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.
A protest is planned for today in response to President Trump's escalating immigration enforcement in Chicago. The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture cut the ribbon on a new outdoor education space and garden yesterday. And, Pitchfork co-founder Mike Reed is back with a new music festival, called Sound and Gravity.Plus, while bracing for the deployment of the National Guard, we look back at Chicago’s history with troops in the city. Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to discuss.
The Department of Homeland Security says it is launching an ICE operation in Illinois. The Bears will show off their new-look offense on the national stage tonight. And, it’s apple picking season. This year's crop is right on track. Plus, President Trump has been threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago. Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles has more on what she is seeing in the nation’s capital.
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. This is a series called “The Country in Our Hearts” and it’s brought to us by Nashville Public Radio. That city is home to the largest Kurdish community in the country. We hear from host and reporter Rose Gilbert who traces the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. We’re going to be dropping all four episodes in our feed over the next month. This is Episode 1.
The city of Chicago tries to prepare immigrant residents ahead of increased immigration enforcement expected soon. Choose Chicago, a tourism marketing agency, is trying to change the city’s violent narrative by highlighting the arts.Plus, Chicago’s Printers Row Lit Fest is celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend. Organizers say it’s more important now than ever to gather.
Governor Pritzker is urging Chicagoans to get out their phones and record federal agents they see on the streets. Organizers of events this weekend are grappling with the possibility that federal agents could soon arrive in the city. And, Angel Reese may be on the bench for the Chicago Sky’s final Indiana Fever matchup of the season.Plus, while President Trump is attempting to send the National Guard to Chicago, a WBEZ analysis finds a drop in murders. Public safety reporter Chip Mitchell has the story.
The White House is still considering whether to send National Guard troops to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is challenging Illinois laws that provide in-state tuition and financial aid to immigrant students who live here but lack legal status. And, The Chicago Public Library has announced its One Book, One Chicago pick for 2025. Plus, with the looming threat of federal troops in Chicago, teenagers who live in a neighborhood notorious for gun violence are sharing their feelings. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp has the story.
President Donald Trump says he plans to direct federal law enforcement intervention in Chicago and Baltimore. Most of Illinois’ congressional Democrats have signed a strongly worded letter telling the President to keep troops out of Chicago. And, many people are mourning after a violent Labor Day weekend in Chicago.Plus, you can find Will Liverman on opera stages across the country. But this summer the Chicago baritone did something different. WBEZ contributor Hannah Edgar has the story.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he would welcome more help from the feds to tackle crime in Chicago, but not from the National Guard. Some Illinois veterans are sounding the alarm against President Donald Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago. More than 10,000 people are expected to cycle down a car-free DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago on Sunday morning. Plus, city officials held a briefing to share what they know – and, mostly, what they don't – about President Trump’s threat to send the National Guard to Chicago.
Some Black faith leaders and elected officials are denouncing President Trump’s threats to send the military to Chicago. Chicago's airports expect nearly 1.8 million passengers to make their way through O’Hare and Midway airports through Tuesday. Free Narcan boxes are now available inside blue newsstand boxes in the Uptown neighborhood, making the life-saving drug more accessible. Plus, today is gonna be the day Oasis plays in Chicago. Fans have been waiting for 16 years for the brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher to reunite. And for one fan in Chicago, the reunion hits especially close to home.
Republican Indiana House Speaker Todd Huston says a meeting yesterday at the White House was "encouraging." A pickleball tournament kicked off today in Highland Park. And, the federal government wants to send the National Guard to a suburban naval base.President Trump’s threats to send the military to Chicago have some anti-violence organizations concerned. WBEZ’s Melba Lara spoke with Former Education Secretary Arne Duncan who now runs the anti-violence organization Chicago CRED.
People who have survived shootings in Chicago say President Trump’s threats to send in troops will make the city less safe. Star cellist Yo-Yo Ma will appear in concert Tuesday night in Chicago’s Millennium Park with esteemed African vocalist Angélique Kidjo. The Chicago Sky have officially retired former star Candace Parker’s jersey. Plus, we hear from one of the Chicago-area doctors who are meeting with Illinois lawmakers to share their experiences and prompt action to end the war in Gaza.
President Donald Trump appears to be walking back his threats to send the military to Chicago. The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center is opening a satellite in the Loop. The Chicago region can expect autumn-like highs ranging between the upper sixties and the lower seventies – signaling that fall is on the way. Plus, Chicago’s new police oversight chief has been wiping out or dramatically scaling back recommendations to fire officers who investigators say have committed serious misconduct. A new investigation from WBEZ and the Sun-Times show these reversals are undoing months and years of investigative work and they’re coming at the request of the city’s top cop. Anna Savchenko from WBEZ and Tom Schuba from The Sun-Times talked through their findings with anchor Mary Dixon.