March 2, 2022 - Full Show
A bombshell indictment: former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan facing federal charges. We’re live at the courthouse with the latest, and our Spotlight Politics team has an analysis.
Former House Speaker Michael Madigan Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charges
Michael Madigan, who served as speaker of the Illinois House for 36 years, led a criminal enterprise disguised as a political organization that was devoted to enriching himself and his associates, prosecutors alleged Wednesday.
March 1, 2022 - Full Show
Previewing President Biden’s State of the Union during an international crisis. Plus, the latest from Ukraine, Chicago’s history storing Nike missiles on the lakefront, celebrating paczki day and more.
Russia Takes Aim at Urban Areas; Biden Vows Putin Will ‘Pay’
Russian forces stepped up their attacks on crowded urban areas Tuesday, bombarding the central square in Ukraine’s second-biggest city and Kyiv’s main TV tower in what the country’s president called a blatant campaign of terror.
Ask Geoffrey: Old Nike Missile Sites in Chicago
Geoffrey Baer joined “Chicago Tonight” for this week’s Ask Geoffrey, about old Nike missile bases in Chicago.
New Podcast Series Explores Queer History With Help From Library’s Archives
A library filled with collections of people’s stories is coming to life in a new podcast series called “Unboxing Queer History.”
New CDC Guidance Puts Cook County at Lowest Level of COVID-19 Risk
Cook County is now at the lowest level of COVID-19 risk, under new guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As Carjackings Rise Locally and Across the Country, U.S. Senate Holds Hearing
Both locally and nationally, carjackings are on the rise. In Chicago, they have tripled over the last decade, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. Other cities including New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. have also seen similar upticks.
Biden Steps to State of the Union Lectern at Fraught Moment
Facing disquiet at home and danger abroad, President Joe Biden will deliver his first State of the Union address at a precipitous moment for the nation, aiming to navigate the country out of a pandemic, reboot his stalled domestic agenda and confront Russia’s aggression.
Russian Forces Shell Ukraine’s Second-Largest City and Menace Kyiv
An embattled Ukraine moved to solidify its bond with the West on Monday by signing an application to join the European Union, while the first round of Ukraine-Russia talks aimed at ending the fighting concluded with no immediate agreements.
February 28, 2022 - Full Show
Illinois and Chicago go maskless. Plus, the latest on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and heightened nuclear tensions, inside the local effort to unionize Amazon workers, and a local study connects better sleep with weight loss.
Crain’s Headlines: Bloomington-Based State Farm Loses Big Insuring Cars
New reports from insurance company State Farm signal just how much the pandemic has upended the auto insurance industry; the Old Post Office welcomes another tenant; and the St. Regis tower sees its highest-priced sale so far.
After December Walkouts, Organized Amazon Workers in Chicago Area Eye Next Steps
In Chicago, a group of workers called Amazonians United Chicagoland says it’s seen success from its organizing efforts.
Study: Getting More Sleep Reduces Caloric Intake, Could Help Fight Obesity
Getting a full night’s sleep could help one lose weight, according to a recent study by University of Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers.
What’s Ahead for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden’s Supreme Court Nominee
President Joe Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court has launched what Democrats hope will be a quick, bipartisan confirmation process for the court’s first Black woman.