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At 1st City Council Hearing on Consent Decree in 15 Months, No Sign of Urgency Around Reform Push

None of the alderpeople at the sparsely attended committee hearing pressed CPD officials about why the department had fully complied with just 16% of the court order known as the consent decree by the end of 2024, five years after it took effect.

WTTW News Explains: What Are Chicago’s Alcohol Laws?

We’ve got a lot of rules on the books governing when and where we can enjoy an adult beverage. WTTW News explains.

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Is a Bird-Friendly Building Ordinance Back on the Table? City Council Hearing Reignites Debate

A Chicago City Council subject matter hearing reignited calls for an ordinance mandating bird-friendly building design requirements. “We know how to solve this, and for some reason we just haven’t,” said one speaker.

Shootings, Homicides in Chicago Both Down More than 30% Through First Half of 2025: Police

According to data from the city and Chicago Police Department, total violent crime is down at least 22% thus far in 2025, while there have been 90 fewer homicides and more than 400 fewer shootings compared to last year.

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July 1, 2025 - Full Show

Gov. JB Pritzker names his new running mate. And a debate over the growing cost of police misconduct lawsuits — and their impact on taxpayers.

From Planned Parenthood to Birthright Citizenship, What to Know About Recent Supreme Court Decisions

It’s a wrap on the most recent term for the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices delivered a slew of decisions on cases ranging from birthright citizenship to funding for Planned Parenthood.

Growing Cost of Chicago Police Misconduct Lawsuits Sparks Debate

Chicago taxpayers have spent more than $189.3 million so far this year to resolve police misconduct lawsuits. For some, the issue raises concerns about the city’s finances. Others argue financial pains are necessary to ignite meaningful change.

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Those Impacted by Chicago Gun Violence Say Low Arrest Rates Continue Trauma, Halt Progress

According to the Chicago Police Department, 56% of homicide cases were cleared last year, but only 23% resulted in an arrest. Gun violence advocates say discrepancies in reporting and poor communication with victims is leaving survivors without badly needed answers.

June 30, 2025 - Full Show

What’s behind Chicago’s low homicide clearance rates. And the city’s queer ballroom culture takes center stage.

Inside Chicago’s Queer Ballroom Scene: ‘This Little Slice of Fantasy’

Ballroom’s pageantry comes to life in the form of balls. Participants and houses compete in various categories for prizes, money and trophies. Some of the categories are: Runway, Vogue Femme, and Realness.

WTTW News Explains: What’s the Story Behind Chicago’s Piping Plovers?

Chicago’s lakefront is famously open and free. So why is a prime section of Montrose Beach roped off every summer? Because it’s for the birds. Literally. The piping plovers. WTTW News explains.

Week in Review: Pritzker Launches Bid for 3rd Term; CTU Calls for More Borrowing to Avoid Cuts

Gov. JB Pritzker makes it official — he’s running for a third term. And the interim CPS CEO says Chicago schools face an even higher deficit than had been reported.

June 26, 2025 - Full Show

It’s official: Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s running for a third term. And we hear from some Congress members who got turned away from ICE facilities.

Illinois Congress Members Push Back After Being Denied Access to ICE Facilities

Some members of Congress are saying they’ve been turned away from local ICE facilities as they seek transparency on the conditions detainees are experiencing. Federal appropriations law allows members of Congress to perform oversight of these facilities, unannounced.

New Book Explores What It’s Like Working as a StreetWise Magazine Vendor

For the people who sell copies of the magazine, it’s more than just a job. It’s often their way out of challenges such as poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues.