The Rundown | Chicago News

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Wednesday, October 15, 2025 Oct 15, 2025

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said a federal judge may have to weigh in on aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics in a Chicago neighborhood. Democratic governors from 14 states including Illinois have launched a new public health alliance in response to new public health policy enacted by the Trump administration. Medical professionals tell WBEZ’s In The Loop program that it is not likely Tylenol causes autism. Plus, we hear the story of one resident who heard a knock on their door during last month’s military-style immigration raid at a South Shore apartment building. It wasn’t federal agents, but a mother and her young daughter — pleading for a place to hide.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 Oct 14, 2025

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A car crash involving federal immigration agents late this morning in Chicago’s East Side neighborhood led to agents deploying tear gas after a large crowd gathered in protest of the agents. O’Hare and Midway International have joined a growing list of airports across the country that are refusing to play a Department of Homeland Security video. The Promontory, a South Side music venue and event space, is closing after New Year’s Eve. Plus, take a listen to what you can expect from a supersized music festival with a funny name that’s unfolding all month long in Chicago: The Ear Taxi Festival is running now through November 2 and features 40 concerts, 20 venues and 400 musicians.

Monday, October 13, 2025 Oct 13, 2025

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The mayor in west suburban Broadview has removed a designated “protest safety zone” from outside the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Immigration advocates say networks of volunteers are documenting what’s actually happening on the ground in and around Chicago. A Northwestern University professor is one of three people awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics. Plus: After an immigration raid on a South Shore building two weeks ago that resulted in 37 arrests, federal officials blamed an influx of Venezuelan migrants for the building’s dangerous conditions. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and the Sun-Times’ Sophie Sherry recently spent time in the building and bring us another side to the story, from longtime tenants who say the building was in terrible condition long before the migrants moved in.

A view of federal immigration action from Chicago, Portland and Texas Oct 11, 2025

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We have a special episode for you today thanks to our public media partners at OPB based in Portland, Oregon. Enhanced immigration enforcement and court battles over National Guard deployments continued this week. OPB’s Politics Now podcast hosts Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart spoke with WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez Aldana and Lucio Vasquez from the Texas Newsroom about how things are playing out in Portland, Chicago and Texas.

Friday, October 10, 2025 Oct 10, 2025

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Gov. JB Pritzker went on Jimmy Kimmel’s show last night to ridicule the Trump administration’s claim “horrible violence” was savaging the streets of Chicago. At least three demonstrators have been arrested today at a protest outside the ICE facility in suburban Broadview. The Cubs head back to Milwaukee Saturday for a deciding game five. Plus, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt died at 106-years-old. We hear from those who were changed by the nun’s joy.

Thursday, October 9, 2025 Oct 09, 2025

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U.S. District Judge April Perry is weighing whether to block the deployment of National Guard units to Illinois. The Village of Broadview says about three dozen National Guard troops are at the local ICE facility. Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit Indiana Friday for a second time in recent months as the White House continues to push for redistricting. Plus, a deadly smash-and-grab in downtown Chicago is raising questions about the best way to reduce crime in the city. WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko explains.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Oct 08, 2025

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker vowed not to back down after President Trump posted on social media that the governor and Mayor Brandon Johnson deserve to be jailed. Demolition of the historic Damen silos resumed. Local artist Tonika Lewis Johnson is among the latest class of MacArthur “Genius” Fellows, which were announced this morning. Plus, if you look closely at a map of Chicago, you can see a hole on the Southwest Side in the 19th Ward. It’s a part of the city that’s not officially part of the city. Curious City has the story behind that hole.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 Oct 07, 2025

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Texas National Guard members arrived early today at a federal military training site south of Joliet. Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Attorney General Pam Bondi tangled bitterly over the Trump administration’s National Guard deployment to Illinois. More than 70 drivers in Cook County have been ticketed in the past week for driving on the shoulder. Plus, officials in Broadview have opened three criminal investigations into ICE activity. The western suburb has seen aggressive federal response to protests outside an immigration detention facility.

Monday, October 6, 2025 Oct 06, 2025

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The state of Illinois is suing President Donald Trump over the deployment of National Guard troops over the objections of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order establishing “ICE-free zones” after federal agents tear-gassed residents and Chicago cops. Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson has signed an executive order establishing fixed protesting hours outside of the ICE processing facility in the west suburb. Plus, Actress Elizabeth McGovern is perhaps best known for her role in the British period drama, Downton Abbey. But this month, McGovern is on stage in Chicago in “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” in which McGovern plays Ava Gardner, the mega star from Hollywood’s Golden Age. WBEZ arts reporter Courtney Kueppers recently caught up with McGovern backstage.

Friday, October 3, 2025 Oct 03, 2025

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The city of Chicago has halted the demolition of the historic Damen Silos over concerns about “excessive dust." Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is facing a setback in his bid to avoid prison while appealing his federal corruption convictions. Chicago area transit agencies have found some savings and a looming fiscal cliff isn’t as big as it used to be. Plus, Chicago-born jazz singer Kurt Elling is starting a new adventure that is taking him to Broadway. WBEZ arts reporter Mike Davis spoke with Elling about his career.

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