The Rundown | Chicago News

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Migrant plan pushback, pension eligibility questions, state revenue down May 05, 2023

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A proposal to use the former South Shore High School to house migrants is getting major pushback from residents. Illinois’ attorney general is taking a close look at pension payments for one of the convicted “ComEd Four.” Revenue forecasters for the state are worried about a looming recession.

New interim top cop, seeking help with migrants, combatting book bans May 04, 2023

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Fred Waller will serve as Chicago’s interim police superintendent while the city searches for a permanent hire. Chicago and Cook County leaders continue looking for ways to manage the number of migrants in the city. Illinois lawmakers are combatting book bans.

Will Chicago’s new mayor finally get the lead out? May 03, 2023

Show notes

Chicago has had a heavy metal problem for decades. The city is home to more lead service lines – those are the pipes that carry your tap water the final few meters into your home – than any other major metropolitan area in the country. That means that dangerous lead seeps into the water for hundreds of thousands of residents, often unknowingly. The issue has gone unresolved over multiple mayoral administrations, so what’s Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson planning to do differently? Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng explains how Chicago got into this mess and whether or not Johnson can be the mayor that finally gets us out of it.

‘ComEd Four’ guilty, Police District Councils sworn in, statehouse unionizing May 03, 2023

Show notes

Four former executives and lobbyists at ComEd were found guilty on every count they faced related to a wide-ranging government bribery scheme. Members of the newly-elected Police District Councils were sworn in yesterday. Two dozen employees in the Illinois House Speaker’s office want to unionize.

CPD housing migrants, guns sales increase, grants for artists May 02, 2023

Show notes

Conditions are not good for migrants living temporarily in police station lobbies. Gun sales are up while Illinois’ assault weapons ban is on pause. The deadline is May 10 for creative workers hit hard by the pandemic eligible for the state’s Back 2 Business grants.

The road to 2024 through The Democracy Solutions Project May 01, 2023

Show notes

In advance of the 2024 election, Chicago Public Media is launching a new initiative,The Democracy Solutions Project, where journalists from WBEZ and The Chicago Sun-Times dig into the big themes and questions surrounding democracy in the United States. Expect installments of the project to appear from both outlets, in partnership with The University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government. We talk with Tracy Brown, CPM’s Chief Content Officer, about what readers and listeners can expect from The Democracy Solutions Project over the next 18 months.

Chicago migrant crisis, Johnson prepares for office, assault weapons ban blocked May 01, 2023

Show notes

Chicago is struggling to provide care for the thousands of migrants who have been arriving in the city since August. Incoming Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team is preparing to take over. A federal judge in southern Illinois temporarily blocked enforcement of the assault weapons ban.

New theater productions, art festivals and even opera you don’t want to miss Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

WBEZ’s Spring Culture Guide has everything you need to say goodbye to winter in style, and we’re rounding up our favorite recommendations from the guide. In today’s episode: visual art, theater and opera. It’s always tough to know which shows and exhibits are worth your time. So host Erin Allen sat down with WBEZ producer and curator Julia Binswanger and producer Sarah Stark to talk about the productions in Chicago you shouldn’t miss this spring, including several from underrepresented voices.

Where kids really stand in school, Jerry Springer and Chicago, Bears draft Apr 28, 2023

Show notes

A wide majority of parents in Chicago think their children are on track at school, but that's not the case. Chicago daytime talkshow host Jerry Springer died yesterday. The Chicago Bears selected Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Crisis pregnancy centers, a school closing, men's health concerns Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

A bill sponsored by Illinois Democrats would put guardrails on Crisis Pregnancy Centers and has led anti-abortion protesters and Republican lawmakers to speak out. A West Side school serving students with autism abruptly announced it will close at the end of the school year. A physician at University of Illinois Health says men are living about six years fewer than women because they have to get dragged to the doctor’s office.

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