Democrats were largely able to swat back hundreds of policy mandates and some of the steeper budget cuts that House Republicans were seeking to impose on nondefense programs, though House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., highlighted some policy wins.
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Congress Unveils $1.2 Trillion Plan to Avert Federal Shutdown and Bring Budget Fight to a Close
Mar 21, 2024 | Associated Press
Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Suit Brought by Chicago Police Officer Against Former Supt. Eddie Johnson
Mar 21, 2024 | Associated Press
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Chicago police officer that alleged sexual assault by former police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who was out drinking with her the night he was found asleep behind the wheel of his SUV.
‘Dream Realized’ as Illinois Conservation Groups Add 1,000 Acres to Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge
Mar 21, 2024 | Patty Wetli
The Conservation Fund, Illinois Audubon Society and Openlands announced the purchase of the 985-acre Tamarack Farms, which will now become the single largest property within McHenry County’s Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.
Eileen O’Neill Burke, Clayton Harris Remain Locked in Tight Battle Wednesday to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County State’s Attorney
Mar 20, 2024 | Matt Masterson
The latest update in vote totals from the Associated Press came just after 12:30 a.m., as O’Neill Burke continued holding a slight edge over Harris. As of the most recent tally, fewer than 10,000 votes separated the pair. More votes will be counted in the coming days.
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, March 20, 2024 - Full Show
Mar 20, 2024 | WTTW News
Mayor Brandon Johnson doubles down on his progressive agenda. What’s next for the Bring Chicago Home campaign. And a peek at Steppenwolf’s new show before it’s even finished.
Led by Director Phylicia Rashad, Steppenwolf Cast Explores Family Politics and Identities in New Play ‘Purpose’
Mar 20, 2024 | Brandis Friedman
The play about a Black political Illinois family is brand new — so new that cast members didn’t even have a complete script when WTTW News sat down with them.
Bring Chicago Home Referendum Still Too Close to Call as Mail-In Ballots Counted
Mar 20, 2024 | Emily Soto
The ballot measure would give Chicago City Council the power to hike the Real Estate Transfer Tax on property sales over $1 million to help fight homelessness. The close race could point to some disagreement among Chicagoans over how to support the city’s unhoused.
Johnson Vows to Continue Pushing ‘Big, Bold’ Agenda After Progressives See Some Disappointing Election Results
Mar 20, 2024 | Heather Cherone
“No one said it was going to be easy,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “I’m very much committed. The fight still goes on. We’re going to keep organizing.”
At Least 2 State Legislators Lose Their Seats in Primary Election. A Look at the General Assembly Results
Mar 20, 2024 | Amanda Vinicky
At least two sitting members of the Illinois state legislature – including the longest-serving member of the General Assembly – won’t be returning to Springfield next year after losing their primary races Tuesday.
Johnson Taps Official Who Greenlighted Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion to Lead Buildings Department
Mar 20, 2024 | Heather Cherone
Mayor Brandon Johnson nominated Marlene Hopkins to permanently replace former Buildings Commissioner Matthew Beaudet, whom Johnson fired last month. Hopkins’ nomination must be confirmed by the Chicago City Council.
Illinois to Create Advisory Council for Affordable Sickle Cell Treatment
Mar 20, 2024 | Dilpreet Raju — Capitol News Illinois
About 5,000 Illinoisans live with sickle cell disease, a gene defect most common in Black people that causes red blood cells to be misshapen and die off early, resulting in chronic fatigue and pain.
EPA Issues New Auto Rules Aimed at Boosting Electric Vehicles and Hybrids, Cutting Carbon Emissions
Mar 20, 2024 | Associated Press
The new standards will avoid more than 7 billion tons of planet-warming carbon emissions over the next three decades and provide nearly $100 billion in annual net benefits, the EPA said.
Two-Thirds of Young Children in Chicago Are Exposed to Dangerous Lead Levels in Water: Study
Mar 20, 2024 | CNN
Researchers found about 75% of residential city blocks in Chicago had lead-contaminated water. And more than two-thirds children under the age of 6 in Chicago live on these blocks and may be exposed to lead-contaminated water.
Chicago to Pay $57.2M to Settle 3 Police Misconduct Cases, Including Pursuit That Left Teen Unable to Walk or Speak
Mar 20, 2024 | Heather Cherone
The cost to taxpayers of the settlements approved without debate by the City Council on Wednesday is equivalent to more than a third of the city’s annual $82 million budget to cover the cost of police misconduct lawsuits.
March 19, 2024 - Full Show, 10 p.m.
Mar 19, 2024 | WTTW News
The polls are closed, and a number of Illinois primary races have been called. Our Spotlight Politics team analyzes the day’s biggest contests.
Push to Give City Council Power to Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties Trails As Neither Side Concedes
Mar 19, 2024 | Heather Cherone
The last time Chicago voters passed a binding referendum that applied to the entire city was 1885, when they voted to create the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, according to city records.
Eileen O’Neill Burke in Tight Race With Clayton Harris to Replace Kim Foxx as Cook County’s Top Prosecutor
Mar 19, 2024 | WTTW News
Retired judge Eileen O’Neill Burke is facing off against lobbyist and former prosecutor Clayton Harris as they each vie to become state’s attorney for the nation’s second-largest prosecutor’s office.
Justice Joy Cunningham Claims Victory in Illinois Supreme Court Primary Race
Mar 19, 2024 | Amanda Vinicky
Justice Joy Cunningham was appointed by the court to fill the seat ahead of Justice Anne Burke’s 2022 retirement. Cunningham’s opponent in Tuesday’s race, Appellate Judge Jesse Reyes, was striving to be the first Latino on the state’s high court.
Democratic Incumbents Rep. Jesús ‘Chuy’ García, Danny Davis Stave Off Primary Challenges
Mar 19, 2024 | Matt Masterson
With polls across Illinois officially closed, several longtime incumbent House representatives will soon learn if they’ll retain their Congressional seats or if their challengers will emerge victorious.
As Polls Close in Illinois Primary, Chicago Ekes Out 20% Voter Turnout
Mar 19, 2024 | Patty Wetli
The initial turnout tally was at just 20.2% of the nearly 1.7 million registered voters — including early voting and vote-by-mail ballots.
Spyropoulos Defeats Martinez in Race for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk
Mar 19, 2024 | Heather Cherone
While the office of circuit court clerk might not be as well-known as other county offices up for grabs Tuesday, it is a powerful perch. The clerk controls more than 1,400 jobs and handles everything from evictions to traffic tickets to child support.
Biden and Trump Notch Primary Wins in Illinois, Other States as Races Offer Hints on National Politics
Mar 19, 2024 | Associated Press
Joe Biden and Donald Trump won their party's primaries in Illinois on Tuesday, notching more delegates as they continue their march to a rematch in this November's presidential election.
March 19, 2024 - Full Show, 5:30 p.m.
Mar 19, 2024 | WTTW News
It’s Election Day in Illinois. We break down what voter turnout looks like and its impact on races. Our Spotlight Politics team analyzes the day’s biggest contests.
Live Illinois Primary Results: President, Congress and Cook County State’s Attorney
Mar 19, 2024 | WTTW News
Live and updating results from the 2024 Illinois primary election.
Chicago Sues Glock, Vowing to Hold Gun Manufacturer Responsible for Allowing ‘Illegal Machine Guns’ to Flood City Streets
Mar 19, 2024 | Heather Cherone
Glock should be banned from selling those guns to Chicagoans and forced to pay for the harm the pistols have caused, according to a new lawsuit filed by the city's lawyers that will test a new state law.
Sza, The Killers and Blink-182 Among Lollapalooza Headliners. Here’s the Full Lineup
Mar 19, 2024 | Angel Idowu
Lollapalooza has announced its headliners for the four-day music fest with Sza, Tyler, The Creator, Blink-182 and The Killers among the headlining acts.