The Rundown | Chicago News

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Thursday, December 11, 2025 Dec 11, 2025

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The city of Chicago says warming centers will be available this weekend as bitterly cold temperatures move in. A commission formed in honor of an unarmed Black woman murdered in her Springfield-area home last year has unveiled their 26 “calls to action.” Red Kettle donations for the Salvation Army are down in the Chicago area. Plus, the new company that provides health care to nearly 30,000 people in Illinois state prisons has a disturbing track record. Centurion Health took over health care for the Illinois Department of Corrections this summer, after a multi-year deal with a different company fell through. Centurion already serves close to a dozen other state correctional systems – where it’s been accused of ignoring and misdiagnosing patients, leading to serious illness or death. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Kaitlin Washburn has been digging into lawsuits filed by incarcerated people. She sat down with Erin Allen - host of our Prisoncast program – to share what she found.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Dec 10, 2025

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WBEZ lost power at our studios at Navy Pier today and will return to its usual programming schedule as soon as we can. A group of alderpersons who oppose Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget have introduced their own revenue package. Chicagoans can expect more snow going into the weekend. Plus, the widest “death gap” across neighborhoods of any big city in America is between the Loop and West Garfield Park on Chicago’s West Side. Between these seven stops on the Green Line, how long someone is expected to live plummets by 20 years. WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch takes us to West Garfield Park where a mom and her son talk about what it’s like to live in the death gap and what they’re trying to do about it.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 Dec 09, 2025

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is revising his proposed and controversial corporate head tax in hopes of shaking a budget stalemate loose. Illinois Gov.JB Pritzker signed into law protections from what he called “unjust actions” taken by federal immigration agents. Top executives at the parent company of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois got hefty raises and multimillion bonuses last year despite a 54 percent drop in net income, according to Crain’s. Plus, the Chicago-rooted duo The Cool Kids built an impressive hip-hop career with seven albums across two decades and many collaborations. For the first time in three years, the Cool Kids have a new album. Chuck Inglish and Sir Michael Rocks sat down with WBEZ's sister station Vocalo and host Nudia Hernandez to talk about “Hi Top Fade.”

Monday, December 8, 2025 Dec 08, 2025

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The prospect of a government shutdown over the city’s budget is growing bigger in the city of Chicago. Chicago voters will elect all 21 members of the school board next November but a new poll finds few realize this is happening. Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich celebrated Mass on Sunday in the chapel of Cook County Jail’s maximum-security division. Plus, December is Nutcracker season. Some local groups are presenting the classic holiday ballet with a twist.

Friday, December 5, 2025 Dec 05, 2025

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team said that an alternative budget proposal from 26 alders who oppose the mayor’s spending plan is based on faulty projections and regressive fines. Indiana state House lawmakers have passed a new congressional map that now advances to the state Senate, where it is unclear if enough lawmakers will support its final passage. Granite City Works will make steel again next year. Plus, from the 67-foot-tall Norway spruce in Millennium Park to a dizzying number of “Christmas Carol” variations, Chicago’s most festive season has arrived. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers rounded up the best Chicago festivities you can enjoy this holiday season and she joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to talk about it.

Thursday, December 4, 2025 Dec 04, 2025

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The city of Chicago’s running tab for police misconduct settlements tied to disgraced former police commander Jon Burge grew by $15 million today. As Chicago plunges into extreme cold weather territory, medical professionals urge the public to pay attention to the signs of frostbite. Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen is calling on Congress to vote soon to extend Obamacare subsidies to keep health care premiums from skyrocketing. Plus, with federal immigration enforcement bearing down on Chicago, many feared student attendance would plummet, especially in schools serving mostly Latino children. Yesterday we brought you the story of community members stepping up to help out parents who were too afraid to take their kids to school during that time. Today, WBEZ’s Amy Qin and Sarah Karp explain what this year’s attendance numbers really mean.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Dec 03, 2025

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A majority of Chicago alderpersons are backing an alternate budget plan that would double residents’ garbage collection fee to avoid a new corporate head tax. The Historical Preservation Society of the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party will hold a candlelight vigil and dedication ceremony Wednesday. The Illinois Secretary of State has issued warnings to national rental car companies about federal immigration agents. Plus, many people feared student attendance at Chicago Public Schools would plummet as federal immigration enforcement escalated this fall. A new analysis by WBEZ shows overall attendance this fall is similar to last year. Chicago Public Schools has turned to the community to help it with the difficult task of getting children to school, when so many parents feel vulnerable outside their homes. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp has the story of one immigrant mother and how that help has made all the difference.

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Dec 02, 2025

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Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has signed a measure allowing the state to develop its own vaccine guidelines, independent of the federal government. Thousands of Illinoisans could face homelessness once new federal requirements kick in. Capacity has been increased at Christkindlmarket in the Loop. Plus, we’ll hear from a Chicago protester who says their dismissed charges show Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino is dishonest.

Monday, December 1, 2025 Dec 01, 2025

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The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory until midnight for the Chicago area and until 3 a.m. for northwest Indiana. Healthcare providers are concerned that federal funding cuts could undo some of the gains made against HIV and AIDS. Actor and director Robert Townsend returns to his native Chicago this weekend with a pop-up film and comedy festival. Plus, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and his wife MK recently paid Pope Leo the 14th a visit in Rome, presenting the Chicago-born pontiff with a few Illinois-themed gifts, including a drawing made by a woman incarcerated in a downstate prison. WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal spoke with the woman on her piece, and how arts and crafts have impacted her life behind bars.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 Nov 26, 2025

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An early winter storm is moving through the Great Lakes region and bringing a chill to Chicago for Thanksgiving. A federal judge called out an immigration enforcement agent for using artificial intelligence to write the narrative of a use-of-force report. The Village of Oak Lawn has agreed to pay more than $800,000 to a man punched by a village police officer during a 2022 traffic stop. Plus, foot traffic is down in Chicago’s predominantly Latino shopping areas with many would-be customers scared off by Operation Midway Blitz. Although Immigration Customs and Enforcement has ramped down its presence in the area it’s unclear when the crowds will come back. WBEZ’s Michael Puente brings us a report on the state of Chicago’s Latino businesses.

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