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Feb 20, 2024

Migrant Spending, Education Funding and a Projected Shortfall Among Issues Facing Gov. J.B. Pritzker Ahead of Budget Address

If Illinois continues spending next fiscal year as it has been this year, the state will face an $891 million deficit. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is set to spell out exactly how he plans to address that on Wednesday, when he delivers an annual combined state of the state and budget address. 

Feb 19, 2024

Feb. 19, 2024 - Full Show

FIRSTHAND: Homeless — a WTTW News special. Voters weigh a plan to hike taxes on sales of million-dollar homes to help fight homelessness. And efforts to help people who shelter on the CTA. 

Feb 19, 2024

With Ballot Decision Looming, Chicago Homeless Advocates Push for Support and Funding

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates more than 68,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness. That higher number includes people who are doubled up, or temporarily living in someone else’s home.

Feb 19, 2024

Cook County Funds Purchase of Two Hotels in Effort to Provide Stable Housing, Necessary Supports

The hotels were originally used as temporary solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Housing advocates said the hotels are turning out to be significantly more effective than a traditional shelter approach.

Feb 19, 2024

Program Tries To Reach Homeless ‘Where They’re At’ — On CTA Trains

The program has connected dozens of people to housing or shelter, but officials say it needs more funding and time to make a bigger impact.

Feb 16, 2024

Week in Review: Johnson Dismisses Questions Over ShotSpotter Cancelation; Madigan’s Former Right-Hand Man Sentenced

Confusion over the end of the city’s ShotSpotter contract. State and county leaders agree to spend millions more in migrant care — but did Johnson renege on his commitment?

Feb 15, 2024

‘The Need is So Vital’: Cook County Court Clerk Launches New Department Focused on Expungements

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez on Thursday cut the ribbon on her office’s new Expungement Department, housed at the Leighton Criminal Court Building at 26th Street and California Avenue.

Feb 15, 2024

City Council Votes 18-32 to Reaffirm Decision to Reject Push to Upend CPD Discipline System

After a spirited debate, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd Ward) — once the leading progressive voice on the Chicago City Council — was the only alderperson to change their position since the December vote.

Feb 14, 2024

South Shore Voters to Weigh Need for Protection From Gentrification Sparked by Obama Presidential Center

Voters in two precincts of the 7th Ward will be asked whether Ald. Greg Mitchell (7th Ward) and Mayor Brandon Johnson should “support a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance to prevent the displacement of renters, condo & home owners in South Shore in light of the impact of the Obama Center and growing development in the area.”

Feb 13, 2024

Feb. 13, 2024 - Full Show

As questions about age resurface in the presidential race, what you should know about brain health. Johnson moves to end the city’s controversial ShotSpotter contract. And a Chicago-area baker shows us how she makes hundreds of paczki at home.

Feb 13, 2024

Presidential Election Sheds Light on Brain Health as We Age, Portrayals of Aging in Media

“Aging is not a uniform phenomenon that happens equally,” said Jay Olshansky, professor of public health at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Feb 13, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson Cancels ShotSpotter Contract, Fulfilling Major Campaign Promise

Chicago will stop using the ShotSpotter technology by Sept. 22 — one month after the Democratic National Convention takes place in Chicago and after the summer months that are often the most violent period of the year, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced.

Feb 13, 2024

It’s Been 10 Years Since ‘The Polish Luther’ Was Created. Chicago, How Will You Take Your Paczki This Fat Tuesday?

The paczki many Polish Americans grew up eating, made with plum, rose or raspberry fillings, aren’t the only kind available these days. We take a look at the Fat Tuesday tradition. 

Feb 13, 2024

With Monarch Butterfly Population at Near Record Low, Chicagoans Have Their Marching Orders: Every Milkweed Stem Counts

Aster Hasle, a conservation scientist at the Field Museum, said, “Our role in the Midwest is to build that population back up. There is a lot that we can do here to provide habitat that’s going to help.”

Feb 12, 2024

New Proposal Would Change How Minimum Wage Works For Tipped Workers in Illinois

Under a new proposal introduced last week in Springfield, all tipped workers in the state would have to be paid the equivalent of the Illinois’ regular minimum wage through a combination of wages and tips. If the tips fall short, their employers would have to make up the difference.