‘He Was a Great Man’: Slain Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca Remembered, Celebrated During Funeral
“Luis left a great impression on not only everyone sitting here, especially his team, but he’s leaving an impression on the entire country,” Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said.
Illinois Lawmakers Unveil Proposal to Merge CTA, Metra and Pace; Plan Would Replace RTA and Add $1.5B in New Funding
Backers of the MMA plan say siloed agencies have long competed for funding, failed to integrate fares for passengers and aren’t delivering the service riders should be able to depend on.
Week in Review: Bears Pitch Domed Lakefront Stadium; Pro-Palestinian Protests at Northwestern
The Bears unveil plans for a $4.75 billion state-of-the-art domed lakefront stadium. And pro-Palestinian Northwestern students and staff protest the war in Gaza.
Black, Brown Communities Bear the Brunt of Pollution From Distribution Warehouses and Truck Traffic in Illinois, Advocates Say
Black and Brown communities in Illinois are up to 200% more likely to live near a distribution warehouse than the overall statewide population, according to a new report by the Environmental Defense Fund on the state’s “warehouse boom.”
Anti-Violence Groups Look to Empower Chicago’s Youth to Become Leaders
Community organizations are on a mission to empower Chicago’s youth through anti-violence programs in neighborhoods across the city.
April 23, 2024 - Full Show
In the latest in our “A Safer City” series, we meet teens working to change the narrative around gun violence and hear from local organizations empowering youth.
How Teens Are Using Social Media to Try to Change the Cultural Narrative Around Guns
People can spend hours scrolling through social media. An organization called Project Unloaded is helping teens educate their peers on the risks of owning a gun by empowering youth to become social media influencers for change.
Chicago Teens Talk Safety, Making a Positive Impact Through Community Involvement
According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the average age for Chicagoans to witness a shooting is 14. Research also shows that exposure to violence can lead to long-lasting mental health issues.
April 22, 2024 - Full Show
How much are taxpayers spending to settle lawsuits alleging police misconduct from the 2020 protests? Safety concerns over a swimming event in the Chicago River. And protesters blocking roadways could soon be charged with a felony.
Would You Swim in the Chicago River? Navigating Safety Concerns Ahead of Open Water Swim Event
The nonprofit A Long Swim is planning an open water swim event in the Chicago River this fall. Proceeds will support ALS research and Learn to Swim, a program that teaches children in underserved communities how to swim.
New Bill Would Make It a Felony for Protesters to Block Major Roads in Illinois
The bill comes on the heels of recent pro-Palestinian protests that blocked traffic on I-190 near Chicago O’Hare International Airport, causing many travelers to pull their luggage along the freeway to catch their flights.
Taxpayers Spent at Least $5.6M to Settle, Defend Lawsuits Accusing CPD Officers of Misconduct During Protests, Unrest in 2020: Analysis
Nearly $2 million of that toll went to pay private lawyers to defend the conduct of CPD officers from late May until mid-August 2020, one of the most tumultuous periods in Chicago history, according to records obtained by WTTW News.
Week in Review: Pritzker Calls for CTA Changes; City Council Approves $70M More for Migrant Care
Gov. J.B. Pritzker puts his foot on the gas pedal calling for changes at the CTA. And what’s in store for the Chicago Sky as WNBA ticket sales soar.
Who Decides Which Chicago Sidewalks Get Repaired? Patchwork of Programs Creates Geographical Disparities, Rewards Most Complaints
Bad sidewalks can be found all across Chicago, but the slow pace in getting them repaired is tied to a lack of funding and the city’s complaint-based approach to maintenance, experts say. While a shared cost program has improved some areas, it has also caused disparities.
Votes Delayed on Plan to Spend $70M More to Care for Migrants, Proposal to Borrow $1.25B
Both proposals could get a vote at the next Chicago City Council meeting, set for Friday.