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Phil Ponce hosts the 61st episode of “Latino Voices.” (WTTW News)

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, January 1, 2022 - Full Show

A look back at some of our favorite Latino Voices stories of 2021: from the potential impact of the sweeping infrastructure law to a group helping refugee women start a new life, and more.

Brandis Friedman hosts the 61st episode of “Black Voices.” (WTTW News)

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, January 1, 2022 - Full Show

A look back at some of our favorite Black Voices stories of 2021— from a look at how tech leaves marginalized people behind, to the Chicago Sky’s history-making WNBA Championship  — and so much in between.

In Illinois the COVID vaccine distribution got underway, and Illinois fully reopened in June. But, vaccine resistance, the delta variant, and later omicron caused cases to surge again. (WTTW News)

The Week in Review: Another Year Marked By COVID, Political Tensions

From the shocking events of Jan. 6 to COVID’s dip and surge, a changing of the guard in Springfield, to high crime rates and political battles in City Council. We recap the year’s biggest stories.

Stephen Parlato of Boulder, Colo., holds a sign that reads "Hands Off Roe!!!" as abortion rights advocates and anti-abortion protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, Dec. 1, 2021, in Washington, as the court hears arguments in a case from Mississippi, where a 2018 law would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, well before viability. (AP Photo / Andrew Harnik, File)

2021 Notebook: the US Right to Abortion Is in Peril

As 2021 comes to a close, Roe v. Wade — the historic 1973 Supreme Court ruling establishing a nationwide right to abortion — is imperiled as never before. 

 A view near the home of commercial crabber Roy Comardelle, who built a levee around his property, is shown at Des Allemands, La., Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. (AP Photo / Steve Helber, File)

2021 Notebook: Climate Change, Weather Crises and What Next

Melting glaciers, deadly floods in Germany, record high summer temperatures in generally mild Oregon, more urgent pleas for help from Pacific island nations. With growing urgency, the effects of climate change were felt around the world in 2021.

Ahmaud Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper-Jones his hugged by a supporter after the jury convicted Travis McMichael in the trial of McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael, and neighbor, William "Roddie" Bryan, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. (AP Photo / Stephen B. Morton, Pool, File)

2021 Notebook: Redrawing the Conversation About Race

After 2020 became a year of racial reckoning with the public killing of George Floyd and the protests of injustices against Black people, 2021 offered what can best be described as a follow-up year — a continuation of some familiar story threads with other new ones emerging.

Some 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois in the new year. They range from changing how gun licenses are processed — to regulating pet sales. (Wikimedia Commons / Megan Davis)

Almost 300 New Statutes Take Effect Saturday

Some 300 new laws will take effect in Illinois in the new year. They range from changing how gun licenses are processed — to regulating pet sales.

A series of new laws could make it easier for consumers to comparison shop for prescriptions, make sure unused medicine doesn’t go to waste, and expand coverage of fertility treatment. (Flickr / The Javorac)

New Healthcare Laws Expand Infertility Treatment Coverage, Create Unused Medicine Repository

A series of new laws could make it easier for consumers to comparison shop for prescriptions, make sure unused medicine doesn’t go to waste, and expand coverage of fertility treatment.

(WTTW News)

December 30, 2021 - Full Show

The latest on testing snafus and rising COVID cases. One-on-one with CPS CEO on plans to bring kids safely back to school. New laws on the books for 2022. And the Bears get ready to tackle the Giants.

(WTTW News graphic)

Bears Face Giants in Penultimate Game, Look to End Poor Season on a High

The Bears have a chance to finish a lost season on a high note, starting with the last place New York Giants who visit Soldier Field this Sunday. But there are questions as to who will play quarterback, and then the bigger picture questions as to where exactly the organization is headed as fans demand a major overhaul.

A patient on renal dialysis Feb. 26, 2021. (Mishu57 / Wikimedia Commons)

COVID Takes Deadly Toll on Dialysis Patients: ProPublica Illinois

A new report from ProPublica Illinois details the catastrophic loss of dialysis patients during the pandemic. Reporter Duaa Eldeib joins “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her findings 

the combination of the surge and the holidays have left people scrambling to find COVID tests. (WTTW News)

Illinois Reports 30,386 New COVID Cases Thursday

More than 5,600 people are hospitalized with COVID. And COVID patients are occupying 34% of the state’s ICU beds.

Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, joins “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the return to school and safety protocols in place amid the Omicron surge. (WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools CEO on COVID Testing, Protocols and More

Chicago Public Schools distributed over 150 thousand PCR tests Tuesday at more than 300 schools in communities hardest hit by the pandemic. Students who test positive will be asked to stay home.

The House and Senate will still convene Wednesday, largely for organizational purposes and to empower committees to meet and vote remotely. (WTTW News)

State Legislature Suspends Session Due to COVID

The General Assembly canceled its Jan. 4 and 6 session dates, and will likely call the session off the following week as well “amid the ongoing global pandemic.”

Because of the pandemic, in 2020 the legislature was thrown a bit off course, so there weren't a ton of laws that took effect at the start of 2021. Not so for 2022. (WTTW News)

A Crash Course in Illinois’ New Education Laws

Because of the pandemic, in 2020 the legislature was thrown a bit off course, so there weren't a ton of laws that took effect at the start of 2021. Not so for 2022. Dozens of measures will kick in starting Saturday.

(WTTW News)

December 29, 2021 - Full Show

New laws take effect at the start of the new year. One-on-one with the city's public health commissioner. A report on public transit ridership during the pandemic. Our Spotlight Politics and more.

Broadcaster and former Oakland Raiders coach John Madden poses with his bust after enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday, Aug. 5, 2006, in Canton, Ohio.  (AP Photo / Mark Duncan, File)

John Madden, Hall of Fame Coach and Broadcaster, Dies at 85

Madden gained fame in a decade-long stint as the coach of the renegade Oakland Raiders, making it to seven AFC title games and winning the Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He compiled a 103-32-7 regular-season record, and his .759 winning percentage is the best among NFL coaches with more than 100 games.

COVID is surging across the country and public officials warn residents to be cautious during New Year’s celebrations. (WTTW News)

Spotlight Politics: CDC Director Explains Altered Isolation Guidelines

COVID-19 is surging across the country and here in Illinois as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention faces criticisms for changing its isolation guidelines. Our Spotlight Politics team has that and more.

The Urban Institute found that while downtown ridership decreased, neighborhoods with more Black and Latino residents saw more sustained ridership. (WTTW News)

How COVID-19 Has Impacted CTA Ridership

In Chicago, neighborhoods with higher shares of residents of color retained far more ridership than predominantly white communities—and that trend was similar in other cities. 

Officials are urging the public to get vaccinated and get tested — but many people are reporting challenges in finding tests. (WTTW News)

Chicago’s Top Doctor On How to Prepare for a Winter COVID-19 Surge

Officials are urging the public to get vaccinated and get tested — but many people are reporting challenges in finding tests.

People wait on line to get tested for COVID-19 on Dec. 21, 2021, in New York. (AP Photo / Brittainy Newman, File)

New COVID-19 Cases in US Soar to Highest Levels on Record

The fast-spreading mutant version of the virus has cast a pall over Christmas and New Year’s, forcing communities to scale back or call off their festivities just weeks after it seemed as if Americans were about to enjoy an almost normal holiday season. 

Lion Air's Boeing 737 Max 8 sits on the tarmac at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, Indonesia, April 13, 2019. (AP Photo Nicole Evatt, File)

Indonesia to Let Boeing 737 Max Fly Again After 2018 Crash

The Transportation Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that the aircraft will be permitted to fly in Indonesia, but only after airlines carry out airworthiness directives.

Chicago Sky's Candace Parker celebrates after her team defeated the Phoenix Mercury in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals to become champions Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo / Paul Beaty, File)

Candace Parker Voted AP Female Athlete of Year for 2nd Time

Candace Parker helped the Chicago Sky win the franchise’s first WNBA championship and capped off 2021 by being named The Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year for a second time.

(WTTW News)

December 28, 2021 - Full Show

Confusion surrounds the CPS return to school COVID-19 testing protocols. Restaurants push back against the vaccine mandate. COVID-19 cases explode in jails. And inside the life of photographer Vivian Maier.

Vivian Maier, was a North Shore nanny who quietly pursued another endeavor – in her spare time she took extraordinary photographs. (Courtesy The Vivian Maier Estate and the Maloof Collection)

New Book Reveals Secrets of the Chicago Nanny Who Was a World-Class Photographer

There has always been an air of mystery surrounding the life of Vivian Maier. Maier, was a North Shore nanny who quietly pursued another endeavor – in her spare time she took extraordinary photographs. Author Ann Marks joins us.

Chief Judge Timothy Evans announced Tuesday that his office — which covers the courts and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center — will impose COVID vaccine mandates.  (WTTW News)

Cook County Chief Judge Will Now Impose Vaccine Mandate for Employees

Chief Judge Timothy Evans announced Tuesday that his office — which covers the courts and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center — will impose COVID vaccine mandates. This after the Chief Judge was criticized for previously not mandating the vaccine for all employees.