The Rundown | Chicago News

Latest Episodes:

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

O’Hare Airport is expected to have its busiest Thanksgiving travel season on record. Several state agencies say President Trump’s tariff policies are costing Illinoisans thousands of dollars more this year. HBO is premiering a new documentary tonight that looks at the making of the Super Bowl Shuffle. Plus, one way the federal government provides affordable housing is by subsidizing rent in buildings owned by private developers. That’s the case at one building complex on Chicago’s South Side, where wealthy out-of-state investors — one of them quite high profile — have collected millions of dollars in rent from the government. But some tenants say conditions there have become deplorable. WBEZ’s Amy Qin brings us that story.

Monday, November 24, 2025 Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in the shooting death of 14-year-old Armani Floyd Friday night in the loop. The Federal Aviation Administration expects this week’s Thanksgiving holiday travel period to be the busiest in 15 years. This holiday season a consumer watchdog group is warning parents about the rise of children's toys equipped with A-I chatbots. Plus, one year ago Vanessa Lopez found out her father was being sent back to Mexico after living most of his life in America. His forced departure left her feeling helpless and significantly changed her relationship with her dad. Vanessa wrote about her experience for the Chicago Sun-Times and brings us an audio essay.

Friday, November 21, 2025 Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

A new report in the Sun-Times determines there's not enough affordable housing in many Chicago suburbs. A stretch of milder weather that starts this weekend will taper off after the Thanksgiving holiday. Chicago’s annual tree lighting ceremony is Friday night in Millennium Park. Plus, The Smashing Pumpkins released “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” 30 years ago. Now, frontman Billy Corgan is celebrating the double album with a symphonic version at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The final sound has been under close wraps. Courtney Kueppers has more on what audiences can expect.

Thursday, November 20, 2025 Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

The federal appeals court in Chicago is putting a short-term hold on a judge’s order that tried to release as many as 615 people detained by immigration authorities this year. Chicago’s transgender community and their allies are using this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance to say “we’re not going anywhere.” Chicago State University just enrolled its largest freshman class in a decade. Plus, Chicago-area food pantries continue to experience higher need than normal. They’re grappling with issues like state and federal funding cuts, rising grocery prices and the upcoming holiday season. Sun-Times reporter Mariah Rush joined WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz to tell us how food pantries are managing.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Federal terrorism charges have been filed against a suspect who allegedly lit a woman on fire on a Blue Line train Monday night. Some local government leaders say the so-called ICE Free Zones they created during the feds’ immigration enforcement campaign are good tools to have. Governor JB Pritzker paid Pope Leo the 14th a visit in Rome Wednesday. Plus, Thanksgiving is the ultimate food holiday but some people don’t want to cook. Chicago chefs this year are leaning into options for dining in or picking up to go. Food contributor Ximena Beltran Quan Kiu wrote a story for the Chicago Sun-Times that looks at some more creative options. She joined host Lisa Labuz to talk about her reporting.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Just four people are currently being held in the controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in west suburban Broadview, down from nearly 150 two weeks ago. The U.S. House has voted to admonish Democratic Illinois U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia for the way he announced his retirement. A new program allowing Illinois residents to store their driver’s license or state ID in their iPhone Wallet begins Wednesday. Plus, 150 U.S. Border Patrol agents who rattled Chicago for two months have moved on to North Carolina, but the Trump administration said its deportation blitz here is continuing. The Sun-Times reports a bigger Border Control group could be here by March. Some law enforcement experts say what they’ve seen so far — from tear gas to car chases — has been out of control. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell brings us a report.

Monday, November 17, 2025 Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Suburban Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has declared a civil emergency in the village. Starved Rock State Park will undergo an $18 million improvement project over the next year. The CTA holiday train starts running Black Friday. Plus, a key city council panel rejected Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal today in a rare move, far ahead of the December 31st deadline to pass a plan. Critics say that sends a clear message to the mayor to go back to the drawing board. WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel explains the sticking points, including a controversial tax idea to charge large companies $21 per employee.

Friday, November 14, 2025 Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

21 protesters have been arrested today outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in suburban Broadview. Advocates against domestic violence are applauding a move by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to restore funding for services. Plus, a conversation with Chicago theater director Robert Falls about his staging of “Amadeus” at Steppenwolf Theater.

Thursday, November 13, 2025 Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Republicans and Democrats continue to battle over whether to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is not giving up hope on legislation to crack down on homeowners insurance price hikes. The Reverend Jesse Jackson is in the hospital with a rare neurological disorder. Plus, we remember the life of Miguel Perez Jr. – a U.S. Army veteran who drew national headlines after he was deported in 2018.

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings ordered the release of as many as 615 people who have been held in mandatory detention by federal immigration authorities. A U.S. Representative from Illinois is on the House committee that released emails from convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Chicago Transit Authority has closed the door on fare increases in 2026. Plus, while violent crime in Chicago has declined, domestic violence continues to persistently rise. It skyrocketed during pandemic-era stay-at-home orders and continues to plague the city. Yet, as federal COVID-19 relief grants dry up, organizations that support survivors are bracing for drastic cuts to city-funded programming that they say has changed lives. My colleague Mariah Woelfel has more on what’s next.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Rundown | Chicago News

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected