The Rundown | Chicago News

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Monday, April 6, 2026 Apr 06, 2026

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The Chicago Bulls have fired their top decision-makers – executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley. The Chicago Sky have traded star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream. The fervor around the University of Illinois’ first Final Four run in 21 years could create a major economic boost. “Ted Lasso” co-creator and star Brendan Hunt’s new one man show debuts at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre on April 17. Plus, anyone who has spent time around Chicago's DIY music scene has likely encountered Charles Joseph Smith. He’s the guy breaking it down on the dance floor and selling his homemade cassettes. But in the background, Smith is also a piano prodigy and prolific composer who’s finally getting his due.

Friday, April 3, 2026 Apr 03, 2026

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Illinois lawmakers are trying to shut down the sale and manufacture of certain pistols they say can be too easily modified. Chicagoans can circulate their dollars tomorrow at the Spend in the Black marketplace. Several players from Southeast Europe have played a critical role in helping the fighting Illini punch its ticket to the Final Four. Plus, Chicago is known for deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and classic dogs. But where in town can you grab the best burger? WBEZ food contributor Maggie Hennessy has a new book called “The Burger Bible”. She writes about 80 of the world’s best burgers, including a few in Chicago.

`Thursday, April 2, 2026 Apr 02, 2026

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Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is set to speak at a public hearing tonight about his officers’ interactions with ICE agents during federal immigration raids. Chicago Bears owner George McCaskey says his family is waiting for a deal on a new stadium, whether in Illinois or Indiana, to come to them. A new COVID-19 variant has popped up in Illinois. Plus, a Northwestern University psychology professor is recruiting transgender youth and their parents for a study on “how gender dysphoric youth live their lives.” But some parents and advocates are calling out the professor behind the study who they say has a history of harming the trans community.

Wednesday, April 1, 2026 Apr 01, 2026

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Leaders from Chicago’s Chinese and Latino immigrant communities say they feel anxious about today’s Supreme Court hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship. The Chicago alderperson behind a much-debated proposal for a stricter teen curfew is back at the bargaining table after a wave of warm weather prompted so-called teen takeovers. A new supportive living community for adults with disabilities is now open in south suburban Alsip. Plus, Macquline King has gone from being an elementary school principal in Chicago Public Schools to interim CEO in just a couple years. Now in the permanent position, King talks about some of the big challenges she'll have to confront, and how her experience at Chicago Public Schools will inform that work.

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 Mar 31, 2026

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The Supreme Court today ruled against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy. Today is International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates trans and gender nonconforming people and their right to self determination. The finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards were announced today, and three Chicago chefs are on the short list. Plus, a Chicago man convicted of laundering cocaine funds remains a major player in Illinois’ state regulated cannabis industry. David Berger was found guilty late last year for aiding a Mexican cocaine trafficking ring back in 2021, but he’s still closely associated with a network of weed dispensaries operating in Chicago and Illinois under the name Ivy Hall.

Monday, March 30, 2026 Mar 30, 2026

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Property taxes in Cook County have grown at more than double the rate of inflation during the past three decades, according to a new report. Most voters in Chicago opposed last September’s federal deportation campaign known as Operation Midway Blitz, according to a new survey. This weekend’s No Kings protest drew thousands to the streets of Chicago; we hear from a few people about what issues were top of mind as they were protesting. Plus, Navy Pier has unveiled a new symbolic sign marking the start of Route 66. WBEZ’s Somer Van Benton explores the history of the highway and why it still means so much 100 years later.

Friday, March 27, 2026 Mar 27, 2026

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No Kings protests and rallies are planned in Chicago and nationwide this weekend. A new Northwestern study finds premature menopause raises long-term heart risk by 40%. The season just started for the White Sox, and they were bullied mercilessly in their first game of the season against the Milwaukee Brewers, falling 14-2. Plus, one of the most anticipated albums of the year is the new one from Chicago’s own Ratboys. The band formed at Notre Dame about 15 years ago and their sixth album came out last month.

Thursday, March 26, 2026 Mar 26, 2026

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Chicago Public Schools will soon have a new permanent CEO with board members set to vote Monday on a three-year contract for interim CEO Macquline King. A measure to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois continues to sit in Springfield. It would allow the Bears to negotiate their payments, instead of paying property taxes, for a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. The Goodman Theater’s new, immersive production “Theater Of The Mind” has debuted and could play on its unconventional stage indefinitely. Plus, alt-rock band “The Academy Is..” is back with new music after nearly 20 years. The Barrington natives returned to the scene with an ode to Chicago with a single titled “L Train.”

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mar 25, 2026

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Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson is making the case for a bill that would make it illegal for detention centers to be within 1,500 feet from schools, day cares, houses and other places. Chicago’s Human Relations Commissioner Nancy Andrade announced her resignation from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet. As the war in Iran rages on, priceless artifacts, ancient landmarks and entire cultural institutions are at risk of being damaged or lost forever. Plus, Emma Gerstein is second flutist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and she filed an audio diary from the road on tour to fill us in on what it’s like to perform at classical music’s highest level with her 10-month-old baby in tow.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 Mar 24, 2026

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The clock is ticking for state lawmakers to pass a deal to keep the Chicago Bears in Illinois, and Democrats in Springfield are pushing a bill that would allow the Bears to negotiate payments in lieu of paying property taxes to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights. A bill proposed in Springfield would designate the Dan Ryan Expressway between 47th Street and 95th Street the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Memorial Highway. It’s officially spring and the region’s pollinators are busy bringing our plants to bloom. Plus, a Chicago charter school network found itself in such bad financial straits that it’s being forced to close the doors of its two high schools, for good. That sent some 570 students searching for a new school with less than three months in the year.

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