The Rundown | Chicago News

The city of Chicago has halted the demolition of the historic Damen Silos over concerns about “excessive dust." Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is facing a setback in his bid to avoid prison while appealing his federal corruption convictions. Chicago area transit agencies have found some savings and a looming fiscal cliff isn’t as big as it used to be. Plus, Chicago-born jazz singer Kurt Elling is starting a new adventure that is taking him to Broadway. WBEZ arts reporter Mike Davis spoke with Elling about his career.

Chicago advocates say calls from immigrants seeking deportation legal support have skyrocketed since Operation Midway Blitz started last month. Public defenders and legal aid groups are pushing to bar arrests by ICE officers at Cook County courthouses. The federal government has placed a restriction on all private drone activity around the Chicago area. The Trump administration is cancelling $7.6 billion in grants that supported hundreds of clean energy projects in Illinois and 15 other states. Plus, victims of corrupt former Chicago police sergeant reflect on historic legal settlement.

Illinois Democrats in Congress are condemning the federal government shutdown and are demanding funding to save health care subsidies that are set to expire leading to soaring insurance costs. A Chicago non-profit that helps patients find abortion care expects to field more calls from Wisconsin after Wisconsin Planned Parenthood paused abortion services today. A new study from Rush University Children’s Hospital and the Cook County Medical Examiner reveals some common causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome that largely involve unsafe environments. Plus, an initiative called Hope Chicago announced in 2022 that every student at a group of high schools on the South and West Side could go to college for free. Three years later, it is helping to answer the question of what happens when money is no longer a barrier to education beyond high school. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp introduces us to one family.

President Donald Trump told hundreds of the country’s top military officials today that he spoke to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about using “dangerous cities as training grounds” for the military. A small Mexican grocery store in Cicero is pivoting to grocery deliveries as immigration operations continue in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. A WBEZ analysis of federal data for H-1-B visa applications shows which employers in Chicago could be impacted by an executive order that President Trump signed last week. Plus, WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell spent a day with the leader of the People’s Patrol, a rapid-response network that monitors immigration agent activity.

A top U.S. Border Patrol official tells WBEZ that immigration agents are arresting people based on how they look. Federal criminal charges have been filed against four people detained during protests Saturday outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in suburban Broadview. And, Latino activists are calling for an end to the targeting of day laborers at Home Depot stores in the Chicago area.  Plus, a Black woman-owned grocery store celebrated its opening this past weekend. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang has the story.

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. All month, we’ve been hearing from host and reporter Rose Gilbert from Nashville Public Radio in a series called “The Country in Our Hearts.” It’s focused on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is the final episode.

Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of “making war on my community.” Four Chicago alderpersons voted against a symbolic resolution to apologize to Black residents for slavery. Republican Darren Bailey formally announced his gubernatorial campaign yesterday during a tour of the state. Plus, Chicago youth organizations brought together a group of teens last week to talk about what they are feeling and thinking as federal immigration agents continue making arrests in Chicago neighborhoods and suburbs. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp brings us their voices.

Illinois abortion-rights advocates and providers are preparing for an influx of patients from Wisconsin. At 29 years old, Walter “Red” Burnett is now the city’s youngest alderperson. The first satellite designed at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign was deployed to space Wednesday. Plus, The fifth solo project from Chicago musician Jeff Tweedy comes out Friday. We hear how “Twilight Override” feels both familiar and pushes his sound in fresh directions.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is recommending COVID-19 vaccinations for most people in the state, in direct contrast to recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Chicago police officer is accused of using his law enforcement credentials to buy guns, including an AR-style rifle, for a man who then smuggled them into Mexico. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been awarded NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career for his performance Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys. Plus, it’s been just over two weeks since the Department of Homeland Security started an expanded immigration enforcement campaign in the Chicago area. Sun-Times reporter Nader Issa talked to WBEZ’s Clare Lane about where things stand today.

Illinois Democrats in Congress have signed a letter asking the federal government to end what it's calling "dangerous and reckless immigration operations" in the state. New video obtained by the Sun-Times is raising questions about the narrative put forth by the Department of Homeland Security after the September 12th shooting death of Silverio Villegas González in Franklin Park. The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued new guidance expanding COVID-19 vaccine access ahead of the fall respiratory virus season. Plus, Chicago artist Theaster Gates has exhibited work all over the world but it has taken him nearly two decades to get his first solo museum show in his hometown. WBEZ contributor Ben Austen paid a visit to Gates as he prepares for his show opening at the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum.

A WBEZ investigation found the city is months behind a federal deadline to notify residents about their lead pipes. Summer officially ends today, as warm, dry forecasts have persisted through September. Beloved Loyola nun Sister Jean has retired from official campus duties. Plus, WBEZ’s Melba Lara sits down with two members of the Chicago punk band Rise Against to talk about their latest album.

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is Episode 3.

Advocates are urging U.S citizens to step up and help immigrant workers with food and financial assistance. Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said state lawmakers have no plans to change legislative maps to try to send more Democrats to Congress in next year's elections. Chicago Public Schools is being tightlipped on how it will respond to a threat from the federal government to strip the district of a 5-year grant worth $15 million. Plus, WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal reached out to every Illinois professor on what’s called the “Professor Watchlist,” an online database compiled by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. Several said they’ve faced online hate and, in some cases, threats of sexual assault and death.

The latest phase of ramped up immigration enforcement activities in Chicago coincided with Mexican Independence Day. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the death on Friday of a man shot by US immigration agents in Franklin Park. And, architecture buffs can see new sites at this year’s Open House Chicago.Plus, The number of CPS students in special education is at its highest in at least 15 years. Yet this summer the school district cut about 1000 special ed positions. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp reports.

The Border Patrol agent who led an enhanced immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has arrived in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order aimed at protecting protesters amid any federal law enforcement presence. And, today is Mexican Independence Day.Plus, there are two more events this month with Chicago's prestigious jazz festival. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers gets the scoop from Sun-Times reporter Erica Thompson.

Chicago City Council voted in favor of settling nearly 200 police misconduct cases tied to disgraced former police Sergeant Ronald Watts, costing city taxpayers a total of $90 million. Gov. JB Pritzker said he and his family feel safe in light of escalating political threats. Enrollment is up for international students at the University of Illinois despite federal immigration policies. Plus, if you want to know how many arrests immigration officers have made in Chicago this year, you won’t get answers from the government. Watchdog groups have stepped in to fill some key gaps and Sun-Times Reporter Lauren FitzPatrick brings us the most recent numbers.

Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is Episode 2.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a full accounting of the circumstances behind what he called the troubling, fatal shooting of a Franklin Park man by a federal immigration enforcement agent. More than 20 Chicago alderpersons are calling for a review of security measures at City Hall following the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. A new study finds low-income patients with anorexia tend to be hospitalized longer than they need to be in Chicago. Plus, this week a local arts group put an orchestra on a sightseeing boat in the Chicago River, all to create a moment of joy. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers brings us a dispatch.

The city is moving forward with a 90-million-dollar settlement to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to a former Chicago police sergeant. New data released by the Census Bureau shows a fast-growing immigrant community in Chicago. And, the long-running Taste of Chicago food festival will move back to its mid-summer time slot next year.Plus, Jenna Fischer is the star of the world premiere play “Ashland Avenue” at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. WBEZ’s theater reporter Mike Davis sat down with her to discuss the play which was written by her husband, Lee Kirk.

The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education meeting was placed on a soft lockdown today after a Brinks security officer shot an alleged robber. Federal agents have seized illegal vaping products nationwide as the Trump administration cracks down on items often used by teens. And, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the Supreme Court is reversing years of progress.Plus, Immigration enforcement actions are ramping up and many immigrant workers say they’re afraid to go to work. But legal experts say there are ways for workers and business owners to be prepared. WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz spoke with reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad to break down the details.