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Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is pictured in a file photo. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

Illinois Driver’s License Facilities Again Running After ‘Nationwide Network Outage’ Thursday Morning

The cause was an outage in the “national network that connects driver’s license facilities,” a network run by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. That outage resulted in the system having to shut down across the country.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., and the House Republican leadership meet with reporters as lawmakers work to pass the final set of spending bills to avoid a partial government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

Congress Unveils $1.2 Trillion Plan to Avert Federal Shutdown and Bring Budget Fight to a Close

Democrats were largely able to swat back hundreds of policy mandates and some of the steeper budget cuts that House Republicans were seeking to impose on nondefense programs, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., highlighted some policy wins. 

In this March 26, 2019, file photo, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson speaks during a news conference in Chicago. (AP Photo / Teresa Crawford, File)

Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Suit Brought by Chicago Police Officer Against Former Supt. Eddie Johnson

A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Chicago police officer that alleged sexual assault by former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who was out drinking with her the night he was found asleep behind the wheel of his SUV.

Tamarack Farms, overhead view. (The Conservation Fund)

‘Dream Realized’ as Illinois Conservation Groups Add 1,000 Acres to Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

The Conservation Fund, Illinois Audubon Society and Openlands announced the purchase of the 985-acre Tamarack Farms, which will now become the single largest property within McHenry County’s Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are running for the Democratic nomination in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. (Photos provided)

Eileen O’Neill Burke, Clayton Harris Remain Locked in Tight Battle Wednesday to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County State’s Attorney

The latest update in vote totals from the Associated Press came just after 12:30 a.m., as O’Neill Burke continued holding a slight edge over Harris. As of the most recent tally, fewer than 10,000 votes separated the pair. More votes will be counted in the coming days. 

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, March 20, 2024 - Full Show

Mayor Brandon Johnson doubles down on his progressive agenda. What’s next for the Bring Chicago Home campaign. And a peek at Steppenwolf’s new show before it’s even finished.

(left to right) Harry Lennix, ensemble members Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis and Jon Michael Hill with Tamara Tunie and Ayanna Bria Bakari in rehearsal for Steppenwolf Theatre’s world premiere of “Purpose.” (Joel Moorman)

Led by Director Phylicia Rashad, Steppenwolf Cast Explores Family Politics and Identities in New Play ‘Purpose’

The play about a Black political Illinois family is brand new — so new that cast members didn’t even have a complete script when WTTW News sat down with them.

People speak out in support of Bring Chicago Home at a rally on March 15, 2024. (WTTW News)

Bring Chicago Home Referendum Still Too Close to Call as Mail-In Ballots Counted

The ballot measure would give Chicago City Council the power to hike the Real Estate Transfer Tax on property sales over $1 million to help fight homelessness. The close race could point to some disagreement among Chicagoans over how to support the city’s unhoused.

Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks at a news conference Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (WTTW News)

Johnson Vows to Continue Pushing ‘Big, Bold’ Agenda After Progressives See Some Disappointing Election Results

“No one said it was going to be easy,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “I’m very much committed. The fight still goes on. We’re going to keep organizing.”

Illinois State Capitol. (WTTW News)

At Least 2 State Legislators Lose Their Seats in Primary Election. A Look at the General Assembly Results

At least two sitting members of the Illinois state legislature – including the longest-serving member of the General Assembly – won’t be returning to Springfield next year after losing their primary races Tuesday.

A still image from a video taken of the demolition of the Crawford Coal Plant smokestack, April 11, 2020. (Alejandro Reyes / YouTube)

Johnson Taps Official Who Greenlighted Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion to Lead Buildings Department

Mayor Brandon Johnson nominated Marlene Hopkins to permanently replace former Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet, whom Johnson fired last month. Hopkins’ nomination must be confirmed by the Chicago City Council.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs an executive order March 18, 2024, alongside 7-year-old Kioko Jenkins, who has sickle cell disease, at La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago. The order creates an advisory council to investigate how Illinois’ Medicaid program can help cover costs of emerging gene therapies. (Dilpreet Raju / Capitol News Illinois)

Illinois to Create Advisory Council for Affordable Sickle Cell Treatment

About 5,000 Illinoisans live with sickle cell disease, a gene defect most common in Black people that causes red blood cells to be misshapen and die off early, resulting in chronic fatigue and pain. 

An electric vehicle is pictured charging in Chicago. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

EPA Issues New Auto Rules Aimed at Boosting Electric Vehicles and Hybrids, Cutting Carbon Emissions

The new standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming carbon emissions over the next three decades and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, the EPA said.

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune / Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

Two-Thirds of Young Children in Chicago Are Exposed to Dangerous Lead Levels in Water: Study

Researchers found about 75% of residential city blocks in Chicago had lead-contaminated water. And more than two-thirds children under the age of 6 in Chicago live on these blocks and may be exposed to lead-contaminated water.

(WTTW News)

Chicago to Pay $57.2M to Settle 3 Police Misconduct Cases, Including Pursuit That Left Teen Unable to Walk or Speak

The cost to taxpayers of the settlements approved without debate by the City Council on Wednesday is equivalent to more than a third of the city’s annual $82 million budget to cover the cost of police misconduct lawsuits.

March 19, 2024 - Full Show, 10 p.m.

The polls are closed, and a number of Illinois primary races have been called. Our Spotlight Politics team analyzes the day’s biggest contests.

Mayor Brandon Johnson rallies supporters of the proposal known as Bring Chicago Home on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)

Push to Give City Council Power to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties Trails As Neither Side Concedes

The last time Chicago voters passed a binding referendum that applied to the entire city was 1885, when they voted to create the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, according to city records.

Eileen O’Neill Burke and Clayton Harris III are running for the Democratic nomination in the race for Cook County state’s attorney. (Photos provided)

Eileen O’Neill Burke in Tight Race With Clayton Harris to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County’s Top Prosecutor

Retired judge Eileen O’Neill Burke is facing off against lobbyist and former prosecutor Clayton Harris as they each vie to become state’s attorney for the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office.

1st District Appellate Justice Jesse Reyes and state Supreme Court Justice Joy Cunningham. (Provided)

Justice Joy Cunningham Claims Victory in Illinois Supreme Court Primary Race

Justice Joy Cunningham was appointed by the court to fill the seat ahead of Justice Anne Burke’s 2022 retirement. Cunningham’s opponent in Tuesday’s race, Appellate Judge Jesse Reyes, was striving to be the first Latino on the state’s high court.

The U.S. Capitol Building (Paula Nardini / Pexels)

Democratic Incumbents Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, Danny Davis Stave Off Primary Challenges

With polls across Illinois officially closed, several longtime incumbent House representatives will soon learn if they’ll retain their Congressional seats or if their challengers will emerge victorious.

(Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

As Polls Close in Illinois Primary, Chicago Ekes Out 20% Voter Turnout

The initial turnout tally was at just 20.2% of the nearly 1.7 million registered voters — including early voting and vote-by-mail ballots.

Incumbent Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Iris Martinez (left) faces a challenge from Mariyana Spyropoulos (right), a member of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. (Provided)

Spyropoulos Defeats Martinez in Race for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

While the office of circuit court clerk might not be as well-known as other county offices up for grabs Tuesday, it is a powerful perch. The clerk controls more than 1,400 jobs and handles everything from evictions to traffic tickets to child support.

President Joe Biden speaks at an event Dec. 8, 2023, in Las Vegas. Five states will hold presidential primaries on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. (AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)

Biden and Trump Notch Primary Wins in Illinois, Other States as Races Offer Hints on National Politics

Joe Biden and Donald Trump won their party's primaries in Illinois on Tuesday, notching more delegates as they continue their march to a rematch in this November's presidential election.

March 19, 2024 - Full Show, 5:30 p.m.

It’s Election Day in Illinois. We break down what voter turnout looks like and its impact on races. Our Spotlight Politics team analyzes the day’s biggest contests.

2024 Primary Election Results

Live Illinois Primary Results: President, Congress and Cook County State’s Attorney

Live and updating results from the 2024 Illinois primary election. 

Guns are pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News)

Chicago Sues Glock, Vowing to Hold Gun Manufacturer Responsible for Allowing ‘Illegal Machine Guns’ to Flood City Streets

Glock should be banned from selling those guns to Chicagoans and forced to pay for the harm the pistols have caused, according to a new lawsuit filed by the city's lawyers that will test a new state law.