Spotlight Politics: City Budget Approval; Proposal Could Remove Chicago’s Sanctuary Status
Chicago's City Council members are preparing to vote on Mayor Johnson's spending plan. The latest on a measure that would remove Chicago's sanctuary city status. And former Ald. Ed Burke's trial could finally resume this week following a COVID-19 delay.
Nov. 13, 2023 - Full Show
Evanston is set to decide the fate of Northwestern’s Ryan Field renovation. A statewide push to allow terminally ill people to decide when they die. And renaming North America’s birds.
Advocates Push for Illinois Legislation That Would Allow Terminally Ill Adults to End Their Own Lives With Medical Assistance
The name of the practice is debated — “medical aid in dying” to some, and “physician-assisted suicide” to others. Either way, advocates are hoping the issue comes up in Springfield soon.
North American Birds Named After Bad People Will Get a New Name. So Will Birds Named After Good Guys. Chicago Birders Weigh in on Polarizing Decision
North America’s eponymous birds — those named for people — will all receive new names. The decision made by the American Ornithological Society has drawn praise from some quarters and provoked vehement opposition elsewhere.
Week in Review: Chicago’s Paid Leave Policy; Burke Trial Underway
A powerful alderperson gets stripped of plumb roles after confrontation with his colleague. And jury selection underway in the Ed Burke trial as COVID-19 sidelines proceedings for a week.
Bill Boosting Chicago Police Officers’ Pensions Clears General Assembly
State Sen. Rob Martwick, the measure's author, praised Mayor Brandon Johnson for confronting Chicago’s pension woes. The bill ensures that all retired Chicago police officers get a 3% annual cost-of-living increase, regardless of whether they were born before or after Jan. 1, 1966.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Avoids Censure as Ald. Emma Mitts Says He Made Her Feel ‘Like I Was Back in the South’
“I felt like I was back in the South,” said Ald. Emma Mitts, who grew up in Arkansas, during the era of Jim Crow. “I felt like everything in me was shaking.”
Nov. 7, 2023 - Full Show
City Council votes whether to censure one of its members. Why most paper is now banned from Cook County Jail. And former Ald. Ed Burke’s corruption trial begins.
Paper Restrictions at Cook County Jail Signal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Concerns
Since the beginning of 2023, Cook County Jail administration has reported 16 deaths in custody, with five attributed to overdoses, according to Cook County Medical Examiner records. To address the uptick in overdose deaths, jail leadership took unprecedented measures, including what some called a facility-wide paper ban.
Debate Continues Ahead of City Council Vote on Paid Leave Ordinance
Under the version approved, Chicago employers would have to give workers five sick days and five days of paid time off for any reason.
Nov. 6, 2023 - Full Show
The father of the alleged Highland Park gunman pleads guilty. Jury selection begins in the corruption trial of former Ald. Ed Burke. And debating the paid leave ordinance.
Jury Selection Begins in Corruption Trial of Former Ald. Ed Burke
Former Ald. Ed Burke entered the Dirksen United States Courthouse for the first time since June 2019 accompanied by his wife, former Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Ann Burke, and a phalanx of attorneys.
Father of Alleged Highland Park Gunman Pleads Guilty to Reckless Conduct Charges as Trial Was Set to Begin, Gets 60 Days in Prison
Just as proceedings were set to begin, Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart announced that Robert Crimo Jr. had agreed to plead guilty to seven Class A misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct, rather than the seven felony charges he had faced.
Aurora Officials Gave Long-Delinquent Aviation Company a Sweetheart Deal, Lawsuit Claims — Ahead of Sale to Company Now Backing Aurora’s Mayor
A federal lawsuit awaiting a judge’s ruling says city of Aurora terms for Revv Aviation illegally disadvantage one of their competitors at the Aurora Municipal Airport. Revv’s owners have donated to Mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign fund and hosted a fundraiser for him.
Week in Review: Seeking Support for Migrants; Chicago Elected School Board Map
Migrants left out in the cold as Chicago officials beg Washington for more money. And previewing the historic corruption trial of former longtime alderperson Ed Burke.