The changes, which Gov. J.B. Pritzker first unveiled in his State of the State address in February, would limit the ability of companies to deny claims or steer patients toward cheaper, and possibly less effective, treatments.
Stories by
Lawmakers Hear Testimony on Pritzker’s Health Insurance Reform Plans
Mar 13, 2024 | Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Obama Foundation Donating $4M to Build Divisive Playground at Midway Plaisance
Mar 13, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Though lauded as “groundbreaking” by the Park District, the playground has met with significant opposition from neighbors, who have faulted the choice of the Plaisance's east end as too dangerous for a play space.
‘Bill W. and Dr. Bob’ – Sobering, Humane Drama Brings to Life Story of Alcoholics Anonymous Founders: Review
Mar 13, 2024 | Marc Vitali
In the same decade, two unassuming middle-aged men – Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith – joined forces to create Alcoholics Anonymous. A play at the Biograph Theater explores that time.
Adler Planetarium Admission Fee Increase OK’d by Park District Board
Mar 13, 2024 | Patty Wetli
On Wednesday, the Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners approved an admission fee increase that will take effect April 1.
Johnson Says He’s ‘Frustrated’ With City’s ‘Out of Control’ Overtime Spending
Mar 13, 2024 | Heather Cherone
“This has been a situation that has gotten increasingly out of control,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said about the massive bills for police overtime. “The superintendent and I, we both agree on that.”
11-Year-Old Boy Killed, Woman Injured in Suspected Domestic Incident on North Side
Mar 13, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The incident occurred at around 8 a.m. in the 5900 block of North Ravenswood Avenue.
Chicago Voters Will Get to Decide Whether City Council Should Have Power to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties, State Supreme Court Rules
Mar 13, 2024 | Heather Cherone
With three of the seven justices abstaining, the state’s highest court rejected an appeal from a coalition of real estate and development groups that sued the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners to knock the ballot measure off Tuesday’s ballot.
Cook County State’s Attorney Candidates Look to Highlight Sharp Differences as Election Day Approaches
Mar 13, 2024 | Paris Schutz
Two Democrats are vying to replace outgoing Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. The attack ads are flying and money is flowing in as the two candidates are attempting to highlight their differences.
With Recession Fears Subsiding, New State Economic Forecast Expects ‘Firm but Steady Growth’
Mar 13, 2024 | Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois
The state’s two main fiscal forecasting agencies agree: Illinois’ finances will see a strong close in the final 3 ½ months of the fiscal year before things tighten a bit next year.
Biden and Trump Clinch Nominations, Setting the Stage for a Grueling General Election Rematch
Mar 13, 2024 | Associated Press
There is no longer any doubt that the fall election will feature a rematch between two flawed and unpopular presidents. At 81, Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, while the 77-year-old Trump is facing decades in prison as a defendant in four criminal cases.
House GOP Launches New Probe of Jan. 6, Tries Shifting Blame for Capitol Attack Away From Trump
Mar 13, 2024 | Associated Press
The panel’s work comes as former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden are galloping toward a 2020 rematch this fall. Republicans, some once skeptical of Trump’s return to the White House, have quickly been falling in line to support him.
Chicago Architect John Ronan Selected to Design First National Memorial in D.C. Dedicated to Fallen Journalists
Mar 13, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
"The role of the journalist has never been more important, and the ideals of a free press never more consequential than it is today," architect John Ronan said.
15-Year-Old Girl Among 5 People Killed Overnight in Shootings Across Chicago: Police
Mar 13, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The homicides all occurred within a matter of hours between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Chicago Police Department.
March 12, 2024 - Full Show
Mar 12, 2024 | WTTW News
Chicago’s whopping overtime bill. Are chronic pain sufferers the latest victims of the opioid crisis? And the race for Cook County state’s attorney heats up.
Chronic Pain Patients Suffer From Opioid Epidemic Overcorrection
Mar 12, 2024 | DePaul’s Center for Journalism Integrity and Excellence
According to the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program, both the number of opioid prescriptions written and the number of patients served dropped by almost half since 2015.
Chicago Spent $524M on Overtime in 2023, Including $293M for Police, Setting New Records
Mar 12, 2024 | Heather Cherone
The Chicago Police Department spent $293 million on overtime last year, 40% more than in 2022 and nearly three times the $100 million earmarked for police overtime set by the Chicago City Council as part of the city’s 2023 budget, according to data obtained by WTTW News.
Many Illinois Companies Will Soon Be Required to List Pay Scales, Benefits in Job Postings
Mar 12, 2024 | Amanda Vinicky
Illinois has laws to protect against gender discrimination in pay, but it can be difficult for workers to know whether there’s a pay discrepancy. That may be easier to figure out starting next year.
Illinois DCFS, Other State Agencies to Hold Job Fair Thursday at UIC
Mar 12, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and several other state agencies are holding a job fair Thursday at the UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work.
The Cicadas Are Coming, Do Your Trees Need Protecting? Experts Weigh In
Mar 12, 2024 | Patty Wetli
Young trees could be vulnerable to damage from the emergence of millions of periodical cicadas in Illinois this spring. Here are tips on how to protect your trees.
With 3 More Cases of Measles Confirmed in Pilsen Shelter, Total Rises to 7 as CDC Team Arrives in Chicago
Mar 12, 2024 | Heather Cherone
City health officials did not immediately identify whether the latest people to contract measles are children or adults, nor did they disclose their condition, as they have with all other cases of measles.
Friends of the Parks to the Chicago Bears: Play Ball With Stakeholders on New Stadium Plans
Mar 12, 2024 | Patty Wetli
The parks advocacy group said it isn’t chasing the Bears out of Chicago, but wants an “open, clear and free discourse driven by the public instead of private interests.”
Howard Brown Health Hit With Complaint From National Labor Board
Mar 12, 2024 | Blair Paddock
The move comes seven months after the NLRB found merit or partial merit in the Howard Brown Health Works United’s allegations. This complaint reiterates those allegations, including declaring an impasse and refusing to bargain over layoffs.
Cook County Board Set to Approve $17M Settlement With Jackie Wilson, Who Spent Decades Behind Bars Following Wrongful Murder Conviction
Mar 12, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The Cook County Board of Commissioners will vote on the proposed settlement with Jackie Wilson, who was convicted of the 1982 killings of Chicago police Officers William Fahey and Richard O’Brien, based largely on a false confession he said he gave after he was repeatedly beaten and electroshocked.
Airport Nasal Swabbing Expanding to Chicago and Miami
Mar 12, 2024 | Associated Press
The CDC program asks arriving international passengers to volunteer to have their noses swabbed and answer questions about their travel. The program began in 2021 and has been credited with detecting coronavirus variants faster than other systems.
CTA Continues to Rely on Bus and Train Operator Overtime — But Fails to Provide Detailed Information Within Required Time Frame
Mar 12, 2024 | Nick Blumberg
Illegally delayed responses are a chronic problem with the CTA’s FOIA office. Other news organizations and advocacy groups have also dinged the agency for its FOIA transparency failures. Despite not sending information on operator working hours as required, available information indicates the CTA continues to rely on overtime.
Families of Homicide Victims in Chicago Await Closure Amid Low Clearance Rates
Mar 12, 2024 | Joanna Hernandez
As homicide cases in Chicago remain open, the families of victims are left to cope with the trauma.