The five officers who conducted the traffic stop that led to the death of Dexter Reed and the wounding of one officer had been the subject of 36 complaints that they were improperly stopping Chicagoans driving through the city’s West Side, according to records provided to WTTW News by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
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April 16, 2024 - Full Show
The divide widens between Chicago’s top cop and the agency investigating police misconduct. A new WTTW documentary explores “Chicago Mysteries.” And what you need to know about the upcoming cicada invasion.
‘Chicago Mysteries’ Takes a Deep Dive Into a City Full of Tall Tales
From cemeteries to hot dogs, Geoffrey Baer investigates a slew of Chicago mysteries in a new WTTW special.
Biden’s Latest Plan for Student Loan Cancellation Moves Forward as a Proposed Regulation
It’s a more targeted proposal than the one the U.S. Supreme Court struck down last year. The new plan uses a different legal basis and seeks to cancel or reduce loans for more than 25 million Americans.
Chicago Woman Pleads Guilty, Gets 50 Years for Cutting Child From Victim’s Womb
Prosecutors have said Clarisa Figueroa strangled 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez with a cable on April 23, 2019, after luring the teenager to her home with the promise of free clothing for her unborn child. Ochoa-Lopez was nine months pregnant.
Column: Expo Chicago Offers a Reminder of the Vibrancy and Community of Chicago’s Art Scene
From Expo Chicago at Navy Pier to Expo Art Week throughout the city and everything in between, I found myself overwhelmed with celebrations that amplified the city’s artistic community.
Pritzker Appoints Prisoner Review Board Director Following Controversy Over Release of Inmate Charged With Killing 11-Year-Old Boy
Appointee Jim Montgomery will be responsible for overseeing administrative board operations, including bolstering domestic violence prevention training and “other important equity-based trainings for board members,” according to the governor’s office.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso Spent Their Careers Battling Each Other. Now They’ll Be Chicago Sky Teammates in the WNBA
The WNBA draft came eight days after the college women’s basketball season ended with a historic championship game. Nearly 19 million people tuned in for the matchup, making it the most-watched basketball game at any level, regardless of gender, since 2019.
Chicago Gets New Chief Economic Recruiter, Booster
As the new president and CEO of World Business Chicago, Philip Clement is charged with reversing high-profile departures of businesses like Boeing, Caterpillar and Citadel while continuing recruiting momentum.
Hershey Felder, the Musical and Dramatic Polymath, Brings ‘Monsieur Chopin’ to Vivid Life: Review
If you happen to be looking for a synonym to the word “polymath” you are sure to find its very best definition by heading straight to Writers Theatre. That is where the exceptionally multi-talented Hershey Felder is lighting up the stage with his remarkable performance of “Monsieur Chopin, A Play With Music.”
Trump Trial: Why Can’t Americans See or Hear What is Going on Inside the Courtroom?
It’s a moment in history — the first U.S. president facing criminal charges in an American courtroom. Yet only a handful of observers are able to see or even hear what is going on. New York state law regarding media coverage of court proceedings is one of the most restrictive in the country.
Biden Administration Recruits 15 States, Including Illinois, to Help Enforce Airline Consumer Laws
Under U.S. law, the federal government alone regulates consumer-protection laws covering airlines. The carriers are not legally required to respond to state investigations. Consumer advocates have pushed to expand enforcement power to the states.
Official Who Greenlighted Botched Little Village Smokestack Implosion Set to Lead Buildings Department
During the more than hourlong confirmation hearing, Marlene Hopkins was not asked about what she did as the top official from the city’s Buildings Department charged with overseeing the implosion of the smokestack at the former Crawford Power Plant in Little Village.
G’Day, Chicago! Koalas Coming to Brookfield Zoo, Debuting Memorial Day Weekend
For the first time in its 90-year history, Brookfield Zoo Chicago will welcome koalas.
Chicago Teachers Union Leaders Hopeful for ‘New Chapter’ in Contract Negotiations as Bargaining Set to Begin
CTU leaders on Tuesday announced their contract demands as bargaining gets underway on a new deal as the union’s existing contract is set to expire in June.
Cook County Event Aims to Provide Resources, Support to Families and Friends of Missing Persons
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office is hosting its fourth Missing Persons Day on Saturday as a way to provide support and resources for the loved ones of missing persons.
April 15, 2024 - Full Show
The chief medical examiner on supporting the loved ones of missing persons. Navigating neuro-divergence and the path to a diagnosis. And exploring Chicago’s gospel music history.
Concert to Celebrate Chicago’s Place in Gospel Music History
Some of gospel’s biggest stars are coming together for a night of performances in the city where it all began.
Project Aims to Reduce Wait Times for an Autism Diagnosis in Illinois: ‘Is There an Alternative Model?’
With $3 million in federal funding, researchers are studying how to expand the types of professionals who can issue a diagnosis. Currently in Illinois, only physicians and clinical psychologists can do so.
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin Fined $60K for Violating Ethics Ordinance
The board found Conyears-Ervin committed 12 total violations of Chicago’s Governmental Ethics Ordinance for violating her fiduciary duty to the city, for the unauthorized use of city property and prohibited political activity.
Trump’s Historic Hush-Money Trial Underway; 1st Day Ends Without Any Jurors Being Picked
It’s the first criminal trial of any former U.S. commander-in-chief and the first of Trump’s four indictments to go to trial.
Key City Panel Advances Plan to Spend $70M More to Care for Migrants in Chicago
The City Council’s Budget Committee voted 20-8 to advance the proposal to the full City Council, which could vote on it as early as Wednesday. The panel also agreed to accept $48 million in federal and state grants to care for the migrants.
Chicago Police Lieutenant Who Failed to Investigate Sergeant Accused of Sexual Assault for 5 Years Should Be Fired, Watchdog Says
A 2016 probe by the U.S. Department of Justice found that Chicago police officers were rarely held accountable for misconduct because of badly broken systems as well as a “code of silence” among officers that allowed them to act with impunity. CPD has fully complied with just 6% of the court order known as the consent decree designed to require the police department to change the way it trains, supervises and disciplines officers.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Bribery Statute at Heart of Michael Madigan Trial
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguements in a case that could have wide-ranging impacts on bribery cases like the one involving former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Protesters Calling for Cease-Fire in Gaza Temporarily Blocked Traffic Near O’Hare Airport
Demonstrators used the traffic shutdown to bring attention to the continuing war in Palestine and push for a cease-fire in Gaza. Traffic flow resumed by about 9:20 a.m.
Tax Day Reveals a Major Split in How Joe Biden and Donald Trump Would Govern
Tax Day reveals a major split in how Joe Biden and Donald Trump would govern: The presidential candidates have conflicting ideas about how much to reveal about their own finances and the best ways to boost the economy through tax policy.
