Stories by

Feb. 27, 2024 - Full Show

The embattled CTA president hits back at critics. Pritzker voices his reservations about state funding for new stadiums. And Chicago taxpayers spent at least $74 million on police misconduct last year.

CTA President Dorval Carter speaks at a Chicago City Council meeting Feb. 27, 2024. (WTTW News)

CTA President Pledges to Restore Service to Pre-Pandemic Levels, Faces Frustration at City Council Hearing

CTA President Dorval Carter said the transit agency plans to restore reduced bus and train service to pre-pandemic levels this year, including a 44% boost to bus service, with the process beginning in the coming weeks.

A rendering of a new White Sox stadium and surrounding development, including housing, at The 78 site. (Credit: Related Midwest)

Are Publicly Funded Stadiums a Good Investment? State Lawmakers Weigh in on Chicago Teams’ Plans

You’ve probably been hearing about the Chicago Bears and White Sox stadium goals. They’re not the only ones making a pitch for publicly financed stadiums.

At the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture on Feb. 26, 2024, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces 10 neighborhoods in Chicago, Springfield and Champaign will be designated “cultural districts.” (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

Pritzker Announces 10 Cultural Districts in Chicago, Champaign and Springfield

These cultural districts include ethnic enclaves in Chicago and historically Black neighborhoods in Champaign and Springfield.

A file photo depicts lightning across the Chicago skyline. (S_UM_A / Pixabay)

Tornado Watch Issued for Chicago Region Through Late Tuesday Night

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for the Chicago region, much of northern Illinois and parts of northeast Indiana, through 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Chicago police Officer Ella French (@TomAhernCPD / Twitter)

‘Absolute Carnage’: Opening Statements, Testimony Begin in Murder Trial of Officer Ella French’s Alleged Killer

A sea of Chicago police officers and officials filled Judge Ursula Walowski’s fifth-floor courtroom as opening statements got underway at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Tuesday, more than two and a half years after Officer Ella French was killed.

Shoppers carry Macy's bags during Black Friday in New York in November 2023. (Yuki Iwamura / AFP / Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

Macy’s Announces Plans to Close 150 Stores, Including 50 by End of 2024

The company is closing 150 underperforming stores — 50 by the end of 2024 and the other 100 over the next few years. By 2026, it will have just 350 Macy’s stores, the company announced.

Mitch Maddox, a bread route salesman, loads bread Tuesday, May 30, 2006, outside the Eagle Rock Albertsons store in Los Angeles. The Federal Trade Commission on Monday, Feb. 16, 2024, sued to block a proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons, saying the $24.6 billion deal would eliminate competition and lead to higher prices for millions of Americans. (AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes, File)

Why Does the Government Think a Merger Between Owners of Jewel and Mariano’s Would Be Bad for Grocery Shoppers?

On Monday, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed an administrative complaint against Kroger’s $24.6 billion deal to acquire Albertsons and a federal lawsuit that asks a judge to block the merger for now.

Can you tell them apart? That’s rusty crayfish, left, and virile crayfish, right. (Credit: Flickr Creative Commons)

Invasive Dupes, Part 2: Crayfish vs. Crayfish — Seeing Double

In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we’re posting daily “dupes” — invasives that can easily be confused with native species. Today we’re tackling crayfish.

(WTTW News)

Federal Food Assistance Program for Mothers, Children Faces $1B Shortfall. Here’s How That Could Impact Services in Illinois

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, also known as WIC, is facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, and Congress has until March to secure funding. Illinois would need about $24 million in additional funding for the 2024 fiscal year to serve its eligible population.

Brandis Friedman (WTTW News)

Feb. 26, 2024 - Full Show

A ballot measure aimed at addressing homelessness is thrown into question. Possible budget cuts for a federal food assistance program. And debating school resource officers. 

(WTTW News)

Community Advocates on School Safety After CPS Moves Away From Resource Officers

 In a unanimous vote last Thursday, they decided to eliminate uniformed police officers from the 39 public high schools that still have them.

A rendering of a proposed new White Sox stadium and surrounding development, including housing, at The 78 site. (Credit: Related Midwest)

Pritzker Says He’s ‘Reluctant’ to Use Taxpayer Money to Help Build a New White Sox Stadium

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s “reluctant” to use taxpayer funds to help the White Sox move from Bridgeport to the South Loop.

(WTTW News)

A ‘Latino Voices’ Community Conversation: Homelessness in Chicago

“Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” host Joanna Hernandez spoke to those working directly with Chicago’s unhoused population to understand what work is being done, the barriers to finding help and some possible solutions.

State Rep. Lakesia Collins, D-Chicago, speaks at an event announcing the planned opening of a birth center on the South Side of Chicago Monday. (Credit: Illinois.gov)

New Birth Center to Open on South Side as Pritzker Touts Proposed Maternal Health Spending

The nonprofit Chicago South Side Birth Center will mark the city’s second active midwife-led birth center, but the first for the South Side. Advocates say the Black-led center offers safe birthing alternatives in a medically underserved area of the city. 

In this combination of photos, President Joe Biden, left, speaks on Aug. 10, 2023, in Salt Lake City, and former President Donald Trump speaks on June 13, 2023, in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo)

Biden and Trump Both Plan Trips to the Mexico Border Thursday, Dueling for Advantage on Immigration

The trips underscore immigration’s central importance in the 2024 presidential race, for Republicans and increasingly for Democrats, particularly after congressional talks on a deal to rein in illegal migration collapsed.

A “Help Wanted” sign is displayed in Deerfield, Ill., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. (AP Photo / Nam Y. Huh)

What Recession? Professional Forecasters Raise Expectations for US Economy in 2024

The economy looks set to grow 2.2% this year after adjusting for inflation, according to the National Association for Business Economics. That’s up from the 1.3% predicted in the association’s prior survey, which was conducted in November.

A bald eagle is pictured in a file photo. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Second Pair of Bald Eagle Mates on the Nest in Will County. How Big Will the Eaglet Boom Be?

The Forest Preserve District of Will County confirmed a second pair of eagles are incubating eggs in a newly-built, enormous nest.

(WTTW News)

Judge Allows Police Board Proceedings to Resume Amid Dispute Over CPD Discipline System

A Cook County judge Monday allowed proceedings before the Chicago Police Board to resume as he prepares to rule on an effort backed by the city’s largest police union to upend the system used for 60 years to punish officers.

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

February Is Going Out on a Wild Note: Record-Breaking Warmth, Wildfire Warnings, Tornadoes and Maybe Snow

The forecast for last week of February has a little something for everyone. Buckle in for a wild ride.

Prairie (or field) thistle on the left, cutleaf teasel on the right. Which is native and which is invasive? (USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab; Patty Wetli / WTTW News)

Invasive Dupes, Part 1: Teasel vs. Thistle, Will the Real Native Please Stand Up

In honor of National Invasive Species Awareness Week, we'll be posting daily "dupes" — invasives that can easily be confused with native species. 

(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

14-Year-Old Boy Among 3 Killed in Chatham Home Shooting Sunday: Police

According to the Chicago Police Department, four people were killed by gunfire and another 17 people were wounded in separate shootings between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Chicago police Officer Ella French (@TomAhernCPD / Twitter)

Chicago Police Officer Ella French’s Alleged Killer Set to Go to Trial This Week

Jury selection in the trial of Emonte Morgan is set to begin Monday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building — more than two and a half years after he allegedly shot and killed the 29-year-old police officer.

(WTTW News)

Final Tally: Chicago Taxpayers Spent At Least $74M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits in 2023, Analysis Finds

Wrongful convictions have long been the most expensive kind of police misconduct in Chicago, costing taxpayers $29.25 million in 2024, or nearly 40% of the total amount spent to resolve allegations of police misconduct, according to WTTW News’ analysis.

(WTTW News)

Northwestern, Dartmouth, Rice and Vanderbilt Settle Antitrust Financial Aid Lawsuit

Dartmouth College, and Rice, Vanderbilt and Northwestern universities agreed to pay a total of $166 million to settle claims filed in a 2022 class action lawsuit alleging the schools colluded on the amount of financial aid awarded to students, while favoring applicants from wealthier families. 

Chicago Cubs’ Cody Bellinger waits to hit against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a baseball game, Sept. 15, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo / Matt York, file)

Cody Bellinger Returning to the Cubs on an $80 Million, 3-Year Contract, Source Says

The slugger can opt out of the deal after each of the first two seasons, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because the agreement was pending a physical.