A file image of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Chicago's history as a self-proclaimed sanctuary city dates back to 1985, when then Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order prohibiting city employees from enforcing federal immigration laws.

(Harvey Tillis)

The Chi-Town Jazz Festival doubles as a fundraiser for area food pantries. The founder, a local priest, says jazz is a fitting genre to address social issues like hunger.

Catholic Charities Chicago (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

Social Service Agency ‘In Crisis Mode,' says CEO

The head of the state's largest social service organization says the state's ongoing budget impasse has now reached a crisis level that could impact the lives of hundreds of thousands vulnerable citizens. Paris Schutz has the exclusive story.

Fatimah Idris

Should the United States and Chicago accept more Syrian refugees, in light of the crisis in Europe? President Obama has put the number at 10,000 but some local officials say it should be much higher. Paris Schutz has the story.