The history of housing segregation. The latest from today’s Chicago City Council meeting. And a new book on the unraveling of America’s suburbs.
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New Book ‘Disillusioned’ Explores Racial Inequity, Tension in American Suburbs
Author Benjamin Herold shares the story of five families, including the Adesina family in Evanston, in “Disillusioned: Five Families and the Unraveling of America’s Suburbs.”
‘Shame of Chicago, Shame of the Nation’ Delves Into Chicago’s History of Segregated Housing
The new docuseries uses firsthand accounts, archival footage and animation to better explain complex practices like redlining and blockbusting, and how Black families were systemically barred from homeownership.
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.
Solar Investments Take Center Stage as Questions Loom on Illinois’ Renewable Future
Even as solar projects have boomed in Illinois in recent years, the head of the state agency responsible for approving renewable projects said changes to state law may be necessary to phase out fossil fuels by 2050.
Advocates Renew Push to Tighten Gun Laws Aimed at Protecting Domestic Violence Victims
“These policies support those communities most impacted by the gun violence crisis,” Yolanda Androzzo, One Aim Illinois program director, said at a rally. “It’s an opportunity to ensure protection and justice for survivors of gun violence.”
Advocates Say Chicago’s New Sustainable Development Guidelines Fail to Protect Birds: ‘That’s Shameful’
Spring migration is still weeks away from reaching its peak in Chicago and already the tiny body bags are piling up, filled with birds killed in collisions with the city’s glass buildings.
WTTW News Explains: Why Will There Be So Many Cicadas in Illinois This Year?
In case you haven’t heard, the cicadas are coming, and things are about to get loud. WTTW News explains.
CPS Board Officials Express ‘Grave Concerns’ About Selective Enrollment Bill in Springfield
The measure would put a moratorium on the closure of selective enrollment schools and prevent CPS from altering its standards for admission to those schools until 2027 when a fully elected school board in Chicago is in place.
Ethics Board Urges Chicago City Council to Tighten Rules That Would Allow Enforcement of a Ban on Lobbyists Giving Campaign Cash to Mayors
The recommendation followed the unanimous decision on Monday by the Chicago Board of Ethics to dismiss an enforcement action against a City Hall lobbyist who donated to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign fund.
Ford Recalling More Than 450,000 SUVs and Trucks Due to Potential Loss of Drive Power
The models affected include Ford Bronco Sport SUVs made between 2021 to 2024 and the Ford Maverick pickups made between 2022 to 2023, specifically totaling 456,565 units.
Harmful Counterfeit Botox Has Been Found in Illinois and Several Other States. Here’s What Consumers Need to Know
Some serious symptoms – including blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, difficulty lifting one’s head and even hospitalizations – have been linked to the use of counterfeit Botox, the FDA said on Tuesday. As of Friday, a total of 19 women from nine states reported “harmful reactions.”
New Leader of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition Steps Down Just Months After Taking the Job
The Rev. Frederick Haynes III told The Associated Press that he submitted a letter with his resignation as head of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition, effective immediately.
Top Cop Says CPD Tracks Accusations Against Officers — But Took No Action After 36 Complaints Filed Against Officers Involved in Dexter Reed Shooting
The five officers who conducted the traffic stop that led to the death of Dexter Reed and the wounding of one officer had been the subject of 36 complaints that they were improperly stopping Chicagoans driving through the city’s West Side, according to records provided to WTTW News by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
April 16, 2024 - Full Show
The divide widens between Chicago’s top cop and the agency investigating police misconduct. A new WTTW documentary explores “Chicago Mysteries.” And what you need to know about the upcoming cicada invasion.
‘Chicago Mysteries’ Takes a Deep Dive Into a City Full of Tall Tales
From cemeteries to hot dogs, Geoffrey Baer investigates a slew of Chicago mysteries in a new WTTW special.
Biden’s Latest Plan for Student Loan Cancellation Moves Forward as a Proposed Regulation
It’s a more targeted proposal than the one the U.S. Supreme Court struck down last year. The new plan uses a different legal basis and seeks to cancel or reduce loans for more than 25 million Americans.
Chicago Woman Pleads Guilty, Gets 50 Years for Cutting Child From Victim’s Womb
Prosecutors have said Clarisa Figueroa strangled 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez with a cable on April 23, 2019, after luring the teenager to her home with the promise of free clothing for her unborn child. Ochoa-Lopez was nine months pregnant.
Column: Expo Chicago Offers a Reminder of the Vibrancy and Community of Chicago’s Art Scene
From Expo Chicago at Navy Pier to Expo Art Week throughout the city and everything in between, I found myself overwhelmed with celebrations that amplified the city’s artistic community.
Pritzker Appoints Prisoner Review Board Director Following Controversy Over Release of Inmate Charged With Killing 11-Year-Old Boy
Appointee Jim Montgomery will be responsible for overseeing administrative board operations, including bolstering domestic violence prevention training and “other important equity-based trainings for board members,” according to the governor’s office.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso Spent Their Careers Battling Each Other. Now They’ll Be Chicago Sky Teammates in the WNBA
The WNBA draft came eight days after the college women’s basketball season ended with a historic championship game. Nearly 19 million people tuned in for the matchup, making it the most-watched basketball game at any level, regardless of gender, since 2019.
Chicago Gets New Chief Economic Recruiter, Booster
As the new president and CEO of World Business Chicago, Philip Clement is charged with reversing high-profile departures of businesses like Boeing, Caterpillar and Citadel while continuing recruiting momentum.
Hershey Felder, the Musical and Dramatic Polymath, Brings ‘Monsieur Chopin’ to Vivid Life: Review
If you happen to be looking for a synonym to the word “polymath” you are sure to find its very best definition by heading straight to Writers Theatre. That is where the exceptionally multi-talented Hershey Felder is lighting up the stage with his remarkable performance of “Monsieur Chopin, A Play With Music.”
Trump Trial: Why Can’t Americans See or Hear What is Going on Inside the Courtroom?
It’s a moment in history — the first U.S. president facing criminal charges in an American courtroom. Yet only a handful of observers are able to see or even hear what is going on. New York state law regarding media coverage of court proceedings is one of the most restrictive in the country.
Biden Administration Recruits 15 States, Including Illinois, to Help Enforce Airline Consumer Laws
Under U.S. law, the federal government alone regulates consumer-protection laws covering airlines. The carriers are not legally required to respond to state investigations. Consumer advocates have pushed to expand enforcement power to the states.
Official Who Greenlighted Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion Set to Lead Buildings Department
During the more than hourlong confirmation hearing, Marlene Hopkins was not asked about what she did as the top official from the city’s Buildings Department charged with overseeing the implosion of the smokestack at the former Crawford Power Plant in Little Village.
