Stories by elizabeth brackett

Maggie Daley Park

The Chicago Park District is halfway toward rebuilding north Grant Park, to be known as "Maggie Daley Park." Watch a time-lapse video, read an article and view a slideshow.

Heavy Rains Cause Chicago Area Flooding

Heavy rains swept through the Chicago area Wednesday morning challenging commuters and the engineers at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Read an article.

Waukegan Harbor

Just as Waukegan Harbor’s decades-long cleanup project comes to an end, low water levels and the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy keep the commercial harbor closed. Read an article.

Duprey Elementary School's Fight to Stay Open

It’s the last week of public hearings on school closures. We follow Ana Roque de Duprey Elementary School’s fight to stay off the closure list.

CPS Transition Plan Underway

Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett released a school safety plan today. It's part of an overall transition plan she says every school that will be closed or receive students will get when she announces her final schools closing list on March 31. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

School Closure Protests

More than 100 schools remain on the list for possible closures -- and in community meetings around Chicago, parents are strongly objecting to the possibility of closing their neighborhood school. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Shedd Aquarium Implements Energy Conservation Plan

Elizabeth Brackett reports on how the Shedd Aquarium is drastically cutting its energy consumption.

Impact of Low Lake Levels on Chicago River

Lake Michigan water levels have hit record lows, and some experts say it could lead the Chicago River to un-reverse and start flowing back into the lake. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

Great Lakes Hit by Lowest Water Levels in History

Warm air and lake temperatures, along with a severe drought, have led to the low water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Elizabeth Brackett reports on the impact of those low water levels on the communities that surround the Great Lakes.

Common Core

It's an unprecedented nationwide effort to raise the achievement bar for all students. Illinois has joined 45 other states in adopting rigorous, new academic standards for students in grades K-12. Elizabeth Brackett reports on what that means for Chicago schools.

Shipwreck on Chicago's Shore Line

Chicago's very own shipwreck lies just a few hundred yards off Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park. Swimmer Greg Lane wants to create an underwater sanctuary with views of the wreck and the limestone shoal that caused the steamship's demise.

Elizabeth Brackett on Future of Obama Campaign

Elizabeth Brackett discusses the future of the Obama campaign as the Democratic National Convention winds down in Charlotte.

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Elizabeth Brackett on Illinois Delegation News

Elizabeth Brackett joins us from the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte with the latest news on the Illinois delegation.

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Web Extra: Union Organizer on Convention Experience

It's the first convention for 50-year-old Dino Leone from the Quad Cities area. Leone, an AFSCME union organizer, says the convention has met all of his expectations -- and then some.

Web Extra: Sen. John Kerry

The Illinois delegation’s main hotel, the Omni, is right in the heart of the action in Charlotte. Big name Democrats periodically stride through the Omni lobby, usually trailed by a scrum of reporters. I joined the scrum around Sen. John Kerry.

Web Extra: Street Scenes from Charlotte

Check out Elizabeth Brackett's photos of street scenes in Charlotte as the town gears up for President Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention

Web Extra: Durbin on President Obama

I thought my hotel was a long way from Charlotte. Sen. Dick Durbin told the Illinois delegation his hotel was 12 miles away from South Carolina. So much for senatorial clout.

Web Extra: Late Nights, Early Mornings

The 7:00 am Illinois delegation breakfast came really early in Charlotte this morning.

Web Extra: Arne Duncan Attends IL Senator's Luncheon

What do delegates do before the convention begins at 5:00 pm? Lots! Illinois delegates began the day with breakfast at 7:00 am. At 10:00 am, delegates had the choice of a plethora of Caucus and Council meetings.

Web Extra: Michelle Obama Wows Black Caucus

Craig Robinson and Valerie Jarrett warmed up the crowd at the overflowing Black Caucus meeting on Wednesday. It wasn't a tough job knowing Michelle Obama was on tap. The excitement was palpable and the room exploded when the First Lady stepped up to the podium. Watch Michelle’s entrance in the following web extra video.

Web Extra: Labor Leaders & Illinois Politicians Rally Troops

Labor unions sponsored the Illinois delegates 7:00 am breakfast at the Omni Hotel Tuesday morning. Delegates, some looking a little bleary-eyed after Monday night's round of parties, barely had time to grab breakfast before Mike Madigan, with his Democratic Party Chair hat on, called the meeting to order at 7:30 sharp.

Web Extra: Rain in Charlotte

Finding a cab at any time in Charlotte is a lot harder than finding a cab at State and Madison at 4:45 pm. Especially when it rains. And rain it did in Charlotte on Monday, the day before the official opening of the Democratic National Convention.

Artist Documents Chicago Murders

Photographs of every site in Chicago where a murder took place laid out on a timeline turns into a cityscape where violence becomes a part of the fabric of the city. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

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High Murder Rate Plagues South Side

The South Side's 3rd police district has seen a 91 percent rise in the homicide rate. Elizabeth Brackett looks at what police -- and the community -- are doing to fight back.

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Recycling Center Fostering Crime?

West Side residents accuse for-profit recyclers of fostering a crime wave by accepting materials stolen from the neighborhood. Elizabeth Brackett reports.

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Exclusive Details on Chicago Teachers Union Plans

Despite ongoing negotiations, WTTW11 has learned the Chicago Teachers Union plans to take a strike authorization vote next week. School reform advocates say this would circumvent state law. Elizabeth Brackett has this Chicago Tonight exclusive.

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