019 and 2022, according to the analysis by WTTW News.
Week in Review: Emails Show City Knew of Pilsen Shelter Problems; Sox Ponder South Loop Stadium
Questions of transparency after emails show the mayor’s early knowledge of conditions at a Pilsen migrant shelter. And presidential campaigning moves to New Hampshire after Trump takes Iowa.
City Releases Unredacted October Emails Detailing Unsanitary Migrant Shelter Conditions, Says Chicago Officials Were ‘Aware of Issues’
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office responded to a Tuesday WTTW News report that members of his administration were made aware of concerns about unsanitary conditions at a migrant shelter in Pilsen weeks before a 5-year-old-boy fell ill at the shelter and later died at a hospital.
Jan. 16, 2024 - Full Show
A WTTW News exclusive: What did the mayor know about migrant shelter conditions where several have fallen ill? Why Chicago says it’ll take 15 years to make crosswalks accessible for blind pedestrians. And how winter storms are contributing to a nationwide blood shortage.
Spotlight Politics: Amid Freezing Temperatures, Chicago Suspends Migrant Eviction Policy
Illinois lawmakers return to Springfield with migrants top of mind. Bad weather prompts Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to suspend his policy evicting migrants from city shelters after 60 days. And a plea from Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
Red Cross Declares Nationwide Emergency Blood Shortage
The number of people donating blood has dropped by 40% over the last two decades, according to the American Red Cross.
Despite Decades of Cries for Help, Chicago Failed to Aid Blind Pedestrians. Now, City Wants Lengthy Timeline to Fix Problem
Fewer than 2% of Chicago’s signalized intersections have an accessible pedestrian signal that provides auditory and tactile guidance to blind, low-vision and deafblind pedestrians — despite more than two decades of requests and years of internal acknowledgement from city staffers about the need for such accommodations.