The Rundown | Chicago News

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Weekend pro-choice demonstration, understanding policing, trans representation Apr 10, 2023

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Pro-choice demonstrators marched in downtown Chicago Saturday to denounce a federal judge’s decision to block a commonly used abortion drug. There’s a question about what Chicago’s next mayor can do to improve the public’s understanding of policing. Downstate Carbondale elected the first out transgender person to a city council seat in Illinois.

From surprising to cringey, all the magic is happening in WBEZ’s new podcast Apr 07, 2023

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In episodes of “When Magic Happens,” three Black women from different generations talk hair, work, representation and anything else they find cringey or life-giving. It’s WBEZ’s newest podcast, and Erin talks with two of the hosts Jennifer “Shae Love” Long and Taylor Coward about opening up to vulnerable conversations, finding magic in small moments, and how hosting a show by and for Black women has transformed them.

Johnson and Lightfoot meet, CTA rail station improvements, Pilsen’s Via Crucis Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

Brandon Johnson kicked off his transition to the mayor’s office by meeting with Lori Lightfoot. The Chicago Transit Authority estimates it will spend $6.5 million this year making improvements to 29 rail stations across its system. Via Crucis kicks off at 9 a.m. today in Pilsen.

Replacing Johnson on county board, school board elections, app to spot abuse Apr 06, 2023

Show notes

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson’s seat on the county board is up for grabs. Illinois’ largest teachers union called Tuesday’s local school board election results a “win for public education.” A new app by Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago aims to help identify signs of abuse in babies and young children.

A close runoff race shows Chicago Democrats are not a monolith Apr 05, 2023

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A long election season in Chicago came to a close yesterday with Brandon Johnson narrowly eking out a victory over Paul Vallas in the race to become Chicago’s next mayor. Unofficial results show Johnson won by just around 15,000 votes out of over 550,000 cast. How did he do it, and what does his victory mean for Chicago? We take a look at what happened with Block Club Chicago investigative editor Mick Dumke, who breaks down the race and what we can expect after Johnson’s swearing-in on May 15.

Johnson elected, Asian-majority ward retains Lee, Garcia grieves for daughter Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

Brandon Johnson has been elected as Chicago’s next mayor. The city’s first Asian-majority ward elects its first Asian American alderperson. Democratic Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García announced the death of his daughter.

Election Day in Chicago, crime stats so far, Chicago State faculty strike Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

It’s Election Day in Chicago and candidates are making their final pitches to voters. The city released its crime numbers for the year so far. Faculty at Chicago State University are on strike.

What are crisis pregnancy centers supposed to be offering? Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

There are over 100 crisis pregnancy centers in Illinois, and they’re usually nonprofit, Christian-based facilities. Some lawmakers say many of the centers use deceptive tactics to steer patients away from abortion care. WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal looked into this. She talks about what crisis pregnancy centers are supposed to do versus what they actually do, plus new legislation that would hold them more accountable.

Mayoral candidates' final push, extreme weather clean up, trans visibility Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson were criss-crossing Chicago on Sunday as part of a final push to get in front of voters ahead of Tuesday’s election. Parts of Illinois are cleaning up after tornadoes and other extreme weather caused damage, deaths and injuries. Members of Chicago’s transgender community were celebrating International Trans Day of Visibility at a time when many are feeling growing hostility.

Big whales with big feet: How Chicago shaped sci-fi illustrator Ennis Martin Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

Ennis Martin is a Chicago-based illustrator and painter known for paintings of big whales with big feet. He’s also an afrofuturism and science fiction fanatic. As part of the “Chi Sounds Like” series from our sister station Vocalo, Martin explains his path from the b-boy and hip-hop community to graffiti and eventually to sci-fi art. He says his sci-fi paintings aim to make sense of being human.

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