The Rundown | Chicago News

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Monday, September 22, 2025 Sep 22, 2025

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A WBEZ investigation found the city is months behind a federal deadline to notify residents about their lead pipes. Summer officially ends today, as warm, dry forecasts have persisted through September. Beloved Loyola nun Sister Jean has retired from official campus duties. Plus, WBEZ’s Melba Lara sits down with two members of the Chicago punk band Rise Against to talk about their latest album.

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 3 Sep 20, 2025

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Chicago is home to people and cultures from all over the world — including a large Kurdish community. The story of how they came to America is an epic one, a story of bloody genocide, of freedom fighters, of sacrifice and above all… perseverance. We continue the series “The Country in Our Hearts” from host and reporter Rose Gilbert at Nashville Public Radio. In it, she focuses on the story of one Kurdish family and their generations-long fight to exist. This is Episode 3.

Thursday, September 18, 2025 Sep 18, 2025

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Advocates are urging U.S citizens to step up and help immigrant workers with food and financial assistance. Illinois House Speaker Emmanuel “Chris” Welch said state lawmakers have no plans to change legislative maps to try to send more Democrats to Congress in next year's elections. Chicago Public Schools is being tightlipped on how it will respond to a threat from the federal government to strip the district of a 5-year grant worth $15 million. Plus, WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal reached out to every Illinois professor on what’s called the “Professor Watchlist,” an online database compiled by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA. Several said they’ve faced online hate and, in some cases, threats of sexual assault and death.

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 Sep 17, 2025

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The latest phase of ramped up immigration enforcement activities in Chicago coincided with Mexican Independence Day. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned the death on Friday of a man shot by US immigration agents in Franklin Park. And, architecture buffs can see new sites at this year’s Open House Chicago.Plus, The number of CPS students in special education is at its highest in at least 15 years. Yet this summer the school district cut about 1000 special ed positions. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp reports.

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 Sep 16, 2025

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The Border Patrol agent who led an enhanced immigration enforcement in Los Angeles has arrived in Chicago. Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order aimed at protecting protesters amid any federal law enforcement presence. And, today is Mexican Independence Day.Plus, there are two more events this month with Chicago's prestigious jazz festival. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers gets the scoop from Sun-Times reporter Erica Thompson.

Monday, September 15, 2025 Sep 15, 2025

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Chicago City Council voted in favor of settling nearly 200 police misconduct cases tied to disgraced former police Sergeant Ronald Watts, costing city taxpayers a total of $90 million. Gov. JB Pritzker said he and his family feel safe in light of escalating political threats. Enrollment is up for international students at the University of Illinois despite federal immigration policies. Plus, if you want to know how many arrests immigration officers have made in Chicago this year, you won’t get answers from the government. Watchdog groups have stepped in to fill some key gaps and Sun-Times Reporter Lauren FitzPatrick brings us the most recent numbers.

The Country in Our Hearts: Episode 2 Sep 13, 2025

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Friday, September 12, 2025 Sep 12, 2025

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Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling for a full accounting of the circumstances behind what he called the troubling, fatal shooting of a Franklin Park man by a federal immigration enforcement agent. More than 20 Chicago alderpersons are calling for a review of security measures at City Hall following the shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. A new study finds low-income patients with anorexia tend to be hospitalized longer than they need to be in Chicago. Plus, this week a local arts group put an orchestra on a sightseeing boat in the Chicago River, all to create a moment of joy. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers brings us a dispatch.

Thursday, September 11, 2025 Sep 11, 2025

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The city is moving forward with a 90-million-dollar settlement to resolve 176 lawsuits tied to a former Chicago police sergeant. New data released by the Census Bureau shows a fast-growing immigrant community in Chicago. And, the long-running Taste of Chicago food festival will move back to its mid-summer time slot next year.Plus, Jenna Fischer is the star of the world premiere play “Ashland Avenue” at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. WBEZ’s theater reporter Mike Davis sat down with her to discuss the play which was written by her husband, Lee Kirk.

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025 Sep 10, 2025

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The Chicago Public Schools Board of Education meeting was placed on a soft lockdown today after a Brinks security officer shot an alleged robber. Federal agents have seized illegal vaping products nationwide as the Trump administration cracks down on items often used by teens. And, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the Supreme Court is reversing years of progress.Plus, Immigration enforcement actions are ramping up and many immigrant workers say they’re afraid to go to work. But legal experts say there are ways for workers and business owners to be prepared. WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz spoke with reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad to break down the details.

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