The Rundown | Chicago News

Afternoon News: Friday February 21, 2025 Feb 21, 2025

Friday marks the 6th anniversary of the infamous, wrongful police raid on Anjanette Young’s home and Chicago City Council still has not passed her namesake reform ordinance. R&B legend and longtime Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler has died. Chicago Black Restaurant Week wraps up its 10th year this weekend.

Afternoon News: Friday February 21, 2025 Feb 21, 2025

Friday marks the 6th anniversary of the infamous, wrongful police raid on Anjanette Young’s home and Chicago City Council still has not passed her namesake reform ordinance. R&B legend and longtime Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler has died. Chicago Black Restaurant Week wraps up its 10th year this weekend.

Morning News: Friday, February 21, 2025 Feb 21, 2025

A renewed focus on extremism within the ranks in Chicago, don’t freak out if you don’t have an Illinois REAL ID yet, and data suggest more office workers could soon come back to downtown Chicago.

Rundown for Thursday, February 20, 2025 Feb 20, 2025

Immigrant rights groups in Illinois say they will fight to prevent Governor J.B Pritzker’s proposed funding cuts to a health care program for noncitizen adults. Victims of the Highland Park mass shooting will be allowed to attend the suspect’s upcoming trial. Plus, more than 400 artists are calling on the Trump administration to reverse changes it made to arts funding.

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Morning News: Thursday. February 20, 2025 Feb 20, 2025

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker aims to lower prescription drug prices under a new act that would limit the role of pharmaceutical middlemen. The Chicago City Council put the brakes on lowering the city’s speed limit. The Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal are challenging three Trump administration executive orders concerning diversity, equity, inclusion and transgender people.

Rundown for Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Feb 19, 2025

Governor Pritzker rolls out a state budget proposal while taking shots at President Trump. Plus, updates on the Chicago city council.]]>

Morning News: Wednesday February 19, 2025 Feb 19, 2025

Chicago City Council members are being asked to greenlight a $27 million dollar settlement for yet another police chase gone wrong. Plus, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he doesn’t want to raise taxes, but whether he needs to remains to be seen. A new study from UIC shows how safe people feel when guns are present.

Rundown for Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Feb 18, 2025

The head of a nonprofit budget think tank says it’s time for the state of Illinois to raise taxes. A Black Jewish mom will be the 21st - and final - member of the Chicago school board. Plus, the Ireland and New Zealand national rugby teams will face off at Soldier Field this November.

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Morning News: Tuesday February 18, 2025 Feb 18, 2025

Cuts to Medicaid could impact many Illinois including those living with HIV/AIDS. Plus, Defense lawyers in the federal ComEd bribery case want a federal judge to pause it based on action by President Donald Trump. Senator Durbin says the Trump administration’s cuts to the N-I-H would jeopardize the wellbeing of Americans everywhere.

Afternoon News: Monday February 17, 2025 Feb 17, 2025

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from 9 p.m. tonight through noon tomorrow. The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has activated its warming areas at six community service centers this week due to cold temperatures. An international soybean research program at the University of Illinois is getting ready to close after the Trump administration put its federal funding on hold.

Morning News: Monday February 17, 2025 Feb 17, 2025

Hundreds protested outside Lurie Children's Hospital over the weekend over its pause on gender affirming surgeries for people under 19, Illinois lawmakers consider financial aid for people in college, the Chicago Sky are making some big offseason roster moves.

Rundown for Friday, February 14, 2025 Feb 14, 2025

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago is still pausing gender affirming surgeries despite a new court order. The state is suspending former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s government pension after his federal corruption conviction. Plus, find out how mammals, fish, and insects find love at the Field Museum.

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Morning News: Friday February 14, 2025 Feb 14, 2025

Resignations continue from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet, what cutting USAID does to Illinois farmers, and the Driehaus Museum hosts its largest ever display of contemporary art.

Rundown for Thursday, February 13, 2025 Feb 13, 2025

Two Illinois Democratic lawmakers are teaming up this spring to try to address what’s known as the “wandering officer” problem. An annual survey shows the majority of American Jews say antisemitism has increased. Plus, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is once again searching for the coolest thing made in Illinois.]]>

Morning News: Thursday February 13, 2025 Feb 13, 2025

Illinois’ former House speaker Michael Madigan put on a smiling face after his corruption conviction. Illinois Republicans continue pushing for ethics reform after former House Speaker Mike Madigan is found guilty. Parents complain about a lack of a concrete plan to keep open seven Chicago charter schools, originally slated for closure.

Rundown for Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Feb 12, 2025

Former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan is found guilty in 10 verdicts. National Heart Month is celebrated every February to raise awareness about heart health. Plus, some tips for driving safely in the snow.

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Morning News: Wednesday, February 12, 2025 Feb 12, 2025

County board members in Springfield have approved the settlement with the family of Sonya Massey. Faith-based organizations in the U.S. and in Illinois are challenging in federal court the removal of a policy that kept ICE from coming into houses of worship. Certain aspects of those 25% tariffs on foreign steel imports aren't favored by America’s largest steel union.

Rundown for Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Feb 11, 2025

The University of Chicago is part of a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s move to cut billions in funding for medical research. A conference to accelerate climate action in the Midwest will debut in Chicago this summer. Plus, a winter weather advisory starts tomorrow.

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Morning News: Tuesday February 11, 2025 Feb 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Advocates in Chicago worry about the potential rise of vigilante activity because of anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the White House. A tenants union on Chicago’s Northwest Side is protesting rising rents and looming displacement.

Afternoon News: Monday February 10, 2025 Feb 10, 2025

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing the Trump administration along with attorneys general from 21 other states over Trump’s plans to cut funding for medical and public health research at universities. The family of a woman killed in yet another Chicago police chase gone wrong is slated to receive $27 million dollars. Karina’s Bill has now been signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker into Karina’s Law.

Morning News: Monday February 10, 2025 Feb 10, 2025

In the Illinois legislature’s spring session, The Clean Slate Coalition is hoping to cut through bureaucratic red tape that comes with relieving a criminal record. Legislation filed last week could boost partnerships between faith-based organizations in Illinois. Illinois broke another record for annual cannabis sales last year.

Rundown for Friday, February 7, 2025 Feb 07, 2025

More than 160 employees who work on environmental justice or held positions related to DEI at the EPA have been placed on paid administrative leave. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced plans for another lawsuit against the Trump administration. Plus, county officials in Springfield have reached a 10 million dollar settlement with Sonya Massey’s family.

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Morning News: Friday February 7, 2025 Feb 07, 2025

The Justice Department sues officials including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over immigrant sanctuary policies. A Chicago school board member wants the next leader of the Chicago Public Schools to be a full fledged superintendent, not a CEO. Chicago Public Schools says an independent arbitrator sided with them in Chicago teachers union contract negotiations.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 6, 2025 Feb 06, 2025

The Department of Justice is suing the City of Chicago, the state of Illinois and Cook County over their so-called sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with immigration authorities. Illinois House Democrats are doing what they can to oppose President Donald Trump – but their power is extremely limited. Virginia McCaskey, owner of the Chicago Bears franchise, died today at 102 years old.

Morning News: Thursday February 6, 2025 Feb 06, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city status on a national stage next month — in testimony before the House Oversight Committee. The Chicago Teachers Union says an independent arbitrator has sided with them on some key issues. An Illinois Congressman warns that Ukrainians will die if the Trump administration cuts off humanitarian aid to that country.

Rundown for Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Feb 05, 2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson says he will travel to D.C. next month to testify before Congress. Chicago attorneys say they are exploring what appears to be violations of the Fourth Amendment during recent immigration raids. Plus, a winter weather advisory.

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Morning News: Wednesday February 5, 2025 Feb 05, 2025

Illinois is moving to bar anyone who took part in the January 6th insurrection from state employment. Will Chicago follow suit? Chicago’s cultural commissioner was at City Hall defending Chicago artists yesterday. The city of Chicago releases bodycam footage showing police officers fatally shoot a knife-wielding man in a senior apartment building.

Rundown for Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Feb 04, 2025

Hundreds of ducks and other birds are washing up dead along the Chicago area’s lakefront. An organization that represents Illinois’s largest private employment sector is worried about price hikes. Plus, Shakira is coming to Suenos Music Festival this May in Grant Park.

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Morning News: Tuesday February 4, 2025 Feb 04, 2025

Chicago teachers say some of their students stayed home yesterday as part of a national protest called a day without immigrants. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s policy agenda for the first quarter of this year is absent of any bold ideas for progressive revenue, despite promises to push for new funding streams. Illinois lawmakers will try again to pass legislation merging the Chicago area’s transit authorities.

Morning News: Monday February 3, 2025 Feb 03, 2025

Mayor Brandon Johnson works toward a revised Anjanette Young ordinance, Illinois lawmakers introduce a measure to punish students who sexually assault other students at school, and Cook County says more information is needed to make south suburban property taxes more fair.

Afternoon News: Friday January 31, 2025 Jan 31, 2025

Educators in Chicago are calling on universities to protect international student protesters. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is directing the state not to hire anyone convicted of crimes connected to the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Be prepared for a wild weather weekend.

Morning News: Friday January 31, 2025 Jan 31, 2025

The head of Chicago Public Schools says teachers union contract deal is closer than ever… the union challenges him to make it happen. The Chicago City Council is exploring how the city could regulate and tax the sale of hemp products. An Illinois Congressman says they’re worried the latest federal funding freeze debacle won’t be the last.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 30, 2025 Jan 30, 2025

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he doesn’t support some changes to state pensions that unions are asking for. The head of Illinois’ largest university system says he is no longer using the term DEI because he “doesn’t know what it means anymore.” The Chicago Housing Authority is offering scholarships for students who live in public housing.

Morning News: Thursday January 30, 2025 Jan 30, 2025

Venezuelan migrants will soon be considered undocumented-immigrants by the Trump administration. The move could boost deportation numbers. Chicago public schools are trying to figure out how one of Trump’s executive orders will impact the district. Local activists say President Trump is endangering the health and safety of the trans community.

Rundown for Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Jan 29, 2025

President Trump’s administration says an effort to block immigration raids in Chicago is “unprecedented and fundamentally flawed.” The fate of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is now in the hands of jurors. Plus, reading scores for Illinois fourth graders continue to decline.]]>

Morning News: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 Jan 29, 2025

Top Illinois Democrats say President Donald Trump is lying as they continue grappling with his proposed freeze on federal aid. World Relief Chicagoland has seen a stop in its funding from the federal government for its refugee resettlement work, due to an executive order issued last week. Former Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus is heading back to Texas.

Rundown for Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Jan 28, 2025

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a group of attorneys general to sue the Trump administration. As reports of immigration enforcement raids in Chicago continue, some local employers are seeing the effects. Plus, the Chicago Blackhawks are headed toward a third-straight bottom-three finish in the standings.]]>

Morning News: Tuesday January 28, 2025 Jan 28, 2025

Reports of immigration enforcement raids in Chicago over the weekend are raising fears for local employers, employees and customers. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s defense team tears into government mole Danny Solis in closing arguments. Some immigrant parents in Chicago say they are not taking their kids to school because they fear getting arrested.

Afternoon News: Monday January 27, 2025 Jan 27, 2025

Faith leaders gathered at a church in north suburban Evanston today to support the church’s sanctuary status. A top lawyer for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is trying to poke holes in the government’s racketeering conspiracy case as the trial nears its end. Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago is reopening this week with a new show and a new look.

Morning News: Monday January 27, 2025 Jan 27, 2025

Will a federal judge weigh in on the threatened immigration raids? Lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are making their closing arguments in his federal corruption trial. Illinois public health leaders launch a data dashboard to track gun-related injuries and deaths.

Afternoon News: Friday January 24, 2025 Jan 24, 2025

CPS officials say federal immigration agents came to a school in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago is not considering strengthening its sanctuary city ordinance amid threats of mass deportation from President Donald Trump. Local researchers say President Trump’s partial shutdown of the National Institutes of Health could cost lives.

Morning News: Friday January 24, 2025 Jan 24, 2025

The State Board of Education says school districts should set policies for how they want to interact with federal immigration officials. Local researchers warn Trump’s new restrictions on the NIH could slow scientific progress. The City of Chicago is partnering with The Shine Hope Company to help city residents fight hopelessness.

Morning News: Thursday January 23, 2025 Jan 23, 2025

President Trump will allow immigration officers to make arrests at schools, hospitals and even churches, causing fear among the undocumented communities. Amid abortion clinic closures, the Chicago Abortion Fund says their work will not slow down. Federal investigators are poking around at an embattled charter school network on Chicago’s South Side.

Rundown for Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Jan 22, 2025

Closing arguments are underway in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Planned Parenthood of Illinois plans to close four health centers. Plus, the Bears have a new head coach.

Morning News: Wednesday January 22, 2025 Jan 22, 2025

Chicago activists monitoring for immigration arrests said they didn’t see activity yesterday, but ask people to remain alert. Pro-immigrant activists are targeting an airport in Gary, Indiana that’s used to fly undocumented immigrants to the Texas-Mexico border. Equality Illinois is advising trans-identifying residents to “resist and wait” following one of Trump’s recent executive orders.

Rundown for Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Jan 21, 2025

Immigrant communities in the Chicago area have been preparing for increased deportations by setting up emergency plans. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is blasting Elon Musk for making a gesture at a rally yesterday that has been widely compared to a fascist salute. Plus, Chicago is in the middle of a dangerous cold snap.]]>

Morning News: Tuesday January 21, 2025 Jan 21, 2025

President Trump’s pardons were great news for dozens of supporters from Illinois who went to the January 6th, 2021 riot in Washington … and came home with federal rap sheets. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is holding firm against any potential ICE raids. At the Evanston Public Library the hum of sewing machines is the soundtrack to a community service project for girls across the world.

Afternoon News: Friday January 17th, 2025 Jan 17, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

Afternoon News: Friday January 17th, 2025 Jan 17, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

Morning News: Friday January 17, 2025 Jan 17, 2025

Some doctors in Illinois are worried about vaccine funding as Republican Donald Trump becomes president. Undisclosed flood damages could cost home buyers thousands. It’s a moment more than 20 years in the making: Sammy Sosa and the Cubs will reunite at the team’s convention tonight.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 16th, 2025 Jan 16, 2025

The federal racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain is entering its final stretch. Amtrak is canceling some Chicago-area trains ahead of an expected drop in temperatures early next week. The Chicago Bears interviewed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head coaching job.

Morning News: Thursday January 16, 2025 Jan 16, 2025

Israeli- and Palestinian-Americans react to the news of a ceasefire deal. The city council has overwhelmingly rejected an effort to repeal certain protections for immigrants in Chicago as President-elect Donald Trump promises mass deportations. Chicago’s new board of education members held their first meeting this week.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 15th, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a new acting president for the CTA. Chicago’s first elected school board members took their seats today. Plus, the Chicago Reader is laying off six of its employees.

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Morning News: Wednesday January 15, 2025 Jan 15, 2025

Elected school board members for Chicago will be sworn in today for the very first time. Illinois lawmakers hope the CTA’s next president gets behind a plan to merge Chicago’s public transit agencies. An attorney with the ACLU told a federal judge that the Chicago Police Department is not doing enough to work with community groups critical of police.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 14th, 2025 Jan 14, 2025

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan ended his testimony this afternoon in his federal racketeering and conspiracy trial. Chicago transportation officials say there were fewer traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to previous years. Plus, Illinois legislators and advocacy groups announced a bill yesterday that would decriminalize sex work for consenting adults.]]>

Morning News: Tuesday January 14, 2025 Jan 14, 2025

Some Chicago alderpersons want more say over the next CTA President after Dorval Carter announced his resignation. Prosecutors played a previously unheard recording yesterday during the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Local consumer advocate groups turned over thousands of public comments calling for the state to overhaul the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.

Afternoon News: Monday January 13th, 2025 Jan 13, 2025

Embattled CTA President Dorval Carter is resigning after two decades with the agency. The Biden administration announced another round of student loan cancellations today. Illinois has secured $114 million in federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state.

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Morning News: Monday January 13, 2025 Jan 13, 2025

Senate confirmation hearings begin this week, and Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth has some questions for one pick in particular. The state of Illinois has approved certain uterine health conditions for treatment with medicinal marijuana. The founder of the Young Lords Organization Jose “Cha Cha’ Jimenez died last week at the age of 76.

Afternoon News: Friday January 10, 2025 Jan 10, 2025

Chicago physicians are calling for the release of a Palestinian doctor in Gaza who has been detained by the Israeli military. Chicago officials are celebrating $1.9 billion in federal grant money that will help extend the CTA Red Line south to 130th Street. A second child has died from the pediatric flu as flu cases continue to spike across Chicago.

Morning News: Friday January 10, 2025 Jan 10, 2025

The alleged gunman in the Highland Park mass shooting appeared in court today, we’ll hear an update on his court case. As the first U.S. bird flu death is reported, concerns about the virus’s potential to spread in Illinois are rising. Homeless agencies fundraise for “Backpack Beds” for unsheltered Chicagoans.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 9th, 2025 Jan 09, 2025

On the heels of an Amazon worker strike across the nation last month, Illinois lawmakers passed a measure this week aimed at protecting warehouse workers. Residents of Northwest Indiana are crying foul over strong odors coming from the BP Refinery in Whiting. Bird collisions at McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center have dropped by more than 95 percent since bird-safe film was installed on the building’s windows last summer.

Morning News: Thursday January 9, 2025 Jan 09, 2025

The federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan may soon take its most hostile turn yet. Students defrauded by their colleges are losing hope they might get their debt canceled. The Illinois Office To Prevent and End Homelessness has a new report on disparities in homelessness.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 8th, 2025 Jan 08, 2025

A measure to confiscate guns from people who have an order of protection against them has passed in the Illinois legislature. The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois is stepping down. A new Northwestern Medicine study looked at how vaccines impacted how people experienced long COVID and found no significant difference between patients vaccinated before or after infection.

Morning News: Wednesday January 8, 2025 Jan 08, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is adamant it is not a conflict of interest for him to remain on leave from Chicago Public Schools. Johnson says his relationship with Governor JB Pritzker isn’t damaged after disagreeing on hemp regulations. The state of Illinois is one signature from the Governor away from righting a close to 175-year-old wrong.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 7th 2025 Jan 07, 2025

Michael Madigan has taken the stand to testify in his own defense in his federal racketeering and conspiracy trial. A measure that cleared the Illinois legislature will make it easier for foster children to live with family members. Tickets are now available for Chicago Theater Week.

Morning News: Tuesday January 7, 2025 Jan 07, 2025

Illinois lawmakers approve a controversial measure aimed at further protecting victims of domestic violence. The profits of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s law firm are emerging as flashpoints in his federal corruption trial. A new coalition on the West Side is calling for more community oversight to keep an eye on West Suburban hospital.

Afternoon News: Monday January 6, 2025 Jan 06, 2025

The first big storm of 2025 has swerved around Chicago. Defense testimony got underway again today in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. The Chicago-set series The Bear was the most nominated TV show at last night's Golden Globes, but it brought home just one award.

Morning News: Monday January 6, 2024 Jan 06, 2025

Illinois lawmakers debate a bill aimed at making it easier for people to change their legal names. People with student debt have two alternatives to a generous relief plan that’s held up in court. Over a dozen Chicago teens took part in a film shoot at a West Loop pizza parlor this weekend.

Afternoon News: Friday January 3rd, 2025 Jan 03, 2025

Illinois State Trooper Clay Carns was laid to rest Friday; he was clearing debris on I-55 when a driver hit him. Derrick Rose is teaming up with Chicago Bulls Charities and the City of Chicago to unveil “The Rose Garden” Friday on the city's South Side. Health officials say opioid overdoses remain the greatest cause of unnatural deaths in Cook County.

Morning News: Friday January 3, 2025 Jan 03, 2025

Leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union say negotiations for a new teacher’s contract are at a standstill. People who install new rooftop solar panels will see fewer savings beginning this year. Chicago broke heat records last year.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 2nd, 2025 Jan 02, 2025

A Chicago alderperson is calling for street festivals to have more security protections in the wake of deadly attacks in New Orleans and Germany. State officials will start working on a plan this year to give residents the option to use a digital copy of their driver's licenses and IDs on their cell phones. There’s a new Illinois law on the books addressing student discipline in non-public schools.

Morning News: Thursday, January 2, 2025 Jan 02, 2025

A Chicago alderperson wants the city to safeguard its resources ahead of a Trump presidency. A new Illinois law requires high school students to learn about the dangers of fentanyl. Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago is expanding access to outpatient mental health care for children to help fill a big gap in services.

Why Chicago is like a middle child Jan 01, 2025

In 2024, reporters at WBEZ sought out average Chicagoans to talk about their love for the city and its people as people crowded into the Democratic National Convention. We heard from a chef, an alderman and from Alex Thomas, an Indian American who relates to the city because of his middle-child status.

“We strive to impress, but also we keep it real,” said Thomas. The doctor, musician and cartoonist also said Chicago allows you to do and be many things all at once.

In this episode, WBEZ reporter Lisa Kurian Philip introduced us to Thomas and shared his love of the city and region.

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Why ‘the roots of House come from Disco:’ DJ Lady D on 40 years of the genre Dec 31, 2024

House music was born in Chicago 40 years ago and the city has been celebrating all year.

Darlene Jackson – also known as DJ Lady D, who the Chicago Reader recently named “Best House Music DJ in Chicago” – was the perfect person to talk about the genre earlier this year.

“The roots of House come from disco,” she said on the Rundown podcast. “Frankie Knuckles actually popularized that statement, that House music is disco’s revenge.”

Jackson talked to host Erin Allen about the attempted “demolition” of disco in Chicago and the rise of House music, the legend of late House DJ and record producer Frankie Knuckles, and why the genre is having a resurgence.

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One of Chicago’s best-kept secrets is a valued space among classical music insiders Dec 30, 2024

Even when you’re right outside the building housing Guarneri Hall, it’s not clear how to find it. To get to the small, tucked-away performance and recording venue in the Loop, enter from Adams Street between State and Wabash, pass the security desk, take the elevator up to the third floor, wend your way through office hallways and walk through a nondescript door.

With its central location and unique acoustics, the hall provides the local classical community with a convenient space for music-making, hosting dozens of live performances and recordings since its 2018 opening.

In this episode, WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis took us along for a journey into one of the city’s best-kept musical secrets.

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‘World’s greatest card game’ has its origins in Chicago Dec 27, 2024

Lamont Jones wanted to give his daughter a book about bid whist, his favorite card game, but couldn't find one. So he wrote it himself, with the goal of saving a pastime popular in the Black community from generational indifference.

"Bid whist is the ultimate card game," Jones said on the Rundown podcast, "and I believe that if you've not yet experienced bid whist, the world's greatest card game awaits you."

In this episode from earlier this year, Jones talks about his book, "The Gist of Bid Whist: The Culturally-Rich Card Game from Black America." He explains the game's "diabolical components" and traces the history back to the Pullman Porters, the African-American railcar attendants who helped establish a Black middle class and fuel the Great Migration in the era after the Civil War.

“I think Chicago has a strong claim to being the spiritual home of bid whist," Jones said, "in part because the Pullman Porters were headquartered here, and we know the vital role that the Porters played in popularizing the game throughout the country.”

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A long-overdue exhibit tells the story of the risk-taking Joffrey Ballet Dec 26, 2024

The Joffrey Ballet danced along a fine line for several decades: The company could either take big artistic risks or die trying. On more than one occasion, death almost won.

But, as any Chicagoan who looks skyward on State Street knows, the Joffrey lives on. Today, the Joffrey is Chicago’s preeminent classical ballet company. But nearly 70 years ago, it was a nascent group that co-founders Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino were trying to get off the ground in New York, with six dancers and a station wagon.

In this episode, WBEZ arts and culture reporter Courtney Kueppers introduced us to the pioneering and persevering spirit of the Joffrey Ballet through the lens of a new exhibit.

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It gets dark on Chicago’s King Drive. What happens when you’re a part of the light? Dec 25, 2024

Last year, we spent some time on Chicago’s South Side. Jahmal Cole was there, asking a question to a crowd of volunteers assembled in a church parking lot in the Chatham neighborhood. “How come there ain't no holiday lights on the South Side of Chicago?” he said into the microphone. “I've seen it in Edgewater. I've seen it in Greek Town. How come there ain't no holiday lights on the South Side of Chicago?” Cole is the founder of the community organization My Block My Hood City. For almost a decade, they’ve decorated homes on Martin Luther King Drive with holiday lights, ornaments, inflatable Santas and other decorations. So, in this holiday season, we wanted to revisit the time we joined this event – which is called “Be A Part Of The Light” – for the day, asking homeowners and volunteers why they decided to participate, and Cole why he thinks the simple act of putting up holiday lights can transform a community.

Morning News: Tuesday December 24, 2024 Dec 24, 2024

Some state agencies are issuing guidance about a large event of waterfowl deaths across Illinois. Chicago’s murder count dropped again this year, but the lethality of shootings increased. The Greater Chicago Food Depository says the need is greater and donations are down.

Afternoon News: Monday December 23, 2024 Dec 23, 2024

A doctor from Illinois is among the people whose death sentences were commuted to life in prison today by President Joe Biden. Chicago is finishing its third consecutive year with a drop in murders. The National Weather Service is reporting mild temperatures and rain this holiday week, meaning we won’t get a “white Christmas.”

Morning News: Monday December 23, 2024 Dec 23, 2024

Chicago’s deputy mayor for public safety says the city’s downward trend in murder numbers owes to collaboration between police and former gang members working the streets. Illinois Transportation leaders are reminding people to stay sober while driving around for the holidays. How holiday songs could help save lives.

Afternoon News: Friday December 20, 2024 Dec 20, 2024

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Board of Education and all seven of its members hours before they plan to fire him at a hastily called special meeting this evening. Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Relations was in Chicago this week strategizing with local agencies about what he called “challenges the local Mexican community faces.” A dramatic influx of immigrants over the past year helped Illinois witness its highest single-year population growth in decades.

Morning News: Friday December 20, 2024 Dec 20, 2024

One parent says she feels shut out of the debate about whether to keep the Chicago Public School chief in his job. Cook County might help more Chicagoans with guaranteed income now that the city has cut its own program. The Council on American Islamic Relations of Chicago, Sacramento and New Jersey announced a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department to demand it evacuates Palestinian-American citizens from Gaza.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 19, 2024 Dec 19, 2024

A Cook County commissioner is calling for support for Amazon workers on strike. The Council on American Islamic Relations in Chicago is joining two other chapters to sue the U.S. State Department. The Chicago Cubs and Sammy Sosa are mending fences after years apart.

Morning News: Thursday December 19, 2024 Dec 19, 2024

On the agenda for a special Chicago Board of Ed meeting Friday: the CEO's potential ouster. Cook County’s new top prosecutor drops charges against a cop recorded on video repeatedly punching an Arab American teenager. A news study found factors like gender, education and income are influencing one’s feeling of loneliness.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 18, 2024 Dec 18, 2024

The prosecution is resting in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. A church on Chicago’s North Side wants to help people dealing with grief and sadness during the holidays through a Blue Christmas service tonight. Demolition is underway on a building that housed the E2 nightclub.

Morning News: Wednesday December 18, 2024 Dec 18, 2024

The head of Chicago’s Film Office is out of a job. It’s the latest in an ongoing staff shakeup at the city’s cultural arts department. Officials at Columbia College Chicago say program cuts are necessary to the school’s future. How Chicago’s 2025 budget will affect your pocketbook.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 17, 2024 Dec 17, 2024

Advocate Health Care is making a $1 billion investment on Chicago’s South Side. Food delivery app GrubHub will pay nearly $25 million to customers, drivers and restaurants nationwide thanks to a multi-year investigation from the Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Federal Trade Commission. Chicago’s police oversight commission is asking residents to share their experiences with traffic stops this evening.

Morning News: Tuesday December 17, 2024 Dec 17, 2024

Chicago’s new budget avoids a property tax increase that the mayor had initially proposed. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announces who will serve on the partly elected, partly appointed school board that takes over this January. A measure in Springfield would make sure insurance companies aren’t relying on artificial intelligence to deny claims.

Afternoon News: Monday December 16, 2024 Dec 16, 2024

A lobbyist aligned with former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is testifying about the joke-worthy job expectations of a clout-heavy AT&T subcontractor. The Chicago Department of Public Health reports eight cases of mpox in the last three months. Illinois Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is sounding an alarm over the incoming president’s immigration plans.

Morning News: Monday December 16, 2024 Dec 16, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is offering a fourth version of his budget proposal to the City Council he hopes will end weeks of tense negotiations and delays. Chicago Department of Public Health officials are closely monitoring hospitalizations from repertory viruses. The ACLU of Illinois is raising concerns about free speech at two north suburban public library systems.

Afternoon News: Friday December 13, 2024 Dec 13, 2024

A vote on Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's 2025 budget proposal has been pushed back to Monday. The State of Illinois has received $290 million in federal grant money for a railway improvement project on Chicago’s South Side. The Archdiocese of Chicago held its annual Posada today and prayed outside the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Center downtown.

Morning News: Friday December 13, 2024 Dec 13, 2024

Brandon Johnson is the latest in a line of Chicago mayors who’ve set aside funds for police vacancies they have no chance of filling. Chicago Public Schools looks poised to keep open five of seven charter schools slated for closure. A new report shows Illinois still owes a lot of money on pensions – but the gap is closing.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 12, 2024 Dec 12, 2024

A new study has ideas for how to make Cook County’s complicated property tax system more fair. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he’d be willing to speak with President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar, but questions Thomas Homan’s legal authority to carry out mass deportations. Activists want President Joe Biden to use the last days of his lame-duck term to grant protections to undocumented immigrants.

Morning News: Thursday December 12, 2024 Dec 12, 2024

Family and fellow first responders will gather at a South Side church today to say goodbye to fallen Oak Park police detective Allan Reddins. Illinois restarts a program to offer down payment *and* student loan assistance. A bid to help a disgraced political worker is a new focus in the racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

City of Chicago Warming Centers are open as temperatures dip into the single digits tonight. A new quantum computing campus is coming to Chicago's South Side. A federal judge is setting aside concerns about a government witness’ competency in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Morning News: Wednesday December 11, 2024 Dec 11, 2024

The latest on the city of Chicago’s contentious budget process as a December 31st deadline looms. An effort to give Springfield voters the power to recall the county sheriff gets shot down, once again. Ukrainian refugees in Chicago can now access free language learning courses and vocational training at Wright College in Humboldt Park.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 10, 2024 Dec 10, 2024

Property taxes could be going up in Chicago. Pastors and community leaders met today at the Columbus Park Refectory to discuss a revival of activity they want to help usher in on Chicago’s West Side. A restaurant in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood has earned a prestigious Michelin Star less than a year after opening its doors.

Morning News: Tuesday December 10, 2024 Dec 10, 2024

We hear from Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s chief of staff amid fallout in his press office. Tom Homan, president-elect Donald Trump’s new border czar, was in Chicago last night speaking to a crowd of GOP supporters on the Northwest Side. A downstate congresswoman appears as a government witness in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Afternoon News: Monday December 9, 2024 Dec 09, 2024

A coalition of civil rights groups is pushing Illinois lawmakers to require police to receive ongoing training to identify hate crimes. Chicago Public Schools celebrated the opening of 22 sensory classrooms across the district for students with disabilities today. Major League Baseball owners, executives and managers are all gathered in Dallas this week for the annual Winter Meetings.

Morning News: Monday December 9, 2024 Dec 09, 2024

The price of water is going up for some Illinois residents. A new Northwestern University study shows the impact misinformation has on consumers. We hear from a Belmont Cragin teen that blew his SAT exam out of the water.

Afternoon News: Friday December 6, 2024 Dec 06, 2024

Chicago officials today are carrying out a months-old plan to clear away the city’s biggest homeless encampment. A former Illinois lawmaker involved in two alleged bribery schemes facing Michael Madigan will have to testify in the former House speaker’s racketeering conspiracy trial. Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson says he fired Head Coach Luke Richardson because the team was developing bad habits and falling short in too many games.

Morning News: Friday December 6, 2024 Dec 06, 2024

Former President Barack Obama was in Chicago last night to talk about unifying Americans. Remembering Oak Park Detective Allan Reddins. The Illinois Department of Public Health is warning against respiratory illnesses.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 5, 2024 Dec 05, 2024

The Illinois Supreme Court ruled today the smell of raw cannabis is enough for police to search a vehicle without a warrant. The new director of Chicago’s office that helps formerly incarcerated people reenter their communities says he has big goals for 2025. A key part of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s bid to turn the state into an electric vehicle manufacturing hub just hit a speed bump.

Morning News: Thursday December 5, 2024 Dec 05, 2024

The charter school network that is aiming to close 7 schools failed to show up to a board meeting to answer questions. Chicago’s law department is cracking down of owners who don’t maintain vacant lots. Cook County holds a summit to improve language access for residents with limited English proficiency.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 4, 2024 Dec 04, 2024

The Chicago Board of Education has offered the head of the school district a buyout. Job recommendations Michael Madigan presented to Gov. JB Pritzker are emerging as a focus in the former speaker’s federal corruption trial. A snowy cold front means a windy afternoon and evening in the Chicago area.

Morning News: Wednesday December 4, 2024 Dec 04, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson shared a new violence reduction goal for next year. The Chicago Teachers Union narrows its demands as it tries to land a contract before Trump is inaugurated. Cook County’s public health system is launching free doula services for pregnant patients.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 3, 2024 Dec 03, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he supports a pilot program to plow the city’s sidewalks, despite not including enough money for it in his budget proposal. The Chicago Bears are looking to the future following the unprecedented firing of now-former Head Coach Matt Eberflus. Musicians Kendrick Lamar and SZA will hit the road together next year – including a stop in Chicago.

Morning News: Tuesday December 3, 2024 Dec 03, 2024

The new Cook County State’s Attorney announced a new pre-trial detention policy after taking the oath of office. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson brushes off principal support for the school district's CEO; Johnson says it is about support for students. UChicago professors and students are rallying today to demand leaders fulfill a promise to host scholars from Gaza.

Afternoon News: Monday December 2, 2024 Dec 02, 2024

Defense lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are now tearing into the testimony of a government mole. The top prosecutor in Springfield is vowing to keep Sean Grayson in jail while he awaits trial for the shooting death of Sonya Massey. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning potential donors to make wise contributions ahead of Giving Tuesday.

Morning News: Monday December 2, 2024 Dec 02, 2024

What is the top priority for Cook County’s new top prosecutor? Some City Council members want further cuts to reduce next year’s proposed city budget. Chicago advocates are training undocumented immigrants about their rights ahead of looming threats of deportation.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 27, 2024 Nov 27, 2024

Federal prosecutors today ended their direct examination of a star government witness in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Homicides in Chicago have decreased by nearly 9% so far this year compared to last year. The Illinois Department of Public Health says we’re currently seeing low levels of seasonal respiratory illness, but warns that those numbers may shoot up after Thanksgiving.

Morning News: Wednesday November 27, 2024 Nov 27, 2024

A church that burned down in Chicago’s South Side broke ground for a new building. Fans of the sitcom “Parks and Rec” can hear from actor Jim O’Heir … aka Jerry Gergich .. about his new book on the show. A Thanksgiving Eve show at Chicago’s Metro will showcase an eclectic mix of local musicians.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 26, 2024 Nov 26, 2024

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church broke ground on its new building today. Government mole Danny Solis is laying out how he helped steer developers to Michael Madigan’s law firm in the federal corruption trial of the ex-Illinois House Speaker. A non-profit addressing housing challenges in disinvested Chicago neighborhoods is getting a $15 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott.

Morning News: Tuesday November 26, 2024 Nov 26, 2024

Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial are focusing on his alleged efforts to shake down developers. Why Chicagoans’ electric bills are expected to increase by mid-next year. Record-setting travel numbers are anticipated this Thanksgiving season.

Afternoon News: Monday November 25, 2024 Nov 25, 2024

A long and muddy list of misdeeds by government mole Danny Solis was front and center today at the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Chicago Bears have reportedly agreed on a property tax bill with the Village of Arlington Heights that could open the door to the team building a stadium in the northwest suburb. The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year.

Morning News: Monday November 25, 2024 Nov 25, 2024

A new analysis says Chicago will spend nearly twice as much on the Police Department as much as what Mayor Brandon Johnson proposes in his 2025 budget. What's at stake for the electric vehicle industry during a Trump administration? The Chicago Bears lose their fifth consecutive game in an overtime thriller at Soldier Field.

Afternoon News: Friday November 22, 2024 Nov 22, 2024

Illinois lawmakers’ two week fall session has come and gone – with not a lot to show for it. A conservative group is taking its challenge to Illinois' law governing mail-in ballots to the Supreme Court. The Chicago Bears say they’re ready to face the Minnesota Vikings after a crushing loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Morning News: Friday November 22, 2024 Nov 22, 2024

The Chicago Teachers Union rallies for a contract. Government mole Danny Solis takes the stand in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. A measure to phase out Illinois’ subminimum wage has cleared the state legislature, but not everyone’s on board.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 21, 2024 Nov 21, 2024

The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the felony conviction of actor Jussie Smollett for allegedly lying to police about a fake hate crime. College hopefuls can now fill out the federal application to get financial assistance paying for tuition. Winter weather has finally arrived in Chicago.

They’re weird. They’re wonderful. They’re Chicago’s own Mucca Pazza Nov 21, 2024

It’s been two decades since Mucca Pazza first formed. The not-your-average marching band has been leaving an impression on its audience since the beginning. There are cheerleaders, sure. But their pom poms are made out of caution tape. They have sousaphones, clarinets, and drums, but also a violinist and even an accordion player. “We’re sort of a marching band, for, like, the nerds. Maybe the scientists. Maybe the underdog, and also the whole world,” said founding member and cheerleader Sharon Lanza. “So, I like to think of it as a sort of a marching band for the world versus, you know, the Bears.” In this episode of The Rundown podcast, Erin Allen talks to Lanza and the band’s artistic director and guitar player, Charlie Malave, about how Mucca Pazza got started, their signature performances (loaded with chaos and spectacle) and what keeps them going. And be sure to check out the band’s live performance in WBEZ’s Studio 10. You can watch it on YouTube -- just search for WBEZ Chicago.

Morning News: Thursday November 21, 2024 Nov 21, 2024

Illinois lawmakers have differing ideas on how to curb drugs getting into state prisons… and, lawmakers want more time to study how carbon capture technology impacts the environment. A no-show ComEd contractor and central player in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial takes the stand for a second day.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 20, 2024 Nov 20, 2024

Jurors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial heard how one of his top political operatives got a do-nothing ComEd consulting job. Anti-abortion advocates and some Christian employers are joining together to sue Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other state officials. Chicago breweries and bars say they can’t afford Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hike on alcohol.

Musicians mourn as Pitchfork Music Festival leaves Chicago Nov 20, 2024

Fans and artists were shocked when Pitchfork Music Festival announced this month that it wouldn’t be returning to Chicago next summer after 19 years. The festival had become a staple for the city’s music scene, and an opportunity for local artists to perform alongside big names. In a social media post, organizers blamed the rapidly evolving music festival landscape for their exit saying, “the decision was not made lightly.” “We are deeply grateful to the City of Chicago for being our Festival’s home for nearly two decades, to the artists who graced our stages with unforgettable performances, and to the fans who brought unmatched energy year after year.” Vocalo producer Morgan Ciocca talked with local musicians Jeff Parker, Sen Morimoto and Kara Jackson to find out how they’re processing the news.

Morning News: Wednesday November 20, 2024 Nov 20, 2024

Some Chicago alderpersons say they’re working on reducing Mayor Johnson’s proposed property tax hike. Federal prosecutors are moving to a new phase of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s racketeering conspiracy trial. Illinois nursing homes that are understaffed may have to pay the state hefty fines next year.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 19, 2024 Nov 19, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is now pitching a $150 million property tax increase – half of what he initially wanted for next year. The organization that thwarted George Lucas’ vision of a lakefront museum in Chicago is now calling for the city to slow down plans for another massive development on the city’s Far South Side. The unusual warmth for this time of year could soon come to an end as Chicago prepares for the first snowfall of the season.

Morning News: Tuesday November 19, 2024 Nov 19, 2024

Chicago’s top cop says more needs to be done to protect police and society as a whole. Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial their first glimpse of something called the Magic Lobbyist List. Week two of lawmakers’ fall veto session in Springfield gets underway today – will we see a pension fix by the end of the week?

Afternoon News: Monday November 18, 2024 Nov 18, 2024

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is trying to keep Illinois’ ban on assault-style firearms intact while the state appeals a legal challenge to it. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was in Joliet today for the installation of the first electric vehicle charging station funded through the state Climate Equitable Jobs Act. The Chicago Sky will have the third-overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Morning News: Monday November 18, 2024 Nov 18, 2024

Hundreds of Chicagoans gather on the Northwest Side to discuss how Trump’s policy proposals may affect them once he takes office in January. A new study from the University of Georgia looks at the proximity of crisis pregnancy centers to abortion providers in Illinois. Local environmentalists are raising questions about a plan to develop so-called clean hydrogen in Northwest Indiana.

Afternoon News: Friday November 15, 2024 Nov 15, 2024

A Democratic Cook County commissioner wants to boost access to reproductive health services. The Cannabis Research Institute has launched in Chicago. A new play in Chicago has become a space where people can share post-election feels.

Morning News: Friday November 15, 2024 Nov 15, 2024

The City Council has resoundingly rejected Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed property tax increase. So what’s next? A new lawsuit aims to hold the state accountable for the death of a man incarcerated in a dilapidated Illinois prison. A new recording shows how former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan considered turning to a ComEd lobbyist to hire the wife of a political ally.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 14, 2024 Nov 14, 2024

Testimony concluded today from a key government witness in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. A new lawsuit wants to hold the Illinois Department of Corrections accountable for the death of a man incarcerated in a dilapidated state prison. The last supermoon of the year will light up the sky tonight.

Morning News: Thursday November 14, 2024 Nov 14, 2024

Another special Chicago city council meeting is expected this afternoon — this time in an attempt to vote down a key part of the mayor’s budget proposal. U of I’s leader is planning to step down after this year. A study out today finds a reduction in Illinois’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 13, 2024 Nov 13, 2024

More than 1,000 unionized nurses at UI Health in Chicago are on strike for an indefinite period of time. Defense lawyers in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are attacking the credibility of a government mole. A group representing retailers is warning hiking taxes on goods to avoid a massive property tax increase is still going to hurt Chicagoans.

Morning News: Wednesday November 13, 2024 Nov 13, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he is prepared to resist Immigration Enforcement agents if they attempt to operate in Chicago once Donald Trump becomes president. Prosecutors show how former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan wanted to help a congressman’s son who’d been convicted of misconduct. New Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh had his introductory news conference this week.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 12, 2024 Nov 12, 2024

Aldi has abruptly closed its location in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood. The Chicago Bears have fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron after just nine games. Defense lawyers in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial are getting their first crack at a star government witness.

Morning News: Tuesday November 12, 2024 Nov 12, 2024

Illinois state lawmakers are back in Springfield today for a truncated legislative session. Illinois lawmakers are trying to shore up protections for vulnerable populations ahead of a second Trump presidency. This Thursday students are invited to learn about a new bill that could make going to college in Illinois more affordable.

Afternoon News: Monday November 11, 2024 Nov 11, 2024

Some Chicago City Council members are questioning how a police oversight body decides what disciplinary actions to take. The Chicago City Clerk’s office plans to raise prices to bring in more revenue as the city faces a massive budget gap. The Pitchfork Music Festival is leaving Chicago.

Morning News: Monday November 11, 2024 Nov 11, 2024

City Civics Day draws hundreds of Chicagoans eager to get involved in their communities. A Springfield-based nonprofit is trying to change Illinois state law around compensation for exonerees. The Chicago City Clerk’s office is planning to hike prices on permits to raise more revenue.

Afternoon News: Friday November 8, 2024 Nov 08, 2024

The Associated Press has called two more Chicago School Board races. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget includes an increase for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. A Chicago public school in the city’s Ukrainian Village neighborhood has a new name.

Morning News: Friday November 8, 2024 Nov 08, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker isn’t ready to say what his plans are for the next election. Mayor Brandon Johnson doesn’t have the budget to re-open more mental health clinics next year. Prosecutors in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial play a profanity-laced recording involving the ex-speaker’s son.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 7, 2024 Nov 07, 2024

Some Chicago alderpersons want to give more resources to the Chicago agency that investigates discrimination complaints in light of Donald Trump’s election win. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he’ll continue to push back against federal policies he says are a threat to “common Illinois values.” The Black Harvest Film Festival kicks off Friday at the Gene Siskel Film Center downtown.

Morning News: Thursday November 7, 2024 Nov 07, 2024

Chicago is still a Democratic stronghold, but former President Donald Trump had the strongest showing for a Republican presidential candidate here in more than two decades. The man accused of killing a Chicago police officer late Monday will be in court this morning. Some Chicago council members are warning Mayor Brandon Johnson that his $17.3 billion budget plan won’t pass unless he makes some big changes.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 6, 2024 Nov 06, 2024

In the wake of Donald Trump’s victory, advocates in Illinois held a press conference today – vowing to defend the rights and safety of all immigrants. Illinois Republicans are bullish on a second Trump presidency. And many Ukrainian Americans in Chicago are worried about what Trump’s return to the White House will mean for their home country.

Morning News: Wednesday November 6, 2024 Nov 06, 2024

Former President Donald Trump has been elected president again, according to a race call by the Associated Press. With nearly all precincts counted, the Chicago Teachers Union, the charter school advocates and the independents effectively split the 10 school board seats evenly. In the race for Cook County’s top prosecutor, Democrat Eileen O’Neill Burke coasted to victory over Republican Bob Fioretti.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 5, 2024 Nov 05, 2024

Chicagoans took to the polls today. The Chicago Board of Elections is confirming that the wrong ballots were given to some voters in the 4th and 6th wards today. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he's "deeply heartbroken" after an on-duty police officer was shot and killed last night.

Morning News: Tuesday November 5, 2024 Nov 05, 2024

Election Day is here and polls are now open across Chicago. A Chicago police officer was killed on duty yesterday (MON). We’ll hear from police superintendent Larry Snelling next. Recordings in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s federal corruption trial lay out a scheme to help a Madigan insider fired for misconduct.

Afternoon News: Monday November 4th, 2024 Nov 04, 2024

Chicago residents have until 6 p.m. tonight to vote early ahead of Election Day. The Yellow Line rail operator who crashed last November is facing firing, but the CTA can’t take action yet. Workers at the Shedd Aquarium have voted to unionize.

Morning News: Monday November 4, 2024 Nov 04, 2024

Testimony continues in the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants more money for the city’s Dept. of Environment, and hundreds of women march in support of Kamala Harris in Chicago

Afternoon News: Friday November 1, 2024 Nov 01, 2024

The Chicago Cubs will enter into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice. Some Illinois faith leaders and elected officials are calling for Democratic State Senator Sara Feigenholtz to step down. A project to reduce overbank flooding in south suburban Robbins is halfway done.

Morning News: Friday November 1, 2024 Nov 01, 2024

After the president of Chicago’s school board resigns, a week after being sworn in, some wonder how he got appointed in the first place. Officials add hate crime and terrorism charges against the man accused of shooting an Orthodox Jew on Chicago’s far-North Side. Researchers at University of Chicago’s Transplant Institute say a pilot study is functionally reversing diabetes.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 31, 2024 Oct 31, 2024

The president of the Chicago Board of Education is resigning just seven days after being sworn in. Some Chicago City Council members say a proposed property tax increase will be a hard sell. Jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are hearing about a secret plan to give financial help to a political employee accused of sexual harassment.

Morning News: Thursday October 31, 2024 Oct 31, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget proposal includes cutting more than 700 vacant jobs. The new Chicago school board president says he will protect students from hate after being accused of anti-semitism The state of Illinois is launching a free, confidential way to report hate crimes.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 30, 2024 Oct 30, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pitching a $17-point-3 billion dollar budget that avoids layoffs, but relies on a big property tax increase. A new report claims Illinois’ gun laws may be making communities less safe by criminalizing gun possession. The White Sox have hired Will Venable as their new manager.

Morning News: Wednesday October 30, 2024 Oct 30, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will unveil his proposed 2025 budget today. A new report makes recommendations on reparations for Black Chicagoans. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin convened a panel of experts in Chicago yesterday to talk about affordable drug prices.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 29, 2024 Oct 29, 2024

Defense lawyers in the federal racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan made inroads Tuesday with a government witness. A new report from the Citizens Utility Board finds that if state regulators allow Peoples Gas to move forward with its pipe replacement program, heating bills could double over the next 15 years. SEIU Healthcare Illinois and health care workers are sounding the alarm with Illinois regulators.

Morning News: Tuesday October 29, 2024 Oct 29, 2024

The city added new employees to its ranks despite a citywide hiring freeze. Millions are pouring into Chicago's school board campaigns. A state senator says he wants to work on campaign finance provisions for future races. A former Commonwealth Edison lawyer is shedding light on alleged company efforts to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Afternoon News: Monday October 28, 2024 Oct 28, 2024

A Democratic member of Congress from Chicago is condemning comments made about Puerto Rico at a rally for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Chicago Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson is apologizing to his coaches and teammates for his play during Sunday’s last-second loss to the Commanders. The 60th annual Chicago International Film Festival wrapped up last night.

Morning News: Monday October 28, 2024 Oct 28, 2024

Scores of Rohingya Muslims in Chicago cast their first ballots as American citizens over the weekend. The city’s Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument won a major preservation industry award. The finalists were announced this morning for Chicago’s top local food honors.

Afternoon News: Friday October 25, 2024 Oct 25, 2024

Grammy award-winning rapper Lil Durk is in federal custody Friday after being arrested overnight on federal murder-for-hire charges. Some of Illinois’ nearly 1.6 million student loan borrowers could get relief under rules proposed today by the Biden administration. Families and staff at seven Acero charter schools are fighting to keep the schools open.

Morning News: Friday October 25, 2024 Oct 25, 2024

Federal prosecutors are using dozens of wiretaps as evidence in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. New Chicago school board members say they took the post to do right by kids. The invasive carp haven’t gotten any closer to Chicago in over a decade, and a new study investigated why.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 24, 2024 Oct 24, 2024

Members of Faculty for Justice in Palestine are demanding University of Chicago leaders reinstate an Arab student who was suspended and evicted from his dorm after his arrest at a pro-Palestinian demonstration. Prosecutors Thursday, played one of about 200 secret recordings in the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain. Major League commissioner Rob Manfred believes the White Sox aren't going anywhere, even if they're sold.

Morning News: Thursday October 24, 2024 Oct 24, 2024

Today the new Chicago Board of Education will be sworn in, after the former board abruptly resigned. Cook County commissioners are advancing a plan to bring some property tax relief to struggling homeowners. In a few minutes, county health officials hope free Naloxone vending machines will help curb fatal overdoses.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 23, 2024 Oct 23, 2024

A Chicago immigrant rights group says Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to reduce services for newly arrived asylum seekers will hurt families. The Illinois Department of Public Health hosted a conference in suburban Naperville this week focusing on health outcomes for communities of color. A top adviser to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is leaving his post, effective immediately.

Morning News: Wednesday October 23, 2024 Oct 23, 2024

The Chicago City Council approved a $1.5 billion bond refinancing plan yesterday that budget officials hope will help the city’s budget crunch. Defense attorneys in former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s corruption trial undercut one of the government’s very first witnesses. One of the more than 30 Chicago police officers named in a new federal lawsuit is a disgraced former detective.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 22, 2024 Oct 22, 2024

The Chicago Board of Education will meet for the first time this week following the resignations of every board member earlier this month. A new report shows there’s been a jump in abortions in Illinois with a virtual doctor’s visit since Roe v. Wade was overturned more than two years ago. RealPage is a software company that the US Department of Justice alleges is enabling illegal rent price-fixing.

Morning News: Tuesday October 22, 2024 Oct 22, 2024

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan gets his first chance to make his case to jurors in his federal corruption trial. A national civil rights group has written to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson - about police officers with extremist connections. The Sonya Massey commission is seeking an outside review of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department.

Afternoon News: Monday October 21, 2024 Oct 21, 2024

Chicago will end its separate migrant shelter system by next year, creating a single shelter system for all residents who need it. An Illinois group held a town hall meeting in Springfield over the weekend to imagine what statewide reparations could look like. Chicago drivers may have to start going a little slower.

Morning News: Monday October 21, 2024 Oct 21, 2024

A WBEZ analysis finds Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fiscal record is mixed as he approaches his second budget address. Also, Mayor Johnson says he supports lowering the city’s speed limit by 5 miles per hour. The federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and a one-time confidante is poised to enter a new phase today.

Afternoon News: Friday October 18, 2024 Oct 18, 2024

Illinois cannabis sales continue to grow – but some newer industry players are still trying to catch up. Hundreds of Chicago parents gathered this morning to hear from school board candidates. It will feel like summer this weekend, with temperatures expected to be in the low to high 70s.

It’s been 10 years since Chicago police killed Laquan McDonald Oct 18, 2024

Sunday will mark a decade since then-Officer Jason Van Dyke shot Laquan McDonald 16 times. To mark the solemn occasion, The Rundown is bringing you the first episode of “16 Shots,” a podcast series from WBEZ and The Chicago Tribune that explored McDonald’s life, and the way his death changed the city.

Morning News: Friday October 18, 2024 Oct 18, 2024

A proposal to move a preschool on Chicago’s Southwest Side is causing alarm. CPS students are graduating high school at record rates, but many still don’t finish college. Illinois prison employees staged more than two dozen demonstrations across the state.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 17, 2024 Oct 17, 2024

Democratic US Representative of Illinois Brad Schneider says he hopes the death of Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, will mark a turning point in the war in Gaza. The Illinois Secretary of State is rolling out DMV kiosks for people to renew license plates, registration and drivers’ licenses the same way you’d get money from an ATM. Time is almost up for Illinois residents to submit a design for a new state flag.

Morning News: Thursday October 17, 2024 Oct 17, 2024

Chicago Public School enrollment is up after years of decline. Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will open its season tonight with the U.S. premiere of a brand-new show. We talk to Adam Rubin, with the Chicago Architecture Center about this weekend's upcoming Open House Chicago.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 16, 2024 Oct 16, 2024

WBEZ has confirmed Doctor Erik Mikaitis has been nominated to become the next CEO of Cook County’s public health system. Bally’s Chicago has closed out its first year at the Medinah Temple, and the temporary casino is failing to meet financial expectations. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton says she wants to keep communication open with people who live near the Central Illinois town of Lincoln - who are upset about plans to close the Logan Correctional Center.

Morning News: Wednesday October 16, 2024 Oct 16, 2024

Springfield residents urge state lawmakers to make public transit more accessible during a hearing at the Capitol Tuesday. Early voting for the November election is underway in the Chicago-area. The Chicago International Film Festival kicks off tonight with a new film made by Malcom Washington, the son of Denzel Washington.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 15, 2024 Oct 15, 2024

Former President and Republican nominee Donald Trump was in Chicago today. Early voting is underway in the Chicago area. Walgreens plans to close about 1,200 locations over the next three years as the drugstore chain seeks to turnaround its struggling U.S. business.

Morning News: Tuesday October 15, 2024 Oct 15, 2024

Members of Chicago’s Muslim community gathered for a memorial last night to mark one year since a six-year-old Palestinian-Amercian boy was fatally stabbed in an alleged hate crime. Police regulators in Illinois could make it easier to take badges away from police officers … even before they’ve been convicted of a crime. Temperatures are dropping across the Chicago area tonight.

Afternoon News: Monday October 14, 2024 Oct 14, 2024

A researcher at the University of Chicago has been awarded the Nobel Prize in economics. A prayer service will take place tonight for the one-year remembrance of the stabbing death of a Palestinian-American boy. An inspector general’s report sheds new light on the controversial firing four years ago of the principal and assistant principal at Lincoln Park High School on Chicago’s north side.

Afternoon News: Friday October 11, 2024 Oct 11, 2024

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other Midwestern governors are blasting former President Donald Trump for sending Covid testing supplies to Russia. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and other Midwestern governors are blasting former President Donald Trump for sending Covid testing supplies to Russia. Cases of congenital – or newborn – syphilis are on the rise in suburban Cook County.

Morning News: Friday October 11, 2024 Oct 11, 2024

Some Chicago parents say they’re devastated by the Acero charter school’s decision to close seven campuses. Illinois power and gas utilities say they’re ready for the winter. A group of Democratic state lawmakers are hoping to pass gun control legislation when they return to Springfield next month.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 10, 2024 Oct 10, 2024

The American Red Cross of Illinois wants donations to send to Florida as the state begins to assess the damage from Hurricane Milton. A group of Chicago advocates is in New Orleans today for a hearing in federal court on the future of DACA. Construction crews in suburban Bedford Park have broken ground on a new practice facility for the Chicago Sky.

Morning News: Thursday October 10, 2024 Oct 10, 2024

A lawsuit claims record companies are making money off of Chicago’s gang violence. Elected officials commemorated a Springfield site as a national monument. Northwestern University plans to research how serving time in prison or jail affects risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and more.

Afternoon News: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 Oct 09, 2024

Leaders at Cook County’s Forest Preserves are celebrating a long list of accomplishments as they head into budget season. Chicago City Council opponents have delayed a plan to sell $1.5 billion worth of bonds to help boost savings. A new poll from the state’s largest teachers’ union finds roughly 60 percent of Illinois educators are considering leaving the profession.

Morning News: Wednesday October 9, 2024 Oct 09, 2024

The City Council will consider approving a bond refinancing plan to help the city save money in the face of a budget gap. A sexual harassment scandal involving a one-time political aide is still haunting former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Chicago Fashion Week kicks off today with a fashion show at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 8, 2024 Oct 08, 2024

The corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan got underway today. Some Chicago parents are worried about the turmoil within Chicago Public Schools after all seven members of the Board of Education announced their resignations last week. The Chicago Bulls open the preseason tonight in Cleveland against the Cavaliers.

Morning News: Tuesday October 8, 2024 Oct 08, 2024

Chicago City Council members are planning to hold a special meeting to dig into the Chicago Public Schools board resignations. One ex-juror will be watching closely as the corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan begins today. A unique computer chess tournament gets underway this morning (TUES) from inside the Cook County Jail.

Afternoon News: Monday October 7, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson came out swinging today as he announced new appointees to the Chicago Board of Education to replace seven people who are resigning. The Jewish organization Hillel is holding a candlelight vigil at Northwestern University tonight to mark one year since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. The Chicago Bears won their second straight, beating the Carolina Panthers 36-10 at Soldier Field.

Morning News: Monday October 7, 2024 Oct 07, 2024

Muslim and Jewish leaders in Chicago are worried the Oct. 7 anniversary of the Hamas attack could prompt hate crimes. One Illinois state lawmaker says the leadership turmoil at Chicago Public Schools, following the announcement that the entire school board will resign, will not help the district’s chances of getting more state funding. This year's NASCAR Chicago Street Race generated $128 million in total economic impact.

Afternoon News: Friday October 4, 2024 Oct 04, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has confirmed to WBEZ and the Sun-Times that all seven members of the Chicago Board of Education are expected to step down later this month. Some City Council members say they are stunned by today’s mass resignation. Early voting turnout for the November election remains high in Chicago and the collar counties.

‘Getting dressed’: A look at the fashion scene in Chicago music Oct 04, 2024

"Getting Dressed With Vocalo" is a new series highlighting Chicago musicians who have standout personal styles. Manasseh, a Chicago singer known for his ethereal vocals, is Vocalo’s first featured artist.

“You’ll look good when you feel good,” he said. “You shouldn’t skimp on being kind to yourself. If adding a scarf or an extra necklace or another ring equates to you feeling good in that moment, then you’ll leave the house with such a great attitude, and you’ll spread that.”

"Getting Dressed With Vocalo" is produced by Morgan Ciocca. Follow the series at Vocalo.org.

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Morning News: Friday October 4, 2024 Oct 04, 2024

Some groups are trying to make Chicago's elected school board race a referendum on the mayor and the Chicago Teachers Union. A new Northwestern Medicine study shows researching long COVID patients could help doctors unlock the key to preventing pulmonary fibrosis. We’ll hear the details next. The Federal Reserve cut interest rates last month… but could they drop further?

Afternoon News: Thursday October 3, 2024 Oct 03, 2024

Early voting is now open in the City of Chicago. Two city-run shelters have closed their doors this week as the number of migrants arriving from the southern border continues to slow. Chicago Exhibition Weekend – a weekend of art walks, gallery openings and parties – kicks off today.

Some changes to The Rundown podcast (and a lot staying the same!) Oct 03, 2024

You’ll still get two newscast episodes every day, with all the latest local news from the WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times newsrooms. Meanwhile, later this fall, host Erin Allen is moving to WBEZ’s Curious City Podcast (subscribe now!), where she’ll find answers to your questions about Chicago, and continue to bring you stories and conversations about the things happening in this wonderful city.

Morning News: Thursday October 3, 2024 Oct 03, 2024

Prosecutors drop charges against a man convicted of murdering Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis. A new report shows a drop in the state's infant mortality rate, but data shows racial disparities persist. A program in CPS that mentors at-risk youth to steer them from gun violence seems to be working.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 2, 2024 Oct 02, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is again sidestepping questions about the future of leadership at Chicago Public Schools. A federal judge is declining to toss out part of the corruption indictment against former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. A Cook County judge says a man convicted of the 2011 murder of Chicago Police Officer Clifton Lewis will be released from state prison.

Matt Walsh returns to iO Theater with Tim Meadows and friends Oct 02, 2024

Matt Walsh is one of the many comedians who got his start in Chicago, but his roots are deeper than most.

“I grew up around the South Side of Chicago around 103rd and Kedzie,” Walsh said on the Rundown podcast. “You know, typical city life, running around, hopping fences, throwing snowballs at each other.”

Walsh attended Northern Illinois University and lived in Wrigleyville before trying his hand at improvisation at The Second City on the recommendation of a friend.

He went on to become a founding member of the comedy troupe The Upright Citizens Brigade and played several small roles in big budget comedies, but he’s perhaps best known for his role as Mike McClintock, the communications director for Vice President Selena Meyer on the HBO series VEEP.

Walsh is back in Chicago later this month at the iO Theater for a pair of performances of “Meadows, Walsh & Friends,” a night of long-form improv comedy that also features comedians Tim Meadows, Joe Canale and Brad Morris.

Earlier this summer, Rundown host Erin Allen connected with Matt to discuss his career, the Chicago improv scene, and a very unexpected college experience that the two have in common.

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Morning News: Wednesday October 2, 2024 Oct 02, 2024

The longshoreman strike impacting ports out east and south is so far not being felt here in the Chicago area. Local group says the city needs to do more to hold city vendors accountable for environmental impacts. Illinois launches a $5 million marketing campaign to bolster the state’s manufacturing sector.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 1, 2024 Oct 01, 2024

Students at Illinois State University in downstate Normal are raising concerns for their safety after a shooting over the weekend left one person dead and another person critically injured. Chicago fiction writer Ling Ma and Chicago artist Ebony G. Patterson have won the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. Lonzo Ball is back in action with the Chicago Bulls.

Morning News: Tuesday October 1, 2024 Oct 01, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration says it needs more time to figure out how to close a nearly $1 billion dollar budget gap. Illinois last remaining natural lakeshore just got new protections. Chicago’s Tavern on Rush has reopened in the Gold Coast.

Afternoon News: Monday September 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2024

Workers at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago have filed to form a union. One real estate adviser tells WBEZ that with interest rates coming down, he expects a hot housing market in Chicago. The Britpop band Oasis is stopping at Soldier Field in 2025.

Why Chicago is the ‘spiritual home’ of bid whist aka ‘the world’s greatest card game’ Sep 30, 2024

Lamont Jones wanted to give his daughter a book about bid whist, his favorite card game, but couldn't find one. So he wrote it himself, with the goal of saving a pastime popular in the Black community from generational indifference.

"Bid whist is the ultimate card game," Jones said on the Rundown podcast, "and I believe that if you've not yet experienced bid whist, the world's greatest card game awaits you."

In this episode, Jones talks about his book, "The Gist of Bid Whist: The Culturally-Rich Card Game from Black America." He explains the game's "diabolical components" and traces the history back to the Pullman Porters, the African-American railcar attendants who helped establish a Black middle class and fuel the Great Migration in the era after the Civil War.

“I think Chicago has a strong claim to being the spiritual home of bid whist," Jones said, "in part because the Pullman Porters were headquartered here, and we know the vital role that the Porters played in popularizing the game throughout the country.”

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Morning News: Monday September 30, 2024 Sep 30, 2024

$44 million will help preserve affordable housing in Uptown, an historic prison in Joliet is ordered empty by today, and Chicago’s International Latino Theater Festival Destinos kicks off today.

Afternoon News: Friday September 27, 2024 Sep 27, 2024

On the heels of Hurricane Helene, the Chicago-area will see windy conditions throughout the evening. DuPage County saw a huge jump in people showing up to cast their ballot on its first day of early voting. The Chicago Sky have fired head coach Teresa Weatherspoon.

Meet a 23-year old rising street artist from Little Village, Emmanuel Gomez aka Clue Sep 27, 2024

Emmanuel Gomez is the 23-year-old street artist responsible for designing and creating the artwork for Vocalo’s Summer Finale concert last weekend, including a poster with an “ice cream head” of each performer. In today’s episode, Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez talks with Gomez, also known as Clue, about his burgeoning career in art, from his start as a graffiti artist, to his mentorship under acclaimed local street artist Sentrock, to his collaborations with the WNDR Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art.

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Morning News: Friday September 27, 2024 Sep 27, 2024

CPS Chief Pedro Martinez is still on the job. A federal judge in Chicago is weighing whether the notorious leader of the Gangster Disciples should have another chance at freedom. The Banned Book Wagon is coming to the Chicago Public Library's Woodson Regional Library today.

Afternoon News: Thursday September 26, 2024 Sep 26, 2024

Illinois voters take note: an advisory referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot will ask whether individual earnings above $1 million should be hit with a 3% surcharge, to generate revenue that would go toward property tax relief. A hearing for Larry Hoover, the notorious leader of the Gangster Disciples, wrapped up this afternoon in a federal courtroom in Chicago. Former Chicago Bulls superstar Derrick Rose is retiring.

Morning News: Thursday September 26, 2024 Sep 26, 2024

The head of Chicago Public School is fighting to keep his job. His contract may help. A new lawsuit about special education in prison could become a class action case. New polling shows widespread support for an Illinois law that prohibits some credit card swipe fees.

Afternoon News: Wednesday September 25, 2024 Sep 25, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is nixing a plan to turn a vacant National Guard armory near Midway into a new police station. The Greater Chicago Food Depository said it distributed more food in the last fiscal year than it has in its 45-year-history. With five games remaining, the White Sox remain tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the modern major league record of 120 losses in one season.

Chicago Performs returns: We talk with the artists behind ‘Broken Aquarium’ Sep 25, 2024

Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary art has billed itself as a space where new ideas are shown and tested since its inception in 1967.

“What many people don't know is we also have a 300-seat theater in the basement of the museum,” said Laura Paige Kyber, the performance curator at the MCA.

The museum will put that theater to use this weekend with the return of its third annual “Chicago Performs.”

“Chicago Performs is a mini-festival,” Kyber said. “Each year, it just features a cross section of contemporary performance works being made in Chicago and hopefully to introduce them on a larger platform and into a more national spotlight, which the museum can provide.”

The four-day event features interactive and multimedia performances from a few Chicago-based artists and art collectives, including cat mahari, Lakshmi Ramgopal (who leads a project called Lykanthea), and Every house has a door, which is led by husband-and-wife duo Matthew Goulish and Lin Hixson.

In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks with Goulish and Hixson about “Broken Aquarium,” a multimedia performance about a changing Earth, performed outdoors on Sept. 28 and 29. In it, they use textiles, poetry, dance and water to illustrate the intricacies of an “impossible ecosystem of endangered or extinct sea creatures.”

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Morning News: Wednesday September 25, 2024 Sep 25, 2024

The Chicago Teachers Union is continuing to lambast the head of Chicago Public Schools as he fights to hold on to his job. Two Springfield insiders are being named as alleged financial winners from a controversial state program. New lawsuits are attempting to get two incarcerated students in Illinois re-enrolled in their college program.

Afternoon News: Tuesday September 24, 2024 Sep 24, 2024

The number of hate crimes against Jewish people increased nationally last year. People who live in Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Avondale, and Hermosa on Chicago’s northwest side hope a new ordinance can protect their homes from gentrification. Travelers heading from Chicago to Florida can soon opt to travel by Amtrak.

Morning News: Tuesday September 24, 2024 Sep 24, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is trying to find new technology to replace ShotSpotter. Northwestern researchers found that a federal assault weapons ban was effective in preventing mass shootings. The FDA holds a food safety hearing this week – and an Illinois initiative could get some attention.

Afternoon News: Monday September 23, 2024 Sep 23, 2024

A report released today says Chicago police are asked to do too much and it’s damaging public safety. Former Chicago Alderperson Ed Burke has reported to federal prison to serve a two-year sentence for racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion. With six games remaining, The White Sox are now tied with the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in a single season.

Why Black women are ‘superlative participators in American democracy’ Sep 23, 2024

Black women are “superlative participators in American democracy,” according to Northwestern professor Sally Nuamah, yet they remain underrepresented in national politics.

“Post-Reconstruction, we've had two elected Black women senators,” Nuamah said. “And at the gubernatorial level, we've had no Black women governors. And then we obviously have had no Black women presidents. If you consider the fact that Black women vote more than most Americans – at least for the past 20 years – and if you consider the fact that in addition they're really critical to registering people to vote, organizing protests and rallies, fundraising and a whole number of other kinds of forms of engagement, this is sort of inconsistent with what you would expect from a representation standpoint.”

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, Nuamah and host Erin Allen talked about why. Nuamah runs through the history of Black women’s participation in democracy – from Fannie Lou Hamer to Shirley Chisholm to Kamala Harris. She also explained the difference between “symbolic” and “substantive” representation, and whether one can lead to the other.

This conversation is part of the Democracy Solutions Project, a collaboration among WBEZ, The Chicago Sun Times and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government. The multimedia series is focused on the critical issues facing our democracy in the run-up to the 2024 election.

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Morning News: Monday September 23, 2024 Sep 23, 2024

A memorial service for deceased Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin was standing room only on Sunday. Gun control advocates are confident the courts will uphold an Illinois law banning assault-style firearms. Shotspotter is being dismantled in Chicago as Mayor Brandon Johnson vows to veto a City Council attempt to save the gunshot detection technology.

Afternoon News: Friday September 20, 2024 Sep 20, 2024

Sources tell WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has told schools chief Pedro Martinez that he wants him to resign. Chicago is ending use of the gunshot detection technology ShotSpotter on Sunday. The Chicago-area is in the midst of a drought.

TONIGHT: Come on out to the Vocalo Summer Finale, a concert in Millennium Park Sep 20, 2024

Vocalo and WBEZ are hosting a party tonight in Millennium Park and, obviously, we hope you check it out.

“This concert is kinda more than a concert,” said Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez, who’s co-hosting the event. “I feel like it is a Chicago homecoming for a lot of artists.”

The lineup features DJ Lady D, KAINA, Marquis Hill, Pivot Gang and some surprise special guests.

Co-hosting alongside Hernandez is Stephen Bekoe, the founder of iLLANOiZE Radio, a platform that showcases Chicago’s creative talent.

“Vocalo has worked so hard for an opportunity like this,” Bekoe said on the Rundown podcast. “So it's good to see WBEZ and Chicago DCASE [the Department of Community Affairs & Special Events] come together to make this happen, not just for the station, but for the city.”

The Vocalo Summer Finale is tonight, Friday Sept. 20, at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Admission is free and gates open at 5 p.m.

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Morning News: Friday September 20, 2024 Sep 20, 2024

City and state officials now have a set of clear recommendations on how to create a combined shelter system for both unhoused Chicagoans and recently arrived migrants. A federal judge declared a mistrial in the case of a former AT&T Illinois executive accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Jurors couldn’t agree on a verdict. The CTA chief has ideas to improve service – but he thinks the state needs to fairly fund it first.

Afternoon News: Thursday September 19, 2024 Sep 19, 2024

A federal jury is stalemated over whether a former phone company executive tried to bribe former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Illinois could see major cuts to the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by the end of the month. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is defending his decision to not say whether he’s taking a pay raise.

Morning News: Thursday September 19, 2024 Sep 19, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson says he’ll issue the first veto by a Chicago mayor since 2006. A fight between politicians about the impacts of ending cash bail in Illinois. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says the state needs to do more to meet its climate goals.

Afternoon News: Wednesday September 18, 2024 Sep 18, 2024

The Chicago Board of Education has approved a new five year strategic plan that envisions more students learning a second language. The Chicago City Council has approved an $11.6 million settlement for Anthony Jakes, who spent two decades in prison after detectives under the disgraced late commander Jon Burge beat a false confession out of him in a 1991 murder case. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch says it’s too early to say what lawmakers will do during the fall veto session in Springfield.

Here’s why Chicago is training local artists to work in city mental health centers Sep 18, 2024

Illinois has the capacity to meet just 24% of the mental health needs of the state, according to a 2021 analysis by The American Association of Medical Colleges.

To help close the gap in the city, a pilot program called “Healing Arts Chicago” is getting creative by training local artists to serve as community health workers.

“The premise was like, we already knew that Chicago has really a wealth of community-based artists who think about their work with community as healing,” said Meida McNeal, who runs the pilot program through her work at the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events. “And what would it be like thinking about public health and community health as a potential sector where the skills they already have could be applied?”

The program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. Local artists get trained and certified through City Colleges of Chicago, placed in city mental health centers through the Chicago Department of Public Health, and then they offer classes and workshops at no charge across a variety of disciplines.

“We've got movement, dance artists. We've got DJs, folks who work in sound therapy. We've got theater and puppetry, multimedia arts, sculpture, murals, ceramics,” McNeal said.

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, host Erin Allen visited the Greater Grand Mental Health Center to take Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia’s “Move to Live” wellness offering. She talked with class attendees and the instructor – as well as the instructor of another Healing Arts Chicago course on poetry, Nile Lansana – about what the classes are like and what they offer the community.

Healing Arts Chicago has artist-led offerings available through the end of the year.

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Morning News: Wednesday September 18, 2024 Sep 18, 2024

A gun design expert took the stand yesterday in a federal trial over Illinois’ ban on assault-style weapons. A politically fraught debate over the gunshot detection technology, ShotSpotter. WBEZ examines year one of Illinois’ Pretrial Fairness Act.

Afternoon News: Tuesday September 17, 2024 Sep 17, 2024

Chicago has seen an uptick in voter registrations with about seven weeks left until Election Day. A commission created in response to the killing of Sonya Massey held its first listening session last night. Chicago elected officials are slated to receive a 4 percent raise next year – but Mayor Brandon Johnson hasn’t said whether he’ll take it.

Morning News: Tuesday September 17, 2024 Sep 17, 2024

A federal trial in Southern Illinois over a state gun ban gets underway with more witness testimonies. The Massey Commission holds a listening session before selecting commissioners… and before technically forming. There’s been a decline in biking deaths across Chicago– but some cycling advocacy groups say more protections are needed.

Afternoon News: Monday September 16, 2024 Sep 16, 2024

A Chicago City Council panel today signed off on nearly $15 million to settle four police misconduct lawsuits. The Chicago Board of Education caused a stir in December by saying it intended to shift away from school choice, but now the board says it is not planning on making any big changes to charter or selective enrollment schools. Tito Jackson, the Gary, Indiana-born older brother of Michael Jackson and guitar-player for the Jackson Five, died Sunday at 70 years old.

Two tech startup founders say Chicago’s scene is one to watch Sep 16, 2024

Here are some reasons you might want to found your tech startup in Chicago: 1) it’s a great place to live, 2) it’s not as expensive as New York or Silicon Valley and 3) the city is not already over-saturated with tech companies vying for investors.

That’s all according to Griffin Cox and Haydée Marino, two of the founders behind ezbot.ai, a Chicago-based tech start-up that uses machine learning to optimize e-commerce websites.

Cox and Marino are both Chicagoans who admit the city is not the first that comes to mind when you think of tech startups, but it’s “a growing scene,” Cox said.

In this episode, they explain how they got their Chicago-born startup off the ground and both the opportunities and challenges of starting a business in the city of big shoulders.

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Morning News: Monday September 16, 2024 Sep 16, 2024

A federal judge in East Saint Louis is hearing arguments today in a trial over an Illinois gun control law. A Chicago City Council panel is scheduled to vote on a deal that could lead to dozens of settlements in wrongful convictions tied to a corrupt former sergeant. People from all over the country flock to celebrate Mexican Independence Day at Grant Park.

Afternoon News: Friday September 13, 2024 Sep 13, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is appointing Walter Burnett, the City Council’s longest-serving alderman, to be the next chair of the powerful Zoning Committee. Mexican Independence Day celebrations kick-off across Chicago this weekend and the Fire Department is warning drivers that caravans could make it difficult for emergency vehicles to pass through. Black fraternities and sororities are hosting community blood drives across Chicago during Sickle Cell Disease and Blood Cancer Awareness Month.

Musician Loona Dae talks patience ahead of her first performance of songs from her debut album Sep 13, 2024

It’s nearly Libra season, an astrological sign known for patience.

Loona Dae is a Chicago-based musician (and a Libra) who has waited until this weekend to perform songs from her 2023 debut album, ATARI.

“I’m a very patient person,” she told Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez, referring to both releasing and performing songs from that album, but also to her long-term friendship-turned-relationship with her producer, Ashwin Torke.

In this episode, the St. Louis-born artist talks about giving time for her album to sit with people, what it’s like making music with a romantic partner and her upcoming performance at Empty Bottle on Sept. 15.

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Morning News: Friday September 13, 2024 Sep 13, 2024

Illinois public defenders are feeling the squeeze, one year after the state eliminates the cash bail system. Some changes are coming to Illinois’ Bright Start college savings program. A group of environmental activists is working with state lawmakers to pass a bill aimed at protecting a large, underground water source.

Morning News: Friday September 13, 2024 Sep 13, 2024

Illinois public defenders are feeling the squeeze, one year after the state eliminates the cash bail system. Some changes are coming to Illinois’ Bright Start college savings program. A group of environmental activists is working with state lawmakers to pass a bill aimed at protecting a large, underground water source.

Afternoon News: Thursday September 12, 2024 Sep 12, 2024

A veterinarian once employed by suburban horse-racing track Hawthorne is accusing that facility – and a state agency – of misconduct. The north suburban man accused of killing seven people at the 2022 Highland Park 4th of July Parade didn’t show up to a scheduled court hearing today. People in Canada and some northern U.S. cities may see faint auroras late tonight.

Morning News: Thursday September 12, 2024 Sep 12, 2024

Some business owners on the city’s West Side are dreading the return of Riot Fest to Douglass Park later this month. A year since Illinois eliminated cash bail, a study looks at crime rates and the size of jail populations. A new festival kicking off this weekend looks to be a “hoot” for Chicago bird enthusiasts.

Afternoon News: Wednesday September 11, 2024 Sep 11, 2024

Riot Fest is heading back to Chicago’s west side. Rates of syphilis are rising across the country, including in Chicago. University of Illinois system leaders say their three campuses have enrolled a record number of students.

Theaster Gates honors ‘Ebony,’ ‘Jet’ and Chicago’s historic Johnson Publishing Co. with new exhibit Sep 11, 2024

The Johnson Publishing Company was the powerhouse publisher of Ebony and Jet, influential and trendsetting magazines that offered narratives, products and depictions of Black folks that spoke to Black folks throughout the 20th century and beyond.

Chicago artist Theaster Gates has been a caretaker, of sorts, for the archive of artifacts that once lived at 820 S. Michigan Avenue, the longtime home of the Johnson Publishing Company that filed for bankruptcy liquidation in 2019. Now, Gates has assembled these artifacts into a new exhibit, “When Clouds Roll Away: Reflection and Restoration from the Johnson Archive.”

“When clouds roll away is an acknowledgement that some time has passed and that in it, so much more might be revealed,” Gates said on the Rundown podcast. “And so the premise of the exhibition is to reveal the important treasures of this insurmountable Black archive that is native to Chicago.”

The exhibit is open from Sept. 12 through March 16, 2025 at the former Stony Island Trust & Savings Bank, a space Gates acquired and transformed into a Black archive and third space over the past decade.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks with Gates about why he wants to preserve these kinds of spaces and artifacts, including those in his new exhibit.

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Morning News: Wednesday September 11, 2024 Sep 11, 2024

The Park District board is set to vote on a permit for Riot Fest today… and one catering company with ties to a board member will set up shop at the big music festival. Chicago officials plan to close three migrant shelters, but some advocates worry about doing so before the city has a plan to end homelessness. An Illinois lawmaker is hoping for a more bipartisan Farm Bill.

Afternoon News: Tuesday September 10, 2024 Sep 10, 2024

City of Chicago officials plan to close three migrant shelters by the end of October since fewer people are arriving in the city. The state of Illinois is spending $6 million to bolster career training for people experiencing homelessness. The Chicago White Sox are just nine losses away from ending up on the wrong side of baseball history.

Morning News: Tuesday September 10, 2024 Sep 10, 2024

More charging stations across Illinois could make it easier to own an electric vehicle – new federal money is making that possible. In light of the Georgia school shooting, Illinois state lawmakers look to pass more safe gun storage laws. A new data study aims to help libraries demonstrate their value as community anchors in presentations to stakeholders.

Afternoon News: Monday September 9, 2024 Sep 09, 2024

The city of Chicago is enacting a hiring freeze to help close looming budget gaps. A Cook County Commissioner is hosting a public hearing about the lack of public transit in the northwest suburbs. The Chicago Sky will finish the WNBA season without star Angel Reese after a sidelining wrist injury.

‘Music was in the community’: Ernest Dawkins celebrates the history of the Englewood Jazz Festival Sep 09, 2024

Growing up in Englewood, Chatham and Washington Park in the 1960s and ‘70s, Ernest Dawkins said he knew he’d be a musician.

“I always had a dream that I was playing the saxophone and I didn’t even know what a saxophone was when I was a child,” Dawkins said on the Rundown podcast.

Dawkins is one of the world’s premiere saxophonists and composers. He’s the leader of several ensembles, including the New Horizons Ensemble and the Live the Spirit residency projects.

He’s also the founder and director of the Englewood Jazz Festival, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary on Sept. 19-21. Ahead of the festival, host Erin Allen sat down with Dawkins to talk about what attendees can expect – including an encore of Dawkins’ jazz-poetry opera called “Paul Robeson: Man Of The People” – and how his South Side communities led him to a life in music.

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Morning News: Monday September 9, 2024 Sep 09, 2024

Some Chicago alderpersons say unspent federal relief dollars should be used to plug the city’s budget holes. CTA bus and rail operators raced against each other in a friendly competition over the weekend. Evanston hosted its first folk festival over the weekend.

Afternoon News: Friday September 6, 2024 Sep 06, 2024

A letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows 16 current or former employees of COPA, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, are calling on an oversight board to consider taking the first step toward removing the agency’s chief, Andrea Kersten. The leader of Chicago’s immigrant and refugee rights committee wants to hold hearings on how to remove barriers to housing for migrants. A new play about legendary Chicago columnist Mike Royko opens tonight at the Chopin Theater.

Music, language and love with Chicago Latin pop artist Adam Martinez Sep 06, 2024

Chicago Latin pop artist Adam Martinez said he can struggle with conversational Spanish, not unlike the late Mexican-American superstar, Selena, who learned Spanish as a young adult.

“Selena is one of my biggest inspirations,” Martinez said. “She learned through music. And there’s a lot of people in my family who only speak Spanish. And so I love to communicate with them through the way that I know, which is music.”

Martinez released an album last year, titled “Sol.” He said he met his girlfriend after asking her to star in the music video for his single, “Momentos,” via Instagram.

In this episode recorded last year, he talks with Vocalo afternoon host Nudia Hernandez about Chicago’s Latin pop community and how he fell in love.

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Morning News: Friday September 6, 2024 Sep 06, 2024

A new Save A Lot comes to West Garfield Park. Chicago's school board election is heating up as two groups raise big money to support candidates. Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren says there’s no deadline for closing a deal on a stadium downtown.

Afternoon News: Thursday September 5, 2024 Sep 05, 2024

Some CTA riders are rattled by the murders on the Blue Line this week and are changing their routines as a result. Illinois State Senator Doris Turner says she’s holding off – for now – on filing police reform legislation in honor of Sonya Massey. The Illinois Flag Commission is now accepting designs for a new state flag.

Morning News: Thursday September 5, 2024 Sep 05, 2024

The alleged shooter in a quadruple murder on the CTA Blue Line this week is ordered to remain locked up pending trial. A report says in 2023 – more dogs and cats were killed at Chicago’s Care and Animal Control shelter than in any other year since 2016. Meteorological summer is over… what weather can we expect during fall?

Afternoon News: Wednesday September 4, 2024 Sep 04, 2024

A judge ordered pre-trial detention for the alleged shooter in this week’s quadruple homicide on a CTA Blue Line train. The book “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin is this year’s pick for the Chicago Public Library’s One Book, One Chicago program. Tears were shed in last night’s finale of HBO’s Hard Knocks docu-series featuring the Chicago Bears.

Meanwhile Chicago: A storytelling show where the audience doodles Sep 04, 2024

Usually at a live performance, the audience is encouraged to give the performers their undivided attention. But at Meanwhile Chicago – a variety show featuring storytellers, essayists, comics and dancers – the audience is encouraged to draw and doodle the whole time.

“When you put a piece of paper and a pen in front of someone, almost everyone is going to grab it and start doodling,” said Megan Kirby, who created Meanwhile with her friend Catherine Eves in 2016. “We were trying to figure out how to channel that desire to make art, and also this idea that you can be writing and drawing and it's not necessarily taking your focus away.”

After the show, the artwork created by the audience is sifted through and stitched together into a zine, a small-run magazine, and then copied and distributed.

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, Kirby talks with host Erin Allen about the inspiration for the project and why Chicago is a hub for this kind of creativity.

You can follow Meanwhile on Instagram for information about their next performance and pick up a copy of their latest zine at Chicago Zine Fest on Oct. 5.

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Morning News: Wednesday September 4, 2024 Sep 04, 2024

Illinois elected officials say they are prioritizing safety on public transit, in the wake of a fatal shooting on the Blue Line. About 30 people gathered outside Chicago’s Israeli consulate last night to protest Israel's government and mourn the recent deaths of Hamas-held hostages. Northwestern’s LGBTQI+ Rights Clinic is asking the US Supreme court to overturn a ban that prohibits gender affirming care for minors.

Afternoon News: Tuesday September 3, 2024 Sep 03, 2024

Chicago’s top federal judge says the publication this year of home addresses for members of the federal bench is dangerous. Foxtrot is reopening its Gold Coast location on Thursday, five months after it closed. The Archdiocese of Chicago will be the first Catholic diocese in the state to offer natural burials.

Morning News: Tuesday September 3, 2024 Sep 03, 2024

An update on Chicago’s response to the influx of asylum seekers bused her from Texas. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle explains why she’s been quiet on abortion rights two years after Roe v Wade fell. Plus, the busy Ashland Avenue bus route will now run north an extra mile.

Afternoon News: Friday August 30, 2024 Aug 30, 2024

Chicago could soon be one of the largest cities worldwide without an intercity bus terminal. The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers it has its own service to request roadside assistance. Federal COVID relief funding for school districts expires in September.

Love makes the music – Chicago artists Marquis Hill and Manasseh Aug 30, 2024

Chicago musicians Marquis Hill – a jazz trumpeter and bandleader – and Manasseh – a singer and soul artist – both stopped by Vocalo to talk with Nudia Hernandez about their lives, their love for one another, and their recent and upcoming collaborations.

“He’s booked and busy,” Hernandez said of Hill.

And Manasseh?

“I feel like is the next big up-and-coming Chicago artist,” Hernandez said.

Both artists are slated to perform on the stage at Pritzker Pavilion for Vocalo’s Summer Finale on Sept. 20.

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Morning News: Friday August 30, 2024 Aug 30, 2024

There’s been a possible breakthrough in Chicago’s teacher contract negotiations: Chicago Public Schools administrators are planning to offer significant raises. The new Hard Rock Casino in Rockford is now open. The CTA is now using a new program powered by artificial intelligence to detect guns brandished by passengers at its train stations.

Afternoon News: Thursday August 29, 2024 Aug 29, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is anticipating a roughly $982 million budget gap for next year. The Food and Drug Administration has approved new COVID-19 vaccines to tackle new strains of the virus for the fall and winter months. The Chicago Jazz Festival kicks off tonight.

Morning News: Thursday August 29, 2024 Aug 29, 2024

Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general is leaving the district for a new job. The State of Illinois is probably getting a new flag. The bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease have been found in the drinking water at the EPA’s regional headquarters in Chicago.

Afternoon News: Wednesday August 28, 2024 Aug 28, 2024

For the first time in five years the Chicago Abortion Fund is scaling back who it can help. Chicago’s civilian police oversight commission is talking about ways to reform traffic stops. New details surrounding the death of Emmett Till are coming out today on the 69th anniversary of Till’s murder.

More Earlybirds Club dance parties coming to Chicago, New York and L.A. Aug 28, 2024

Imagine dancing your heart out with your bestie like you used to, but still getting home by 10 p.m.

That’s the idea behind Earlybirds Club, according to creators (and high school friends) Susie Lee and Laura Baginski.

“It’s a dance party for women that starts early and ends early because we all value our sleep,” Baginski said.

Lee and Baginski have been selling out Earlybirds Club dance parties since February, and have a handful more scheduled through the end of the year, including a Halloween party at Beauty Bar and a holiday party at Beat Kitchen. They’re also expanding outside of Chicago; they have an event in New York City in November and plans for a party in Los Angeles in January.

“We were so overwhelmed and surprised at the reaction,” Lee said. “The first one was just like two idiots throwing a party. And then after that, we were like, there clearly is a need for this.”

Lee and Baginski came on the Rundown podcast to explain the idea’s origin story, why it struck a chord with so many, and what’s coming next.

This episode was originally published on April 19, 2024.

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Morning News: Wednesday August 28, 2024 Aug 28, 2024

Who will be running for Chicago’s first ever school board? The list is basically set. The city’s civilian police oversight held a hearing on traffic stop reform last night. New research shows Chicago’s housing developers are disproportionately white and male.

Afternoon News: Tuesday August 27, 2024 Aug 27, 2024

Chicago has reached record-breaking heat. Democratic Illinois lawmakers are vowing to enact Karina’s Bill, a measure that would require judges to order the confiscation of guns from people who have restraining orders against them. Brookfield Zoo announced that Judy, a 24-year-old bison, has died.

Morning News: Tuesday August 27, 2024 Aug 27, 2024

Chicago Public School students started their new school year yesterday in record heat – and are back for more of it today. A national bus tour kicking off in Chicago highlights child and home care workers’ struggles. Hopes that Illinois legislative employees will be allowed to unionize are dwindling.

Afternoon News: Monday August 26, 2024 Aug 26, 2024

There was excessive heat, a lack of bus drivers and also normal first day jitters as Chicago Public Schools welcomed thousands of students back to class today. The attorney for former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson is trying to get his client out of jail pre-trial for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey. The White Sox have lost 100 games this season and it's not even September.

Tera Murray builds bridges through Silver Fork Aug 26, 2024

Tera Murray is a “chef instructor” at Silver Fork, a free culinary work-readiness program at the Center on Halsted. The seven-week program helps people in need prepare for future work opportunities in the industry.

“One of the students just recently incarcerated, he gave a speech at graduation,” Murray recalled. “And he said, ‘That was the first time that I felt human after coming out of prison.’ That’s the kind of thing where I’m reminded how much I love this kind of work.”

Murray tells their story – and the story of Silver Fork – as a part of Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Monday August 26, 2024 Aug 26, 2024

Today is the first day of the fall semester for Chicago Public School students. We hear from one student who got ready for the big day this weekend. Illinois Democrats plan on hitting the road this fall – making sure people in swing states get out to vote. Northwestern University received a grant to create a new center focused on developing robot hands.

Afternoon News: Friday August 23, 2024 Aug 23, 2024

Workers started tearing down the Democratic National Convention at the United Center early Friday morning, and at least one expects to be working until 7 p.m. United Auto Workers at the Stellantis plant in Illinois could go on strike as early as mid-October. The Chicago Bears have reportedly traded for defensive end Darrell Taylor from the Seattle Seahawks.

‘Who hurt you?’ Musician Omar Apollo breaks down the heartbreak in his new album Aug 23, 2024

Omar Apollo takes the stage at Northerly Island Friday night not too far from home – the Mexican-American musician hails from Hobart, Ind. – and ahead of his performance he talked with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about his childhood there, how his Mexican-American parents gave him brutally honest feedback about his vocals when he was a teenager, and about the origins of his latest album (and current tour of the same name) “God Said No.”

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Morning News: Friday August 23, 2024 Aug 23, 2024

What Illinois Democrats thought of Kamala Harris’s energetic speech last night. A young survivor of gun violence from Chicago took the stage on the final night of the DNC. The removal of convention infrastructure will carry on throughout the weekend.

Afternoon News: Thursday August 22, 2024 Aug 22, 2024

Chicago police are monitoring a march against U.S. military aid to Israel on the last day of the Democratic National Convention. Some downtown store owners say the Democratic National Convention is slowing things down for their businesses. People incarcerated at a crumbling state prison outside Joliet are beginning to get moved out today.

Morning News: Thursday August 22, 2024 Aug 22, 2024

A protest against the war in Gaza drew thousands Wednesday evening. Some delegates staged a sit-in outside of the United Center to call for a Palestinian American to speak at the DNC. Gen Z voters gathered near the United Center yesterday to see how they can help get other young people to the polls this November.

Afternoon News: Wednesday August 21, 2024 Aug 21, 2024

Palestinian advocates are requesting a chance to speak on the mainstage of the Democratic National Convention. The Chicago area added nearly 26,000 manufacturing jobs between January 2021 and January 2024, according to an analysis by WBEZ. The Chicago-based satirical newspaper The Onion is back in print after 11 years as an online-only paper.

Ice cream, bees, and an empty dance floor: The DNC is – surprise! – also a convention Aug 21, 2024

Outside of the big speeches every night, what actually happens at the DNC? As it turns out, it’s a convention, filled with delegates hobnobbing, nail technicians issuing Kamala Harris manicures and vendors showing off everything from custom “Yes We Kam” patches to a collection of living, breathing, queen-worshiping bees. The Rundown podcast visited the DNC and spoke with a whole bunch of attendees who see the DNC in Chicago as a unique opportunity – for all kinds of different reasons.

Morning News: Wednesday August 21, 2024 Aug 21, 2024

Dozens of people were arrested during demonstrations supporting Palestine in the West Loop last night. Illinois Democrats highlighted the state’s progressive values during the ceremonial roll call at the DNC. Chicagoans react to the Democratic National Convention after its second day in the city.

Afternoon News: Tuesday August 20, 2024 Aug 20, 2024

Illinois Democrats are excited to hear from former President Barack Obama at the United Center tonight. The Chicago Department of Public Health is advising anyone attending the DNC to stay safe from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. The Israeli American Council has launched an outdoor art exhibit called “Hostage Square Chicago” in the West Loop.

Morning News: Tuesday August 20, 2024 Aug 20, 2024

Illinois Democratic elected officials focused on fighting for working class families on the first night of the Democratic National Convention. Protests on the first day of the DNC were peaceful, though there were some tense moments. Legendary television host Phil Donahue died this week. While working in Chicago during the 1970s and ‘80s, he redefined daytime talk shows for good.

Afternoon News: Monday August 19, 2024 Aug 19, 2024

Hear from a protest march underway near the United Center outside the Democratic National Convention. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said officers this week will avoid confrontation during marches and will not wear riot gear unless people are rioting. Phil Donahue, who created the format of the modern-day talk show and filmed in Chicago from 1974 to 1985, has died. He was 88.

Hello newcomers, here’s a brief introduction to Chicago Aug 19, 2024

With a big influx of people coming to Chicago for this week’s Democratic National Convention, WBEZ decided it was high time to gather some beautiful reminders of what makes our city so special.

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, you’ll hear from three Chicagoans about what they love about this city and its people, including Adeeb Borden, the founder of CEO’s of Color, a non-profit that helps Black and brown teens start their own businesses; chef Diana Dávila, who opened the Logan Square restaurant Mi Tocaya in 2017; and author Jonathan Eig, who won the Pulitzer Prize this year for his biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Morning News: Monday August 19, 2024 Aug 19, 2024

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he’s as excited about the Democratic National Convention, which kicks off today, as Trekkies are for Star Trek conventions. Many patients at hospitals near the United Center are planning to see their doctors virtually this week to avoid traffic. The first major DNC protest happened last night, shutting down part of Michigan Avenue for hours without incident.

Afternoon News: Friday August 16, 2024 Aug 16, 2024

The Chicago Police Department is unveiling a new helicopter ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention. A coalition of faith leaders has partnered with Great Lakes Credit Union to open a brick and mortar location in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will make his Soldier Field debut on Saturday as the Bears take on the Bengals in their third preseason game of the year.

Hear Tala Silva’s ‘feathery, alternative-bedroom-indie-pop-R&B’ sound Aug 16, 2024

WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo takes music submissions from local artists – if the team likes the song, they play it on the radio. When musician Tala Silva sent in her song “Goddess,” Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez put it in the rotation right away and invited Silva in for an interview.

In conversation at Vocalo, Silva described her sound as “very feathery, alternative-bedroom-indie-pop-R&B, I guess, to put it in short.”

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, we hear how Silva got into music, how she produces songs in her bedroom studio, and she tells us about her upcoming show in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Aug. 17.

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Morning News: Friday August 16, 2024 Aug 16, 2024

More than 20 synagogues in Northern Illinois received emailed bomb threats Thursday, according to Evanston Police. As the Democratic National Convention approaches immigrant rights activists say they will be voicing their demands for legalization next week and beyond. Convention organizers are unveiling a new fossil fuel offset program to lower the event’s carbon footprint.

Afternoon News: Thursday August 15, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will both have a moment in the spotlight during next week's Democratic National Convention. Illinois Democrats at the Illinois State Fair are using new enthusiasm for Kamala Harris in hopes of getting people excited about the rest of the ticket. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to replace the head of the public school system – amid tense contract negotiations – is prompting swift pushback from some in the City Council.

Morning News: Thursday August 15, 2024 Aug 15, 2024

We hear reaction to the news that CPS CEO Pedro Martinez may be on his way out the door. Attorney Ben Crump is working with Sonya Massey’s family on a police reform bill named after her. Illinois Democrats are using new enthusiasm for Kamala Harris to get people excited about the rest of the ticket.

Afternoon News: Wednesday August 14, 2024 Aug 14, 2024

Dozens of Springfield-area residents are calling for an overhaul of the Sangamon County Sheriff’s office a little over a month after Sonya Massey was shot and killed by a former sheriffs’ deputy. Just five days from the start of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, protesters are still still fighting for more space to demonstrate. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is laying the groundwork to push out Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez.

We checked out The Salt Shed’s attempt at the ‘World’s Largest Karaoke’ Aug 14, 2024

The Salt Shed hosted thousands of amateur vocalists last week for an event they called “World’s Largest Karaoke.”

“We’re taking some liberties with that title, but we had more than 8,000 people RSVP,” said Mary McKeen, who works on alternative programming at the Salt Shed.

McKeen said a little more than 3,000 people showed up at the outdoor event, which was co-hosted by the Empty Bottle.

“We were thinking about what we can do together,” said Empty Bottle managing partner Matt Ciarleglio. “Obviously we want to do something music-centric, but something weird and unique and fun that we can kind of break down the genre barriers that music sometimes has. And karaoke seemed like the best thing to do.”

In this episode, Rundown podcast producer Justin Bull points a microphone around during the event, talking to performers, hopeful singers and the folks that made this happen.

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Morning News: Wednesday August 14, 2024 Aug 14, 2024

Springfield community members are urging the Sangamon county board to reform the sheriff’s department. Pro-Palestinian protesters are appealing a decision that denies extending the parade route near the United Center to just one mile in length during next week’s Democratic National Convention. Democratic National Convention organizers have surpassed their goals for hiring minority or women owned businesses.

Afternoon News: Tuesday August 13, 2024 Aug 13, 2024

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling says the police department is prepared to keep neighborhoods safe throughout the Democratic National Convention next week. Six Save-A-Lot grocery stores could reopen across Chicago’s South and West sides this fall after months of delays. Former Illinois Auditor General Bill Holland died this weekend at his home in Seattle.

Morning News: Tuesday August 13, 2024 Aug 13, 2024

The head of the Chicago Police Department talks DNC preparedness. Longest-serving Illinois Auditor General Bill Holland dies at 72. A city hotline meant to assist Chicago’s homeless population has been down for over a month… more on what’s causing the stoppage.

Afternoon News: Monday August 12, 2024 Aug 12, 2024

A promise from Republican governors to flood Chicago with buses of asylum seekers ahead of the Democratic National Convention has not yet materialized. A federal judge has ordered that most of the people incarcerated at Stateville prison near Joliet be moved to other prisons by the end of next month. Five University of Chicago students have received diplomas that were withheld due to their involvement in pro-Palestinian encampments.

This exhibit maps South Asian American art in Chicago Aug 12, 2024

There’s an exhibit on the Near South Side focusing on South Asian artists who have come through and thrived in Chicago.

It’s called “What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago.” In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks to curator Shelly Bahl about some of her favorite things that she learned and brought forth into the exhibit.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the things that are left out of art history,” Bahl said. “It’s these things to me that really matter.”

The exhibit is open through October 26 at the South Asia Institute.

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Morning News: Monday August 12, 2024 Aug 12, 2024

The City of Chicago has not seen an influx of migrants as Republican governors promised. The city is still working out plans for residents impacted by DNC security restrictions near the United Center. Free vaccinations were administered at the Market Days festival this weekend.

Afternoon News: Friday August 9, 2024 Aug 09, 2024

Local and state transportation officials showcased a proposed overhaul of DuSable Lake Shore Drive at the final open house of the “Redefine the Drive” project. A new report shows alarming trends in maternal and infant health on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Chicago’s crosstown classic kicks off this evening.

Why ‘charting is in the future’ for Chicago alt-emo musician Godly the Ruler Aug 09, 2024

Godly the Ruler is a Nigerian-born, Chicago-raised musician with an “emo-alternative sound,” one that’s “reminiscent of the early-to-mid-2000s,” according to Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez, who interviewed the artist ahead of their set at Lollapalooza last weekend.

“Charting is in the future for them,” Hernandez said on The Rundown podcast.

In this episode, Godly the Ruler, a.k.a. Godwin Oke, talks about playing the festival for the first time and growing up in Chicago. They also offer some advice for other local artists who might be thinking they need to leave the city.

“I don't want people to think that you have to leave Chicago to like, become the artist you want to be or whatever,” they said. “You can do that here. People should realize that more. You can do that in Chicago.”

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Morning News: Friday August 9, 2024 Aug 09, 2024

Jewish groups say they’re concerned about protests turning violent during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this month. The Sun-Times reported this week that the CTA hasn’t installed a single elevator in five years. The Illinois State Fair is offering gluten-free and vegan food options this year.

Afternoon News: Thursday August 8, 2024 Aug 08, 2024

A wealthy suburban family backed out on its promise to help hundreds of Chicago students pay for college just weeks before the fall semester, and now some former scholarship program staff are stepping in to help. Illinois residents can now apply for mail ballots for the November presidential election. The Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield – and some top officials are urging you to try it.

Morning News: Thursday August 8, 2024 Aug 08, 2024

Tributes to Chicago police officer Ella French on the third anniversary of her death in the line of duty. Illinois has a new set of laws on the books protecting reproductive rights. Chicago residents who live near the United Center had an opportunity to ask Chicago leaders about the upcoming Democratic National Convention taking place in their neighborhood.

Afternoon News: Wednesday August 7, 2024 Aug 07, 2024

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Gov. Juliana Stratton want the Sangamon County Sheriff to resign. Cook County officials are announcing plans to build a new health center on Chicago’s South Side. The premier of the Chicago Bears’ Hard Knocks documentary proved a treat for fans of football and gymnastics.

It’s been 20 years since the Dave Matthews Band incident left people in ‘stunned silence’ Aug 07, 2024

Rundown host Erin Allen guides us through a first person account of a fateful day in Chicago history: August 8, 2004, when a celebrity tour bus dumped human waste on an unsuspecting architecture tour boat. Hear from two people who were on the scene: Brett McNeil explains what it was like to be on the boat, including the crowd’s transition from “stunned silence” to “pandemonium.” Angela Rozas O'Toole explains the aftermath, and where this story sits in the Chicago pantheon of stories.

Morning News: Wednesday August 7, 2024 Aug 07, 2024

Delegates for the Democratic Party in Illinois say they are excited by Kamala Harris’ VP pick. Friends and family of Sonya Massey gather outside her home Tuesday night for a vigil. It will now be easier for people to get an Illinois state ID upon leaving jail or prison.

Afternoon News: Tuesday August 6, 2024 Aug 06, 2024

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s excited his friend Tim Walz, a fellow midwestern Democratic governor, is the party’s vice presidential nominee. The Illinois State Board of Education is launching an ad campaign to recruit more teachers statewide. The U.S. Women's Soccer Team – which features two players from the Chicago Red Stars – has secured a spot in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics.

Morning News: Tuesday August 6, 2024 Aug 06, 2024

It’s getting down to the wire for a federal judge to decide exactly where demonstrators can march near the United Center for the Democratic National Convention. Details on how the DNC is promoting Chicago’s neighborhoods to get visitors to explore beyond downtown. Some prominent Illinois Republicans are working to get Kamala Harris elected president.

Afternoon News: Monday August 5, 2024 Aug 05, 2024

Three activist groups are still negotiating with the City of Chicago on exactly where they can march near the United Center, just two weeks before the start of the Democratic National Convention. Chicago’s Damen Green Line station is up and running at Damen Ave. and Lake St. more than seven years after the project was first announced. After their loss on Sunday the Chicago White Sox have extended their franchise record losing streak to 20 games.

Cyberbullying persists and Trisha Prabhu wants you to ‘ReThink’ before you type Aug 05, 2024

What started as Trisha Prabhu’s science fair project at Naperville’s Scullen Middle School eventually turned into a finalist at the Google Science Fair, a small business, a deal winner on Shark Tank, and most recently, a winner of a $100,000 grant via The Lonely Hearts Club Funding Challenge.

Her company is called ReThink, a “nonintrusive, patented technology that effectively detects and stops online hate before the damage is done.”

“I want to try and think about how we can tackle cyberbullying before it happens,” Prabhu said on The Rundown podcast.

Prabhu talked to host Erin Allen about her personal experience with cyberbullying and how she hopes young people can employ that age-old advice from our elders – “think before you speak” – but fit it into a very contemporary medium: the internet.

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Morning News: Monday August 5, 2024 Aug 05, 2024

Illinois tax revenues off to a good start so far, a new firearm safety storage program at dozens of healthcare facilities

Afternoon News: Friday August 2, 2024 Aug 02, 2024

The Chicago Office of Police Accountability is investigating a police officer who was caught on video punching and pointing a gun at a man during an arrest. Venezuelans in Chicago are organizing a vigil tonight as tensions escalate back home in the aftermath of President Nicolas Maduro’s self-proclaimed re-election. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says his administration has spent 83% of the city's COVID relief funds.

Who is this?: Local singer adan diaz just made his Lolla debut Aug 02, 2024

adan diaz is a 20-year-old Mexican-American singer from Northlake, just outside of Chicago, and he made his Lollapalooza debut the first night of the music festival, just a year after attending the event for the first time.

Ahead of his performance, he talked with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about how surreal it was to be on the stage, especially during a prime time slot.

“I told the band, just be ready to get there early,” diaz said. “And then I saw the slot, and we literally emailed back like, ‘Is this a mistake?’”

Learn more about diaz on his Instagram.

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Morning News: August 2, 2024 Aug 02, 2024

The EPA issues a fuel waiver for four states including Illinois, the union suing the Illinois House Speaker responds to his attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, the Racial Healing Collaborative culminates with art installations in Bronzeville and Chinatown

Afternoon News: Thursday August 1, 2024 Aug 01, 2024

Newly released 911 calls show the mother of Sonya Massey called police for help with her daughter less than 24 hours before Sonya was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy. A Chicago man with a long criminal record is being held in jail on charges that he murdered an off-duty sheriff’s deputy during an attempted robbery. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker may still be a contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate: a source tells the Sun-Times that Pritzker met virtually with Harris's vetting team twice this week.

Morning News: Thursday August 1,2024 Aug 01, 2024

Former President Donald Trump’s confrontational interview at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists got mixed reviews. Several Black Chicagoans made their way downtown in hopes of greeting the former president. Plus, local indie artist Adan Diaz is set to perform next to big names in Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.

Afternoon News: Wednesday July 31, 2024 Jul 31, 2024

Former President Donald Trump had a confrontational conversation with Black journalists in Chicago. Advocates say six more years under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s unpopular regime could have a long-term impact on cities like Chicago. Lollapalooza kicks off Thursday – along with the threat of severe weather.

Jojo Alsberry leads the return of Chicago’s annual dance showcase Jul 31, 2024

Jonathan “Jojo” Alsberry – known by some in the dance community as “the Kevin Bacon of dance” – is taking the reins this year as the lead choreographer of the finale of Dance For Life. The annual Chicago dance showcase features performances from several local companies, including Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Trinity Irish Dance Company and Visceral Dance Chicago.

“I want the work to be a celebration of the beautiful, loving and diverse community that we have in Chicago around dance,” Alsberry said on the Rundown podcast. “There are many, many dance communities we have here and I want to celebrate that.”

Dance for Life was originally created in the early 1990s as a fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Today, the organization that puts on the showcase – the Chicago Dance Health Fund – offers healthcare relief to anyone working in Chicago’s dance community.

“A lot of people don’t realize that a lot of the dancers don’t have health insurance,” said Michael Anderson, vice president of the Chicago Dance Health Fund board of directors. “So being able to offer them mental health, or co-pays for their doctor visits, or a lead for dental, all those things are really important to keep them healthy or active.”

Rundown podcast host Erin Allen sat down with Alsberry and Anderson to talk about this year’s Dance For Life and why the creative process is just as important – if not more so – than the final dance the audience sees.

This year’s Dance For Life takes place Aug. 10 at the Auditorium Theater.

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Morning News: Wednesday July 31, 2024 Jul 31, 2024

Former President Donald Trump will speak at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Many attendees aren’t happy about it. Civil rights leaders, who say the killing of Sonya Massey should prompt sweeping, national police reform. Illinois signs a law strengthening abortion protections the same day Iowa reduces abortion access.

Afternoon News: Tuesday July 30, 2024 Jul 30, 2024

Sonya Massey’s family will be on Chicago’s West Side tonight for a rally hosted by Black clergy leaders. The son of imprisoned Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo Guzman pleaded not guilty today in a Chicago courtroom. WBEZ data analysis shows the number of traffic stops made by the Chicago Police Department has gone down this year.

Morning News: Tuesday July 30, 2024 Jul 30, 2024

A listening session meant to heal relations between law enforcement and Black Springfield residents quickly devolved into a screaming match. Chicago police are pulling over fewer drivers than previous years, a new WBEZ data analysis shows. Illinoisans on Medicaid could soon get coverage for things like rental assistance and nutrition counseling.

Afternoon News: Monday July 29, 2024 Jul 29, 2024

The U.S. Department of Justice will be in Springfield tonight for a listening session on healing relations between law enforcement and Black communities following the shooting death of Sonya Massey by then-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson. Insurance plans in Illinois will have to cover pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care from doulas and midwives as part of the state’s so-called “Birth Equity Initiative” signed into law today. The new CTA Damen Green Line station will open August 5th just in time for the Democratic National Convention.

Go ahead… let Sugar Hole puppets serve you ice cream. Jul 29, 2024

The Sugar Hole is a walk-up, soft-serve ice cream window in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood, not exceptionally unique but for one significant factor: the staff are puppets.

“That’s gonna be $10,” said Puddles, a blue alien, to his first two customers on a hot Saturday afternoon in July. “And I don’t have arms so can you put it between my eyeballs?”

Josh Dihle and Abby Monroe are the husband and wife co-owners of both The Sugar Hole and Color Club, an adjacent arts and events space they opened in 2021. Dihle said they wanted to add some kind of walk-up food window for years, and the idea of staffing one with puppets was mostly inspired by their 2-year-old daughter's puppet-heavy toy bin.

"One day at dinner we were talking about like, 'Oh, well, The Sugar Hole, what if it was a little puppet hand that came out and took your change or took your money when you paid?' And then my wife Abby was like, 'Oh, well, maybe just: puppets should work there.' And I was like, 'Oh my God, you're right.'"

On this episode of the Rundown podcast, host Erin Allen talked with several folks in and around The Sugar Hole – including Dihle, a few ice cream patrons, as well as puppets Puddles and Aurora Bearialis and their human operators Camille Mitchell and Emilie Wingate – to get a grasp of what a puppet ice cream shop is all about.

"For me personally, I get a big kick out of standing across the street and looking over and seeing this absurd thing occurring that grew out of literally a joke," Dihle added. "I like that moment where you can see something that had lived inside of your head literally abutting with reality, and that people are catching the ball and going with it."

The Sugar Hole is open weekends from 3-8pm and is located at 4146 N. Elston Ave.

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Morning News: Monday July 29, 2024 Jul 29, 2024

The U.S. DOJ is looking into the employment history of the police officer who shot and killed Sonya Massey, the Illinois hemp industry tries to work with Republicans and what to do if you see a black bear in Illinois

Afternoon News: Friday July 26, 2024 Jul 26, 2024

County officials in Springfield released the autopsy report of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month. The autopsy report shows that 36-year-old Massey died from a gunshot wound under her left eye. Student groups in Chicago are reacting to Vice President Kamala Harris' sudden run for the presidential election. Chicago’s largest improv festival, iO Fest, continues this weekend.

Good Girls DJ collective wants you to know they’re not just good ‘for girls’ Jul 26, 2024

Lori Branch, Lady D and VITIGRRL are the Good Girls, a Chicago DJ trio that’s “not good for girls, just good.”

They talked to Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about their path to becoming DJs, creating the collective and their advice for the next generation.

“You do have to find your community,” said Lady D. “You’ve got to find the people who are going to push you, who are going to support you, people who are going to say while you’re practicing, like ‘That didn’t sound good,’ and make you work harder for it.”

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Morning News: Friday July 26, 2024 Jul 26, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city is preparing for tens of thousands of migrants to arrive on short notice. Illinois celebrates a new quantum technology research campus on the southeast side of Chicago. Federal and local officials outline their security plan for next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Afternoon News: Thursday July 25, 2024 Jul 25, 2024

Chicago officials vow street closures ahead of the Democratic National Convention will not upend daily life for residents. Chicago Public Schools is offering a glimmer of hope to magnet and selective enrollment students who need transportation to school. A new ad on social media and on TV is trying to inform people about Firearm Restraining Orders to help prevent gun suicides and other shootings.

Morning News: Thursday July 25, 2024 Jul 25, 2024

Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor says JB Pritzker should be in the running for Vice President. A new report says crime rates in U.S. cities have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Southside Blooms, a non-profit Englewood flower shop that seeks to employ at-risk youth, has been tasked with making the DNCs floral arrangements.

Afternoon News: Wednesday July 24, 2024 Jul 24, 2024

Chicago Public School officials closed a $500 million budget deficit, in part, by counting on thousands of positions to be vacant for part or all of the school year. Illinois U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky boycotted today’s address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress because of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. People who live in some south suburbs say any changes to public transportation in the region *must* include better accessibility.

‘Godfather of House’ Chip E. calls his Jack Trax EP ‘the blueprint’ of the genre Jul 24, 2024

DJ and producer Irwin “Chip E.” Eberhart says his contributions to the creation of the House music genre – alongside his crew of Kurt Landrum, Eric Taylor and Joe Smooth – often go unrecognized.

“A lot of people make the assumption that House music just accidentally happened, but it didn't,” he told Rundown podcast host Erin Allen. “There was an existing House culture, but there was no genre of House until Kurt Landrum, Joe Smooth, Eric ET Taylor, and myself put together the Jack Trax EP.”

“We intentionally created what we felt was a new type of music,” he added. “It’s not just dance music, it’s not just the evolution of disco, but it was an engineered sound. That’s why today, every single track on Jack Trax stands the test of time, because it is the blueprint.”

On this episode, Chip E. talked about his early life in Chicago and his path into music production, the creation of the Jack Trax EP and the origins of House, and why he thinks his crew hasn’t gotten its proper due. He also talked about why he loves this genre of music ahead of his headlining performance at Wicker Park Fest on July 28.

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Morning News: Wednesday July 24, 2024 Jul 24, 2024

An attorney for Sonya Massey’s family says the U-S Department of Justice is now investigating her death. A new $7 billion dollar investment project is coming to the Near West Side. City officials are preparing for a surge of migrants arriving in Chicago ahead of the DNC.

Afternoon News: Tuesday July 23, 2024 Jul 23, 2024

An attorney for the family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed in Springfield by Sean Grayson, a white sheriff's deputy, said the U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the shooting. Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker did not reject the idea of becoming Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in his first public appearance since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for president. More than 10,000 Cook County residents will receive property tax refunds.

Morning News: Tuesday July 23, 2024 Jul 23, 2024

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is singing Governor J.B. Pritzker’s praises but stops short of a vice presidential endorsement. Despite the change at the top of the Democratic ticket – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is vowing a smooth Democratic National Convention. Body camera footage of Springfield woman Sonya Massey’s death is sending shockwaves throughout the community.

Afternoon News: Monday July 22, 2024 Jul 22, 2024

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is among several key Democrats to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Voters in Northwest Indiana had mixed reactions to the news that Harris is President Joe Biden’s pick. President Biden’s decision to end his campaign could significantly alter next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

How House music found its ‘roots’ in Disco: DJ Lady D on 40 years of the genre Jul 22, 2024

House music was born in Chicago 40 years ago. To celebrate the genre’s birthday, the city is celebrating with events all year long.

Darlene Jackson – also known as DJ Lady D, who the Chicago Reader named “Best House Music DJ in Chicago” – is on the House Music 40 planning committee and is scheduled to spin some music at Wicker Park Fest July 28.

“The roots of House come from disco,” she said on the Rundown podcast. “Frankie Knuckles actually popularized that statement, that House music is disco’s revenge.”

Jackson talked to host Erin Allen about the attempted “demolition” of disco in Chicago and the rise of House music, the legend of late House DJ and record producer Frankie Knuckles, and why the genre is having a resurgence.

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Morning News: Monday, July 22, 2024 Jul 22, 2024

The majority of Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation are backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee this fall. Springfield community members are calling for change at a funeral for an unarmed woman shot by police earlier this month. The private foundation The Commonwealth Fund released a healthcare scorecard showing where Illinois excels and has room for improvement.

Afternoon News: Friday July 19, 2024 Jul 19, 2024

Cook County prosecutors are dropping the charges against four Northwestern educators who were charged with obstructing police during the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in April. Democratic Congressmen Sean Casten and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia are the newest members of Illinois’ congressional delegation to call on President Biden to end his reelection bid. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has come out against federal plans to expand a lakefront disposal site on the Southeast Side.

Oak Park musician Kara Jackson to take the stage at Pitchfork Jul 19, 2024

Oak Park-born musician Kara Jackson is taking the stage at Pitchfork Music Festival for the first time.

Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez spoke with her ahead of her performance, and asked her how she would describe her sound.

“While the foundation feels like folk – and I really just write songs mostly with me and my guitar – I think there’s so many other influences that show themselves,” Jackson said. “I’ve loved jazz and R&B and all types of music, so I think those influences definitely bleed out in the music too.”

Pitchfork named Jackson’s most recent album one of the 50 best of 2023. She takes the stage at the annual music festival on July 20. On today’s episode, we hear about her early life in Oak Park and her blooming career.

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Morning News: Friday, July 19, 2024 Jul 19, 2024

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says the head of the Secret Service needs to resign immediately. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is in hot water with progressive organizers urging him to drop charges against them for a civil disobedience protest for Gaza in April. The state of Illinois is hoping to reduce climate change through capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Afternoon News: Thursday July 18, 2024 Jul 18, 2024

Illinois Republican Congressman Mike Bost is joining the growing chorus of calls for the head of the Secret Service to either resign or be fired after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Northwestern University police arrested and charged four educators earlier this month for allegedly obstructing law enforcement during the pro-Palestinian campus encampment. Chicago-born actor and comedian Bob Newhart has died at age 94.

Morning News: Thursday July 18, 2024 Jul 18, 2024

The Illinois GOP’s incoming chairwoman says it’s time to put aside differences and get to work. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is denying residents experiencing homelessness are being moved because of the DNC. Southeast Side environmentalists have a new report out about cumulative health impacts.

Afternoon News: Wednesday July 17, 2024 Jul 17, 2024

Residents of a shelter on the Magnificent Mile have been evicted to make room for occupants of a tent encampment being cleared ahead of the Democratic National Convention. Illinois’ House Republican leader is confident they’ll win back some seats in Springfield this year. The Chicago-set Hulu TV series “The Bear” received a record-breaking number of Emmy nominations this morning.

Chicago’s Major Taylor bike trail celebrates a trailblazing American cyclist Jul 17, 2024

Major Taylor was both a world champion American cyclist who once held seven world sprint records and an activist who demanded equal treatment in the face of racist competitors and race organizers.

Brenda Dixon, the president of the board for the Major Taylor Trail Keepers, puts Major Taylor on par with Jesse Owens, Arthur Ashe and other trailblazing American sports heroes who “stand on his shoulders without even realizing it.”

“He was an activist before his time,” Dixon said of Taylor, who competed around the turn of the 20th century. “Everyone should know who he is.”

A cycling and walking trail through Chicago’s South Side bears Major Taylor’s name, and this year’s annual celebration ride in his honor is scheduled for Sept. 7.

In this episode, Dixon is joined by Keith Holt, a founding member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago and a pivotal part of the establishment of the Major Taylor Trail, to tell us Major Taylor’s story and the story of the community through which his trail passes.

This episode was originally published on Aug. 16, 2023.

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Morning News: Wednesday July 17, 2024 Jul 17, 2024

A former congressman from New York shares some tips on how to reach voters in larger cities. Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to fill a long vacant leadership post in the City Council. Severe storms Monday night left behind severe damage as several tornadoes touch ground throughout the Chicagoland area.

Afternoon News: Tuesday July 16, 2024 Jul 16, 2024

An update on the latest WBEZ reporting from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Chicago’s Police Superintendent is talking up the city’s preparedness for next month’s Democratic National Convention in the wake of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump from a rooftop. Thousands of ComEd customers are still without power and a Northwest Indiana woman was killed during last night's severe weather.

Morning News: Tuesday July 16, 2024 Jul 16, 2024

As many as 10 tornadoes were reported in the Chicago area Monday night. Illinois Republicans are reacting to Former President Donald Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance as his running mate. Chicago alderpersons approved more than $11 million to settle allegations of gender and disability discrimination within the Chicago Fire Department.

Afternoon News: Monday July 15, 2024 Jul 15, 2024

Following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Illinois Republicans showed a united front as they arrived in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week. Demonstrators who plan to march at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month are prepared for tighter security following the attack on the former president. Some Chicago area schools are considering taking stricter measures to limit cell phone use in schools.

Artist David Lee Csicsko and his bright, folky, cubist portraits Jul 15, 2024

Artist David Lee Csicsko uses bright colors, a dash of cubism and a touch of folk art in his portraits of LGBTQ+ icons like Alvin Ailey, Freddie Mercury, Keith Haring, Josephine Baker, and more.

"[I'm] trying to sort of make that person as lively as I can make them so that you want to read about them," Csicsko said. "Because the further we get from those people, they can fade away, and I'm trying to keep them alive."

An exhibit of Csicsko's work is open through July 27 at the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave. It's called “Mr. Fancy Pants: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Icons.” It features several decades-worth of art made by Csicsko, whose work you may have seen before, at the Belmont CTA station or even on your reusable Mariano's grocery bag.

On today's episode, Csicsko tells Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about his young life in Hammond, Indiana, getting inspired as a kid at Chicago's free museums and how his work has evolved over time.

"Getting my work out there, and the fact that almost anybody can enjoy it, that to me that's incredibly satisfying and a job I take very seriously," he said.

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Morning News: Monday July 15, 2024 Jul 15, 2024

Illinois Republicans are rallying around Donald Trump even more after Saturday’s assassination attempt as the RNC gets underway. Chicago hospitals are asking patients to be flexible during the Democratic National Convention next month. Illinois transit leaders are asking state lawmakers for more money.

Afternoon News: Friday July 12, 2024 Jul 12, 2024

Bally’s has announced it has secured the financing needed to complete the construction of its permanent Chicago casino and entertainment complex. The State of Illinois’ African Descent-Citizens Reparations Commission will hold its first public hearing Saturday. Rural homelessness is a growing issue nationwide.

Jeremiah Paprocki, the voice of Wrigley Field, is breaking into late night Jul 12, 2024

Jeremiah Paprocki got his current gig as the voice of Wrigley Field when he was 21 years-old—but you probably wouldn’t guess it from his voice. Now, at 24, Paprocki is breaking into TV with his own late-night show, “Late Nights in Chicago.” “We really want this show to be as Chicago as possible,” Paprocki said. “We’re looking forward to highlighting the city.” He talked with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about sports announcing and what inspired him to venture into late night.

Morning News: Friday July 12, 2024 Jul 12, 2024

The head of the DNC insists Biden is the nominee despite growing calls for him to step aside, Illinois Republicans are on the verge of choosing a new state party chair, and an iconic Chicago-based grocery chain celebrates 50 years

Afternoon News: Thursday July 11, 2024 Jul 11, 2024

A north suburban congressman is the second congressional Democrat from Illinois to call for President Joe Biden to end his re-election bid. Chicago Public Schools says it has figured out how to close a $500 million budget deficit. Chicago and Illinois leaders are speaking out against the violence over the Fourth of July weekend.

Morning News: Thursday July 11, 2024 Jul 11, 2024

Hollywood icon George Clooney has Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on a shortlist of potential Democratic replacements for President Joe Biden. Chicago leaders are speaking out against the wave of violence this past Fourth of July weekend. The Ashland bus route could be extended a mile north later this summer.

Afternoon News: Wednesday July 10, 2024 Jul 10, 2024

Kroger and Albertsons have a list of nearly three dozen grocery stores in Illinois they plan to sell ahead of their planned merger. Chicago’s most marginalized students have almost no shot of getting into CPS’ top test-in high schools according to a WBEZ analysis of district data. Health insurance companies in Illinois have to start phasing out the practice of “step therapy,” where an insurer does not cover a treatment prescribed by a doctor until the patient first tries a less expensive option.

Anthony Spaulding on finding artistic inspiration while incarcerated Jul 10, 2024

Anthony Spaulding was incarcerated at 16 years-old and spent 27 years in prison. When he got out in 2022, the world around him barely resembled the one he remembered. He, too, was a wholly different person than he’d been nearly three decades earlier. “I don’t wanna say it was a blessing that I got locked up,” said Spaulding. “But it definitely gave me the time to sit down and reevaluate my life.” He spent that time taking classes and developing as an artist under the mentorship of legendary artist Margaret Burroughs. Now, he’s working as a barber and performing his one-man show. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Spaulding about his experience of incarceration and his one-man show “To Cut a Barber’s Hands.”

Morning News: Wednesday July 10, 2024 Jul 10, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is renewing support for President Joe Biden’s re-election bid while also not ruling out his own potential White House run. The City of Chicago’s inspector general says the police department has every right to fire officers who have associated once with a far-right extremist group. Leaders of Pace, the CTA and Metra throw cold water on the idea of a merger.

Afternoon News: Tuesday July 9, 2024 Jul 09, 2024

The remnants of Hurricane Beryl are barreling into the Chicago area. Students at Larry’s Barber College on Chicago’s South Side spent time today learning how to identify and respond to opioid overdoses. White Sox ace pitcher Garrett Crochet will represent the South Siders at next week’s All-Star Game.

Morning News: Tuesday July 9, 2024 Jul 09, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants more federal help to address gun violence. The city is taking an inventory of this weekend’s NASCAR race, and wondering whether the 4th of July weekend is the best time for it. Chicago tenants are helping each other stay cool with a free AC lending program, at least while supplies last.

Afternoon News: Monday July 8, 2024 Jul 08, 2024

A pair of for-profit colleges in the Chicago area have abruptly shut down. The nonprofit HEAL Palestine is working to bring Gazan children to Chicago and other U.S. cities for serious medical care. Invasive jumping worms are likely to begin turning up in your garden beds and making a mess.

No Cook County Fair? No problem. Enter the ‘Chicago’s Best Baker’ contest Jul 08, 2024

Think your lemon meringue pie could win an amateur baking contest? Well, you can put your baking chops to the test at the annual Chicago’s Best Baker Competition on July 20 in Uptown.

“Chicago has a lot of baking competitions for people who are professionals,” said Genesis Winter, who started this contest back in 2018. “And so I wanted to do something that was just, you know, [similar to] a county fair. Your mom who's in the kitchen and she makes an amazing cookie and she wants to go show off and get the blue ribbon. That's what we're going for.”

Much like a county fair, winners go home with a ribbon and bragging rights. Non-baking attendees can taste what’s on offer in exchange for a donation to Cornerstone Community Outreach, a Chicago homeless shelter run by Winter’s husband, Andrew.

In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen sat down with Winter and last year’s overall winner, Alia Zander (a.k.a. Chicago’s reigning amateur “best baker”) to talk about the origins of the contest and what it looks and feels like to enter (and win).

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Morning News: Monday July 8, 2024 Jul 08, 2024

Some NASCAR fans say they saw a more diverse audience this past weekend in Chicago. The Chicago Teachers Union is calling out the head of the school district over the state of contract negotiations. Cook County is investing $100 million dollars into Provident Hospital on the South Side.

Afternoon News: Friday July 5, 2024 Jul 05, 2024

An 8-year-old boy has died from his injuries after being shot in a mass shooting in the early hours of the Fourth of July. Chicago officials are encouraging residents to attend a series of budget roundtables. The popular online homestay rental platform Airbnb is going to extra lengths to crack down on disruptive parties this holiday weekend.

Sorry Papi is a world-traveling ‘girls only’ reggaeton party Jul 05, 2024

Sorry Papi is a popular all-female traveling DJ party co-founded by Miriam Paz.

“We were just thinking one day before COVID: ‘What if we throw an all-girls reggaeton party?” Paz said.

Paz, whose stage name is DJ Miriam, talked with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about the genesis of the traveling party, the general prowess of female DJs, and why women feel safer partying with other women.

Sorry Papi’s next party is July 6 at the Ramova Theatre in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.

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Morning News: Friday July 5, 2024 Jul 05, 2024

Highland Park families explain why they wanted to come to the community's first parade following the mass shooting two years ago. A new report shows how federal housing voucher renters can become voucher homeowners. Some Chicagoans are confused about how much to budget for their monthly student loan payments in the face of dueling court decisions.

Afternoon News: Wednesday July 3, 2024 Jul 03, 2024

The Jelly Belly Candy company will cease operations in North Chicago and lay off dozens of workers. Illinois ended its fiscal year with more money than expected. More than 1.7 million people are expected to travel through O’Hare and Midway airports this holiday weekend.

Zeshan B’s new album ‘O Say, Can You See’ is for the dreamers among us Jul 03, 2024

When the pandemic hit, Zeshan B was living in the Bronx. His wife works in health care, so her job was considered essential. Meanwhile, he lost all his work as a performer, and he channeled his lockdown angst into new music. “My industry was considered nonessential,” he said. “While I was on the back burner, the only thing I could do was write.” Now, Zeshan B and his family live in Chicago, and he’s preparing to release his new album, “O Say, Can You See,” later this month. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Zeshan B about dreaming, his new album and surviving the concrete jungle.

Morning News: Wednesday July 3, 2024 Jul 03, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is stopping short of calling for Democratic President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race. Most of the Chicago school board candidates are being challenged. That could mean the wide open field of 47 candidates might be whittled down. Adult educators at City Colleges of Chicago were on the streets yesterday calling for a fair contract.

Afternoon News: Tuesday July 2, 2024 Jul 02, 2024

The Supreme Court declined to review Illinois’ ban on semiautomatic weapons, meaning that judgment will stand for now. Lurie Children’s Hospital says nearly 800,000 people may have been exposed in a cybersecurity attack this year. A new report from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows an increase in traffic stops last year – and that Black drivers were nearly twice as likely to be stopped by police than white drivers.

Morning News: Tuesday July 2, 2024 Jul 02, 2024

Illinois Republicans celebrate while Illinois Democrats lament Monday’s SCOTUS decision on presidential immunity. A Cook County employee says he was fired for talking about wrongdoing at a county agency. Officials agreed on a plan to protect the Great Lakes from the invasive carp.

Afternoon News: Monday July 1, 2024 Jul 01, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker still believes the door to prosecute former President Donald Trump is still open even after the Supreme Court ruled a president holds "absolute immunity" for official acts. A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows one in three students in Illinois are chronically absent – meaning they miss at least 10 percent of their school year. Loyola Medicine is working with a charity to erase about $112 million of medical debt this year for low-income patients.

Cats, cartoons and mortality: Lucy Knisley on her graphic novel, ‘WOE’ Jul 01, 2024

Linney was the name of a loud and melodramatic house cat who stars in a new graphic novel titled “WOE: A Housecat’s Story of Despair.”

Linney’s owner, Evanston-based graphic novelist Lucy Knisley, said she originally based Linney’s comic-strip voice off the character Sister Monica Jones, a British nun from the long-running BBC series “Call the Midwife.”

“She was complaining about stuff that was just so silly to complain about, but she was so eloquent about it, so I wanted to give her this eloquent, stately manner,” Knisley said.

In this episode of The Rundown podcast, Knisley tells host Erin Allen about her journey into comics – from her early love of “Calvin & Hobbes” to her education at both the School of the Art Institute in Chicago and The Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, Vermont.

Knisley also talks about the poignant comic strip she created following Linney’s death, one she says readers will still reach out to her about several years later.

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Morning News: Monday July 1, 2024 Jul 01, 2024

A former Chicago Police Officer is remembered for his years of service to his community and his country. Chicago’s minimum wage is increasing today – and tipped workers specifically will also be seeing a boost. Field Museum scientists have documented the oldest grape seed fossils ever found in the western hemisphere.

Afternoon News: Friday June 28, 2024 Jun 28, 2024

Freelance workers in Illinois will enjoy new protections starting on Monday. Federal officials estimate a million fewer students will receive the Pell Grant this year. The Chicago Teachers Union announced yesterday the candidates it will support for the first school board election.

Peach Tree Rascals on their viral hit, ‘Mariposa’ Jun 28, 2024

Do you remember the track ‘Mariposa’? It did significant rounds on TikTok during the pandemic lockdown. The group behind the song, Peach Tree Rascals, is about to wrap up a 19 show, 27-day tour. Ahead of their Chicago show last week, they spoke with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about their deep friendship, what it’s like to create a viral music hit and how they’re making their immigrant parents proud.

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Morning News: Friday June 28, 2024 Jun 28, 2024

Two new state-run migrant shelters are opening in Chicago but some state lawmakers say they have serious concerns. Undocumented residents in Illinois can get standard driver’s licenses starting Monday. Laid off Chicago Public School staff members spoke out yesterday about how their absence will hurt students.

Afternoon News: Thursday June 27, 2024 Jun 27, 2024

New U.S. Census Bureau population estimates released today reveal significant demographic shifts in the greater Chicago area. Researchers say a bill introduced in Springfield this year could allow more working adults in Illinois to get college degrees. Chicago Public Media has a new CEO.

Morning News: Thursday June 27, 2024 Jun 27, 2024

The state’s attorney in north suburban Lake County says he’s ready for trial against the accused gunman in the Highland Park 4th of July massacre as a plea deal falls through. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling narrowing federal bribery law could have a major impact on some high-profile Chicago corruption cases. Illinois officials are launching an updated plan to curb the transmission of H-I-V/AIDS.

Afternoon News: Wednesday June 26, 2024 Jun 26, 2024

A coalition of feminist and LGBTQ+ activist groups have struck a deal with the city of Chicago to march on the eve of the Democratic National Convention. The man accused of gunning down seven people at the Highland Park 4th of July parade two years ago rejected a plea deal during a court hearing today. Defense attorneys for four former ComEd lobbyists and executives say a Supreme Court decision could win their clients a new trial.

Angie Leventis Lourgos shares ‘Life-Altering’ stories of abortion in the Midwest Jun 26, 2024

Angie Leventis Lourgos began reporting on abortion access in Illinois in 2015. In the two years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, she has watched the Midwest become even further divided over the issue of abortion rights. “It seems like the chasm between Missouri and Illinois or Illinois and Indiana has only widened,” she said. “I didn’t think that was possible because they seemed so disparate when I started doing this reporting.” Earlier this year, Leventis Lourgos published her first book, “Life-Altering: Abortion Stories from the Midwest.” She spoke with a number of abortion patients around the region about their experiences. The stories in the book span six decades: from illegal abortions pre-Roe, to post-Roe attacks on abortion clinics. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Leventis Lourgos about her reporting and the state of the post-Roe Midwest this election year.

Morning News: Wednesday June 26, 2024 Jun 26, 2024

A new study sheds light on the impact of removing police from Chicago high schools. Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch’s lawyers work to get a lawsuit against him dismissed. Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker signs into law the creation of a new state agency.

Afternoon News: Tuesday June 25, 2024 Jun 25, 2024

A Chicago City Council committee approved plans for a new Wrigleyville development Tuesday over the objections of preservation groups. Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Junior has filed the necessary paperwork to get on Illinois' ballot in November. Two people locked up at Robinson prison in downstate Illinois recently went on hunger strikes because they believe that if their sentence credits were corrected, they’d be out of prison already.

Morning News: Tuesday June 25, 2024 Jun 25, 2024

The longest serving alderman in Chicago history gets sentenced to federal prison. Millions of federal dollars will be going toward new storm water projects across Cook County. Walmart donates a training facility on the South Side to the Chicago Urban League.

Afternoon News: Monday June 24, 2024 Jun 24, 2024

A federal judge has sentenced former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $2 million fine. Illinois' state climatologist says soil conservation work is our best weapon to reduce the risk of dust storms. Sky rookie Angel Reese had a career-high 25-point game yesterday as Chicago beat the Indiana Fever 88 to 87.

Venezuelan migrants face xenophobia in Colombia and Chicago Jun 24, 2024

Colombia’s influx of Venezuelan migrants has led to accusations the migrants are fueling crime and drawing resources needed by low-income Colombians. This resembles some responses to Venezuelan arrivals in Chicago.

WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell spent two weeks in Colombia – a country that’s received a much larger influx of Venezuelan migrants than Chicago – to discover how the conditions compare, how Venezuelan migrants in both countries are experiencing xenophobia and what lessons the city of Chicago can learn.

This episode is a part of the Democracy Solutions Project, a partnership among WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government.

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Morning News: Monday June 24, 2024 Jun 24, 2024

Ex-Chicago Alderman Ed Burke faces 10 years in prison for corruption. His sentencing hearing begins today. In the South Shore neighborhood evictions are high – and residents want protections against displacement. Abortion funds that help patients pay for procedures and travel are losing money across the country, including in Chicago.

Afternoon News: Friday June 21, 2024 Jun 21, 2024

Chicagoans and their pets have limited exercise options amid this week’s heat wave. A National Weather Service meteorologist says this spring was unusually stormy in central Illinois. Hundreds of cycling enthusiasts are in Chicago this weekend for an international convention named after a local sports legend.

Lovers and Friends is the 30+ queer party of our dreams Jun 21, 2024

When Yoly Rojas came back single from a stint on Netflix’s “The Ultimatum: Queer Love,” she wanted to meet some new queer people her age. She and friend Keli Knight looked around and realized they didn’t have a space to meet other LGBTQ+ people over 30. So they made one.

Rojas and Knight’s Lovers and Friends party, which has a focus on the BIPOC lesbian community, has amassed a large following in its first year on the scene—so much so that they’ve already started branching out into other cities.

“You would think those parameters are so niche,” said Nudia Hernandez from our sister station Vocalo. “How many people could show up? A lot, apparently.”

In this episode, Hernandez talks to Rojas and Knight about creating the queer spaces they want to inhabit.

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Morning News: Friday June 21, 2024 Jun 21, 2024

The state of Illinois could soon erase $1 billion worth of medical debt for thousands of families. Cook County is trying to figure out what to do with hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic-relief money from Washington. Many queer teens across the U.S. are unhappy about the sex ed they receive in school, a new study finds.

Afternoon News: Thursday June 20, 2024 Jun 20, 2024

Some top Illinois officials are celebrating President Joe Biden’s new executive actions to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. Christopher Columbus Elementary School in Ukrainian Village will soon be Ruth Bader Ginsberg Elementary School. Northwest Indiana is under an air quality alert until midnight.

Morning News: Thursday June 20, 2024 Jun 20, 2024

On Chicago’s West Side, crews used the Juneteenth holiday to help seniors whose basements flooded last July. Many homeowners still need help to remove mold. Nine community organizations based in Cook County are receiving grant money to help the populations they serve manage diabetes and prediabetes. A new art project places the portraits of noteworthy Chicagoans on bus shelters across the city.

Afternoon News: Tuesday June 18, 2024 Jun 18, 2024

The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging caution as confirmed cases of COVID-19 are rising in emergency rooms. Unions representing journalists at WBEZ and the Sun-Times are calling for the ouster of the Chicago Public Media CEO. A Planned Parenthood clinic in Peoria is up and running after it was fire-bombed over a year ago.

Morning News: Tuesday June 18, 2024 Jun 18, 2024

Chicago is getting a new task force to study reparations for Black residents. The watchdog for Chicago City Hall is calling out Mayor Brandon Johnson for failing to act on a campaign promise to rid cops who joined two extremist groups. Illinois lawmakers approved a measure aimed at expanding access to fentanyl testing strips.

Afternoon News: Monday June 17, 2024 Jun 17, 2024

The Chicago area is under an air quality alert. Today is the first day for candidates to file petitions to run for Chicago’s first elected school board. Three famed Wrigleyville Rooftops could face the wrecking ball.

An 'Unsung Hero of Uptown' has a portrait in a bus shelter near you Jun 17, 2024

Yman Huang Vien is a former refugee who emigrated to Chicago with her family over 40 years ago, moved to Uptown and quickly co-founded the Chinese Mutual Aid Association, in order to serve low-income, immigrant and refugee communities across Chicago.

Today, she’s one of six community members whose portrait and profile you might run into in a Chicago bus shelter for a project called “Unsung Heroes of Uptown: Art of People ON the Streets IN the Streets.”

In today’s episode, The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks to Huang Vien about her journey to Chicago, as well as the creator of the project, Hana Bleue Chaussette, about why she’s putting profiles of community leaders in bus shelters.

Editor's note: A previous version of this episode incorrectly identified the number of portraits on display and the country of origin of the company JCDecaux.

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Morning News: Monday June 17, 2024 Jun 17, 2024

Four neighborhoods in Chicago are developing ways to reduce gun violence through partnerships with public and private groups. Governor J.B. Pritzker touts $41 billion in spending on infrastructure. A hard foul at the Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever game drew some controversy.

Afternoon News: Friday June 14, 2024 Jun 14, 2024

Multiple CTA workers allege they received chemical burns while washing train cars with harsh cleaning materials they weren’t properly trained to use. The Chicago Police Department still does not ban officers from joining specific extremist groups despite promises of reform. High humidity and heat are in the forecast for early next week.

Nudia Hernandez, Erin Kilmurray and a hot ticket: ‘The Function’ dance show Jun 14, 2024

Every Friday from here we’ll be checking in with Nudia Hernandez of WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, who’s gonna bring us a conversation with an artist or musician doing big things in Chicago.

Today, we hear from Erin Kilmurray, creator of “The Function,” an immersive dance production that’s wrapping up its multi-week run in Garfield Park tonight.

Plus, we hear from Nudia herself, how she followed her high school dreams to get into the music and radio scene, and an embarrassing admission about her first concert.

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Morning News: Friday June 14, 2024 Jun 14, 2024

Abortion rights leaders in Illinois are celebrating a recent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Chicago Teachers Union and school district officials will participate in a public bargaining session this evening. The Illinois state treasurer helps a Lake County veteran get a half million dollar payout from an old life insurance policy.

Afternoon News: Thursday June 13, 2024 Jun 13, 2024

Governor J.B. Pritzker reacts to the Supreme Court ruling tossing out a challenge to the accessibility of abortion pills. The Illinois Department of Public Health is launching a new data collection process to better track syphilis cases. The Chicago Bears wrapped up their annual organized team activities and are looking ahead to training camp and the preseason.

Chicago’s Mandala Makers Festival is celebrating South Asian arts this month Jun 13, 2024

Pranita Nayar wanted to give young South Asians in Chicago a platform to express themselves and their culture through art and music. So, in 2014, she created Mandala South Asian Performing Arts, and five years later, the organization kicked off the first Mandala Makers Festival, a celebration of that art and culture happening in June at locations across Chicago.

Nayar, a decorated Indian classical dancer, and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Chethan Anant sat down with The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen to talk about some of the upcoming events, including the unveiling of a Devon Community Mural on June 16 and a finale concert featuring violinist Ambi Subramaniam and the Mandala Music Circle in downtown Chicago on June 27.

Nayar and Anant also explain how their respective work is so intertwined and how the festival helps bring the South Asian community in Chicago closer together.

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Morning News: Thursday June 13, 2024 Jun 13, 2024

The Chicago Park District did not vote on whether to approve another year of Riot Fest in Douglass Park after festival organizers moved locations. Senator Tammy Duckworth tries to force Republicans to take an election year vote on IVF treatments. A proposal to fine and suspend lobbyist donations to a mayor’s campaign was blocked from a final vote.

Afternoon News: Wednesday June 12, 2024 Jun 12, 2024

Four wrongfully convicted men will be paid a $50 million dollar settlement by the city. A neighborhood group in McKinley Park on Chicago’s south side is unveiling a plan to create a three-mile bike path along the South Branch of the Chicago River. Riot Fest is forcing the Chicago Red Stars out of their home stadium.

Painter Damiane Nickles says Chicago artists ‘magnetize to one another’ Jun 12, 2024

Painter Damiane Nickles loves playing with texture and color in his work. He sees his Trinidadian heritage in the vibrant colors he uses. Nickles grew up in New York, but he said he found his artistic home in Chicago.

“There’s something here where people just magnetize to one another,” Nickles said. “That has really stuck with me.”

In this episode, Nickles talks about inspiration, texture and finding community.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Wednesday June 12, 2024 Jun 12, 2024

A federal judge in Chicago is hearing arguments today on whether to expand a consent decree overseeing the police department to include traffic stops. The Chicago City Council is expected to consider a $50 million dollar settlement for four wrongly convicted men. Bally’s casino meets with future vendors for its upcoming permanent Chicago site.

Afternoon News: Tuesday June 11, 2024 Jun 11, 2024

The Illinois Department of Human Services and the Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago are working to expand access to gender-affirming care. Thousands of Amazon delivery drivers filed legal claims against the company. The late Chicago journalist Mike Royko is the subject of a new exhibition at the Newberry Library.

Black chamber music collective D-Composed wants you to ‘come as you are’ Jun 11, 2024

Before Bridgerton’s string quartet renditions of pop songs, D-Composed was performing chamber music Beyoncé covers in Chicago. D-Composed events aren’t stuffy affairs. The Black chamber music collective rarely charges for tickets, and they want audience members to “come as you are.” That goes for the ensemble’s musicians, too. “When I'm with the other members of D-Composed, I feel completely myself,” said cellist and founding member Tahirah Whittington. “There are no guards. There are no hindrances to who I am.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Whittington and D-Composed artistic and executive director Kori Coleman about chamber music, Black composers, and what it means to bring your full self to rehearsal.

Morning News: Tuesday June 11, 2024 Jun 11, 2024

Federal prosecutors say former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke should serve 10 years in prison for illegally strong-arming developers. A new poll finds 61 percent of American adults are projected to develop cardiovascular disease by 20-50. We’ll tell you how the American Heart Association plans to combat that trend. Former President Barack Obama visited Chicago’s South Side yesterday to mark a major milestone in the construction of his namesake center.

Afternoon News: Monday June 10, 2024 Jun 10, 2024

A school district in the north suburbs is expected to vote on closing Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Students, a bilingual school in Skokie. The Democratic National Convention is driving up hotel prices in Chicago. The National Weather Service warns swimming today is high-risk, with waves up to seven feet.

‘Nobody really wanted the Electoral College’: America’s peculiar voting system Jun 10, 2024

Constitutional law scholar Wilfred Codrington III talks with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about slavery’s influence on the creation of the electoral college – America’s state-elector-based system for electing presidents – and how that system affects democracy today.

This conversation is a part of the Democracy Solutions Project, a partnership among WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times and the University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government.

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Morning News: Monday June 10, 2024 Jun 10, 2024

Another federal investigation in Chicago - this time, authorities are looking into a massive breach of private patient data at Cook County’s hospital system. New data shows there are now 1,000 fewer performing arts jobs in Illinois' than before the pandemic. The first-ever Chicago Public Library block party took place in downtown Chicago this weekend.

Afternoon News: Friday June 7, 2024 Jun 07, 2024

The city’s annual point-in-time count in January showed more than 18,800 people were unhoused—a threefold increase from last year. The Saint Adalbert Church in Pilsen is a step closer to being a historical landmark. Calumet Fisheries is reopening.

We taste desserts from James Beard-nominated chef Anna Posey on your behalf Jun 07, 2024

Pastry chef Anna Posey will find out June 10 if she’ll win the 2024 James Beard Award for “Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.” Among the five nominees in her category, she’s the only one in the Midwest.

“I mean it’s scary to be truthful. You’re so grateful but you also feel kind of like, ‘Are you sure?’” Posey said. “It’s humbling. You still feel like that cook who doesn’t know anything who’s walking into their internship.”

Ahead of the awards, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen visited Elske – the West Loop restaurant Anna co-owns with her husband David Posey – to taste a couple desserts and learn who Anna is, how she found success in a difficult industry and why she’s no longer trying to please everyone.

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Morning News: Friday June 7, 2024 Jun 07, 2024

Several groups want to demonstrate near the United Center when the Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago in August. The city wants them much further away. The Chicago Board of Ethics is one step closer to being able to enforce an executive order barring lobbyist contributions to the mayor. The new Director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services addresses challenges after stepping into the role just six months ago.

Afternoon News: Thursday June 6, 2024 Jun 06, 2024

A Chicago alderperson wants to impose an 8 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied teenagers downtown. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling says officers working during the Democratic National Convention in August will have their badge numbers uncovered and body cameras on. A new exhibition highlighting queer history and banned books opens tomorrow in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood.

Zak Mucha tells us what he learned from ‘street corner social work’ Jun 06, 2024

All too often, the most vulnerable populations fall through the cracks in our social safety nets: people dealing with addiction, homelessness and severe psychosis. Zak Mucha, the president of the Chicago Center for Psychoanalysis, says this happens when the people serving those populations don’t understand what they need. “‘Are they like me or not?’ That's how a lot of these decisions are made,” he said. Mucha spent the early years of his social work career working on the ground on Chicago’s North Side to provide clients with direct services. Now, he has documented those experiences in his book “Swimming to the Horizon: Crack, Psychosis, and Street-Corner Social Work.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Mucha about his book and what he learned from his years working in community mental health services.

Morning News: Thursday June 6, 2024 Jun 06, 2024

Immigration advocates in Illinois say President Biden’s new executive order restricting asylum claims violates asylum law. Illinois’ Maternal Health Task Force reflects on four years of work trying to reduce health inequities in Illinois. Some workers at the Shedd Aquarium are claiming management is pushing back on efforts to unionize.

Afternoon News: Wednesday June 5, 2024 Jun 05, 2024

Illinois Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is signing a new $53.1 billion state budget that he says is balanced. Foxtrot says it is coming back to Chicago. Parents from two world language magnet schools in Chicago are fighting against proposed budget cuts they say will devastate their programs.

We’re calling it. It’s street festival season in Chicago. Jun 05, 2024

The winter of our discontent is finally over, my friends. It is, officially, street festival season in Chicago. Why does this time of year hit so hard? Because there are so many street festivals – in so many Chicago neighborhoods – and they’ve all got their own distinct feel and focus.

“Well, food,” said Chicago-based writer Lauren Viera, “and also music is a big reason I go to fests.”

Viera pored over the massive schedule of festivals and came on the Rundown podcast to talk through the ones she’s most excited about, including Andersonville Midsommarfest (June 7-9), Flavors of Albany Park (June 26), the Pilsen Tacos & Tamales Festival (July 19-21) and the Chinatown Summer Fair (July 27-28).

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Morning News: Wednesday June 5, 2024 Jun 05, 2024

The head of the U.S. Secret Service is in Chicago this week to tour the venues that will play host to the Democratic National Convention in August. A new study finds evidence of racial bias in Chicago traffic stops. The City of Chicago is giving out $600,000 dollars to nonprofits serving youth this summer.

Afternoon News: Tuesday June 4, 2024 Jun 04, 2024

Chicago police officials say they’re ready for the Democratic National Convention in August, despite a recent report suggesting otherwise. The lead organizer of a proposed birth center on Chicago’s South Side is asking state regulators for permission to open. A new study finds Black drivers are more likely to be pulled over by police regardless of where they drive in Chicago.

Celebrating ‘gays in gospel music’ this Pride Month Jun 04, 2024

Little Richard, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Chicago’s own Reverend James Cleveland are a few of the musicians being celebrated this Pride Month at an event called at “Shout OUT: A Tribute to Gays in Gospel Music!”

“This show is an opportunity to let people know about the totality of their work,” said singer and event creator Lucy Smith, who will perform along with the Lucy Smith Quintet. “I think where they were in their comfortability infused and informed their music.”

Chicago journalist and media personality Cheryl Corley is the event’s narrator, sharing stories and context about these musicians' lives.

In today’s episode, The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks with Smith and Corley about a few of the queer people in gospel music, how those artists navigated being both queer and Black in the 20th century and the importance of sharing their stories.

“Shout OUT: A Tribute to Gays in Gospel Music!” is Sunday, June 9th at 3 p.m. at the Beverly Arts Center.

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Morning News: Tuesday June 4, 2024 Jun 04, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey discussed the upcoming vote on the Right to Contraception Act that will be voted on in the U.S. Senate later this week. An Illinois Congressman is pushing for sanctions against Chinese companies allegedly exporting fentanyl to the U.S. Scientists at Washington University are hoping to come up with a plastic alternative.

Afternoon News: Monday June 3, 2024 Jun 03, 2024

Illinois lawmakers want to tweak the name for illegal gun possession in criminal cases. Lawmakers are also signing off on a push by Governor J.B. Pritzker’s administration to fund coverage of costly, injectable weight-loss drugs for state workers. Chicago has $206 million dollars in federal COVID money to earmark for community initiatives before the end of the year.

LaVonte Stewart helps young Chicagoans heal through sports Jun 03, 2024

When LaVonte Stewart, Sr., was a kid in South Shore in the 1980s, he had a real sense of community. He described it as “the ‘Wakanda’ of all Black people’s imaginations, where your neighbors knew you.”

He said he doesn’t see enough opportunity for young kids on the South Side today. Through his nonprofit Lost Boyz, he wants to provide young people with a sense of community through participation in team sports.

In this episode, Stewart talks about finding his way in adulthood and the healing power of sports.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Monday June 3, 2024 Jun 03, 2024

A popular state tax credit claimed by more than 11 million Illinoisans is poised to get more generous. Illinois lawmakers passed a bill to regulate carbon capture and storage in Illinois. Community activists hosted a festival of peace meant to uplift gun violence victims and survivor families.

Afternoon News: Friday May 31, 2024 May 31, 2024

The University of Chicago is withholding the degrees of four students who were scheduled to graduate Saturday. A new exhibit entitled “Georgia O’Keeffe: My New Yorks” opens this weekend at the Art Institute of Chicago. The Bears will have to wait until at least November to further press Illinois lawmakers for help on a new stadium.

For Third Coast Percussion, anything can be an instrument May 31, 2024

When the four members of Third Coast Percussion were studying classical music at Northwestern University, they didn’t have much of a blueprint for building careers in a percussion ensemble. Twenty years later, they’re working with renowned composers and racking up Grammy nominations. “We’ve never been the stereotypical classical musicians,” said founding ensemble member Robert Dillon. And you can see it in their performances, where they blow into tubes and play flower pots. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Dillon and David Skidmore about 20 years of Third Coast Percussion.

Morning News: Friday May 31, 2024 May 31, 2024

CTA President Dorval Carter defends himself to the Chicago city council amid persistent safety and reliability complaints. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is making good on a campaign promise to expand public mental health services. A new Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit opens this weekend at the Chicago Art Institute, highlighting some lesser-known works from the artist.

Afternoon News: Thursday May 30, 2024 May 30, 2024

A new report from the Chicago Inspector General warns the Police Department may not be ready to handle large protests at the Democratic National Convention. Embattled CTA President Dorval Carter says he has faced racism and physical threats from the public as the Chicago city council has zeroed in on his job performance. More than a third of hospitalist staff with Ascension Illinois plan to quit the health system.

Spending ‘A Night at Mister Kelly’s’ with the Newberry Library May 30, 2024

Mister Kelly’s was the hottest of spots in Chicago nightlife back in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, hosting singers like Barbra Streisand, Della Reese, Ella Fitzgerald and comedians like Richard Pryor, Joan Rivers, Lily Tomlin, and many, many more.

The nightclub is the focus of an exhibit running through July 20 at a former neighbor of Mister Kelly’s, the Newberry Library.

“In the ‘50s and ‘60s – and of course I'm not talking from personal experience – but the Newberry neighborhood, also known as the near north side or the Gold Coast, was considered to be the Las Vegas of the Midwest,” said Newberry librarian Alison Hinderliter, who curated the exhibit.

The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen is joined by Hinderliter and David Marienthal – who produced a documentary on Mister Kelly’s and who is also the son of the nightclub’s former owner – for a conversation about the club’s star-studded history.

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Morning News: Thursday May 30, 2024 May 30, 2024

Lawmakers left Springfield without passing a measure aimed at reforming the Illinois Prisoner Review Board. A report finds Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has faced a more divided City Council in his first year. Chicago police honored the families of two fallen officers during an annual recognition event yesterday.

Afternoon News: Wednesday May 29, 2024 May 29, 2024

The head of Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability is re-upping her push to strip the police powers of four officers involved in the recent fatal shooting of Dexter Reed. The north suburban man accused of gunning down seven people at the Highland Park 4th of July parade nearly two years ago made a brief appearance in court.

Katy Osborn turns other people’s trash into upcycled treasures May 29, 2024

With climate change accelerating and overconsumption booming, it can feel like we have no agency over our impact on the planet. But artists who work with upcycled and reclaimed materials want to challenge that narrative. “We’re the band playing as the Titanic goes down,” said Nowhere Collective founder Katy Osborn. Through the Nowhere Collective, she runs a series of Trashy Markets, which are exactly what they sound like: markets for makers who work primarily with trash. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Osborn about upcycling, connecting consumers with sustainable goods and ways she finds hope.

Morning News: Wednesday May 29, 2024 May 29, 2024

Illinois lawmakers passed a state budget early this morning. They also voted to eliminate the statewide grocery tax… while opening the door to new local taxes. Some magnet and selective enrollment Chicago Public Schools are losing positions in next year's budget, but they are not the only ones.

Afternoon News: Tuesday May 28, 2024 May 28, 2024

Illinois lawmakers approved a resolution calling on President Joe Biden to allow longtime undocumented immigrants in Illinois to work and live in the U.S legally. Chicago officials are releasing new renderings of a satellite concourse under construction at O’Hare Airport. The Chicago Sky try to bounce back tonight from a disappointing loss in Saturday’s home opener.

An ancient female ballplayer is highlighting an exhibit at a Chicago art museum May 28, 2024

“The Ball Game” was an ancient, Mesoamerican sport and spiritual ritual that has fascinated archeologists for centuries. The National Museum of Mexican Art currently has on display a stone-carved statue of a female ballplayer – complete with knee pads, a headdress, and holding a severed head – as part of an exhibit that is reimagining the role women played in the ancient Huasteca civilization.

WBEZ art and culture reporter Courtney Kueppers recently covered the exhibit for WBEZ and spoke to The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about how expectations are shifting and where this female ballplayer statue fits in.

The exhibit, titled “Ancient Huasteca Women: Goddesses, Warriors and Governors,” is on display through July 21 at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.

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Morning News: Tuesday May 28, 2024 May 28, 2024

The Illinois House returns to Springfield to finish up their work for the spring legislative session. Cook County is offering nearly $4 million dollars in grants to cannabis businesses. Mexico is holding a historic presidential election next Sunday and many Mexicans living in Chicago are getting ready to cast their vote.

Afternoon News: Friday May 24, 2024 May 24, 2024

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and more than two dozen Chicago Police officers crossed into Indiana to support the son of a fallen officer. Cicadas have been emerging throughout the suburbs, but their characteristic buzzing is notably absent in Chicago. There are now three Great Lakes Piping Plovers staking a claim on Chicago’s Montrose Beach.

‘Reporting times 500’: A Chicago guidebook that points you toward adventure May 24, 2024

Lauren Viera’s city guide to Chicago doesn’t read like a typical guidebook – no 72-hour itineraries or explanatory advice on how to ride the CTA.

“The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago,” which was published last fall, is mostly just lists of unique places. Five dance clubs, five farmers markets, five nature outings, five small museums, five high-end cocktail bars, five city myths – totalling up to 500.

“I'm not a fiction writer,” Viera said. “I'm very bad at making stuff up. So this is really just in my mind reporting times 500.”

In this episode, Viera explains her favorite “hidden secrets,” how she chose the places she chose to include and how writing this book changed the way she thinks about Chicago.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 22, 2023.

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Morning News: Friday May 24, 2024 May 24, 2024

Northwestern faculty react to a congressional committee's depiction of pro-Palestinian student protestors as an "antisemitic mob." Chicago Public Schools wants input on school safety plans that don’t include police officers. The Illinois Senate passes a pair of healthcare reform measures pushed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.

Afternoon News: Thursday May 23, 2024 May 23, 2024

The Chicago Teachers Union and Chicago Public Schools will hold open bargaining sessions this summer. Alderpeople have approved an ordinance that would ban any new late-night bars from opening in parts of Chicago's Logan Square, Wicker Park, and West Town neighborhoods. Reports of rare, blue-eyed cicadas are popping up in the Chicago area.

‘This is what Chicago sounds like’: A peek behind the scene of Vocalo’s series May 23, 2024

Every so often on The Rundown podcast we bring you episodes of Chi Sounds Like, a series that gives you an intimate, firsthand look into the lives of artists, activists and other off-the-beaten-path Chicagoans.

Today, we hear from photographer Ken Cook Jr., who left Chicago’s West Side, realized how leaving contributed to larger cycles of community neglect, and has since returned.

“When people get a little success or make a little money, they move from the West Side,” Cook said, “leaving future generations to not have someone that looks like them that’s successful … living here and making a life here.”

We also hear from Chi Sounds Like producer Ari Mejia, who explains how she finds artists and activists like Cook, and how she creates such vulnerable conversations. She also tells us why people feel so moved when she asks them to introduce themselves before saying “...and this is what Chicago sounds like.”

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Morning News: Thursday May 23, 2024 May 23, 2024

Northwestern’s president will appear before Congress this morning to defend the agreement he made with pro-Palestinian student organizers. The Chicago city council issues a rebuke to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s power over the gunshot detection technology known as Shotspotter. After-school programs at more than 100 Chicago public schools are at risk.

Afternoon News: Wednesday May 22, 2024 May 22, 2024

Officials are expanding a federal consent decree that requires the Chicago Police Department to change the way officers are trained, supervised, and disciplined. Two Chicago City Council members have delayed an ordinance to create a noise sensitive zone around a downtown abortion clinic. Another Great Lakes Piping Plover has landed at Montrose beach.

For Latham Zearfoss, change is a chance for discovery May 22, 2024

Latham Zearfoss is a Chicago artist and a cultural liaison at the Chicago Park District, where he helps build out cultural programming across the city.

Today, he explains his dynamic journey to this work as a part of Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Wednesday May 22, 2024 May 22, 2024

A WBEZ analysis finds Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet doesn’t look that much different from his predecessor’s. We’ll hear more about FEMA’s second annual extreme heat summit hosted downtown this week. Illinois lawmakers approve changes to the state’s child labor laws.

Afternoon News: Tuesday May 21, 2024 May 21, 2024

Some employees at the Illinois capitol are turning up the heat as they try to unionize. Columbia College Chicago said it will announce staff layoffs by June 1st. It’s been 100 years since the murder of Bobby Franks by two University of Chicago students, a crime that inspired the Alfred Hitchcock movie “Rope.”

Good Things Vending machines swap out junk food for local art May 21, 2024

Instead of junk food and pop, a Good Things Vending machine offers local art, throwback trading cards, games and dozens of other items you won’t find in a typical vending machine. There are a handful of them around Chicago, and the creator of the business says the goal is to spark joy and promote the city’s arts community. Steph Krim talks with Erin Allen about how she came up with the idea, her favorite items and where you can find a machine near you.

This episode was originally published on Oct. 17, 2023.

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Morning News: Tuesday May 21, 2024 May 21, 2024

The Illinois House approved a measure to let people have a driver’s license or state ID on their phone. Thirteen officers from across Illinois received the state’s Law Enforcement Medal of Honor yesterday. The University of Chicago Crime Lab is welcoming anti-violence leaders from across the country to help them be more effective in their roles.

Afternoon News: Monday May 20, 2024 May 20, 2024

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is reopening its Peoria Health Center Monday after a January 2023 firebombing forced the facility to close. The Chicago office in charge of independently analyzing the mayor’s budget proposal each year is understaffed, according to its new leader. Weather forecasts for both Monday and Tuesday call for a chance of severe weather.

‘We are a tough people’: Anonymous Chicago artist Dont Fret loves this city May 20, 2024

Dont Fret is a Chicago-born cartoonist, muralist and self-published author who loves his city. He’s anonymous in part because he spent his childhood tagging walls across Chicago,

“You’re a Chicagoan,” he writes in his book, “This Is No Quiet City.” “Your eyes and heart are wide open, and that is pure, raw, messy, true, and terrifying.”

In this episode, Dont Fret explains how he got into graffiti growing up in Wicker Park, why he self-published his book, and why Chicago is a city that punches back.

“We are a tough, tough people,” he said to host Erin Allen, “and I think that comes from the stockyards. It comes from inclusion and immigration, diversity and eclect-icity.”

Dont Fret has a book-signing event at the MCA on June 11. You can find more of his work on his Instagram.

This episode was originally published on Aug. 9, 2023.

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Morning News: Monday May 20, 2024 May 20, 2024

A corridor of Clark Street in River North will no longer be closed for pedestrians this summer. A new exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum offers a glimpse into the Kindertransport program that saved the lives of thousands of children in the 1930s. Loyola Medicine has launched a program this spring for treating women athletes in the Chicago area.

Afternoon News: Friday May 17, 2024 May 17, 2024

Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill. is calling on Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 presidential election results following a New York Times report that an upside-down American flag was seen at the conservative justice’s house in January 2021. A coalition of interfaith leaders will gather at the Chicago Temple downtown Sunday to honor a Palestinian-American boy who was fatally stabbed in suburban Plainfield last year. Credit monitoring agencies wouldn’t have access to some medical debt information under a bill Illinois lawmakers just approved.

CTA riders and a transit reporter talk about their experience mid-commute May 17, 2024

What’s going on at the CTA? Sluggish ridership is a main reason that Chicago area transit agencies including the CTA are facing a $730 million budget shortfall, according to a recent WBEZ analysis of transit data.

So why aren’t riders riding? And what do they think of the CTA these days?

We hear from a few riders mid-commute at a pair of downtown CTA train stations, some of whom complained about reliability, safety, and cleanliness, as well as others who think things are fine. Then we hear from Sarah Freishtat, a business reporter covering transportation for the Chicago Tribune, who explains what CTA leadership has done so far and what else they have planned to counteract their troubles.

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Morning News: Friday May 17, 2024 May 17, 2024

The Palestinian solidarity encampment at DePaul University was cleared by police yesterday, but faculty and student organizers say it’s not the end of their activism. Seven journalists with the Chicago Tribune have filed a class-action lawsuit against the newspaper and its owner. Illinois’ rules against hazing could get a little stronger.

Afternoon News: Thursday May 16, 2024 May 16, 2024

The Chicago Transit Authority said more people are taking train and bus rides after nearly 20 Chicago city council members have signed onto an ordinance calling for CTA President Dorval Carter to resign. A rare statue on view at the National Museum of Mexican Art is generating a lot of buzz among archeologists. The Chicago Bears 2024 schedule has dropped.

Making streets and sidewalks more ADA accessible starts with a plan May 16, 2024

For many, getting around Chicago is pretty easy. It’s one of the few American cities that’s invested in public transit, cycling and walkability infrastructure. But, for people with a disability that inhibits their mobility, it’s just not as easy to get around.

Accessibility researcher Yochai Eisenberg co-authored a study in 2022 with the Great Lakes ADA Center and UIC’s Institute on Disability and Human Development that found that communities had higher accessibility scores if they also had an ADA-transition plan, also known as a “barrier removal plan.”

We talk with him about how accessible Chicago-area communities are, the various barriers to accessibility many encounter, and what citizens can do to improve conditions in their area.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 28, 2022.

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Morning News: Thursday, May 16, 2024 May 16, 2024

Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez is trying to convince lawmakers in Springfield that his school district desperately needs more money. Cook County wants to help some suburban residents who are struggling to pay their water bills. The Chicago Sky lost its season opener to the Dallas Wings.

Afternoon News: Wednesday May 15, 2024 May 15, 2024

Activists and elected officials are criticizing the Chicago Police Department for declining to punish cops with ties to anti-government extremism. High school juniors in Illinois public schools will take the ACT college admissions exam starting next spring instead of the SAT. Wednesday marks Brandon Johnson's one-year anniversary as Chicago mayor.

Meet the voice behind your CTA stop May 15, 2024

We can’t let National Transportation Week pass without revisiting our conversation with Lee Crooks. He’s basically a local celebrity, with a highly-recognizable voice. He’s been announcing stops on the CTA for 25 years.

“It does become something of a legacy,” Crooks said.

In this episode, he talks to host Erin Allen about trains, legacy and Midwest accents. And yes, we have him do the voice.

This episode was originally published on Oct. 18, 2023.

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Morning News: Wednesday May 15, 2024 May 15, 2024

Planned Parenthood wants to stop requiring patients to see a doctor for abortion access. The Chicago ethics board wants strict penalties for lobbyists who improperly donate to a mayoral campaign. Illinois families living under the federal poverty line can get extra help feeding their kids during summer vacation.

Afternoon News: Tuesday May 14, 2024 May 14, 2024

More changes are coming to this year’s Pride Parade. Illinois Republicans are glad the state is getting sued over a new law that changes how candidates are selected for elections. Chicagoans are torn over the issue of school choice.

Driving isn’t freedom, but an ‘enormous prison,’ writes author of ‘Carmageddon’ May 14, 2024

Daniel Knowles lives in Chicago, where he rides his bike almost everywhere and the transit system almost everywhere else. Originally from the United Kingdom, Knowles has traveled the world as a reporter, so he’s seen how people across the globe get around town.

His main takeaway: We need to lower our reliance on cars.

“Thanks to the car, our cities are uglier and more dangerous,” Knowles writes in his book, “Carmageddon: How Cars Make Life Worse, and What to Do About It.”

“Car manufacturers want us to believe driving is freedom, but in fact we are trapping ourselves in an enormous prison made up of moving metal cells.”

From automobiles’ well-publicized drawbacks — car-related deaths and climate impact — to housing insecurity and racial inequities, Knowles says driving may be taking more from us than it gives. In this episode, we sit down with Knowles to discuss the history of the car, the large and small ways they impact us, and the options we have for a reprieve.

This episode was originally published on June 12, 2023.

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Morning News: Tuesday May 14, 2024 May 14, 2024

A new poll shows that most Chicagoans think students in the city’s public schools are not learning enough. Governor J-B Pritzker’s office is celebrating – millions of Illinoisans are still enrolled in Medicaid. A proposed bill would transfer a state park to Illinois’s only federally recognized tribal nation.

Afternoon News: Monday May 13, 2024 May 13, 2024

Nearly 20 Chicago city council members have signed onto an ordinance calling for CTA President Dorval Carter to resign. Governor J.B. Pritzker continues to distance himself from budget strategies of the past that he says made Illinois a “credit-unworthy state.” Three beloved great horned owls living in Lincoln Park have died in the span of a month.

‘Paint is not protection’: Why Chicago cyclists want protected infrastructure May 13, 2024

May 12 through May 18 is National Transportation Week, so we’re revisiting our favorite transit and infrastructure conversations—and sparking some new ones.

When WBEZ’s Roy Howard fellow Jessica Alvarado Gamez moved to Chicago last year, she drove around to get her bearings. She couldn’t help noticing how close she came to cyclists.

“I can easily go into the painted bike lanes,” she said. Some Chicago cyclists have observed the same problem, resulting in the refrain, “paint is not protection.”

Thankfully for us, Alvarado Gamez dug into city data to understand why cycling in Chicago is so dangerous and what cyclists want done.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Alvarado Gamez about the path toward safer biking infrastructure.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 17, 2023.

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Morning News: Monday May 13, 2024 May 13, 2024

A complaint tracking system could help the Chicago Police Department prevent officer misconduct, researchers say. Illinois lawmakers are running out of time to consider a measure to let people end their own lives with medication. A group of activists host a Mother’s Day celebration for incarcerated caregivers outside of Cook County Jail.

Afternoon News: Friday May 10, 2024 May 10, 2024

A Lake County judge is ordering the owner of Republican-favoring websites to remove sensitive information about Illinois voters from its platforms. A WBEZ analysis found that CTA service levels have actually declined since 2021 whereas other transit agencies in large cities increased their service during that period. It’s possible the Northern Lights will be visible in the Chicago area Friday night.

Cabrini Art House founders want to give back to Cabrini-Green community May 10, 2024

Marques “Merk” Elliston and Cher’Don Reynolds have been friends for decades. They met as kids living in the Cabrini-Green Homes, a former public housing project Near North Side. But as adults, they can’t return to their childhood landmarks: Cabrini-Green was demolished over the course of the early-2000s, displacing several thousand residents. This reality hit Reynolds recently when she and Elliston went for a drive. “I was passing the building that I was raised in, the building that he was raised in,” she said. “Everything was gone.” Now, Elliston and Reynolds want to restore a church in the area and establish a creative hub. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Elliston and Reynolds about Cabrini-Green’s legacy and their dreams for Cabrini Art House.

Morning News: Friday May 10, 2024 May 10, 2024

Ridership recovery at the CTA lags behind other major cities. Student organizers are speaking out about their frustration with the University of Chicago’s decision to clear a pro-Palestinian encampment. The University of Chicago Divinity School and Baptist Theological Union are hosting a panel on the Black Church in Chicago tonight.

Afternoon News: Thursday May 9, 2024 May 09, 2024

Illinois families are once again in Springfield pushing the state legislature to pass a permanent child tax credit this spring. Hospital system Ascension has detected a cybersecurity incident, and Crain's is reporting the issue is disrupting Ascension’s clinical operations. A 21-year-old from south suburban Mokena is one of fewer than 50 competitors at the Professional Bull Riders world finals in Texas this weekend.

‘Do the damn thing’: Chicago artist Robert Earl Paige on 60 years of art May 09, 2024

Chicago artist Robert Earl Paige has 60 years worth of his art on display right now at the Hyde Park Art Center. He sat down with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen to talk about his childhood on the South Side in the 1930s and 40s, his early design work in both Chicago and Milan, Italy, why he’s dabbled in creating art on top of everything from T-shirts to rocks, and his key piece of advice for the next generation of artists.

“The marketplace is very fickle,” Paige said on the Rundown podcast. “The stuff that you love, they hate. The stuff they hate, you love. It's a mad thing. So my idea and what I tell most artists: Just do the damn thing. Get it out there.”

“The United Colors of Robert Earl Paige” is on display at the Hyde Park Art Center through October 27, 2024.

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Morning News: Thursday May 9, 2024 May 09, 2024

Chicago residents and City Council members grilled Chicago Housing Authority leadership over a long list of issues. Mayor Brandon Johnson stands behind his pick for the Regional Transportation Authority’s board after a contentious committee hearing. Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing an online publisher for posting sensitive personal information about Illinois voters.

Afternoon News: Wednesday May 8, 2024 May 08, 2024

The Illinois agency that oversees licensing is still struggling to fix technology problems. In light of a recent lawsuit, a state lawmaker is calling for comprehensive changes to the state department of juvenile justice.

‘We Are the Culture’ author Arionne Nettles says Black Chicagoans are limitless May 08, 2024

Journalists often avoid including themselves in the stories they tell. But when Arionne Nettles sat down to write a book about Black Chicago, she knew she had to include some of her story. “I am a byproduct of the culture that I’m talking about,” Nettles said. Her book is called “We Are the Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything.” And when she says “everything,” she means it: The book chronicles Black Chicagoans’ impact on dance, music, fashion, hair and even journalism itself. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Nettles about the book, her own story and why Black Chicagoans are limitless.

Morning News: Wednesday May 8, 2024 May 08, 2024

Purdue University is being sued in federal court for something passed by Indiana lawmakers. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias launched the “Get Real” Campaign this week to urge residents to get their Real I-D card ahead of next year’s deadline. A WBEZ analysis shows that speed camera violations in Chicago skyrocketed after the city lowered the speeding threshold three years ago.

Afternoon News: Tuesday May 7, 2024 May 07, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has changed course on his proposal to relocate migrants from a downtown shelter to one on the city’s South Side. Before dawn on Tuesday, campus police at the University of Chicago raided and cleared the Gaza solidarity encampment protesters had been occupying for the past week. A new report rips Chicago and Illinois officials for apparent indifference over the impending shutdown of the West Loop Greyhound bus station.

‘Jump’ play confronts grief and family drama with magical realism May 07, 2024

When she read the script for the play “Jump,” actor Jazzma Pryor said the themes of grief and family drama spoke to her.

“[They’re] topics that everybody can relate to, will go through, have seen,” Pryor said.

“Us looking at grief in a really open way in a Black family in Chicago, I just feel is a really necessary conversation to have,” said AmBer Montgomery, who directs the production for the Shattered Globe Theatre Company. “I think there's something about grief in Black communities here, and just talking about it and looking at it and seeing the different colors of it and even in the different stages of life. To make people feel a little bit less alone in that experience in the city felt really exciting for me.”

In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks with Pryor and Montgomery about how “Jump” brings forth everything that comes with grief: the shock, the family drama, the unexpected moments of laughter, and the continuation of everyday life.

Performances of “Jump” are running through June 1 at Theater Wit in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood.

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Morning News: Tuesday May 7, 2024 May 07, 2024

Construction has officially begun at downtown Chicago’s James R. Thompson Center, the Illinois Dept. of Public Health gives out 100,000 gun locks, and more suburban homeowners are doing “No Mow May.”

Afternoon News: Monday May 6, 2024 May 06, 2024

Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said he does not support using federal cash for a new Chicago Bears stadium. The Chicago Reader plans to return to a weekly print edition next month. The Field Museum has unveiled its Archaeopteryx, a pigeon-sized fossil that could have lived about 150-million years ago.

Cost of living squeezing your wallet? You might consider co-op housing. May 06, 2024

In Chicago, it can feel impossible to find housing you can afford and actually want to live in. Some Chicagoans have found an answer in cooperative housing. “It’s a model that can lend itself sometimes to a lower cost of living and then also a sense of community,” said freelance writer Olivia Dimmer, who has been reporting on co-ops for the Chicago Sun-Times. In co-op living, residents own a share in a house or building, and often share household responsibilities. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Dimmer about the pros of co-op housing and what to consider before you commit.

Morning News: Monday May 6, 2024 May 06, 2024

A group of counter protesters confronted students at a pro-Palestinian encampment at DePaul University yesterday. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is defending the city’s preparations for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Cook County is looking to provide more resources for an often overlooked group of people who are trafficked — boys and men.

Afternoon News: Friday May 3, 2024 May 03, 2024

A line of police officers, many in riot gear, are watching the pro-Palestinian encampment this afternoon on the University of Chicago campus after the university president said it "cannot continue." The man accused of killing Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca will be held in jail until trial. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling defended an internal investigation into officers whose names appeared on the membership list of an anti-government extremist group.

A look at the pro-Palestinian protests at Northwestern and UChicago May 03, 2024

At many colleges across the country, administrators and police have cracked down on groups of pro-Palestinian protesters who have set up encampments on campus and occupied campus buildings. At college campuses here in Chicago, the scenes so far have been heated, but still noticeably less chaotic than those at other universities. “As long as they're being respectful of the space, as far as I can tell the police are staying hands off,” said WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip, who's been visiting protests at both Northwestern University and the University of Chicago. “That's so different from what we've seen at Emory, [and UCLA], and what just happened in Columbia, with riot police being sent in the middle of the night to clear out students. It's a very, very different situation.” On this episode of the Rundown, Kurian Philip talks with host Erin Allen about what’s happening locally, what protesters are demanding and how administrations and others are responding.

Morning News: Friday May 3, 2024 May 03, 2024

Nine Chicago police officers whose names appeared on Oath Keepers membership lists won’t be disciplined. CAIR Chicago speaks out against an expansion of the definition of antisemitism. And fallen Illinois police officers are remembered in Springfield.

Afternoon News: Thursday May 2, 2024 May 02, 2024

Student activists are speaking in defense of the pro-Palestinian encampment movement. Illinois voters could be asked about in vitro fertilization and a millionaire’s tax on the November ballot. The Doc 10 film festival is back in Chicago this weekend for its ninth year.

Presto! The ‘Physician Magician’ practices both medicine and magic May 02, 2024

Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz said he was not interested in magic when he was a kid. He came to it later in life, when he was already practicing medicine.

“I discovered that this was a great art form that also could play a role in healing,” Rosenkranz said. “Not from the perspective of a manipulation that actually changes cells or molecules physically in the body in that particular way, but in terms of outlook and perspective and mindset.”

Eventually, he said he started using magic to teach at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.

“No surprise, as soon as I started doing magic at the medical school, I got teaching awards,” he said. “And I'm so delighted no one fired me for it.”

Rosenkranz, who is originally from Mexico City, is the owner of The Rhapsody Theater in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood, where he has shows in both English and Spanish over this Cinco de Mayo weekend.

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, Rosenkranz tells host Erin Allen about occupying a unique space as “The Physician Magician,” the relationship he sees between magic, medicine, doctors and patients, and, of course, he also performs a little radio magic.

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Morning News: Thursday May 2, 2024 May 02, 2024

Jewish leaders, students and parents say yesterday's sit-ins at Chicago Public Schools protesting the war in Gaza incite anti-semitism and harm Jewish students. Police Superintendent Larry Snelling is hoping parents of young people will help in keeping downtown peaceful this summer. A cabinet secretary for Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker is facing questions over expanded drug coverage for state workers.

Afternoon News: Wednesday May 1, 2024 May 01, 2024

Worker rights organizations held a rally in Pilsen on today’s May Day, asking President Joe Biden to issue work permits for all immigrants. Theodore Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana, is on the list of America's eleven most endangered historic places, released by The National Trust for Historic Preservation. A descendant of Chicago brewing legend Conrad Seipp is resurrecting his recipes for modern taste buds.

Tap dancer Bril Barrett wants his students to understand the history of tap May 01, 2024

Bril Barrett started tap dancing at a young age. His whole family pitched in to pay for lessons and drive him to classes. Now, he’s a 2024 National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellow. But Barrett isn’t just a dancer. He’s also an educator, historian and self-proclaimed “tap-tivist.” He uses his work to educate students and audiences on the origins of tap. “I tell people ‘When you don’t know a lot about history, start with your own,’” Barrett said. “That just creates a continuous stream of ownership and connection to the art form.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Barrett about tap, improvising and the importance of understanding our roots.

Morning News: Wednesday May 1, 2024 May 01, 2024

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is defending his administration’s call for $210 million to help state workers lose weight. A document that helped kick off the Civil War now lives in Springfield. The first-ever Conservation Day took place at the Illinois statehouse yesterday.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 30, 2024 Apr 30, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to re-launch a guaranteed income program that pays low-income residents $500 dollars a month. Paul Vallas is asking a federal judge to go easy on former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke when he faces sentencing later this year. Two dozen LGBTQ+ advocates are urging Chicago’s mayor to restore capacity for this year’s Pride parade to previous levels.

The dream of homeownership often conflicts with history and reality Apr 30, 2024

Black homeownership in America lags behind white homeownership by a rate of about 44% to 72%, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.

That gap creates issues not just for Black people, but for broader society, said former Chicago Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara.

“When you have those kinds of assets in your life, it gives you way more options and way more ability to care intergenerationally for the well being of your family and to invest in your community,” Novara said on the Rundown podcast earlier this year.

Novara is now with the Chicago Community Trust, and on Wednesday she will join UChicago's Dr. Robert J. Chaskin, current Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda and Rundown podcast host Erin Allen for a conversation about addressing the racial wealth gap through housing policies at City Club of Chicago.

Ahead of that event, we’re revisiting this episode on the value of homeownership, the historical barriers to it (and the modern ones), and a few solutions that are in the works to help level the playing field.

This episode was originally published on Jan. 30, 2024.

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Morning News: Tuesday April 30, 2024 Apr 30, 2024

Chicago government officials will try to spend down hundreds of millions in federal grant money before it expires at the end of the year. Illinois lawmakers are heading back to Springfield today after their last break of the spring session. The Illinois Department of Corrections is proposing moving the Logan women’s prison onto the same site as the Stateville men’s prison.

Afternoon News: Monday April 29, 2024 Apr 29, 2024

Some Illinois state lawmakers are pushing a bill that would merge the CTA, Metra and Pace into one transit agency. A tent encampment was erected this morning at the University of Chicago, in solidarity with the people of Gaza. A new kind of music festival is coming to the Chicago area in September.

Tarnynon Onumonu on healing through poetry Apr 29, 2024

Poet Tarnynon Onumonu grew up in the Jeffery Manor neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. She discovered poetry at 10 years old, and as an adult, she uses her writing to find community and healing.

“I’ve just always used poetry as a tool to activate my creativity, to return to myself, to feel comfort in difficult times,” Onumonu said.

In this episode, Onumonu meditates on how creativity helps her connect with herself and the world around her.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Monday April 29, 2024 Apr 29, 2024

Funeral services begin at 10 a.m. for a fallen Chicago police officer. Hundreds are expected to attend – many from out of town. The American Lung Association’s State of the Air report lists Chicago among the top 25 most air-polluted cities in the nation. A study surveying 765 Black and white women found that poor heart health leads to cognitive decline among Black women.

Afternoon News: Friday April 26, 2024 Apr 26, 2024

Former workers at the Foxtrot Commissary on Chicago’s South Side rallied today after abrupt mass layoffs. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the owners of the Chicago Bears should pay for the vast majority of the costs of a new potential stadium – not Illinois taxpayers. Former USC quarterback Caleb Williams is now a Chicago Bear; he was the first overall pick in Thursday’s NFL draft.

Chicago Social Butterflies is the LGBTQ events calendar we didn’t know we needed Apr 26, 2024

We often hear the phrase “LGBTQ+ community.” But in a city as big as Chicago, it can be challenging for queer people to actually find their community. That’s where Jake Wittich comes in.

“We have one of the more thriving LGBTQ districts in the country,” Wittich said. He is the newsletter editor at the Windy City Times, where he and his colleagues recently launched the queer events newsletter Chicago Social Butterflies.

In this episode, Wittich gives host Erin Allen the lowdown on where to find LGBTQ+ bars, pop-up parties and community around the city.

If you want to keep up with queer goings-on in Chicago, you can subscribe to Chicago Social Butterflies here.

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Morning News: Friday April 26, 2024 Apr 26, 2024

Student activists have been camping out on Northwestern University’s campus for over 24 hours now. Governor J.B. Pritzker highlights his plans to fight homelessness in Illinois. Chicago Teachers Union is warning that support staff, including teachers aides and clerks, may be victims in this year's budget.

Afternoon News: Thursday April 25, 2024 Apr 25, 2024

A newly-released autopsy report shows Chicago police shot Dexter Reed at least 13 times. Student activists have set up what they’re calling a “liberation zone” at Northwestern University as part of a national movement demanding school officials cut ties with Israel and protect students’ right to protest. The Chicago Bears are expected to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the opening pick of the NFL draft tonight.

What happens when an artist and a church collaborate? Apr 25, 2024

Sarah Jones wants places of worship to use their space for more than just worship.

“Congregations might use their space on Friday, Saturday, Sunday for worship services, but their space can accommodate more than that, and they want it to do more than that, right?” Jones said on the Rundown podcast. “Helping congregations think about what else could be happening in their space that still aligns with their values is really, really important.”

Jones is the Associate Director of Community Engagement at Partners for Sacred Places, which is utilizing government grants to give artists space in historic buildings of worship, particularly on Chicago’s South Side.

She has a willing partner in Pastor David Black of the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood.

“I think church buildings are one of the most underutilized resources in American communities,” said Black, who brought in South Side photographer and multi-disciplinary artist Max Li as his church’s first “Art Czar.” “We're all hopeful that this can become a model for other churches.”

On this episode of Rundown podcast, we hear from Jones, Black and Li about the initiative, and why they think combining the arts with spiritual places of worship makes so much sense.

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Morning News: Thursday April 25, 2024 Apr 25, 2024

Illinois elected officials remain “highly skeptical” of the Chicago Bears’ new plans for a domed, lakefront stadium. Caleb Williams could be a Chicago Bear by the end of the day: we’ll preview tonight’s N-F-L draft. A proposal in the Illinois House would make it a felony to block traffic on major roadways for more than 5 minutes, which could impact protesters.

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 24, 2024 Apr 24, 2024

Mayor Brandon Johnson is throwing strong support behind a plan for a new, publicly-owned Bears stadium south of Soldier Field. The family of a 26-year-old man who was fatally shot by Chicago Police during a traffic stop is suing the city and the officers involved. The suspect in the Highland Park massacre appeared in court today.

This year’s Chicago Palestine Film Festival feels a little different Apr 24, 2024

This year’s Chicago Palestine Film Festival opened nearly 200 days into the war in Gaza—to a sold-out weekend. Festival executive director Nina Shoman-Dajani said she believes it is more important than ever to share Palestinian stories. “We have really doubled down in our conviction to share Palestinian narratives and stories,” she said. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Shoman-Dajani and filmmaker Nick Leffel about this year’s lineup and what it means to program Palestinian films during the ongoing war

Morning News: Wednesday April 24, 2024 Apr 24, 2024

Chicago and the state of Illinois will work together to combine the city’s homeless shelter and migrant systems. Chicago Congresswoman Delia Ramirez wants to transition all of the nation’s public housing stock into zero-carbon, electrified homes. Some parents are pushing back against the potential closure of a bilingual school in suburban Skokie.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 23, 2024 Apr 23, 2024

Dom’s Kitchen and Market and Foxtrot Market are closing stores in Chicago less than a year after merging. Illinois state officials are working to reduce disparities that make Black women more likely to die during pregnancy than white women. The Chicago Bears have scheduled a Wednesday news conference to announce plans for “a state-of-the-art, publicly-owned enclosed stadium” on the city’s Museum Campus near Lake Michigan.

You might recognize Chicago actor LaRoyce Hawkins, but did you know he’s a poet? Apr 23, 2024

April is National Poetry Month, so we wanted to revisit one of our favorite conversations. If you watch any shows set in Chicago, you’ve probably seen LaRoyce Hawkins. He plays Kevin Atwater in “Chicago P.D.” and its many crossover shows. You might also know him as Michael “Shaw” Owens in the Max Original “South Side.”

But he’s also a lifelong poet and comedian. During the Hollywood strikes last fall, we took the opportunity to talk to Hawkins about his creative pursuits outside of TV.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Hawkins about poetry, improv and unicycles.

This episode was originally published on Sep. 29, 2023.

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Morning News: Tuesday April 23, 2024 Apr 23, 2024

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth supports more aid for Israel alongside billions for humanitarian aid. Research shows Chicago has more mass shootings than any other U.S. city. A compromise plan to expand O’Hare Airport has a new proponent – Illinois U-S Senator Dick Durbin.

Afternoon News: Monday April 22, 2024 Apr 22, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is sending his condolences to the family of a Chicago police officer who was killed over the weekend while off-duty. Toni Preckwinkle was unanimously re-elected to another two-year term as head of the Cook County Democratic Party. The Palestinian Film Fest kicked off this weekend at the Gene Siskel Film Center in the Chicago loop.

‘You gotta be scrappy’: How some of Chicago’s theater actors make ends meet Apr 22, 2024

WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis spoke with a dozen Chicago theater actors about how they’re getting by, and the bottom line, Davis said, is that the vast majority are struggling on the financial front.

He said that holds true whether they are unionized, Equity actors getting work at Chicago’s big name theaters, or if they’re non-Equity actors working in smaller storefront theaters.

“This is just not an easy industry to make a living in in general right now for Equity or non-Equity [actors],” Davis said. “They all talked about how hard it was and they acknowledged how hard it was, but they all love it. Like, they’re choosing this.”

In this episode of the Rundown podcast, Davis explained the differences between Equity and non-Equity, and shares the voices of Chicago actors, some who say non-Equity is life and others who say non-Equity is exploitation. He also explained the hacks they are using to pay for rent, and how Chicago actors think the scene here compares to cities like New York City and L.A.

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Morning News: Monday April 22, 2024 Apr 22, 2024

A Chicago Police officer was shot and killed over the weekend while heading home after his shift. Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing back at suggestions the CTA needs new leadership. Shoppers should expect demonstrations outside Walgreens stores in the south suburbs.

Afternoon News: Friday April 19, 2024 Apr 19, 2024

Illinois could soon be home to its first-ever federally recognized tribal reservation. Front-of-house staff at The Goodman Theater in Chicago voted in favor of joining a union. Chicago’s Kenwood Academy High School took home the Urban Debate National Championship trophy in Evanston.

Earlybirds Club: “The party don’t stop until … 10 p.m.” Apr 19, 2024

Imagine dancing your heart out with your bestie like you used to, but still getting home by 10 p.m.

That’s the idea behind Earlybirds Club, according to creators (and high school friends) Susie Lee and Laura Baginski.

“It’s a dance party for women that starts early and ends early because we all value our sleep,” Baginski said.

They’ve only hosted one event so far, in February. They say it sold out almost immediately. Baginski says their next event, scheduled for May 4, has a waiting list in the hundreds.

“We were so overwhelmed and surprised at the reaction,” Lee said. “The first one was just like two idiots throwing a party. And then after that, we were like, there clearly is a need for this.”

Lee and Baginski came on the Rundown podcast to explain the idea’s origin story, why it struck a chord with so many and what’s coming next.

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Morning News: Friday April 19, 2024 Apr 19, 2024

The Chicago City Council could vote today on spending an extra $70 million for migrant care. Suburban mayors are pushing back against a potential grocery tax cut at the state level. There’s an effort underway to rename Northwestern’s John Evans Alumni Center.

Afternoon News: Thursday April 18, 2024 Apr 18, 2024

The Cook County Board unanimously approved giving up to $70 million dollars to Chicago to cover food expenses for migrants. A state law that currently prohibits public school closings in Chicago could be extended until 2027. The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois is concerned about how law enforcement will handle protesters during the Democratic National Convention.

For poet Helene Achanzar, meeting an artist can change a child’s life Apr 18, 2024

Helene Achanzar’s job is to introduce students to poetry.

She’s the director of programs at the Chicago Poetry Center. That means she manages education programs in Chicago Public Schools, organizing poetry residencies and performances for students of all ages.

“Getting to meet an artist, as a student or as a young person, I think, can really change the trajectory of someone’s life,” Achanzar said.

In today’s episode, Achanzar explains her path to poetry and her life in and out of Chicago. Because she grew up here, left and returned, Achanzar says the changes in the city are always on her mind, and in her writing.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Thursday April 18, 2024 Apr 18, 2024

Four Chicago lobbyists are escaping serious punishment for improper donations to Mayor Johnson’s campaign. Some Cook County commissioners are concerned about blowback from voters and their communities as they vote to give Chicago money to help migrants. Former Arizona Congresswoman and gun control advocate Gabby Giffords addresses Chicagoans at the City Club.

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 17, 2024 Apr 17, 2024

Four lobbyists avoided serious punishment this week for improperly donating to Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign. Chicagoans will soon be allowed to ride electric scooters overnight. The Chicago Bulls could soon be in playoff contention.

Faith Ringgold, legendary artist, dies at 93 Apr 17, 2024

Artist Faith Ringgold, who passed away on Saturday at 93, was known for her work in a variety of artforms and for her sometimes jarring political pieces. One of her boldest works depicts the stars of the American flag reading the word “DIE” and the stripes reading the n-word. Titled “Flag For The Moon,” the piece briefly got the artist arrested for flag desecration when she displayed it in 1970.

“She felt the American government – what they were communicating to Black people – [was] that they could put a flag on the moon but disregard Black lives back in the United States,” said Jamillah James, who curated a recently-closed exhibit of Ringgold’s artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

In honor of Ringgold’s life and work, listen as host Erin Allen talks with James about the political nature of Ringgold’s art and how it serves as a bridge to the work of young Black artists today.

This episode was originally published on Nov. 29, 2023.

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Morning News: Wednesday April 17, 2024 Apr 17, 2024

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal paid Chicago a visit yesterday to fundraise. The Chicago Teachers Union is calling for every school to have a person on hand to help students work through conflicts. University of Illinois students, alumni, and staff traveled to Springfield yesterday to make the case to lawmakers for more money for the school system.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 16, 2024 Apr 16, 2024

The Illinois House is advancing a measure to prohibit closing selective enrollment Chicago public schools until 2027. For the first time in its 90-year history, the Brookfield Zoo will house koalas. Severe weather could hit parts of the Chicago area tonight.

Blurring the lines between art, journalism and activism with 'The Art Rebellion' Apr 16, 2024

Arts journalist Makeda Easter had issues with a lot of art-related journalism, so she created her own publication: The Art Rebellion, where she focuses coverage on artists without public relations teams, those working outside of New York and Los Angeles, and those creating activist art.

Easter is also vocal about one of her goals: making people understand how essential artists are in our society.

“Artists need to be paid more. We need to respect them as workers, not just as people who make pretty things,” Easter said. “They work. Their work is valuable. They should be paid as such.”

In this episode, Easter explains how her arts coverage exists in the world of “activist journalism.” She also talks about her ambitious project to document how much money artists are making across the country (spoiler: the struggle is real).

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Morning News: Tuesday April 16, 2024 Apr 16, 2024

Chicago alderpersons gave initial approval to spending $70 million from city reserves to support migrants. A renowned nun from Texas visited Chicago this week to speak about her work with migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul wants to make a state compensation program for victims of violent crime more accessible.

Afternoon News: Monday April 15, 2024 Apr 15, 2024

The Supreme Court seems ready to narrow a federal bribery law used in some big Chicago corruption cases. Activists want the Environmental Protection Agency to require Illinois to address unsafe drinking water conditions in state prisons. Governor J.B. Pritzker is promoting his plan to eliminate medical debt for hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans.

Chicago is getting an elected school board. Here’s what you need to know. Apr 15, 2024

Later this year, Chicago will choose its first-ever elected Chicago Public School board members. “Finally the people of Chicago will be able to get somebody on the board who will represent their interests,” said WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp. In November, the city will elect 10 board members, with 11 more appointed by the mayor. The board currently has seven seats, so it will also triple in size after the coming election. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Karp about the fight for an elected school board, what it takes to get on the ballot and everything else you need to know at this point in the race.

Morning News: Monday April 15, 2024 Apr 15, 2024

A mass shooting Saturday night in Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood killed a 9-year-old girl and left three boys injured – two critically. United States Supreme Court arguments today over a Northwest Indiana mayor’s bribery conviction could have a big legal impact on Chicago. Some Chicago advocates say they are skeptical about the way city officials are spending funds for migrant relief efforts.

Afternoon News: Friday April 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Illinois lawmakers are moving to update the state’s biometric privacy law. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin spoke in southwest Chicago today about Black Maternal Health Week. The Chicago Bulls are a step closer to the postseason.

Even if you can’t see it, fatphobia probably shows up in your workplace Apr 12, 2024

Fatphobia is everywhere, including the office. Anti-fat bias shows up in hiring, salary negotiations, conversations between coworkers and even the chairs we sit in.

“I cannot think of any example in the workplace where it would be appropriate to comment on the size of someone’s body,” said Rundown producer Sarah Stark.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Stark about workplace bias and the importance of fat community. To hear more conversations like this, check out the "Bias Against Bodies” series Stark produced for WBEZ’s daily talk show Reset.

This episode was originally published on Feb. 8, 2023.

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Morning News: April 12, 2024 Apr 12, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is asking City Council to approve $70 million more for migrant spending. A Chicago City Council committee approved penalties for violating a security perimeter for the upcoming DNC. The Chicago Sky are scouting long term talent ahead of next week’s WNBA draft.

Afternoon News: Thursday April 11, 2024 Apr 11, 2024

A state lawmaker from Chicago wants police to rethink how they conduct traffic stops in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods. An Illinois Senate proposal to ban single-use toiletry containers from state hotels is now moving to the Illinois House.

Once you start looking for fatphobia, you won’t be able to unsee it Apr 11, 2024

“People hate to admit they’re sexist or ageist or racist,” said retired women’s studies professor Esther Rothblum. “But if you ask people about fat oppression, they will tell you they hate fat people.”

Rothblum spent much of her career studying anti-fatness, and her research illustrates just how pervasive fatphobia is. Rothblum spoke with WBEZ’s daily talk show Reset as part of a series about anti-fat bias called “Bias Against Bodies,” which was produced by Rundown producer Sarah Stark.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Stark about the insidious ways anti-fat bias shows up in our daily lives.

This episode was originally published on Feb. 6, 2023.

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Morning News: April 11, 2024 Apr 11, 2024

It is unclear from just watching that video whether that officer, officer St. Louis, was shot by fellow police or whether he was shot by Mr. Reed. The Indiana Attorney General is fighting for safer drinking water for hoosiers. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications is preparing residents to handle extreme weather this summer.

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 10, 2024 Apr 10, 2024

The Gazan Health Ministry reports hundreds of aid workers have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, but many health care workers in Chicago are traveling to the war zone to care for the wounded. Illinois lawmakers are proposing legislation that would build an online hub for caregivers. Chicagoans may soon get to ride electric scooters 24/7.

Some Black women are rethinking hair relaxers… and suing their makers Apr 10, 2024

The last time Patrice Yursik chemically relaxed her hair was 22 years ago. She says she did it for her wedding, but really, it was for her mom.

“That was it,” said Yursik, who says her mother started straightening her hair when she was six years old. “I was like, I'm never doing this again.”

Research studies released in the last decade have noted links between chemical hair relaxers and various types of cancer. And now thousands of Black women are suing the makers of hair relaxers in federal court in Chicago.

WBEZ’s Natalie Moore has been covering these lawsuits. She came on the Rundown podcast with Yursik, who’s the creator of Afrobella.com and a pioneer in writing about the natural hair movement. Yursik, Moore and Rundown host Erin Allen talk about their relationships with hair relaxers, their curious cultural staying power, and what the federal lawsuits may mean for the future of the products.

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Morning News: Wednesday April 10, 2024 Apr 10, 2024

The attorney representing the family of Dexter Reed Jr., a Chicago man fatally shot by police on the city’s West Side, says police used excessive force during a traffic stop. A new report describes the maximum security prison in Pontiac, Illinois as a disgusting and neglected environment for mentally ill inmates. EXPO Chicago, the Midwest’s largest art fair, opens to the general public on Friday morning.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 9, 2024 Apr 09, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson responded to video footage released Tuesday of police officers fatally shooting Dexter Reed Jr. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx says her office will determine if the use of force in the shooting was beyond what’s allowable under the law. Illinois is doling out millions of dollars in grants to help full service grocery stores open in food deserts.

Black taxpayers are audited more often by the IRS. But why? Apr 09, 2024

It’s tax season, and pretty soon, it’ll be audit season.

An “audit” is when the IRS investigates whether an individual or corporation accurately reported and paid their taxes. In 2023, a Stanford study found an unsettling discrepancy when it comes to who does – and does not – get an IRS audit.

“Black taxpayers are about three to five times as likely to be audited than everyone else,” said Daniel Ho, one of the study’s authors and the director of Stanford’s Regulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab, “which is a pretty disturbing finding.”

In this episode, Ho unpacks how his team reached their conclusion and what’s being done to counteract it.

This episode was originally published on Mar. 10, 2023.

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Morning News: April 9, 2024 Apr 09, 2024

Chicago Public School principals get their budgets, some Evanston city council members want more information about a potential migrant shelter, and thousands flocked to Adler Planetarium to watch the solar eclipse Monday.

Afternoon News: Monday April 8, 2024 Apr 08, 2024

President Joe Biden is expected in Chicago for a reelection fundraiser. Evanston is looking into converting a vacant office building into a shelter for migrants. More than 300 University of Illinois Chicago faculty, students and alumni are sounding the alarm about an effort to rein in campus speech.

How actor Jon Michael Hill fills the stage in ‘Purpose’ Apr 08, 2024

“Theater feels spiritual to me,” actor Jon Michael Hill told The Rundown. You may know him from TV shows including “Detroit 1-8-7” and “Elementary,” but Hill is also a Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member. He plays the introverted main character and narrator of “Purpose,” a world premiere from playwright Branden Jacobs Jenkins and director Phylicia Rashad—yes, that Phylicia Rashad. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Hill about “Purpose,” developing new characters and bringing the audience into a play.

The Rundown: Morning News April 8, 2024 Apr 08, 2024

Hundreds of UIC students and faculty are speaking out, worried about free speech on campus. A website tied to right wing activists publishes data connected to hundreds of voters. Evanston looks to convert an office building into a migrant shelter.

Afternoon News: Friday April 5, 2025 Apr 05, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is unveiling new strategies to cut red tape and speed up development in the city, particularly for the construction of affordable housing and development. A state lawmaker from Chicago wants city parks to get more money for programming and upkeep if they host a major music festival. Chicago’s Bureau of Forestry is advising residents that the “mass cicada emergence” will begin later this month and will last until early June.

‘The waste stream provides’: How The WasteShed is rethinking trash Apr 05, 2024

The WasteShed is an organization that diverts reusable materials – mostly arts and crafts and school supplies – away from landfills and into the hands of schools and anyone else who visits one of their locations in Evanston and Chicago’s Humboldt Park Neighborhood.

WasteShed founder Eleanor Ray is something of a trash archeologist. And instead of buying something you need brand new, she encourages patience.

“The waste stream provides,” Ray said. “You'll sort of think of something and you'll be like, wow, I could really use this thing and then in, you know, a couple of days or a week or maybe a few weeks, it'll just turn up. And you'll be like, ‘Hey, there's that thing that I wanted.’ And here it is. It's like garbage manifestation. It feels very cosmic when it happens.”

Ray and WasteShed director of programs and development Ulisa Blakely visited the Rundown podcast to talk about rethinking waste and their upcoming trash fashion show, Discard Disco, at the Chicago Athletic Association on April 13.

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Amidst cuts, The Rundown podcast will continue Apr 05, 2024

This week, our parent company, Chicago Public Media, announced significant programming changes and staff layoffs. The Rundown podcast host, Erin Allen, addresses how they will affect the show.

You can learn more about the announcement, including its impact on our sister station Vocalo, as well as the Chicago Sun-Times, here.

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Morning News: April 5, 2024 Apr 05, 2024

It’s still four months away, but law enforcement is already planning for the Democratic National Convention here in Chicago. A coalition of Black and Brown leaders joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in support of work permits for all immigrants. Two civil rights groups are urging the Chicago Police Department to rethink its use of traffic stops.

Afternoon News: Thursday April 4, 2024 Apr 04, 2024

Law enforcement agencies gathered at Soldier Field to prepare for any emergency that might arise at this summer’s Democratic National Convention. Roughly one in 10 Cook County Democratic voters appeared to skip voting for a presidential candidate in last month’s Illinois primary. The total solar eclipse is Monday.

It’s almost time for the big 2024 solar eclipse. Here’s what you need to know. Apr 04, 2024

If you didn’t get to experience the 2017 solar eclipse, Monday is your chance for a repeat. Between 12:51 p.m. and 3:22 p.m. in Chicago, you’ll be able to watch the moon cross between the sun and the Earth. You’d have to drive a few hours to witness a total eclipse, but the city will still offer a pretty spectacular view. Geza Gyuk, the Senior Director of Astronomy at the Adler Planetarium, told us Chicago will get 20 times darker than usual at the height of the eclipse at 2:07 p.m. In this episode, Gyuk talks to host Erin Allen about how to safely experience the wonder of this once-in-a-generation eclipse.

Morning News: April 4, 2024 Apr 04, 2024

Some members of Illinois’ hospitality industry are rallying against an effort to eliminate the state’s credit for tipped workers. The last of the 200 or so migrants living in Oak Park have been resettled. Yesterday City council members debated a proposed electrification ordinance and misinformation surrounding it.

Afternoon News: Wednesday April 3, 2024 Apr 03, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is moving forward with plans to transform vacant downtown buildings into apartments. More than two dozen Illinois advocacy groups filed a friend-of-the-court brief in an upcoming Supreme Court case about homelessness. Chicago Public Media, the not-for-profit parent of WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, announced layoffs today.

Alvin Ailey’s dance company is returning to Chicago Apr 03, 2024

Vernard Gilmore remembers the moment he realized he wanted to be a professional dancer. While attending Curie High School in Chicago’s Archer Heights neighborhood, a friend showed him a video of a ballet called “Revelations,” the signature work of visionary dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey.

“And from that moment I was like: They understand me. That’s where I want to be. That’s where I need to be,” Gilmore said. “So for me, once I saw that I was like, ‘I gotta go to Ailey.’”

Gilmore said he has been with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for nearly 30 years, and is the company’s most senior member. Ahead of the company’s return to Chicago on April 17, Gilmore talked with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about dancing on the South Side throughout his childhood, about Alvin Ailey the man, and about returning to his hometown.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has six shows at the Auditorium Theater.

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Morning News: April 3, 2024 Apr 03, 2024

As the Democratic National Convention approaches, planners are bringing in local sustainability advisors. Illinois lawmakers are being asked for about $13 million to help start a new early childhood agency. A RUSH doctor shares tips for checking if you’ve received a measles vaccine.

Afternoon News: Tuesday April 2, 2024 Apr 02, 2024

Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä will be the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s next music director. Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough is in the hospital. The Chicago Public Library this month is celebrating poetry during this National Poetry Month.

Yes, Chicago has coyotes. No, they won’t hurt you. Apr 02, 2024

Stanley Gehrt is a Chicago-based researcher and author who focuses his studies on urban coyotes. His new book “Coyotes Among Us: Secrets of the City's Top Predator” explores over two decades of research on these animals that are living in and around Chicago. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Gehrt about our wild canine neighbors. Plus, we answer the age-old question: Are coyotes actually wily?

Morning News: April 2, 2024 Apr 02, 2024

A progressive City Council member held onto his leadership post despite backlash for speaking at a protest where an American flag was burned. Some Chicago City Council members are pushing back against Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to pull the plug on ShotSpotter – the gunshot detection system. Eileen O’Neill Burke is doubling-down on the tough-on-crime message that helped her secure the Democratic nomination for Cook County state’s attorney.

Afternoon News: Monday April 01, 2024 Apr 01, 2024

The Chicago police and fire committee is advancing legislation that would counteract Mayor Brandon Johnson’s decision to end the city’s contract for the gunshot detection technology called ShotSpotter. Retired Illinois appellate justice Eileen O’Neill Burke said even though she won the Democratic primary race for Cook County state’s attorney she’s still focused on getting her crime fighting message to areas of Chicago where she didn’t get many votes. Both the White Sox and Cubs are in town today and for the first time, fans can place bets right next door to Wrigley Field at the Draft Kings Sportsbook.

Multimedia artist Efren Adkins finds their fire in Chicago Apr 01, 2024

Efren Adkins did not make it to the floor at their middle school dance.

“I don’t dance. I don’t dance,” Adkins remembers saying. “I had a real disconnection with my body.”

Today, Adkins is both an arts teacher and a part of Chicago’s vibrant and diverse performance art scene. They’ve danced in Mexico, Russia and Japan, and they’re fully planted in the 60608 zip code.

In this episode, Adkins explains their evolution in self-expression and their journey to teaching youngsters about art in Chicago schools.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: April 1, 2024 Apr 01, 2024

A City Council Committee will hear arguments today from alderpersons who want ShotSpotter to stay in their wards. A contingent of Chicago City Council members will try to hold a meeting today (mon) to condemn their colleague for speaking at a protest where an American flag was burned. One of the nation's fastest-growing sports is becoming official in Illinois high schools – flag football.

Afternoon News: Friday March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024

Chicago plans to close five shelters for migrants in the coming weeks. Workers at a Chicago tortilla factory say they’re facing retaliation for trying to organize for better job conditions. Illinois health officials say respiratory viruses are trending down across the state.

Why is it so expensive to get married in Chicago? Mar 29, 2024

We’re approaching wedding season, and getting hitched in Chicago is becoming astronomically expensive. The average Windy City wedding costs about $56,000—the second highest in the country after New York City. Fortunately for us, freelance writer Olivia Dimmer has looked into why this is happening. “Inflation is infecting everyone, and the wedding industry is no different,” Dimmer said. And she thankfully has some suggestions for keeping costs down. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Dimmer about the wedding industry and some creative cost-cutting couples she interviewed.

Morning News: March 29, 2024 Mar 29, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city wants the public to benefit from any future Bears stadium. Illinois-based Walgreens and CVS are under fire for failing to protect patients’ health data. Today is Good Friday, and Catholics are gathering in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood for a decades-old tradition.

Afternoon News: Thursday March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is defending one of his City Council allies. Authorities say a mail carrier was among four people killed when a man went on a stabbing rampage in Rockford. Retired judge Eileen O’Neill Burke regained some ground Wednesday in the still unresolved Democratic primary race for Cook County state’s attorney.

How to get into Chicago’s salsa and bachata dancing scene Mar 28, 2024

You can find a place to salsa any night of the week in Chicago. Whether you're a beginner or a lifelong dancer, there's something for everyone.

But if you don’t know where to start, we’ve got you. Gregory Almonord and Taylor Diem organize spontaneous pop-up salsa and bachata events around Chicago, and they came on the show to talk us through the scene in Chicago.

In this episode, guest host Brenda Ruiz talks salsa and bachata with Almonord and Diem.

This episode originally aired on May 8, 2023.

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Morning News: March 28, 2024 Mar 28, 2024

Most public universities and community colleges aren’t meeting state goals for contracting with minority-owned and women-owned businesses. A former Illinois governor wants voters to weigh in on public subsidies for the Chicago Bears and White Sox. A look back at four years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois.

Afternoon News: Wednesday March 27, 2024 Mar 27, 2024

Two Chicago hospitals are accused of ignoring years of abuse by a Chicago gynecologist. A small faction of City Council is continuing to condemn their colleague for attending a protest where an American flag was burned. A former Illinois governor wants voters to have a say on giving public subsidies to the Chicago Bears and White Sox for new stadiums.

Get all your senses immersed at The Color Factory Chicago Mar 27, 2024

In a world full of dull, muted colors like “Greige,” “Sand,” Khaki” and “Millennial Gray,” The Color Factory offers an alternate experience.

“Color is so powerful. I think that that is undeniable,” said The Color Factory CEO Tina Malhotra. “You walk into a restaurant and the color of the restaurant has the ability to shape the way you think about what you're about to eat. It changes your mood. It elicits feelings. And I think that everyone's relationship with color is deeply personal because oftentimes it's connected to their own memories and their own experiences.”

The Color Factory is something of a museum, or what Malhotra calls “an immersive art experience.” There are locations in New York and Houston, and the Chicago edition is in the Willis Tower.

Rundown podcast host Erin Allen spoke with Malhotra about the multi-sensory experiences you’ll find at The Color Factory, how color and memory are intertwined, and how she and her team tried to make each location reflect the city it’s in, quite the project for a massive cultural center like Chicago.

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Morning News: March 27, 2024 Mar 27, 2024

Abortion rights groups in Illinois are defending access to an abortion pill. Thousands of Chicago Park District workers are preparing to strike for better wages. Some Cicero residents demanded the town spend more on flooding prevention at a town hall meeting Tuesday.

Afternoon News: Tuesday March 26, 2024 Mar 26, 2024

Chicago Park District workers are ready to strike if the city does not settle their union contract. A pending foreign aid package in the U.S. House has the support of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin. Sundance is coming to Chicago.

Jupiter Magazine’s co-founders started the magazine they wanted to see Mar 26, 2024

Camille Bacon and Daria Harper first bonded over their dissatisfaction with the state of art criticism. As writers, they were expected to turn around pieces quickly and for poor pay. They dreamed about a future where they could experiment and create work grounded in Black feminism. Just over a year later, Bacon and Harper launched the first issue of Jupiter Magazine as co-editors in chief.. For now, it’s a digital publication, but they have dreams of growing it into an institution. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Bacon and Harper about Jupiter and their hopes for the magazine's future.

Morning News: March 26, 2024 Mar 26, 2024

What it’s like to be pregnant inside some Illinois county jails. A military veteran burned his own American flag outside of Chicago City Hall Friday to protest the killing of at least 32,000 Palestinians. Hundreds of migrants temporarily living in five Chicago Park district facilities will be relocated to other shelters starting this Saturday.

Afternoon News: Monday March 25, 2024 Mar 25, 2024

Hundreds of migrants temporarily living in five Chicago Park District facilities will be relocated to other shelters starting this Saturday. A member of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board has resigned after she approved the release of a man who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend and killed her son. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said plans to reduce operations at mail processing centers across Illinois may worsen delivery times.

Two years in, Bronzeville Winery is a vibe Mar 25, 2024

Eric Williams said the inspiration for Bronzeville Winery hit him during the pandemic.

“At Mariano's it became ‘Club Mariano's,’” Williams said. “I mean, it was like music, it was DJs. And so I'm like, if people are getting down in Mariano's in aisle five, this can work permanently.”

Now, as they approach the two-year anniversary of their wine bar and restaurant at 44th and Cottage Grove, Williams and co-owner Cecilia Cuff say they hope their success can serve as a beacon for other business owners considering an opening on the South Side.

“There are people that generationally want what we offer, but they leave the community to be able to access those things,” Cuff said. “We shouldn't have to go downtown or to the North Side or out of the state to be able to have the same experience.”

“What Wicker Park is now, it's not what it was 25 years ago,” Williams said. “For me, what's as important to us as a business is the inspiration that it can have for other people to see that this is possible on Cottage Grove.”

Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talked with Cuff and Williams about winning the 2024 Jean Banchet award for best hospitality, the priority they put on serving Black-owned wines, and how they’re investing in the community of Bronzeville.

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Morning News: March 25, 2024 Mar 25, 2024

The FAFSA is still a mess but counselors urge students to try and submit it anyway. Former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke is now a retired lawyer. Two Oak Park teachers won a human and civil rights award for helping an influx of migrant families settle in their school district.

Afternoon News: Friday March 22, 2024 Mar 22, 2024

Chicago public health officials say there are now a total of 17 identified measles cases in the city. The Friends of the Parks and the Chicago Bears are discussing the possibility of a new stadium along the lakefront. The Hindu holiday Holi starts Monday, and Chicago-area celebrations for it will start this weekend.

Through film, Adam L. McMath preserves community history Mar 22, 2024

Years ago, Adam L. McMath was nervously debuting a documentary at the Black Alphabet Film Festival, which bills itself as Chicago’s first Black LGBTQ+ film festival. His film was called “Misunderstud,” about 10 masculine lesbians, and he said he and his producers got a standing ovation when the credits rolled.

Today, McMath is the executive director at Black Alphabet, and his goal is to uplift the next generation of storytellers.

“Now is the time to be a storyteller,” McMath said. “I want to uplift young folks that don’t think they can do it, and let them know that you actually can. It’s hard work, but it’s easier than you think to get into.”

In this episode, McMath explains when he first felt the power of film, how Chicago has influenced his work, and why he wants to keep telling the history of Black LGBTQ+ Chicagoans.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: March 22, 2024 Mar 22, 2024

Illinois DCFS is asking for more money to hire more people and better care for vulnerable kids. Chicago Public Schools is changing the way it distributes money to schools to align with Mayor Brandon Johnson's agenda. Some of Chicago’s Brighton Park residents are worried about lingering contamination the city identified last December.

Afternoon News: Thursday March 21, 2024 Mar 21, 2024

Chicago Public Schools is telling parents to not count on bus service to elementary magnet and selective enrollment schools in the fall. A Cook County judge is letting Chicago police officers who face the most serious misconduct allegations have their cases decided by a third-party arbitrator. Chicago celebrates its first Rick Bayless Day.

Want to fall in love with Chicago all over again? Check out Jaz Rodriguez’s art. Mar 21, 2024

Jaz Rodriguez grew up in a family of artists in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. “As a Hispanic, stories mean a lot to us,” she said. Now, she tells some of those stories through her art. You may know Rodriguez as JazOnVinyl on Instagram, where she shares colorful drawings inspired by pop culture and Chicago nightlife. When asked to describe her work, she tells people, “I draw what I love, I use all the colors.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Rodriguez about community, color and how to find your artistic niche in Chicago.

Morning News: March 21, 2024 Mar 21, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed to continue the fight to prevent homelessness as the Bring Chicago Home referendum appears headed for defeat. The Anti-Defamation League joined other Jewish advocacy organizations in condemning a rise in antisemitism. A new program is paving the way for some Chicago public high schoolers to enter the tech industry.

Afternoon News: Wednesday March 20, 2024 Mar 20, 2024

Yesterday’s primary election in Illinois saw some of the lowest voter turnout in decades. The Chicago City Council approved three police settlements worth more than $50 million. Seventh-grader Nidhi Kulkarni spelled her way to victory in the Chicago Public Schools Spelling Bee Championship on Tuesday.

What happened in Tuesday’s primary election? Mar 20, 2024

WBEZ reporter Tessa Weinberg joins us for a Wednesday morning debrief of Tuesday’s Illinois primary election. She explained what we should make of the results in both presidential primaries, races for Congress and the Cook County State’s Attorney, and the Bring Chicago Home referendum, which looks likely headed for a defeat.

You can find the latest election results right here.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this episode reported the Bring Chicago Home results as 46% no and 54% yes, when the results were 54% no and 46% yes.

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Morning News: March 20, 2024 Mar 20, 2024

Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump won their Illinois primaries but showed possible weakness. The Democratic primary for Cook County state’s attorney remains too close to call. A citywide referendum to raise a tax on the sale of high-end properties appeared headed to defeat.

Afternoon News: Tuesday March 19, 2024 Mar 19, 2024

Voters in Illinois are casting ballots in today’s state primary election. The city of Chicago is suing the handgun manufacturer Glock, claiming the company is putting residents at risk by selling pistols that can easily be converted to machine guns. Grammy winner SZA, Tyler the Creator, The Killers and blink-182 will headline this summer’s Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park.

Get ready for the THC beverage boom in Chicago Mar 19, 2024

THC-infused seltzer beverages – you know, the kind that get you high – are becoming more readily available in local grocery stores and even for on-site consumption at a few Chicago breweries.

But, how is this legal? And should we expect a THC beverage boom in the near future?

To answer those questions, the Rundown podcast visited Hopewell Brewing in Logan Square, whose hemp-based, THC-infused beverage called Choom became available in February. We talked with Hopewell owner Samantha Lee about why they decided to offer Choom. We also ask reporter Steve Hendershot – who covered the trend for WBEZ – to give the lemon-lime seltzer a taste and to explain the legal gray area where these kinds of beverages exist.

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Morning News: March 19, 2024 Mar 19, 2024

It’s primary day today, and voters will cast ballots for president, Cook County state’s attorney and a Chicago tax referendum. A new violence reduction plan for Chicago. The Illinois State Treasurer is pushing an investment program to help nonprofits across the state.

Afternoon News: Monday March 18, 2024 Mar 18, 2024

Early voting numbers in Chicago are lagging ahead of tomorrow’s primary election. The agency that investigates police misconduct in Chicago currently has 600 open misconduct cases. The Chicago Bears have traded Quarterback Justin Fields to the Steelers in exchange for a draft pick next year.

It’s time for the first Chicagohenge of 2024 Mar 18, 2024

Chicagohenge comes around twice a year: just after the spring equinox and right before the fall equinox. With the equinox just around the corner—it’s tomorrow!—this week is your first chance of the year to catch the dazzling effect in some Chicago streets.

The name “Chicagohenge” is a play on Stonehenge, the ancient stone monument in England that also interacts with the sun in some amazing ways. It’s the kind of interplay between nature and infrastructure we love to geek out about on The Rundown.

In this episode, host Erin Allen spaces out with Michelle Nichols, the Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium.

This episode originally aired on September 22, 2023.

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The Rundown: Monday March 18, 2024 Mar 18, 2024

Chicago officials evicted fewer migrants than expected from city shelters over the weekend. The payday lending industry in Illinois has been nearly wiped out due to a new law.

Afternoon News: Friday March 15, 2024 Mar 15, 2024

Migrants will start to be evicted this weekend from city run shelters in Chicago, but thousands of people will have their stays extended under new exemptions announced Friday. Gov. JB Pritzker is announcing plans to tear down and rebuild the Stateville and Logan prisons. Cook County commissioners are delaying a mandate that grants paid leave to employees at schools and parks in the suburbs.

Meet Olivia Rodrigo’s Chicago opener, Chappell Roan Mar 15, 2024

When Chappell Roan is headlining a concert, she books local drag queens to open for her. “Drag is just inspirational throughout my whole project,” Roan said. “It would be only right to have drag open for me.”

Last fall, we spoke with her and one such opener, Boyj, ahead of her Chicago shows. “I like to think of Chicago as the headquarters of drag,” Boyj said.

Now, Roan is coming back to Chicago as an opener for Olivia Rodrigo’s “GUTS” tour, so we wanted to revisit our conversation with her and Boyj.

This episode originally aired on October 4, 2023.

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Morning News: March 15, 2024 Mar 15, 2024

Illinois lawmakers want to create a new state agency focused on early childhood care. They are also considering new rules to govern carbon capture and sequestration projects. New findings in the treatment of HIV in infants could improve the quality of life for children and families.

Afternoon News: Thursday March 14, 2024 Mar 14, 2024

Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago said it has started reactivating its MyChart portal after a cybersecurity threat in late January prompted the hospital to shut the network down. Disability rights advocates are protesting an Illinois measure that allows patients to take medication to end their lives. Construction on the Kennedy Expressway is causing headaches for commuters; the express lanes will be closed until late fall.

Happy Pi(e) Day! Mar 14, 2024

March 14 is Pi Day—yes, as in 3.14. The Rundown podcast team isn’t flush with mathletes, so we’re taking the pie approach.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks about pies and pie shops with two of WBEZ’s most prolific home bakers, senior editors Katie O’Connell and Cassie Walker Burke. Here are some of their favorite Chicago pie shops:

Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
Hoosier Mama Pie Company
Justice of the Pies
Spinning J

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Morning News: March 14, 2024 Mar 14, 2024

The City of Chicago will move forward with evicting migrants from city run shelters come Saturday. Mayor Brandon Johnson announced 10 areas where his administration will focus violence prevention efforts. A Cook County jury recently awarded $7 million dollars to a Chicago man who was shot by a security guard for the Chicago Housing Authority.

Afternoon News: Wednesday March 13, 2024 Mar 13, 2024

The Archdiocese of Chicago has made the city several offers to house migrants at properties they own for free, according to email exchanges obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times, but the requests have gone unheeded by Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration. Chicago health officials say nearly all migrants who needed to be inoculated against measles at the city’s shelter in the Pilsen neighborhood have been vaccinated. The lineup is out for Chicago's Pitchfork Festival.

Hazel Johnson: ‘The mother of environmental justice’ in Chicago Mar 13, 2024

In the late 1960s, Hazel Johnson was living in the Altgeld Gardens neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side when her husband died of lung cancer. She also saw dozens of other people in her community suffering from respiratory issues and contracting cancer, despite having no family history of the disease.

“She was like, that's just too many people in one neighborhood,” said Hazel’s daughter, Cheryl Johnson, who would eventually take up her mother’s mantle. “And then she started making the connection that the air quality in our neighborhood, you could cut it with a knife.”

So, Hazel Johnson founded an organization called People for Community Recovery, and over the next several decades she successfully lobbied local and federal governments to force industrial polluters to change their ways and clean up their messes.

“She's known as the mother of environmental justice,” said Damon Williams, co-creator of a six-part podcast on Johnson called Help This Garden Grow. “And for someone who loomed so large in our city and in the country, it was clear that there was not a full telling of her story that was accessible to us in any way. And if it's not accessible to us, that means it's probably not accessible to most people who are not looking as deeply as we are.”

In this episode of The Rundown, Cheryl and Damon tell the origins of Hazel Johnson’s powerful story and the work still to be done.

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Morning News: March 13, 2024 Mar 13, 2024

Thousands of people stand to lose health insurance in a few weeks as the state of Illinois continues to reign in spending. More than 200 diverse learners – students with unique physical, developmental and mental capabilities, got a chance to early vote yesterday. Nearly half of Illinois residents say their local school district is experiencing support staff shortages, according to a nonpartisan poll.

Afternoon News: Tuesday March 12, 2024 Mar 12, 2024

Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expected in Chicago in response to several measles cases at one of the city's largest migrant shelters. Nearly four out of 10 Illinois residents say they favor banning teaching critical race theory in public schools. The Equal Pay Chicago Coalition is discussing ways to close disparities in gender pay.

‘Notes from the Field’ explores the school-to-prison pipeline, spurs action Mar 12, 2024

In 2015, a young Black man named Freddie Gray died in police custody. His death and the subsequent protests in Baltimore served as inspiration for playwright Anna Deavere Smith. She wove Gray’s story into a play called “Notes from the Field.” At its core, the play explores the school-to-prison pipeline. Smith’s one-woman plays are composed of verbatim monologues from interviews she conducted. And in TimeLine Theatre’s production of “Notes from the Field,” three Chicago actresses share the play’s 19 monologues. Director Mikael Burke said much of the process was about “what is possible if we can take a moment to just listen and then act accordingly based on what we feel.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks about the play with Burke and one of the three actresses, Shariba Rivers.

Morning News: March 12, 2024 Mar 12, 2024

Chicago health care advocates say the spread of serious diseases is inevitable when migrants are placed in crowded spaces with little ventilation. Convicted former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke – and his law license – are becoming an issue in a tight Supreme Court race. Eileen O’Neill Burke tells public officials at the City Club she’s running for state’s attorney because she is “not giving up on Chicago.”

Afternoon News: Monday March 11, 2024 Mar 11, 2024

The Chicago Bears say they are willing to put up $2 billion of their own money towards a new stadium in the city, but the statement from the team was light on other details. The state of Illinois is finally making available $18.5 million to assist and protect witnesses of violent crime. The conflict-ridden Illinois Supreme Court is letting convicted former Chicago Alderman Edward Burke keep his law license.

Perception, language, and the unseen: A look at Maryam Taghavi’s MCA exhibit Mar 11, 2024

Maryam Taghavi’s exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art examines the things we cannot see and our own ability to perceive the things we can. It’s aptly titled “Nothing Is.”

“When you stare at something, in a way, it stares back at you,” Taghavi said. “The lake, the water or the clouds, the sky or trees, or the street, all the texts on the street. So these things sort of speak back at you, and I'm really interested in that reciprocity that happens when you are staring at something.”

In this episode of The Rundown podcast, Taghavi takes us on a tour of her exhibit at the MCA, which includes paintings, sculptures, poetry and calligraphy. We hear about her journey from Iran to Canada to the United States, and learn about her artistic influences and interests: Persian language and ancient texts, her childhood in war-torn Tehran and her immigration to Canada, and the nature of infinity.

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Morning News: March 11, 2024 Mar 11, 2024

Two confirmed cases of measles in a Pilsen migrant shelter are leading to calls for more proactive health screenings for migrants. Illinois residents have had more than $40 million dollars worth of student debt canceled under the new federal SAVE plan. This is the last week Illinois voters can request a mail ballot for next week’s March 19th primary election.

Afternoon News: Friday March 8, 2024 Mar 08, 2024

Chicago public health officials say a child has tested positive for measles at one of the largest migrant shelters in the Pilsen neighborhood. Abortion rights advocates are protesting the recent opening of an Indiana-based crisis pregnancy center in Chicago. The city of Chicago now has its first Native and Pollinator Garden Registry Advisory Board.

Is this ‘a golden era of corruption’ for Chicago and Illinois? Mar 08, 2024

Al Capone. Operation Greylord. Four former Illinois governors in federal prison.

We have a long history of corruption around these parts, but WBEZ government and politics reporter Dave McKinney thinks that the present day – with figures like former Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke – may take the cake.

“It’s a little funny to think about what’s going on now as a golden era because that was certainly a golden era too,” McKinney said, “but with Madigan, with Burke, these people were so powerful.”

But shouldn’t decades of high-profile criminal trials and convictions actually act as a deterrent to public officials presented with opportunities of graft, bribery or fraud?

As a part of WBEZ’s Democracy Solutions Project, McKinney has been looking into why corruption thrives in Chicago and Illinois, what reforms we have made and could make, and the financial and emotional toll corruption takes on us as citizens. In this episode of the Rundown, McKinney explains why corruption remains and what we can do about it.

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Morning News: March 8, 2024 Mar 08, 2024

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth brought an infertility specialist to President Biden’s address last night. A state lawmaker has ideas for a new Bears stadium near Soldier Field. Chicago has been developing twice as much away from transit stop as opposed to near them.

Afternoon News: Thursday March 7, 2024 Mar 07, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is standing by his call to permanently eliminate the state's 1% grocery tax. A Democrat-backed effort in Springfield would legalize psilocybin—psychedelic mushrooms. Many migrants living in Chicago are having difficulty getting a driver’s license.

How Illinois lawmakers are working to safeguard IVF Mar 07, 2024

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Illinois has become a popular destination for people seeking abortion care. Now, lawmakers are turning their attention to in vitro fertilization, or IVF. In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled embryos fertilized through IVF should be considered people. The state’s governor has since signed legislation to protect IVF providers from legal liability, a move that would reopen the procedure in the state. But the back-and-forth raised concerns from Illinois legislators, who are attempting to safeguard and expand access to the procedure. “I invite legislation to make sure that we’re codifying at every turn,” said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to WBEZ statehouse reporter Mawa Iqbal about what she’s hearing from Illinois lawmakers and health care providers.

Morning News: March 7, 2024 Mar 07, 2024

Chicago officials are preparing for the DNC Convention that comes to town in August. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is celebrating a decision that will put the Bring Chicago Home referendum back in the hands of voters. A new proposal for funding Illinois’ public universities could increase the number of Black and low-income students getting college degrees.

Afternoon News: Wednesday March 6, 2024 Mar 06, 2024

Cook County’s top prosecutor is praising the guilty verdicts against the man who killed Chicago police officer Ella French and attempted to kill her partners. A new grant program will address food insecurity across Illinois. The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced this year's Chicago Blues Festival lineup, including a special performance by Buddy Guy as part of his farewell tour.

Chicago’s pothole artist has a new art gallery in Uptown Mar 06, 2024

Jim Bachor is known for filling Chicago potholes with old world, mosaic tile artwork. But his work doesn’t depict Roman emperors or ancient religious figures. More often it’s a pack of Marlboro cigarettes or a delicious frozen ice cream treat.

“I’ve found that my goal in life is to drag the artform of the mosaic kicking and screaming into the 21st century,” Bachor said.

Bachor recently opened a new gallery of his work at 1111 W. Lawrence Ave. in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, right across the street from the Aragon Ballroom. He’s offering original mosaics for sale – typically at a cost of hundreds or thousands of dollars – but also cheaper prints, T-shirts, stickers, and – soon – classes.

In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks with Bachor about how he got started in this highly tedious artform and why he started putting his work in some of Chicago’s many, many potholes.

This episode originally aired on Oct. 25, 2023.

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Morning News: Wednesday March 6, 2024 Mar 06, 2024

Critics of a mayor-backed plan for a partially elected school board say grassroots candidates will have a hard time running. Proposed legislation in Springfield would ban small, single-use containers for personal care products like soap and shampoo in hotels. A former Democratic Illinois governor is teaming up with a Republican on ethics reform for politicians.

Afternoon News: Tuesday March 5, 2024 Mar 05, 2024

The Illinois Senate has passed a bill to create a partially elected Chicago school board. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago has access once again to patients’ electronic medical records, more than a month into a cybersecurity outage. Early voting is underway for people incarcerated at Cook County Jail.

‘One of the great community events in Chicago’: The Rundown visits Soup & Bread Mar 05, 2024

Soup & Bread is an event at a bar in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood – The Hideout – where anyone who wanders in can get a free meal of soup and bread the first Wednesday of every month during Chicago’s chilly season.

Organizer Martha Bayne said it’s not just about showing up and getting some free soup, but to invite people into a “classically third space, where people can come together outside of school or church or work and just share some quality time with each other.”

“This is one of the great community events in Chicago,” one attendee told us, “like, period.”

The Rundown went to check it out last month – to talk with the organizers, soup chefs and attendees – and to figure out how this event has made such a mark on its community over the last 15 years.

Soup & Bread returns to The Hideout on March 6 and April 3 at 6 p.m.

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Morning News: Tuesday March 5, 2024 Mar 05, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker says Democrats will benefit from having Donald Trump on the ballot this year. A former Illinois appellate judge has raised more than twice as much as her Democratic primary opponent in the race to replace Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx. A Northwestern University alumna has created a drill to help surgeons operate on skulls.

Afternoon News: Monday March 4, 2024 Mar 04, 2024

The Supreme Court is putting an end to an Illinois challenge to knock Donald Trump off the ballot. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin continues to push for a ceasefire in Gaza. The suburbs outpaced Chicago last year in fatal pedestrian and bicycle traffic crashes.

What migrants’ grievances tell us about the state of Chicago shelters Mar 04, 2024

Many of Chicago’s new migrants came to the United States seeking refuge. But once here, they can encounter shelters with dirty living conditions and, at times, staff who make racist comments and sexually harass residents, according to over 200 grievances obtained by WBEZ.

“There are still ongoing issues based on the data and my conversations with people,” said WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguigad.

In this episode, Cardona-Maguigad breaks down her investigation with WBEZ All Things Considered anchor Melba Lara.

This episode was produced for broadcast by Lauren Frost.

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Morning News: Monday March 4, 2024 Mar 04, 2024

Reproductive rights advocates are working to make fertility treatment more affordable in Illinois. Expanded early voting is underway today for the March primary election. A state commission released plans for a funding formula for public universities to address years of disinvestment and volatility.

Afternoon News: Friday March 1, 2024 Mar 01, 2024

Democratic lawmakers in Illinois are bracing for impact after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are considered people. Starting Monday, voters in suburban Cook County will have more places to cast votes in the March 19th Illinois Primary. The CDC has new recommendations for those who test positive for COVID-19.

Meow kind of town: The story behind Chicago’s many feral cats Mar 01, 2024

A few months ago, Rundown producer Justin Bull brought you the story of some of Chicago’s feral cats, the people who care for them, and why both are so present among us here in Chicago. In the time since, he heard from a few folks who say it’s not all whiskers and catnip.

This month for WBEZ’s Curious City, Justin went a little deeper, talking with more feral cat advocates and detractors, as well as a documentarian who knows how contentious this issue can get.

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Morning News: Friday March 1, 2024 Mar 01, 2024

A Cook County judge is siding with Donald Trump to put her order booting him from the Illinois ballot on hold. Oak Park’s contracts with two migrant shelter locations have ended. Seven more people say they were framed by former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 29, 2024 Feb 29, 2024

The six-figure state pension for the convicted aide to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is being suspended. A federal judge is postponing the sentencing of four former ComEd lobbyists and executives who were convicted of bribery in a major corruption trial. A Chicago-area economic development organization hosted a town hall to rally support for legislation to advocate for small business owners.

“Chairman Fred”: The story of Fred Hampton Feb 29, 2024

This is the story of Chicago liberation activist Fred Hampton, former chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, who was just 21 years old when he was killed by Chicago police in 1969. In a special Black History Month collaboration between WBEZ’s Making and Rundown podcasts, hosts Brandon Pope and Erin Allen sit down with original members of the Black Panther Party, attorneys who fought Hampton’s post-assassination lawsuits, and family members who continue to carry on his legacy.

Morning News: February 29, 2024 Feb 29, 2024

A Cook County judge is ordering Donald Trump off Illinois’ March primary ballot, but with a caveat. Some Indiana parents of transgender children are decrying a ruling by the federal appeals court in Chicago. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker won’t commit to state funding for sports stadiums.

Afternoon News: Wednesday February 28, 2024 Feb 28, 2024

The National Weather Service says it’s likely more than one tornado touched down in the Chicago area last night. The Chicago Bears and White Sox are being told to team up on a proposal for stadium funding. A new album tries to give voice to people living in Palestinian territories.

Devon Price on how systemic shame shapes our lives—and what to do about it Feb 28, 2024

When we’re coping with multiple global crises at a time, it can feel so easy to lean into hopelessness. All too often, hopelessness comes from what author and social psychologist Devon Price calls “systemic shame.” It’s different from the shame you might feel when you do something wrong or hurt someone you love. “Systemic shame is something that I see as a political force that involves offloading the blame for systemic problems,” Price said. “And telling the individuals most affected by it, ‘This is your fault.’” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Price about his new book “Unlearning Shame.”

Morning News: February 28, 2024 Feb 28, 2024

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is demanding a vote on her bill to federally protect access to in vitro fertilization. Court fights are putting the status of a referendum question on Chicago’s March primary ballot in question. The jury trial of the man accused of murdering Chicago police officer Ella French and wounding her partner Carlos Yanez continues today.

Afternoon News: Tuesday February 27, 2024 Feb 27, 2024

The Chicago Board of Elections has decided to appeal a ruling that invalidated the “Bring Chicago Home” referendum question that would ask voters if a tax on the sale of high-end properties should be increased to fund homelessness prevention. Our sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout says the number one question for the Chicago Bears is: what’s next for quarterback Justin Fields? And we hear from a few people in Chicago for their take on this not-so-wintry weather.

How one Pilsen artist built space for cultural expression in her community Feb 27, 2024

Self-taught Chicago artist Teresa Magaña channels her Mexican and Chicana roots to create stunning paintings. Her artwork takes inspiration from Chicago sign painters and the Day of the Dead, and now she says she’s “exploring more of the femme body and imagery.”

And as an activist, she hopes to provide space and resources to artists in the Pilsen community and beyond through the Pilsen Arts and Community House, which she co-founded.

In this episode, Magaña explains how she came to art late in life, the inspiration she takes from her cultural roots and why she decided to create an art and community center in her lifelong home of Pilsen.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: Tuesday February 27, 2024 Feb 27, 2024

Chicago’s elections board will decide whether to appeal a ruling invalidating a referendum question known as Bring Chicago Home. Governor J.B. Pritzker is “reluctant” to use taxpayer money for a new White Sox stadium. Plus, some troubling news about the monarch butterflies that migrate to Chicago each summer.

Afternoon News: Monday February 26, 2024 Feb 26, 2024

The man accused of murdering Chicago police officer Ella French goes on trial this week. A Cook County judge is lifting his freeze on Chicago Police Board activity in serious officer-discipline cases. The faculty union at University of Illinois at Chicago has taken a vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

You’ve seen the name on buildings, but who is Mr. Mr. Fungi? Feb 26, 2024

Kelley Engelbrecht moved to Chicago in 2020. One day, she and her husband were driving around the city, and an abandoned building caught her eye. Emblazoned on the side of the building were huge block letters spelling out “Mr. Mr. Fungi.” “We were like ‘What does that even mean?’” she recalled. Engelbrecht decided to follow her curiosity about the graffiti tag by reporting on it for Chicago Magazine. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Engelbrecht about graffiti, street artists and legacy.

Morning News: February 26, 2024 Feb 26, 2024

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is proposing a new plan to fully fund the state’s pension systems, which have been in significant debt for years. Chicago Public Schools plans to end its contract with the police department this summer, but district officials revealed last week this won’t necessarily save money. Local Ukrainian activists spoke with WBEZ this weekend on the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Afternoon News: Friday February 23, 2024 Feb 23, 2024

A Cook County judge ruled that a referendum that would have allowed a tax increase in Chicago to fund homelessness prevention is invalid. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is trying to permanently get rid of the state’s 1% grocery sales tax. Gov. Pritzker also wants to earmark more money for the state’s Department of Children and Family Services: $2.3 billion over the next fiscal year.

To offset decades of racist housing policies, this Chicagoan is getting creative Feb 23, 2024

Tonika Lewis Johnson calls her latest project – unBlocked Englewood – “a very unusual art project.”

It involves beautifying the 6500 block of South Aberdeen Street in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood – though things like murals, gardens, gazebos and landscaping – that’s not the unusual part.

“But,” she said, “if we were to just start doing art right away, it would be an insult to people on that block.”

Johnson said the homeowners there, like so many other minority Chicagoans on the South Side, are still suffering from racist housing practices of the 20th century that devalued the land in those neighborhoods and prevented many from becoming homeowners in the first place.

So Johnson did something a little different, by applying for grants from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events that would combine public art with home repairs. She got them. And the effects have been transformational, according to some of the residents of 65th and Aberdeen.

In this episode, Johnson talked with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about how she’s pulling it off, and why.

“We can be as creative as we want when we’re trying to dismantle these systemic injustices,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it.”

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Morning News: February 23, 2024 Feb 23, 2024

Chicago Board of Education votes to tell schools to prepare for no more cops in schools next year. The same board is officially ending private custodial management after years of complaints that schools were filthy. A new initiative in Chicago aims to double youth employment in the city in the next three years.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 22, 2024 Feb 22, 2024

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking for a much more modest increase than he did last year to the MAP grant that helps low-income students pay for college. Gov. Pritzker is also under fire from Republicans for his plan that does not raise a popular state tax credit to fully cover the effects of inflation. Metra has unveiled plans to buy zero emission, battery-powered trains.

Why COVID precautions are an accessibility issue Feb 22, 2024

Last May, the federal government declared the end of the pandemic public health emergency. But COVID-19 is still widely circulating, and Chicago event organizers are taking precautions into their own hands. Emily Dupree started Clean Air Club after her partner caught COVID while masked at a concert. “If we’re going to meaningfully reduce the disease burden in the country and around the world, we have to target air quality,” she said. Dupree and some COVID-cautious event organizers see these types of precautions as an issue of accessibility—and we all stand to benefit. In this episode, Rundown producer Sarah Stark talks to Dupree about COVID-safer events and the case for cleaning the air we breathe.

Morning News: February 22, 2024 Feb 22, 2024

Governor J.B. Pritzker made education a focal point of the nearly $53 billion state spending plan he laid out yesterday. Dollar Stores in Chicago will be prohibited from opening within a mile of existing locations under an ordinance passed by the City Council. The Chicago Sky are prepping for an active WNBA draft.

Afternoon News: Wednesday February 21, 2024 Feb 21, 2024

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled his nearly $53 billion spending plan during his State of the State address in Springfield. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced a major development plan today that relies on borrowing $1.25 billion to pay for affordable housing units and other projects. The Chicago City Council is adding new restrictions to limit the spread of chain dollar stores.

Explore afrofuturism and ‘the multiverse’ in a new show at the Adler Planetarium Feb 21, 2024

There’s a new sky show at the Adler Planetarium that asks kids and families to explore big questions – like, are there multiple universes? – through the eyes of a little girl from Chicago named Niyah.

“This film, in particular, follows her journey as she explores every piece of her being and what it means to be a young girl trying to find her way in the universe,” said Taylor Witten, who co-wrote “Niyah and the Multiverse” with Chicago author and filmmaker Ytasha Womack.

Womack said another big theme is Niyah’s journey through her own Black cultural heritage.

“We wanted to establish that Niyah, being a young girl, has a cultural relationship, as we all do, to space and time, and to explore that through this lens of afrofuturism,” Womack said.

In this episode, Womack and Witten talk with The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about tackling these ideas.

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Morning News: February 21, 2024 Feb 21, 2024

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is delivering his budget address later today, and there’s one line item that Democrats and Republicans are strictly divided on. He also wants to spend more than $20 million dollars next fiscal year to help prevent more pregnant Black women from dying. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to introduce a major development plan today that relies on borrowing more than $1 billion.

Afternoon News: Tuesday February 20, 2024 Feb 20, 2024

Governor JB Pritzker will deliver his budget address tomorrow. The Chicago Board of Education is working on a plan to remove all police assigned to schools by this fall. The Illinois Department of Public Health warns people could still contract respiratory viruses in the coming months.

Three friends and a ‘what-if’ led to a new community art space Feb 20, 2024

“My toxic trait is that I’m a ‘what-if’ person,” said Hannah Sellers, one of three co-owners of Lot’sa. Lot’sa is a new community art space in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood, and it has multiple identities: store, gallery, gathering place. Sellers opened Lot’sa with sisters Cheryl and Sarah Hinman. But the three were friends long before they opened a business together. In this episode, Rundown producer Sarah Stark talks to Sellers about working with friends and fostering an artistic community.

Morning News: February 20, 2024 Feb 20, 2024

A new Illinois law allows gun owners to keep assault-style weapons if they disclosed them by January 1, but state registration rates are low. Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield today with some potential fireworks over spending on the horizon. The strange, otherworldly sounds of microtonal music will be heard in Chicago at the annual Frequency Festival.

Afternoon News: Monday February 19, 2024 Feb 19, 2024

Early voting is expected to resume Wednesday morning in Chicago and Cook County following a brief shut down. White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf wants $1 billion of public money to help build a new South Loop stadium for the team. The Chicago area will see highs in the 50s as this year’s average February temperature continues to rise.

Who is Sentrock? We talk with the artist behind the Bird City Saint Feb 19, 2024

Joseph Perez is known to many as Sentrock – the muralist and street artist whose work can be experienced on walls, in illustrations, and as action figures across Chicago and the U.S. You’d probably recognize his signature character, a boy with a red bird mask named the Bird City Saint.

In this episode, the artist talks with The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about his childhood and storytelling that inspire his work – and how it manifested into a three-room exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum.

This episode originally aired on Jan. 20, 2023.

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Morning News: February 19, 2024 Feb 19, 2024

The annual U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute conference brought together thousands of high schoolers from around the country. A new research center at the University of Chicago aims to reduce disparities in cancer prevention and treatment. A proposed bill in Springfield could make it easier for people who own products from microwaves to video cameras to get those items fixed.

Afternoon News: Friday February 16, 2024 Feb 16, 2024

A Chicago woman who was the victim of a wrongful police raid five years ago is demanding the city enact reforms to prevent others from experiencing what she did. Labor unions are targeting two far-right state lawmakers in southern Illinois by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars toward their primary opponents. A project to help restore the environment for aquatic plants in part of the Illinois River kicked off this week.

After many ‘years, tears and beers,’ the Ramova Theatre is open in Bridgeport Feb 16, 2024

Emily and Tyler Nevius celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in January, but they were too tired to throw a big party. In the past few months, years of hard work have culminated in the opening-slash-reopening of the Ramova Theatre. The historic movie theater in Bridgeport is now a concert venue, backed by the Neviuses, Chance the Rapper, Jennifer Hudson, Quincy Jones and dozens of other investors. Rundown podcast producer Justin Bull talks to the Neviuses about the years, tears and beers that went into restoring the Ramova to its former glory.

Morning News: February 16, 2024 Feb 16, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t saying whether the city will chip in more money along with the state of Illinois and Cook county to care for migrants. The Illinois comptroller wants the governor to prioritize putting any new, available money towards the state’s rainy-day fund. Incumbent Iris Martinez is facing a tough re-election battle to keep running Cook County’s Circuit Court system.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 15, 2024 Feb 15, 2024

The Chicago City Council has rejected letting the union for rank-and-file cops bypass the Police Board and contest the most serious discipline in private arbitration. The state of Illinois and Cook County are partnering to spend another $250 million to care for migrants being sent to Chicago. The head of Columbia College Chicago is stepping down July 1.

Lifeguards spoke out, and a new state law is on the books Feb 15, 2024

WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos broke the story in 2021 about a major internal investigation within the Chicago Park District – one where several current and former supervisors in the aquatics department were accused of regularly committing “sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, workplace violence and other criminal acts.”

The fallout from the scandal included resignations, apologies, promises, lawsuits and – effective Jan. 1, 2024 – a new state law that makes it easier for survivors of workplace gender violence to sue their employers successfully, according to the law’s sponsors.

In this episode, Mihalopoulos talked with The Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about the origins of the initial story and how the new law aims to financially assist survivors and dissuade future offenders.

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Morning News: February 15, 2024 Feb 15, 2024

The Chicago City Council today is scheduled to take its final vote on who should make decisions in serious police discipline cases. A proposal in Springfield would require any law enforcement agencies encrypting their police scanner transmissions to still make their live activity available to the media. Details on where Chicago residents can cast their ballots early for the March 19th primary starting today.

Afternoon News: Wednesday February 14, 2024 Feb 14, 2024

Some of Lurie Children’s Hospital’s communications are back up, two weeks into a cybersecurity issue. Employees at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago are the latest to work toward unionizing. The National Weather Service has called for a hazardous weather outlook overnight across north central and northeastern Illinois.

Sulyiman Stokes on telling Black narratives across artistic disciplines Feb 14, 2024

Sulyiman Stokes grew up in Auburn Gresham on Chicago’s South Side, and he fell in love with music at a young age. His winding artistic journey has taken him to Los Angeles and back to Chicago, and he has stepped in and out of the music industry. Now, he’s carving out a path as a multidisciplinary musician and photographer.

In this episode, Stokes talks about using his art to tell Black narratives.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: February 14, 2024 Feb 14, 2024

Some Chicago anti-violence activists are worried about a city decision to disconnect a gunshot-detection system. A new proposal before Illinois lawmakers would allow terminally ill people to end their own lives with lethal medication. Both Democratic candidates running for Cook County State’s Attorney are pledging to reduce crime if elected.

Afternoon News: Tuesday February 13, 2024 Feb 13, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will disconnect the controversial gunshot-detection system called ShotSpotter until later in the year. Flight attendants picketed at O’Hare Airport Tuesday and thousands of ride-share and delivery drivers plan to strike at O’Hare and nine other airports on Wednesday. Blackhawks rookie Connor Bedard will return to action next week following a jaw injury.

Part II: Exploring rest as resistance with the Nap Bishop Feb 13, 2024

Tricia Hersey organizes communal naps through the Nap Ministry. Her New York Times bestselling book “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto” came out in 2022, and we’re still thinking about it.

In this episode, host Erin Allen continues the conversation with Hersey. They talk about rest within the framework of Black liberation—and how resting affects the world around us.

This episode originally aired on April 12, 2023.

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Morning News: February 13, 2024 Feb 13, 2024

The longtime chief of staff to ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been sentenced to multiple years in prison. Chicago Public Schools might finally be getting rid of the custodial management company that has long been accused of leaving some schools filthy. After the head of Chicago’s Howard Brown Health centers has stepped down, workers say they hope the new leader will prioritize their union contract.

Afternoon News: Monday February 12, 2024 Feb 12, 2024

Timothy Mapes, the longtime chief-of-staff to former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. The outage at Lurie Children’s Hospital continues – it’s been going on for nearly two weeks. New analysis shows nearly half of renters in Chicago are spending too much of their income on rent and utilities.

Part I: You need to slow down. Tricia Hersey is here to help. Feb 12, 2024

If you don’t know Tricia Hersey’s name, you’ve probably seen her work. Hersey founded The Nap Ministry, perhaps best known for its popular Instagram account, with the hope of teaching others how to rest in a society that glorifies grind culture.

Hersey’s New York Times bestselling book “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” explores her lifelong project of resting under capitalism.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Hersey about how rest and community care can be acts of resistance.

This episode originally aired on April 10, 2023.

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Morning News: February 12, 2024 Feb 12, 2024

Chicago’s multi-million dollar contract with the company that runs the gunshot detection technology known as ShotSpotter expires on Friday. Black health advocacy groups are calling on the state to properly fund Black-led HIV and AIDS treatment providers. If you watched the Super Bowl last night, you may have seen some Illinois farmers during a commercial break.

Afternoon News: Friday February 9, 2024 Feb 09, 2024

Authorities say an overnight fire caused extensive damage to the Palace Grill on Chicago’s Near West Side, an iconic Chicago restaurant known for its breakfasts and filled with decades of memorabilia. Starbucks workers in the southwestern Illinois town of O'Fallon are seeking to unionize. Illinois House Republicans say they want to put money back in your pocket at tax time next year through a measure that would once again tie the state’s standard income tax exemption to inflation.

Expanding who we honor during Black History Month Feb 09, 2024

Black History Month is a time to look back at the big names that changed history, but also the smaller names that are making Black history right now, according to Arionne Nettles, director of Audio Journalism Programming at Northwestern University’s Medill School. “The people who are living legends to me are perhaps everyday people,” Nettles said, nodding to the Black teachers, journalists and everyone else who shows up in small ways for their community. “Those are the people that are making such a big impact on your lives. Those are the people you never forget.” In this episode, Rundown host Erin Allen talks with Nettles about rethinking Black excellence and the Black Chicagoans making history today.

Morning News: February 9, 2024 Feb 09, 2024

A new Illinois state senate bill would require a lawyer for anyone under age 18 throughout an interrogation in police custody. Illinois Republicans are hoping that they’re not entirely shut out of this year’s state budget process – again. A union that represents 3,800 Illinois Department of Transportation workers has voted to authorize a strike.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 8, 2024 Feb 08, 2024

Lurie Children's Hospital confirmed its network was accessed by a “known criminal threat actor.” ComEd is trying to entice businesses to buy electric vehicles while the Chicago Auto Show is in town. A downstate Illinois funeral home director had his license revoked last year after a state investigation found he had given dozens of families the wrong cremated ashes.

Black history, present and future: A conversation across generations Feb 08, 2024

Rundown host Erin Allen joins a conversation of three generations of Black women to talk about Black History Month – how we celebrate it and learned about it – by looking at the historic "firsts" of the past and those we should honor in the present. Weighing in on the topic are the crew from WBEZ’s sister podcast, When Magic Happens.

Morning News: February 8, 2024 Feb 08, 2024

Mail ballots for Chicago’s March primary election are starting to be sent to voters today. Three Democratic lawmakers in Springfield are pushing to make fertility services more accessible. A judge is denying former President Donald Trump’s bid to stall an objection to his place on Illinois’ primary election ballot.

Afternoon News: Wednesday February 7, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

A new report says the medical care provided in Illinois prisons is so bad that people are dying. The deadline to file papers to run for seats on Chicago’s Local School Councils has been extended to Feb. 14. New research from Northwestern University says artificial intelligence is improving doctors’ accuracy when they diagnose certain skin diseases.

Break out your tissues for the Salt Shed’s film festival Feb 07, 2024

These days, it feels like there are two options if you want to get out of the house for Valentine’s Day: gooey couple’s outings and anti-Valentine’s singles events. But on The Rundown, we’re always looking for new and interesting ways to spend your time. Enter Crying at the Shed, a three-day film festival at the Salt Shed that combines film, music and Valentine’s vibes. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to festival curator Kris English and Douglas McCombs, one of the musicians in the festival lineup.

Morning News: February 7, 2024 Feb 07, 2024

Some new intel on the troubled prison healthcare provider that just got a $4 billion contract from the state of Illinois. Progressive lawmakers and activists are trying to make Illinois the eighth state to eliminate the subminimum wage for tipped workers. Staff at two Little Village charter schools continue striking today.

Afternoon News: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Feb 06, 2024

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago is on its seventh day of dealing with a cybersecurity matter that has crippled communications. Actor Jussie Smollett is asking the Illinois Supreme Court to overturn his disorderly conduct convictions for falsely reporting to police he was the victim of a hate crime. The Chicago area could see record-breaking temperatures in the upper 50s this Thursday and Friday.

At the Grammys, J. Ivy is 2 for 2 in the spoken word poetry category Feb 06, 2024

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album was a brand new category when Chicago poet J. Ivy won it at the 2023 Grammy Awards. At this year’s Grammys, J. Ivy won the award again, for his poetry album “The Light Inside.”

“When I’m creating an album, I don’t listen to anybody else,” the multi-hyphenate artist said on The Rundown back in 2023. “If I found myself sounding like anybody else, I switch that up real quick.”

Today, we’re bringing you Erin’s conversation with the writer, narrator and poet – about the differences between rap and spoken word poetry, his influences and inspirations, and about how he produced the tracks on his first Grammy-winning album, “The Poet Who Sat By The Door.”

This episode originally aired on March 3, 2023.

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Morning News: February 6, 2024 Feb 06, 2024

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency wants southern Cook County residents to apply for relief funding by the end of the week. A housing advocacy group in the north suburbs has reached a deal in a federal lawsuit against a company that used artificial intelligence to discriminate against renters. After taking a two-week break, Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield today with some unfinished business to attend to.

Afternoon News: Monday February 5, 2024 Feb 05, 2024

Metra has still not been able to fix glitches on the Ventra app that have prevented riders from buying tickets. The editorial board of the student newspaper at Northwestern University is urging its parent company to drop criminal charges against two Black students. The Chicago Red Stars continue to rebuild under new ownership.

What’s the future of school choice in Chicago? Feb 05, 2024

Chicago has had a system of “school choice” for decades. That’s where, instead of sending students to schools in their neighborhoods, families can apply to send their kids to magnet, charter, test-in or even other neighborhood schools across the city. But change may be afoot. The Chicago Board of Education voted to move away from school choice in a resolution passed late last year. Further complicating the matter, the Board is about to pivot from having appointed members to having elected members, which means that voters will have a partial say in the matter this November. So why do some people want to get rid of school choice and others want to keep it? And which students have more to gain or lose if school choice is phased out? WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp explains this “very ideologically contentious issue” and what the upcoming election might mean for the future of school choice in Chicago.

Morning News: February 5, 2024 Feb 05, 2024

Chicago voters will start to receive their mail ballots this week – with one referendum question that is facing a lawsuit to throw it off. A new report on the racial wealth gap outlines steps for corporations and business leaders. The Latino Policy Forum has selected a new cohort of Chicago leaders expected to build bridges between Black and Brown communities.

Afternoon News: Friday February 2, 2024 Feb 02, 2024

Lurie Children’s Hospital is working to address a cybersecurity issue. A vigil was held Thursday night in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood to honor the three Senn High School students who were shot this week. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is promoting federal legislation to crack down on social media companies that allow online abuse and mistreatment of children.

How Sufjan Stevens’s music inspired a new musical Feb 02, 2024

Sufjan Stevens’s 2005 album “Illinois” is the source material for a new musical at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. It’s called “Illinoise,” and it’s the only time you’ll hear us pronouncing the “s” at the end of the state. “I always felt like there was something to discover in a stage work that derives from this album,” said Justin Peck, the director, choreographer and co-writer behind the show. Peck identified the album as part of his own coming-of-age story when it came out in 2005, so it’s fitting that he and playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury adapted the record into a coming-of-age tale for the stage. The story is told entirely through music and movement. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Peck for a peek behind the curtain in developing “Illinoise.”

Morning News: February 2, 2024 Feb 02, 2024

A succession of recent fatal shootings of high schoolers has some pushing for violence prevention workers to get into Chicago Public Schools – even if those workers have a criminal record. Chicago-based McDonald’s says it’s looking into a report that the fast food giant is connected to prison labor. A Dallas pastor has succeeded Reverend Jesse Jackson as head of the Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Afternoon News: Thursday February 1, 2024 Feb 01, 2024

Chicago Public Schools is proposing a later start date for the school year to avoid overlapping with the Democratic National Convention. Chicago’s top cop says the department is doing a better job solving homicides so far this year. Despite a history of lawsuits and damning assessments by experts, Illinois is re-upping its prison healthcare contract with a private provider.

Even after his passing, Pope.L’s work is ‘still north of the future.’ Feb 01, 2024

The legendary performance artist Pope.L died in December 2023 at 68, and many of his contemporaries agree it will take years to unpack his work and its influence—if that is even possible. “At the basis of the work, I would say, is a riddle,” said curator Hamza Walker, the director of LAXART. “He was always full of questions.” Walker first met Pope.L in the early aughts and said he found his work both confounding and brilliant. We could dedicate a whole podcast to understanding Pope.L’s work, so in this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Walker to scratch the surface on Pope.L’s life and legacy.

Morning News: February 1, 2024 Feb 01, 2024

Chicago is now the largest city in the country to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. One teenager is dead and two are wounded following a daylight shooting yesterday in Chicago’s North Side Edgewater neighborhood. About 150 migrants staying in west suburban Oak Park were supposed to vacate their temporary shelters yesterday, but now have until the end of February.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 31, 2024 Jan 31, 2024

The Chicago City Council passed a resolution calling for a cease-fire in the war in Gaza by a vote of 24-23. Journalists at the Chicago Tribune plan to go on strike Thursday for the first time ever. Attorneys for people in Illinois prisons are decrying the state’s decision to award another multi-billion-dollar contract to a controversial prison healthcare provider.

To make some cash, migrants in Chicago are forced to get creative Jan 31, 2024

Many migrants new to Chicago cannot work legally, yet they still have to eat, find housing and just get by in a big city. So how are they making money?

“Manicures, cutting hair, cooking food, delivering food,” said WBEZ immigration reporter Adriana Cardona-Maguidad. “People really want to work and they want to have financial stability. And the path to get there, especially from the shelters – like you're new, you don't know your way around – can be extremely difficult.”

Cardona-Maguidad brings us her conversations with a few migrants as they’ve picked up work, from a mother selling candy at a busy intersection on Irving Park Road to a man washing windows for businesses on Montrose Avenue.

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Morning News: January 31, 2024 Jan 31, 2024

The Illinois State Board of Elections voted to keep Donald Trump on the state’s primary ballot. Organizers of a protest march planned before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago are fighting City Hall after their application was denied. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he supports the forced removal of police officers from schools.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 30, 2024 Jan 30, 2024

The State Board of Elections has decided to keep former President Donald Trump on the Illinois primary ballot. Federal prosecutors have asked for a five-year prison sentence for Tim Mapes. Formula One Racing could be the next big racing event to take over the Chicago streets.

Homeownership in Chicago is a dream for many, but not always a reality Jan 30, 2024

Homeownership isn’t just valuable for you personally. It also helps build wealth for your family, your community, and even society at large, according to former Chicago Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara.

“When you have those kinds of assets in your life, it gives you way more options and way more ability to care intergenerationally for the well being of your family and to invest in your community,” said Novara, who is now the Vice President of Community Impact at the Chicago Community Trust.

Unfortunately, homeownership is an inaccessible pipe dream for many Chicagoans, due to everything from high interest rates and stagnating wages to a long history of racist policies that have kept many potential buyers of color from entering the market.

“Even today, it is much harder to get a loan at favorable terms from a bank if you are a Black or Latinx buyer trying to buy in a majority Black or majority brown community,” Novara said.

In this episode, Novara talks with host Erin Allen about her recent article for Crain’s Chicago Business. Novara explains the value of homeownership, the historical barriers to it (and the modern ones), and a few solutions that are in the works to help level the playing field.

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Morning News: January 30, 2024 Jan 30, 2024

Staff and students are starting the grieving process for the two teenagers shot and killed Friday as they left their downtown school. The board that oversees Illinois’ elections is scheduled to decide today whether Donald Trump’s name should be printed on ballots for the March primary. The State of Illinois is partnering with Google to streamline access to children’s behavioral health services through a new online portal called BEACON.

Afternoon News: Monday January 29, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker won’t support a ceasefire in Gaza until all the hostages being held by Hamas are released. Leaders from a contingent of Chicago-area unions joined to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. An error in the government’s formula for how much financial aid a student gets for college is causing a lot of uncertainty for Illinois families.

Talking about money with your loved ones Jan 29, 2024

“Money intersects every area of our life,” said financial psychologist Brad Klontz. In the first part of our conversation with Klontz, we talked about how to reframe your narrative around finances. The way we think about money affects how we interact with the world around us. In this episode, host Erin Allen and Klontz discuss how to approach money in relationships. This episode originally aired on January 11, 2023.

Morning News: January 29, 2024 Jan 29, 2024

A state hearing officer found the courts – and not the State Board of Elections – should decide whether former President Donald Trump will be on the state’s upcoming primary ballot. The Illinois-based think tank EveryLibrary Institute and editorial site Book Riot conducted a survey to learn what parents across the country think of school libraries. American bald eagle sightings are becoming more common in Chicagoland.

Afternoon News: Friday January 26, 2024 Jan 26, 2024

Naperville city officials are scrapping a proposal to recruit residents to house migrants. Chicago Public Schools says it's trying to do a better job tracking laptops. Two teenagers were shot and killed in the Loop.

When it comes to finances, the story you tell yourself matters Jan 26, 2024

Brad Klontz thinks a lot about his personal narrative around money. He’s a financial psychologist and a professor at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. After encountering bad financial advice on TikTok, he started building a following.

“I realized there was a lot of terrible information out there,” Klontz said. “I got really passionate about putting out accurate information.”

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Klontz about the stories we tell ourselves about our finances.

This episode originally aired on January 9, 2023.

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Morning News: January 26, 2024 Jan 26, 2024

The Chicago Board of Education gave the go-ahead for 49 charter schools to keep operating, but their decision was not without controversy. Some Chicago neighborhoods are seeing a growing share of residents earn college degrees, own their homes and make more money. For decades his voice was heard introducing Soul Train .. but Joe Cobb is suing to get compensated for his work.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 25, 2024 Jan 25, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wants Illinois to open migrant centers outside Chicago. It’s going to be another foggy commute tonight – and the National Weather Service says to prepare for low visibility. This year’s cicada emergence could be the largest known anywhere, according to University of Illinois data.

Robberies were up last year in Chicago. Why? Jan 25, 2024

Robberies are up. WBEZ’s Alden Loury looked at data from last year and found that robberies were at a six-year peak, and armed robberies led the surge.

What do those numbers mean? And what causes someone to pick up a weapon and rob somebody? In this episode, Rundown podcast host Erin Allen talks with Loury and criminologist David Olson, who co-directs Loyola University’s Center for Criminal Justice, about the causes of crime, strategies to reduce it and the effectiveness of “tough on crime” laws and rhetoric.

“Anything that's easy, usually isn't very effective,” Olson said. “It's easy to quote ‘get tough on crime’ because usually all it means is we pass a law, right? The challenge with that is it really has no effect on crime because rarely do those tougher penalties ever get imposed.”

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Morning News: January 25, 2024 Jan 25, 2024

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is pushing back on City Council members calling for more oversight on city spending. Johnson also introduced an electrification ordinance that aims to set indoor emission standards as part of a broader effort to tackle climate change. The Illinois State Board of Education passed a comprehensive plan to improve how reading is taught across Illinois.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 24, 2024 Jan 24, 2024

City Council called off a planned vote on whether Chicago Police can contest firings and long suspensions in private arbitration. Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has picked two local vendors to provide food to migrants in city shelters after delays in the bidding process. Domestic violence victims and their advocates are asking Illinois lawmakers to pass Karina’s Bill.

Nail artist Gigi Lira wants everyone to feel welcome at her salon Jan 24, 2024

Gigi Lira never imagined she’d make it as a working artist. Then, she started doing manicures on the side at Beauty Bar, a hair salon-inspired bar in West Town. She frequently worked queer events and did nails for LGBTQ+ Chicagoans who didn’t feel comfortable at other salons.

Fast forward, and she has her own salon. “It’s so important to me to provide a safe, nurturing place that doesn’t just tolerate you,” Lira said.

In this episode, Lira talks about creating an inclusive, nonjudgmental space for her clients.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: January 24, 2024 Jan 24, 2024

The Obama Foundation is donating half-a-million dollars to girls who live on Chicago’s South and West Sides. The Chicago City Council will consider a couple of big ticket items at its first meeting of the year today. Dense fog is blanketing the Chicago area this morning.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 23, 2024 Jan 23, 2024

A new study from the University of Illinois shows one in 10 college students is food insecure. A man suspected of shooting and killing eight people in Joliet fatally shot himself Monday after a confrontation at a gas station with law enforcement officials in Texas. Finalists in Chicago's snowplow naming contest include Casimir Plowaski and Taylor Drift.

It’s a random Tuesday night and you need live music. Here’s how to find it. Jan 23, 2024

On any given night in Chicago, you’ve got options when it comes to seeing live music. Dozens and dozens of options. The Chicago Show Calendar is an Instagram account and weekly newsletter that tries to give you all the information on every show in the city, big names and small.

“I do think the calendar gives people a place – like someone starting out – a place to get their name on a calendar when normally it would cost money to do that elsewhere,” said Caroline Patton, who created the calendar.

Patton personally sorts through over 120 venue websites for show information every Tuesday night. She sends out the week’s slate of shows every Wednesday. It’s a labor of love.

“We put out really good music in this city,” Patton said.

In this episode, Patton explains how a personal project expanded into a public service, why she keeps going, and what it’s taught her about Chicago’s music scene.

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Morning News: January 23, 2024 Jan 23, 2024

The Chicago City Council is weighing new regulations for dollar stores. A Cook County state’s attorney candidate is calling on his Democratic primary opponent to return a campaign donation from a former prosecutor tied to alleged torture. It’s been 51 years since the U-S Supreme Court granted nationwide abortion access, and anti-abortion advocates say a lot has changed since then.

Afternoon News: Monday January 22, 2024 Jan 22, 2024

A Chicago City Council vote on a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza will be postponed. The onslaught of bad weather around Chicago continues. A Boston-based solar energy company is making Chicago its second home.

From page to stage, two student playwrights share their work Jan 22, 2024

Pegasus Theatre wraps up its 37th Young Playwrights Festival this week. This year’s festival features one-act plays by four Chicago high school students who worked with teachers to submit their work. Professional actors perform the winning scripts. “It was really empowering,” said Grant Parris, one of the playwrights. He and another winner, Alexander Loaiza, submitted their plays to the festival last year and are now freshmen in college. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Parris and Loaiza about what it was like to see their words come to life onstage.

Morning News: January 22, 2024 Jan 22, 2024

The Illinois Supreme Court could rule next month on whether the odor of cannabis is enough to search a vehicle. Many Chicagoans suffer from the “winter blues” during the city’s colder months, but experts say there are a few ways to combat feeling down when the weather is dreary. A state lawmaker from northwest Indiana has introduced a bill that would create a sports commission to look into luring a professional sports team – namely – the Chicago Bears.

Afternoon News: Friday January 19, 2024 Jan 19, 2024

Nearly 2,000 migrants must leave Chicago shelters by February 1st under new deadlines on shelter stays. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson today publicly addressed reports of unsanitary conditions at city-run migrant shelters after new details emerged this week. Bitter cold returns to the Chicago area tonight; expect high temperatures in the teens both Saturday and Sunday.

A look at the Chicago “food scene” in 2024 Jan 19, 2024

Today, we accomplished three things: 1) Mourned some of the Chicago restaurants we lost last year, 2) Rejoiced in some of the delicious new spots we’ve recently gained, and 3) Talked about the local food trends to watch for in 2024.

To do that we were joined by Michael Nagrant, the food critic and writer behind The Hunger, a Substack site with local, anonymously-procured food reviews, and Brenda Storch, a food writer, Chicago Eater contributor and the creator of the food and culture site LaVitaminaT.com.

“We’re so lucky in Chicago to have so many cultures converging. And have the availability of ingredients and experiences.” Storch said. “People who cannot go back to their countries will find that memory in a dish that they will find nearby.

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Morning News: January 19, 2024 Jan 19, 2024

Chicago City Council members are weighing whether there should be more limits on having jobs outside of their aldermanic duties. A candidate in the Democratic primary to replace Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx is raising more funds than the person endorsed by the party. Today is the first day of Chicago Restaurant Week.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 18, 2024 Jan 18, 2024

The White Sox could be on the move. A federal judge has approved a more than $12 million dollar class action settlement for people in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood who were affected after a former coal-fired power plant imploded. The University of Illinois is freezing in-state tuition at all three of its universities.

Police interact with the unhoused. A new guide could improve those encounters. Jan 18, 2024

The Illinois State Police released a guidebook late last year for officers interacting with unhoused individuals. The goal is to offer up-to-date resources and to bring dignity and humanity to those encounters for “the new face of homelessness,” according to Rev. Dwight Ford, the director of Project Now, a community action organization that helped develop the guidebook.

“The new face of homelessness is a woman that works everyday, with a good cell phone and a nice SUV, but those are the paraphernalia of a life once lived,” Ford said. “They’re actually sleeping in that SUV in a Walmart parking lot, and taking their kids to a Casey’s bathroom to wash up at a gas station and go to school.”

In this episode, Ford explains what needs to change in these police interactions and how he wants us all to work toward bringing homelessness to “functional zero: rare, brief and non-reoccuring.”

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Morning News: January 18, 2024 Jan 18, 2024

Keeping up with the huge increase in migrant students is a challenge – even for Chicago schools that are used to teaching migrants. . Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending the actions it took to address unsanitary conditions at a Pilsen migrant shelter. The Shriver Center on Poverty Law is marking the anniversary of America’s “War on Poverty” with a summit today.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 17, 2024 Jan 17, 2024

Preparations for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago later this year continue to move forward. New recommendations are out from a working group dedicated to preserving local news in Illinois. A federal jury in Chicago convicted six men in the murder of local rapper FBG Duck

Chef Jessica Walks First wants Chicago to have an Indigenous culinary scene Jan 17, 2024

Chef Jessica Walks First started helping in the kitchen as a little kid, and she grew up cooking for her community in Chicago’s American Indian Center. Now, she runs Ketapanen Kitchen, a catering business with a focus on Indigenous foods. “Ketapanen” is an expression of love in the Menominee language. “If my community is eating my food, I want them to have great ingredients that are familiar to them and feel like home to them,” Walks First said. She wants to expose as many Chicagoans as possible to Indigenous culinary traditions, and she advocates for making those foods more accessible to Indigenous communities. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Walks First about Indigenous representation in Chicago’s culinary scene and beyond.

Morning News: January 17, 2024 Jan 17, 2024

A new analysis shows an area five times the size of Chicago’s Millennium Park could be used to build affordable and public housing in the city. A lawmaker introduced a bill that would prohibit the use of electronic tracking systems to determine someone’s location without their consent. Officials in at least one central Illinois county are preparing in case migrants are dropped off in their area.

Afternoon News: Monday January 16, 2024 Jan 16, 2024

The Chicago area remains under a wind chill advisory until Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. with wind chill temperatures as cold as minus 30 degrees. Activists are calling on Chicago officials to reconsider how they protect the city’s unhoused communities from extreme cold. A new poll finds overwhelming support for public school choice in Chicago.

There’s climate change and then there’s anxiety about climate change Jan 16, 2024

This Chicago winter is waffling between two extremes: unseasonably warm and bitter cold. Either way, it’s getting harder to ignore the evidence of climate change in our forecasts and extreme weather, and that can bring up any number of hard feelings. Libby Bachhuber is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, and she wants to give people a space to process their “eco anxiety” by hosting “Climate Cafes” around town. She recently collaborated with Haven Denson, the Chicago Conservation Corps Coordinator at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, to bring a Climate Cafe to the museum. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Denson and Bachhuber about processing eco anxiety and leaning into hope for the future.

Morning News: January 16, 2024 Jan 16, 2024

Illinois state lawmakers return to Springfield for the start of the legislative session. Chicago leaders have delayed its plan to move migrants out of shelters after 60 days due to the bitter cold. There’s a new push for federal financial help for Chicago and Milwaukee to defray costs from hosting the national political conventions this summer.

Afternoon News: Friday January 12, 2024 Jan 12, 2024

Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is calling on Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbot to quit sending busloads of migrants to the city as sub-zero temperatures loom. The National Weather Service is forecasting a rain and snow mix for the Chicago-area and northern Illinois Friday afternoon before transitioning to all snow overnight, and a winter storm warning is in effect until noon Saturday. You have until midnight tonight to enter Chicago's snow plow naming contest.

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In Chicago, magic is more than a bag of tricks Jan 12, 2024

Chicago used to be a destination for magic.

“In the heyday of magic, this was the magic hub of the world,” said Joey Cranford, owner of the Chicago Magic Lounge in Andersonville. “We had more magic shops per capita. We had prop builders. We had close up bars. We were a magic hub. But all that went away. The magic kind of left Chicago.”

That was decades ago. Today? The magic is back, according to the magicians that spoke with Robert Loerzel, a freelance journalist who wrote about Chicago’s magic scene for WBEZ.

In this episode, Loerzel explains Chicago’s on-again-off-again relationship with magic – from Harry Houdini and the World’s Fair to today – and he tells us where you should go to see a magic show right now, amidst Chicago’s magical renaissance.

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Morning News: January 12, 2024 Jan 12, 2024

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Chicago area. City council members representing Chicago’s Southwest Side are pushing for a new police district and station. South Side restaurant Oooh Wee! It is! gets some love during the Golden Globes this week.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 11, 2024 Jan 11, 2024

Illinois saw a nearly 50% jump in the number of people from other states who came for an abortion the year Roe v. Wade was overturned. Jurors in Chicago are deliberating in the federal trial in the killing of Chicago rapper FBG Duck. Illinois is awarding a $10 million grant to help a cancer treatment center in southern Illinois expand.

Building community without alcohol this Dry January Jan 11, 2024

If you drink socially, January might be a tricky month to give up alcohol. Even without snow on the ground, Chicago winters tend to force us indoors, and many friend groups and social events turn to bars.

Thankfully for Chicago’s Dry January participants, this city already has a growing map of sober spaces. To learn more, we talked to Cristina Torres, the founder of alcohol-free Bendición Bottle Shop.

“I like to think of this space as a blessing for sober people,” she said. “This is a safe space in a city full of alcohol.” In addition to selling non-alcoholic beverages and mocktail supplies, Bendición hosts a Sober(ish) Book Club and other events.

In this episode, Torres and host Erin Allen talk about finding and building sober spaces in Chicago.

This episode originally aired on December 30, 2022.

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Morning News: January 11, 2024 Jan 11, 2024

Governor J.B. Pritzker argues Illinois is in good shape after several years of economic growth, including the elimination of the state’s backlog of bills and multiple credit upgrades. A campus cop cannot testify in Cook County cases – after WBEZ and the Sun-Times reported on his ties to an extremist group. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles is defending the choice to keep head coach Matt Eberflus.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 10, 2024 Jan 10, 2024

A former CVS store in the Little Village neighborhood will now be used to house migrants. The trial date for the man accused of the 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park is now up in the air. Surgery to repair Blackhawks star Connor Bedard's jaw was a success; he'll miss 6 to 8 weeks.

Drill music is explicit, confrontational and often misunderstood Jan 10, 2024

Drill music is a subgenre of rap born in Chicago in the 2010s. Since then, it’s taken off around the world, and earned national headlines due to explicit, violent lyrics and high-profile trials associated with drill artists, including the racketeering trial of Young Thug in Atlanta and the murder trial of six defendants accused of killing FBG Duck in Chicago.

It has a bad reputation for the wrong reasons sometimes, according to Reginold Royston, an assistant professor who studies digital innovation at University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Nile Lansana, an artist and youth educator who grew up on Chicago’s South Side.

“We’re hearing stories of violence. We’re hearing stories of trauma. We’re hearing stories of alleged crimes,” Lansana said. “And I think that for somebody who's a general consumer of drill, I would really push them to look past the aesthetics and really look into the substance.”

In this episode, Lansana and Royston look at the history of the genre, where it exists in the wider culture today, and point out what many people miss.

Some of the music heard in this episode:

“Barbie World” - Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice
“Love Sosa” - Chief Keef
“I Don't Like” - Chief Keef featuring Lil Reese
“Hate Bein' Sober” - Chief Keef
“Killa” - Young Pappy
“Play For Keeps” - L'A Capone
“Flashbacks” - G Herbo
“Street Guide (Part 01)” - ONEFOUR
“Kwaku the Traveller” - Black Sherif

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Morning News: January 10, 2024 Jan 10, 2024

For nearly 300 migrants who have recently arrived in Chicago, their temporary homes are CTA buses in the West Loop. A pricey program meant to get disconnected kids back in Chicago Public Schools is off to a slow start. A group of financial analysts believes the Chicago-area economy will grow modestly this year.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 9, 2024 Jan 09, 2024

The forecast calls for a mix of rain and snow as the temperature drops across the region. Suburban families continue to lie to get their kids coveted seats in elite Chicago Public Schools. A group of Chicago-area business leaders is “cautiously optimistic” about the region’s economy this year.

Isabel Olive, AKA Half Gringa, on what inspires her Jan 09, 2024

Isabel Olive discovered her love of music at her public school in Carbondale, Illinois. She learned to play the saxophone and joined her high school marching band. But now, she creates genre-straddling music as Half Gringa. She’s released several self-produced albums, and she is working to crowdfund her next record so she can level up with new collaborators. In this episode, Olive talks to host Erin Allen about where she gets inspiration and how growing up in a Venezuelan family in Illinois shaped her as a musician.

Morning News: January 9, 2024 Jan 09, 2024

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Chicago. A candidate for Cook County’s top prosecutor says his Democratic primary opponent should have recognized problems with an 11-year-old’s murder confession. Some 77-thousand computers bought by Chicago Public Schools were marked lost or stolen, but the inspector general says the problem is the tracking system.

Afternoon News: Monday January 8, 2024 Jan 08, 2024

The Chicago area can expect between 2” and 5” of snow by tomorrow afternoon, beginning around 8 p.m. tonight. Chicagoans can now apply for one of the seven seats on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability. Divvy will increase rental prices for most of its fleet of bikes, e-bikes and scooters next month.

Chicago Filmmaker Vici Howard amplifies impact of ‘Black and Brown Femme Films’ Jan 08, 2024

Vici Howard is a South Side filmmaker. Upset by the lack of opportunities to show off her work, Howard started her own rotating showcase to give Black and brown femme filmmakers a platform to show their films.

“There’s a whole community of filmmakers out there, Black and brown women of color, who need a venue,” she said. “So I’m creating a community and giving that and offering that to them.”

In this episode, Howard tells us about Black & Brown Femme Films and how she embraced her love of film later in life.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: January 8, 2024 Jan 08, 2024

There’s hardly any ice on Lake Michigan. Less than a fraction of one percent is currently covering the lake – much less than usual at this time of year. Republican Donald Trump is facing questions about not signing a voluntary pledge in Illinois against advocating a government overthrow. The Chicago Bears ended their season Sunday with a 17 to 9 loss against the Green Bay Packers.

Afternoon News: Friday January 5, 2024 Jan 05, 2024

The CTA Yellow Line is running again. The man accused in the 2022 north suburban Highland Park mass shooting will not be representing himself after all. Chicago's COVID-19 risk level has risen to "medium" for the first time since last January.

What’s happening at Illinois’ DCFS? Jan 05, 2024

It’s the agency responsible for protecting one of the most vulnerable populations in Illinois: children. And it’s had more than 30 years of issues, from failing many kids who come in contact with the agency, to a federally-mandated consent decree and a revolving door of directors. So what’s happening at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services? In this episode, WBEZ’s Alex Degman looks back at the start of the agency’s issues and examines the conditions that led Marc Smith, the longest-serving director in recent memory, to resign last month. “Leadership was steady, funding was increasing, but the outcomes weren’t there,” Degman said of Smith’s tenure. “And I think that’s what people are gonna remember.” We also take a look at the background of the new director, Heidi Mueller, who’s set to start Feb. 1.

Morning News: January 5, 2024 Jan 05, 2024

Five Illinoisans objected to Trump’s state nominating petitions yesterday and want him off the 2024 presidential ballot. Researchers at the University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign say the use of Tylenol during pregnancy can cause language delays in children. An Israeli student is suing the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for alleged discrimination and anti-Semitism.

Afternoon News: Thursday January 4, 2024 Jan 04, 2024

Former President Donald Trump’s status as a presidential candidate in Illinois is being challenged. Palestinian American families in Chicago share the heartbreaking stories of loved ones in Gaza. Big changes are coming for Metra riders in the next few weeks.

Yes, you can be an art collector Jan 04, 2024

“I think collecting is just a part of the human condition,” said Hussein Hallak, the co-founder and CEO of digital art platform Momentable. But for many of us, starting a physical art collection can feel inaccessible. We wanted to get some tips from Hallak and Good Things Vending creator Steph Krim about where to start. Of course, because this is The Rundown, it became a conversation about why we collect and how we make meaning out of the everyday. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Krim and Hallak about budgeting, building relationships with artists and how to surround yourself with things you love.

Morning News: January 4, 2024 Jan 04, 2024

Illinois’ embattled child welfare agency gets a new director next month. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan made a surprise appearance in his federal corruption case. Illinois will not reach an interim goal of reducing runoff pollution across the state’s waterways.

Afternoon News: Wednesday January 3, 2024 Jan 03, 2024

Illinois' child welfare agency is getting a new permanent director. A federal judge is delaying the corruption trial of longtime former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. The Chicago Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a candlelight vigil for 6-year-old Wadea al-Fayoume.

Good eats for Orthodox Christmas Jan 03, 2024

Most Christians celebrated Christmas last month, but this weekend, some others are just getting started. Orthodox Christmas is on Jan. 7, and Chicago has one of the largest Orthodox Christian populations in the U.S. Celebrations are underway this weekend, with delectable holiday food. So we turned to WBEZ producer (and former chef) Cianna Greaves. In this episode, Greaves tells host Erin Allen about some of the cultural and culinary traditions surrounding Orthodox Christmas, and where to enjoy them.

Morning News: January 3, 2024 Jan 03, 2024

Cook County prosecutors recently dropped their case against a man accused of beating up a Cook County jail guard. Lawyers representing indicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan will make their case today for delaying his spring trial. Illinois residents are now able to file lawsuits against those who spread digitally-altered, sexual images of them online.

Afternoon News: Tuesday January 2, 2024 Jan 02, 2024

A downstate Illinois lawmaker is seeking to bar indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan from getting a special statehouse honor. Trauma, including violence or homelessness, rewires the brain. Now, teachers in Illinois will be getting trained in how to help. The FAFSA is open after a long delay, but its availability to students and parents remains spotty.

How a deaf Afghan refugee found her voice Jan 02, 2024

A 6-year-old refugee from Afghanistan named Mahbuba arrived on the doorstep of a Chicago school in 2021. She was deaf and had no previous exposure to formal sign language. Over the next year, she would learn to communicate for the first time.

“Her story reflects the difference that just a few people can make,” writes freelancer Elly Fishman. “Because of the lengths a few Chicagoans have been willing to go, an Afghan girl is finding her voice and a new start.”

In this episode, we hear Mahbuba’s amazing journey to language, as written by Elly Fishman and read by WBEZ’s Melba Lara.

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Morning News: January 2, 2024 Jan 02, 2024

Dry January proponents say those seeking to support sober curious friends should be more intentional about how they choose to spend time with them. The Illinois State Police department has released its first-ever guidebook for how officers should help people experiencing homelessness. The Chicago Board of Education is considering ending the practice of allowing schools to have police officers stationed inside them.

50 Years of Hip Hop: Hannibal Buress is Eshu Tune Dec 29, 2023

If you haven’t been to any of Hannibal Buress’s recent shows, you probably know him as a stand-up comedian and actor from shows like “Broad City.” But he also happens to be a musician and a rapper. Last winter, he dropped a new single called “Knee Brace” under the moniker Eshu Tune. Since then, he’s been doing hybrid stand-up and musical performances on tour. During the last week of 2023, we’re commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop by returning to our most memorable episodes on the subject. In this conversation, Buress can’t help but make some jokes. But he also talks about growing up making music and coming back to it during a global pandemic.

50 Years of Hip Hop: Chicago's own SoloSam Dec 28, 2023

During the last week of 2023, we’re commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop by returning to our most memorable episodes on the subject.

SoloSam is a Chicago rapper, producer, and chef with a cooking show series, a cookbook and B-EATS. It’s a bi-monthly party series that combines good food, good music and community.

“If it wasn’t for food I wouldn’t have grown as a music artist, for sure,” he said.

In this episode from August, we play some of his songs, learn about his Ghanian-Korean heritage and talk about the connection he finds between food and music.

“At the end of the day, it’s just art.”

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50 Years of Hip Hop: DJ Spinderella on civic love Dec 27, 2023

To round out 2023, we’re commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop by returning to some of our favorite interviews about the genre. Next year, the National Public Housing Museum will open in Chicago, and DJ Spinderella is curating the music room. WBEZ hosted an event with the museum back in August, so we took the opportunity to sit down with DJ Spinderella and Chicago-based singer Isaiah Sharkey. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Sharkey and DJ Spinderella about how growing up in public housing influenced their music.

50 Years of Hip Hop: The nuance of Ye FKA Kanye West Dec 26, 2023

During the last week of 2023, we’re commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop by returning to our most memorable episodes on the subject. Ye – the artist formerly known as Kanye West — has been stirring up controversy for decades now, for better or for worse. We come back to our conversation with professor and Chicago native Jeffrey McCune Jr., who has written about, researched, and taught classes on Ye. He’s here to add even more nuance to how we think about the many different versions of Ye and his existence in the culture.

Afternoon News: Friday December 22, 2023 Dec 22, 2023

Illinois politicians are weighing in on former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke's corruption conviction. Half of the counties in Illinois are reporting elevated numbers of hospitalizations due to COVID-19. Chicago’s animal shelters are at capacity as adoption rates slow.

A tribute to Richard Hunt, ‘One of the most important figures in art history’ Dec 22, 2023

Richard Hunt’s sculptures are all over the city of Chicago – at McCormick Place, Midway Airport, and too many more locations to list – and they’re all around the country too. With over 160 installations, Hunt is one of the most prolific creators of public art in America.

He passed away on Saturday. He was 88 years old.

In this episode, his friend and biographer Jon Ott explains why Hunt – born in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood in 1935 – was “one of the most important figures in art history.”

“He was using the industrial materials of the time,” Ott said. “Being one of the first artists in the direct metal welding technique that he used to create assemblage art out of discarded bumpers, steel parts, aluminum, copper.”

Ott tells us about Hunt’s upbringing on the South Side, his unexpected scholarship to the School of the Art Institute, and how the death of Emmett Till – who lived just two blocks from Hunt’s childhood home – profoundly changed his art.

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Morning News: December 22, 2023 Dec 22, 2023

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke is convicted of federal corruption charges. Criminal charges dropped against more than two dozen U of C students who staged a sit in. CPS won’t provide bus transportation to students in elementary magnet and selective enrollment schools this year.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 21, 2023 Dec 21, 2023

Former Chicago Alderperson Ed Burke has been found guilty of racketeering by a federal jury. Adjunct faculty at Columbia College Chicago have ratified a new contract that brings an end to a seven weeks-long strike. Soccer superstar Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take on the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field on August 31, 2024.

How to think about grief this time of year Dec 21, 2023

Grief – does it have to be sad? How do children grieve? What if you feel awkward talking about loss with a loved one who’s grieving? In this episode, we revisit a conversation between host Erin Allen and Julie Weatherhead, a grief counselor and co-founder of Got Grief House. They speak to these questions and more.

Morning News: December 21, 2023 Dec 21, 2023

A new report details the impact extreme heat has on neighborhoods across Chicago. For Chicago area students who need help paying for college, this application season has been an especially anxious one because the FAFSA may not fully open until December 31. Today is the winter solstice, and Chicagoans will see only about nine hours and eight minutes of daylight.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 20, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

The death of a boy living in a Chicago migrant shelter is drawing renewed scrutiny to shelter conditions. Healthcare workers and long COVID patients gathered in front of UIC Hospital today to call for stronger protections in healthcare facilities. Since the 1880s, fewer than half of Chicago Christmases have been white – defined as having at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25th – and the chances of a white Christmas this year are slim.

Latest ‘The Triibe Guide’ is the Chicago history book you didn’t know you needed Dec 20, 2023

Morgan Elise Johnson considers “The Triibe” – that’s the digital news publication she co-founded in 2017 – as part of the legacy of Black liberatory press.

“And sometimes I know that our approach, I'm just going to say, it ruffles some feathers,” Johnson said. “We're very unapologetically Black about it. You know, and we're very much here for Black liberation.’”

The latest issue of “The Triibe Guide” is one of the organization’s more recent contributions. It’s essentially the Black and Indigenous Chicago history book you wish you got in school, except it’s a magazine, and it’s gorgeous.

In this episode, Johnson talks with host Erin Allen about the importance of putting Chicago’s Black and Indigenous histories in print, the origins of her news outlet, and the stories they’re planning to stay on top of in the coming year.

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Morning News: December 20, 2023 Dec 20, 2023

Conditions inside a migrant shelter in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood could be getting worse. A Democrat running for Cook County state’s attorney once prosecuted a boy for a murder that took place when he was 10 – his confession was later found to be coerced. Chicago area hospitals are seeing an uptick in the number of people hospitalized for respiratory illnesses.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 19, 2023 Dec 19, 2023

Two women who worked as lifeguards at public beaches have sued the Chicago Park District. Volunteers say migrants in Chicago are scrambling to find housing ahead of a plan to limit how long they can stay in shelters. Planned Parenthood of Illinois is opening a new health center in Carbondale, which becomes its southernmost clinic in the state.

Amid campus tension, two college students grieve during Israel-Hamas war Dec 19, 2023

Since the war started between Israel and Hamas, pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel students on college campuses across the United States have been embroiled in their own conflict. Shouting matches have erupted, and the University of Pennsylvania president stepped down after criticism of her response to antisemitic comments on campus. But, away from the angry shouting matches, a lot of students are grieving. In this episode, we hear how two students in the Chicago area — one Jewish, one Palestinian — are coping. Clarification: The description of this episode has been updated after the original description erroneously said the president of Pennsylvania State University stepped down after being accused of making antisemitic statements.

Morning News: December 19, 2023 Dec 19, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says Texas’ governor is in part to blame for a 5-year-old migrant child’s death. After six weeks of trial, a federal jury has been sent to deliberate the corruption case against Ed Burke — one of the most powerful aldermen in Chicago history. A strike that disrupted classes at Columbia College Chicago for six weeks may be coming to an end.

Afternoon News: Monday December 18, 2023 Dec 18, 2023

A federal jury is now deliberating the federal corruption case against former Chicago Alderperson Ed Burke. The death of a 5-year-old boy who was staying at a migrant shelter in Pilsen is raising questions about conditions inside these facilities. The Columbia College Faculty Union says a tentative agreement has been made with the administration that ends a 49-day strike with adjuncts.

Looking back on an unforgettable year of Chicago news Dec 18, 2023

Five years from now, when you think of Chicago in 2023, what might come to mind? Maybe Brandon Johnson’s victory in the mayoral race, the statewide elimination of cash bail or the escalating migrant crisis. Maybe the Northwestern football hazing scandal or the giant snapping turtle affectionately nicknamed Chonkasaurus. We couldn’t possibly cover it all, so we’re closing out 2023 by looking back on the most memorable moments of the year. In this episode, host Erin Allen and The Rundown newsletter writer Hunter Clauss reflect on the stories that defined Chicago this year.

Morning News: December 18, 2023 Dec 18, 2023

Migrants are now subject to a 60-day limit on how long they can live in Chicago city shelters, but a WBEZ analysis finds that a majority of migrant shelter stays have been longer than that. Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke’s fate could be in the hands of a federal jury as soon as today. Fewer people are donating toys to the Salvation Army in the Chicago area this holiday season, yet there is greater need this year.

Afternoon News: Friday December 15, 2023 Dec 15, 2023

Attorneys for former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke are asking the jury to find him not guilty and send him home for his birthday later this month. A transgender Chicago man has filed a federal lawsuit against his former employer and union, saying they denied him gender-affirming care. Metra will offer discounted rides to anyone who receives assistance through SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – starting in February.

Where Chicago’s migrants are living – and how they’re getting there Dec 15, 2023

Where are recently-arrived migrants to Chicago living? And how do they get there?

The answer to the first question is churches, police stations, city-run shelters, hotels, apartments, and – still for many – outdoors.

The answer to the second question is just as complicated.

“A lot of folks are having some success walking around neighborhoods and just looking for for-rent apartment signs, and then they try and go and talk with the landlord there,” said Chicago Sun-Times Reporter Michael Loria. “Sometimes landlords are ok with it. Sometimes they're not.”

Rundown host Erin Allen talks with Loria about his recent reporting on where migrants are living and the myriad ways they’re getting there. We also hear from environment reporter Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco about the botched plan to put up shelters in Brighton Park and that community’s reaction to living near a site that state regulators recently deemed toxic.

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Morning News: December 15, 2023 Dec 15, 2023

Gun advocates remain optimistic despite recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to preserve Illinois’ gun ban. A mental health program for migrants in Chicago shelters could be a model for other cities. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his strategy to reduce crime by using a community-driven approach.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 14, 2023 Dec 14, 2023

The U.S. Supreme Court is leaving Illinois' Assault Weapons ban in place. The Chicago City Council blocked a resolution for voters to weigh in on the city’s sanctuary city designation. Starting December 31, anyone who works in Cook County can use paid leave at work for any reason.

‘A culture without borders:’ Carlos Tortolero looks back on his career Dec 14, 2023

In 1982, Carlos Tortolero left his teaching career to start a museum. The National Museum of Mexican Art opened its doors in Pilsen five years later, and it has stayed in the same building ever since. The museum champions Mexican artists from both Mexico and the U.S. “We represent a culture without borders,” Tortolero said. Now, with the museum on solid financial footing, he plans to retire at the end of 2023. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Tortolero about his work, legacy and hopes for the future of the organization.

Morning News: December 14, 2023 Dec 14, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says nearly all of the city’s police stations are no longer being used to shelter migrants. A Chicago City Council vote maintains Police Board authority over the most severe officer discipline cases – but the city could end up in a risky court fight about it. Closing arguments continue today in the federal corruption trial of former Chicago alderman Ed Burke.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 13, 2023 Dec 13, 2023

Attorneys are making their closing arguments to the jury in the federal corruption trial of former Chicago alderman Ed Burke. The Chicago City Council voted to delay a plan to expand paid leave for workers. Google revealed its latest renovation plans for the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago, plans that would keep the building’s signature 17-story open atrium.

How to approach the world’s problems with ‘micro activism’ Dec 13, 2023

When there are so many things going wrong in the world, figuring out where and how to contribute can be overwhelming and paralyzing.

Author Omkari Williams suggests thinking small.

“I care about a lot of things, but I don’t care about everything,” Williams said on The Rundown. “But that’s perfect, because I don't need everything to be my thing. I need people to care about things that are not important to me so we can fix all the things.”

Williams is the author of “Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn.” She talked with host Erin Allen about how to find the small, manageable ways you can do the good work, why the notion of “go big or go home” is a great way to maintain the status quo, and why engaging respectfully with people you disagree with is its own form of activism.

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Morning News: December 13, 2023 Dec 13, 2023

Chicago’s City Council today is taking up whether to allow police officers to challenge their most serious discipline cases behind closed doors. A new headquarters and $10 million for a Chicago innovation center focused on clean energy research. Former Chicago Alderman Danny Solis told a federal jury yesterday he secretly recorded his old colleague for the feds in order to “save” himself.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 12, 2023 Dec 12, 2023

Former alderperson Danny Solis took the witness stand today in Ed Burke's federal corruption trial. The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report on last month's crash of a CTA Yellow Line into a piece of snow removal equipment. A proposal to bring rail service between Chicago and downstate Peoria has taken another step forward.

‘Rest in peace, Berlin’ Dec 12, 2023

Berlin nightclub in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood closed permanently in November after four decades in business, amid stalled negotiations between the bar’s owners and its unionizing employees. In asking some of the people who worked there, danced there and made memories there, it’s obvious that Berlin was more than just a bar.

“It felt like a secret almost,” said All The Way Kay, who DJed at Berlin for over 15 years. “It felt like something that you wanted to hold very, very close to you because spaces like that really don't exist.”

We talked with Kay, queer historian Owen Keehnen, DJ Greg Haus and several listeners who called to tell us what Berlin meant to them and what they hope for the future.

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Morning News: December 12, 2023 Dec 12, 2023

Chicago City Council members have advanced an $8.75 million settlement in a police shooting case. People being released from the Cook County jail will be able to get a key resource on their way out the door - a free state ID. Federal prosecutors have all but rested their case against former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke.

Afternoon News: Monday December 11, 2023 Dec 11, 2023

The man allegedly responsible for the mass shooting in north suburban Highland Park in 2022 will defend himself in his upcoming trial. Chicago officials say there are no immediate plans to build a migrant encampment on a vacant lot in Morgan Park. Illinois State Police increasingly use “clear and present danger” reports to prevent people who may be a threat from having or getting firearms.

At Sullivan High School ‘everybody is a refugee in some way’ Dec 11, 2023

Elly Fishman has reported several stories related to Chicago’s migrant crisis. Recently, she went looking for a project that brought hope and joy into the conversation. She immediately thought of Sullivan High School. Fishman is a freelance writer and the author of “Refugee High: Coming of Age in America,” which chronicles the 2017-18 school year at Sullivan, a high school in Rogers Park. It’s a unique environment, largely because its student body represents more than 40 countries. “What brings everybody together is that everybody is a refugee in some way,” says Josh Zepeda, an English Language Learning social worker at Sullivan. “Everybody is fleeing something, whether it's the violence in their countries to violence in their communities.” This fall, Zepeda helped three Venezuelan students start a band for the school’s annual Latinx Heritage assembly. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Fishman and Zepeda about how Sullivan is welcoming migrant students.

Morning News: December 11, 2023 Dec 11, 2023

A Chicago cop with a controversial history in the line of duty is running to become a Cook County judge. Rural schools in Illinois will get a larger voice in state decisions starting next year through the Rural Education Advisory Council. An Illinois Congressman is seeking to revive the legacy of America’s first Black sports hero.

Afternoon News: Friday December 8, 2023 Dec 08, 2023

A new report shows Black and Latino borrowers in the Chicago region continue to receive higher-cost, government-backed mortgage loans more often than other groups. Rural schools in Illinois will get a larger voice next year in state decisions. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is expanding next year.

How to ‘Be A Part Of The Light’ this season on Chicago’s King Drive Dec 08, 2023

Jahmal Cole asked a question to the crowd of volunteers assembled in a church parking lot in the Chatham neighborhood on a recent Saturday. “How come there ain't no holiday lights on the South Side of Chicago?” he said into the microphone. “I've seen it in Edgewater. I've seen it in Greek Town. How come there ain't no holiday lights on the South Side of Chicago?” Cole is the founder of the community organization My Block My Hood My City. For six years, they’ve decorated homes on Martin Luther King Drive with holiday lights, ornaments, inflatable Santas and other decorations. In this episode, we join the event – which is called “Be A Part Of The Light” – for the day, asking homeowners and volunteers why they decided to participate, and Cole why he thinks the simple act of putting up holiday lights can transform a community. “What we're doing today is not just about putting up lights,” Cole said. “It’s about bringing light to an area that really needs it.”

Morning News: December 8, 2023 Dec 08, 2023

Chicago alderpersons continue pointing fingers and placing blame over the failed construction of a migrant camp in Brighton Park. Some of Alderman Ray Lopez’s constituents used Posada as a backdrop to protest Chicago’s continued sanctuary status. Jurors get a firsthand look at the FBI raid on former Alderman Ed Burke’s office.

Afternoon News: Thursday December 7, 2023 Dec 07, 2023

The Chicago Bears are reportedly looking into building a new stadium in the South Lot of Soldier Field. Small business owners in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood are pushing back against a chain store that is eyeing a location on Clark Street. Des Plaines is cracking down on travelers who leave their cars on residential streets when flying out of O'Hare.

West Garfield Park business owners say ‘it’s what you make out of it’ Dec 07, 2023

When West Garfield Park shows up in the news, it’s often accompanied by a crime statistic. Chicago media tends to fixate on violence in the area, but community members offer a bigger story. “If we can get rid of the violence, we’ll have the best community in the world,” says LiFE restaurant owner Joe Black. He is just one of many residents who continue to invest in the neighborhood when others might choose to leave. In this episode, we hear from Black and record shop owner Marie Henderson on why they’re committed to their West Garfield Park communities.

Morning News: December 7, 2023 Dec 07, 2023

Another encampment for migrants could go up in the Chicago Morgan Park neighborhood with mixed reactions. A city council panel will take up whether police officers can contest discipline cases behind closed doors. A Muslim-American attorney says a Chicago law firm fired her for speaking up for Palestinian rights.

Afternoon News: Wednesday December 6, 2023 Dec 06, 2023

Political fallout continues from the dispute over a scuttled migrant base camp in Brighton Park. A fire raced through a home in North Lawndale on Chicago's West Side this morning, killing one man and critically injuring his mother. Chicago-based McDonald’s expects to open nearly 10,000 restaurants over the next four years, the fastest period of growth in the company’s history.

Kenya Elan finds the humor in life’s frustrations Dec 06, 2023

Chicago comedian Kenya Elan says she regularly makes her audiences scream.

“It’s a lot of release,” Elan said. “I feel like my comedy is based in release, because I feel like once you let it out, you can move forward in some sort of way. You can take the next steps.”

Elan is a cast member at The Lincoln Lodge in Logan Square (she’s part of a show Friday, Dec. 8 where the audience guesses each comedian’s zodiac sign). In this episode, she explains her Chicago roots in Hyde Park and Humboldt Park, why she started trying stand-up right before the pandemic, and why her brand of comedy involves poking at her everyday exasperations with the world.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Morning News: December 6, 2023 Dec 06, 2023

A controversial plan to house migrants in a winterized tent in Brighton Park in Chicago’s southwest side will not be moving forward – local residents celebrated. A corporate executive with business in Ed Burke’s ward tells a jury he felt “weird” after a conversation with the former alderman. Chicago State University will be joining a new athletic conference and hopes to start a Division 1 college football team.

Afternoon News: Tuesday December 5, 2023 Dec 05, 2023

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office says the state will not move forward to house migrants at a Brighton Park site. Burger King executive Zohaib Dhanani testifies in the federal corruption trial of former Alderman Ed Burke. Illinois kids under 5 will soon be able to receive a monthly book from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

Want to be more civically engaged? Here’s where to start. Dec 05, 2023

As we gear up for the 2024 presidential election, we often hear this refrain: “Just vote.” But voting is just one way to engage in our democracy. We wanted to get a sense of how to become more civically engaged on the local level, so we turned to Grace Del Vecchio, the editorial program coordinator for Documenters at City Bureau. They help train Chicagoans to document local government meetings, so they have seen firsthand the countless ways people engage in our city’s democratic process. In this episode, host Erin Allen has Del Vecchio break down the importance of civic engagement and how to have your voice heard by local elected officials. This conversation is part of our Democracy Solutions Project.

Morning News: December 5, 2023 Dec 05, 2023

The state has halted work on the migrant tent city in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood to review environmental testing. A new study says most Chicago Public School students who enroll in college take more than four years to complete. Republicans and Democrats running for office in Illinois next year have finished submitting their nominating petitions.

Afternoon News: Monday December 4, 2023 Dec 04, 2023

A spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker said construction of a base camp to shelter migrants in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood is temporarily paused. The C.E.O. of Chicago Public Media, the parent organization of WBEZ, is stepping down. A “clipper” weather system is expected to bring another period of snow to the Chicago region starting this evening.

Blacks In Green imagines more ‘sustainable square miles’ in Chicago Dec 04, 2023

Naomi Davis grew up in St. Albans, Queens. She recalls it as a walkable neighborhood where neighbors invested back into their community. Now, Davis helms Blacks In Green, a Chicago organization taking an environmental justice approach to Black community development. That includes BIG’s “Sustainable Square Mile” initiative. They want to help Black neighborhoods become self-sustaining in their local economy and energy grid. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Davis about what it would take to see more sustainable neighborhoods in Chicago and beyond.

Morning News: December 4, 2023 Dec 04, 2023

A study commissioned by the city of Chicago found traces of contamination in the soil of the site selected to house a winterized camp for migrants. The Illinois State Police launched an online portal that lets residents submit anonymous tips about local, county or state officials they suspect of wrongdoing. Leaders of the Muslim Civic Coalition are revealing plans to introduce an act that would honor the legacy of a six-year-old Palestinian American boy who was stabbed to death.

Afternoon News: Friday December 1, 2023 Dec 01, 2023

Chicago has finished its fifth month in a row with a drop in murders compared to last year. A consultant's report finds Illinois prisons at Pontiac, Logan County, and Stateville at Joliet are nearly inoperable. Beer enthusiasts from around Chicago descended on Bronzeville last night for the opening of the Turner Haus Brewery's flagship taproom, the only Black-owned brewery taproom currently operating in Chicago.

Candace Hunter takes you inside the speculative worlds of Octavia Butler Dec 01, 2023

Octavia Butler loved science fiction as a child, but she never saw any versions of herself depicted in the traditionally white, male genre.

“So at about 14 she said, ‘Well, I guess I have to write myself in,’” said Candace Hunter, the creator of a new Butler exhibit at the Hyde Park Art Center. “And she did. And she did it to much applause and much fanfare.”

Butler became one of the most celebrated science fiction authors of her generation, winning two Hugo awards, two Nebula awards and a MacArthur Fellowship before her death in 2006.

Hunter, who developed the exhibit, is a distinguished artist in her own right. She’s a longtime artist-in-residence at HPAC who creates collages, paintings, installations and performance art to tell stories about the nuance of injustice and human experience.

In her new exhibit, “Candace Hunter: The Alien-Nations and Sovereign States of Octavia E. Butler,” Hunter invites people into some of the worlds that Butler created. She explores themes like forced displacement – central to Butler’s “Parable” series – and racial integration – a key element of Butler’s “Xenogenesis” series.

“She takes so many heady topics and bends them into science fiction,” Hunter said. “She is giving you truth in palatable ways in which you can then start examining yourself.”

Hunter explained how sci-fi both shows us to ourselves and offers possibilities of what we can be. She also gave host Erin Allen a tour of the exhibit, which is open through March 3 at the Hyde Park Art Center.

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Morning News: December 1, 2023 Dec 01, 2023

U.S. Steel is laying off workers at its downstate Granite City, Illinois plant, but there are no such downsizing plans for its steel mill in Gary. Home care and child care workers are calling on Governor J.B. Pritzker for increased wages and a pathway to retirement. An AI chatbot is helping local renters address housing issues.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 30, 2023 Nov 30, 2023

A lawsuit seeks to block Northwestern University from hosting concerts at its stadium. New seating protocols for Chicago City Council meetings spark backlash from good government and civil rights advocates. The Illinois Air National Guard will name its first Black general in the organization's history.

Anna DeShawn is making the queer radio she never heard growing up Nov 30, 2023

Anna DeShawn grew up in a religious household on the South Side, where she says she “had no connection to queerness.” Once she reached adulthood, she saw a need for more coverage of LGBTQ+ issues. And in 2009, she founded E3 Radio to start telling those stories. She was ready to be a radio personality. “Black women in radio from Chicago, it's a pretty lit lineup,” DeShawn said. “I didn't grow up thinking that this was something I could not do.” And earlier this year, she was inducted into Chicago’s LGBTQ Hall of Fame. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to DeShawn about E3 Radio, the Queer News Podcast and why it’s important for LGBTQ+ people to be the ones telling queer stories.

Morning News: November 30, 2023 Nov 30, 2023

Jurors heard some of the most infamous secret recordings of former Chicago alderman Ed Burke. A new online tool provides a complete look at kids in each community area in Chicago. Meta officially opens its new data center in DeKalb.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 29, 2023 Nov 29, 2023

United and American Airlines are asking Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to scale back expansion plans at O'Hare Airport. The Chicago City Council is tightening public access amid a slew of chaotic meetings. Faculty at Second City Chicago may soon go on strike.

Chicago’s Faith Ringgold exhibit: jarring and still relevant after 60 years Nov 29, 2023

One of the most jarring political pieces on display at the new exhibit, “Faith Ringgold: American People,” depicts the stars of the American flag reading the word “DIE” and the stripes reading the n-word. Titled “Flag For The Moon,” the piece briefly got the artist arrested for flag desecration when she displayed it in 1970.

“She felt the American government – what they were communicating to Black people – [was] that they could put a flag on the moon but disregard Black lives back in the United States,” said Jamillah James, the curator of the exhibit, which is open through Feb. 25 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.

Ringgold is known for a variety of artforms, including quilts, paintings, soft sculptures, autobiographical work and children's books. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks with James about the political nature of Ringgold’s art and how it serves as a bridge to the work of young Black artists today.

“She’s really a living legend,” said James. “And so influential, you can see the scale of her influence in so many younger artists that are exploring crafting, autobiography, narrative, et cetera in their work, and doing so unapologetically.”

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Morning News: November 29, 2023 Nov 29, 2023

Construction of a Brighton Park base camp for migrants is underway despite an environmental study’s findings not made public. Former Chicago Alderman – turned government mole – Danny Solis’ voice played throughout a federal courtroom as Ed Burke’s trial continues. It’s been unseasonably cold outside the past few days, but climate experts say the Chicago area may be in for a milder winter than average.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 28, 2023 Nov 28, 2023

Construction may begin on a Brighton Park base camp to shelter migrants as soon as tomorrow. The federal corruption trial of former Alderman Ed Burke continues. A Chicago Sun-Times investigation finds used car dealers across the country are selling vehicles that have unaddressed safety recalls.

Why director Andrew Davis loves to film in Chicago Nov 28, 2023

Director Andrew Davis has made films set in deserts and at sea. But when he directs movies based in cities, he always tries to bring them to Chicago. “I understood the city,” he said. “And I understood the fabric of how to get something to look tough, or look slick, or look classy.” Davis grew up in Chicago. You may know him for “The Fugitive,” but he started his career with a different Chicago-based movie. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Davis about his career and the 45th anniversary of his first film “Stony Island.”

Morning News: November 28, 2023 Nov 28, 2023

Causes behind the recent surge of train accidents in Chicago. Incumbents in Illinois’ congressional delegation are facing challenges from within their own parties after campaign season opened yesterday. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is commending Chicago for handling what he calls an “unmanageable” influx of asylum seekers.

Afternoon News: Monday November 27, 2023 Nov 27, 2023

Chicago’s controversial plan to build a tent city to shelter migrants in the Brighton Park neighborhood is on hold until a final environmental impact report is done. Just one person has filed to run to replace Kim Foxx as Cook County’s top prosecutor. The Bears take on the Vikings tonight on Monday Night Football following last week’s late collapse against the Detroit Lions.

How two nearby cities are thinking about Chicago’s migrant crisis Nov 27, 2023

The village of Oak Park has taken in about 160 migrants that were living in Chicago. A nonprofit in St. Louis wants to resettle hundreds if not thousands more. “There’s a tremendous need for employees,” said Jerry Schlichter, a civic leader and attorney in St. Louis. “If you look around the country at cities that are growing, it’s primarily from immigrants and children of immigrants. That’s what we’re trying to build here — to increase our population, make a more vibrant St. Louis and a more diverse St. Louis, which is a benefit for everyone.” In this episode, WBEZ reporter Esther Yoon-Ji Kang explains how and why these two communities are moving to take in hundreds of migrants living in Chicago and how local residents are reacting.

Morning News: November 27, 2023 Nov 27, 2023

The November 2024 elections are still a year away, but the political season leading up to that vote officially gets underway today. Some City Council members want to see a pilot guaranteed basic income program become permanent. And officials are encouraging Chicagoans to buy local this holiday season.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 22, 2023 Nov 22, 2023

The co-owner of Calumet Fisheries on Chicago’s Southeast Side says they intend to rebuild after a fire earlier this week. Members of the Chicago Bears served traditional Venezuelan fare to nearly 200 asylum-seeking Venezuelan migrants ahead of Thanksgiving. The city of Chicago plans to open its warming centers this week when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below.

A Chicago city guide that suggests an adventure Nov 22, 2023

Lauren Viera’s new city guide to Chicago doesn’t read like a typical guidebook – no 72-hour itineraries or explanatory advice on how to ride the CTA.

“The 500 Hidden Secrets of Chicago” is mostly just lists of unique places. Five dance clubs, five farmers markets, five nature outings, five small museums, five high-end cocktail bars, five city myths – totalling up to 500.

“I'm not a fiction writer,” Viera said. “I'm very bad at making stuff up. So this is really just in my mind reporting times 500.”

In this episode, Viera explains her favorite “hidden secrets,” how she chose the places she chose to include and how she welcomes feedback from Chicagoans ready to argue about what should be inside.

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Morning News: November 22, 2023 Nov 22, 2023

AAA recommends departing for Thanksgiving travel before 2 p.m. or after 6 p.m., and other travel tips. A Chicago group focused on helping formerly incarcerated people has found that cash pilots can help with housing instability and health. The Chicago Bears came up short on Sunday – but the team won the hearts of Venezuelan migrants who they served lunch to.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 21, 2023 Nov 21, 2023

The Village of Oak Park voted narrowly to reallocate unused COVID recovery funds to shelter about 160 Venezuelan migrants through early February. The owner of about 150 Illinois Burger Kings has taken the witness stand in the corruption trial of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke. The zones where flowers and vegetables across Illinois can survive and thrive are shifting.

A culinary queen talks food and feels at Friendsgiving Nov 21, 2023

For Thanksgiving, the food may be taken care of, but what about the feels? Jordan Wimby AKA “The Melanin Martha” is a chef and culinary preservationist. She talks to host Erin Allen about prioritizing identity, community and healing when you’re cooking and creating space during the holiday season.

Morning News: November 21, 2023 Nov 21, 2023

Colleagues remember fallen Chicago firefighter Andrew Price as one of their department’s “very best.” Evanston’s mayor cast the tie breaking vote to greenlight Northwestern University’s $800 million football stadium rebuild. We hear one of the secretly recorded phone calls of former alderman Ed Burke played at his corruption trial yesterday.

Afternoon News: Monday November 20, 2023 Nov 20, 2023

The Chicago Fire Department says one person is dead after a freight train struck a FedEx semi-truck Monday morning. Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke read the riot act to a Field Museum employee after his goddaughter didn’t hear back about an internship. Federal officials say the CTA Yellow Line train that crashed into a snowplow last week should have had a longer braking distance.

Why we have ‘Insufficient Memory’ of LGBTQ+ hate crimes Nov 20, 2023

A young gay man named Matthew Shepard was murdered in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Over a decade later, Congress passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Sean Fader wanted to document the lives and deaths of LGBTQ+ people who were killed in that decade. He drove thousands of miles around the country to photograph sites of murders, and he has collected those photos in his project “Insufficient Memory.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Fader about queer archives and his Chicago installation at Wrightwood 659.

Morning News: November 20, 2023 Nov 20, 2023

Mourners will gather for the funeral of the Chicago firefighter who died in the line of duty last week. Chicago officials say increased case management will help ensure migrants don’t end up homeless in the face of new limits on shelter stays. Jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke are expected to start getting an earful of wiretapped phone conversations this week.

Afternoon News: Friday November 17, 2023 Nov 17, 2023

Former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke and his two co-defendants presented their opening statements at federal court. Cook County prosecutors say they will no longer let 10 Chicago cops testify in criminal cases after they signed up for an extremist group. The CTA Yellow Line train crash that injured 38 people yesterday occurred when a faster moving Yellow Line passenger train ran into a slower moving snow removal vehicle traveling in the same direction on the same track, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

Chicago cyclists demand protected infrastructure Nov 17, 2023

When Jessica Alvarado Gamez moved to Chicago earlier this year, she drove around to get her bearings. She couldn’t help noticing how close she came to cyclists. “I can easily go into the painted bike lanes,” she said. Some Chicago cyclists have observed the same problem, resulting in the refrain, “paint is not protection.” Alvarado Gamez is WBEZ’s Roy Howard fellow. She focuses on data reporting, so she dug into city data to understand why cycling in Chicago is so dangerous and what cyclists want done. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Alvarado Gamez about the path toward safer biking infrastructure.

Morning News: November 17, 2023 Nov 17, 2023

A new 60-day shelter deadline puts pressure on the need for permanent housing for asylum-seekers. The Peoples Gas Rate hike was slashed by over $100 million yesterday. Winter is coming, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is telling drivers to ‘get it together.’

Afternoon News: Thursday November 16, 2023 Nov 16, 2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker earmarked $160 million toward helping the thousands of asylum seekers now sleeping at Chicago police stations and O’Hare Airport. The Chicago Fire Department reports at least 19 people are injured as a result of a Yellow Line train crash at the Howard Street switching station. Northwestern University surprised the college football world this season: the team has a chance to make it to a postseason bowl game by winning one of their final two games.

A history of Palestinian migration to Chicago Nov 16, 2023

The Chicago area is home to the country’s largest Palestinian American community. There are more than 18,000 Palestinians living in Cook County alone, the most of any county in the nation, and that’s only according to the available Census data. “Experts say that’s likely a huge undercount of the true population,” said WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin. “Some experts estimate the actual Palestinian population here in the Chicago area to be five times larger than what the Census has.” Qin analyzed available data and spoke with experts about the history of Palestinian migration to Chicago. In this episode, she tells host Erin Allen about four significant periods, from the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, to the Arab-Israeli Wars of 1948 and 1967, to the largest wave of migration in the 1990s.

Morning News: November 16, 2023 Nov 16, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first city budget passed. There are few details on a 60-day limit for migrants staying in Chicago city shelters. The Illinois Commerce Commission will issue its decision on the Peoples Gas $402 million dollar rate hike today.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 15, 2023 Nov 15, 2023

The Chicago Police Department’s budget for next year will be nearly $2 billion, a slight increase from this year. The father of the suspect in last year's Highland Park mass shooting wore a shirt reading "I am a political pawn" when he showed up at the Lake County courthouse today to begin serving his jail sentence, leading a judge to threaten him with contempt. Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields is expected to return to the field on Sunday after missing the previous four games due to a thumb injury.

Can artists make the world a better place? This organization thinks so Nov 15, 2023

Can artists make the world a better place?

“We have seen over and over again that the existing structures and hierarchies aren't working, the models aren't working,” said Megha Ralapati, the director of the fellowships program at CEC ArtsLink, “and artists are uniquely trained and experienced to dismantle, to understand them from a new angle – a new vantage point – to bring nuance, to bring a more 360 degree perspective that isn't binary and isn't reductionist.”

“That's really speaking to the true transformative nature of art,” she added.

Every year, Ralapati’s organization picks a city to host an international assembly of artists, activists and thinkers to share perspectives on how artists can help build a better world. This year’s ArtsLink Assembly is in Chicago’s Woodlawn neighborhood on Thursday and Friday.

In today’s episode, Ralapati explains how bringing people together from disparate parts of the world helps foster shared humanity. We also hear from one of the local artists presenting at the assembly, Patricia Nguyen, founder of Axis Lab in Uptown.

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Morning News: November 15, 2023 Nov 15, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first city budget will be voted on today. Chicago’s police oversight board says the city is not accurately tracking how much is spent each year on policing. There’s a new initiative with the mission of informing young people about PrEP to prevent H-I-V.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 14, 2023 Nov 14, 2023

The Biden Administration’s National Climate Assessment is out today, and the Midwest is expected to grow warmer and wetter if the U.S. does not cut emissions. The head of Northwestern University is appointing a new advisory committee on preventing antisemitism and hate. The number of migrants arriving in Chicago has slowed for the first time in months.

‘Old Lady Project’ centers aging women on stage and screen Nov 14, 2023

Angela Allyn started the Old Lady Project because she didn’t see enough aging women on Chicago’s stages. “I’m kind of reclaiming old,” Allyn says. “I don’t understand why old is great for houses or valuable paintings, but it’s not okay for humans.” She solicited scripts and screenplays with the goal of producing a couple staged readings. But in the 2023 submission cycle, she received over 600 scripts from around the world. Between the overwhelming response and the recent success of older adults’ stories in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “The Golden Bachelor,” Allyn sees a hunger for complex narratives about aging. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Allyn about what we have to gain from telling and watching older adults’ stories.

Morning News: November 14, 2023 Nov 14, 2023

Chicago Police arrested more than 100 protestors – who were calling for a ceasefire in Gaza – during a massive demonstration in downtown Chicago yesterday. A new rule aims to prevent Chicago cops from joining hate or extremist groups. Evanston leaders voted to delay a vote on Northwestern’s $800 million stadium rebuild.

Afternoon News: Monday November 13, 2023 Nov 13, 2023

Hundreds of Jewish people from across the Midwest rallied at Ogilvie Transportation Center Monday morning, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and leading to more than 100 arrests, according to organizers. A 39-year-old Chicago firefighter died Monday morning after battling an extra-alarm fire in Lincoln Park. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is announcing Doctor Olusimbo Ige will lead the city’s public health department, replacing former health commissioner Allison Arwady.

Tracy Occomy Crowder wrote a children’s book she wanted to see for her son Nov 13, 2023

In 2016, Chicagoan Tracy Occomy Crowder went on a mission to find an adventure novel with a Black boy protagonist for her son. She wanted him to see himself in a book that wasn’t only about the heaviness of being Black in America, and she came up empty-handed. “You might have to write it,” a bookseller told her. So she did. This year, she published her debut middle grade novel, Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Occomy Crowder about representation in children’s books, bringing recess back to Chicago Public Schools and what it means to be a kid in 2023.

Morning News: November 13, 2023 Nov 13, 2023

Coming up - a new assessment shows major barriers in the city of Chicago’s mental healthcare system. Owners of a west suburban grocery store float plans to expand into areas with poor access to fresh food. Former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger on his new book.

Afternoon News: Friday November 10, 2023 Nov 10, 2023

Illinois lawmakers approved a measure that benefits those with existing cannabis transporter licenses, but Gov. J.B. has not committed to signing the bill yet. Deerfield-based Walgreens is laying off about 5 percent of its corporate staff, the company’s second round of staff reductions in recent months. Calumet Fisheries has been closed by the Chicago Department of Public Health after failing a health inspection.

How four Chicago faith leaders are talking with their communities about the Israel-Gaza war Nov 10, 2023

How are religious leaders in Chicago explaining the conflict in Israel and Gaza to their congregations? The Rundown’s Adora Namigadde spoke with a Muslim shaykh, a Christian reverend and two Jewish rabbis – one a self-described Zionist and the other a self-described anti-Zionist. We hear from all four. Namigadde tells host Erin Allen how each of them is processing the conflict, and how each wants their congregations to pray, learn and take action.

Morning News: November 10, 2023 Nov 10, 2023

President Joe Biden toasted a new labor deal for autoworkers and the opening of a truck-manufacturing plant in northern Illinois. The Chicago City Council approved expanding paid leave for workers. A new program helps Venezuelan migrants with the logistics of applying for work permits.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 9, 2023 Nov 09, 2023

Illinois lawmakers have approved a measure lifting the state's moratorium on building nuclear facilities. The federal corruption trial of ex-Chicago Alderman Ed Burke is delayed once again. Several community organizations rallied in downtown Chicago calling for solidarity between Black and brown residents.

Cultivate Collective takes a green approach to uplift Chicago’s Southwest Side Nov 09, 2023

Do you know your neighbors? Many of us feel isolated these days, and it can be hard to tap into your local community. So we want to talk to people who are investing in their neighborhoods. Enter Cultivate Collective, a Southwest Side community hub on the former LeClaire Courts public housing site. The nonprofit is built around a public charter school, the Academy for Global Citizenship. And in a community disproportionately impacted by industrial pollution, they prioritize sustainability and environmental justice. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Cultivate Collective CEO Sarah Elizabeth Ippel and Board President Niquenya Collins about their green approach to reinvesting in their Southwest Side community.

Morning News: November 9, 2023 Nov 09, 2023

A proposal being debated today at City Hall would give workers an additional five vacation days they can use for any reason. Chicago plans to convert a downtown hotel into a homeless shelter. Workers there are protesting layoffs. A bill to lift Illinois’ over 36-year-long moratorium on construction of new nuclear reactors just passed the state senate and now heads to the house.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 11, 2023 Nov 08, 2023

Legislation meant to get guns out of the hands of domestic abusers has stalled in Springfield. A new study suggests cities can increase usage of public transit by changing the way large downtown spaces are used. The Chicago Sky introduced Jeff Pagliocca as their new general manager.

Should I give up meat? My car? Climate change expert says a cultural shift is needed Nov 08, 2023

When it comes to addressing climate change, some solutions wouldn't really affect our lifestyles, like changing outdated building codes to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

But other solutions have the potential to make a big impact on our lives, like giving up meat or cars.

“That’s something that just doesn’t track well with people,” said Sabina Shaikh, senior instructional professor at the University of Chicago. “And so I think we want to make sure that we capture all those invisible things, but then we also start moving towards the direction of cultural shifts.”

Cultural shifts like reimagining what a city looks like, how transit works, and what we consume.

Shaikh recently spoke at the Chicago Humanities Festival about how cities like Chicago have an outsized impact on the climate and how nature-based solutions can help mitigate the effects of climate change.

In this episode, she talks with Erin Allen about that age-old dilemma: whether addressing climate change should come down to individual responsibility or a broad cultural change … or both.

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Morning News: November 8, 2023 Nov 08, 2023

Chicago City alderpersons ultimately voted today [TUES] NOT to formally reprimand Alderperson Carlos Ramirez-Rosa following allegations of threats and bullying. Illinois lawmakers want answers: how is the state recouping some of the 5 billion dollars paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims? A surprising finding about Chicago shoplifting rates.

Afternoon News: Tuesday November 7, 2023 Nov 07, 2023

The Chicago City Council approves the purchase of land in Morgan Park to open a migrant shelter. Voters will decide whether Chicago should increase a tax on the sale of high-end properties to fund homelessness prevention. Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy kicked off his book tour for “World Within a Song” in Chicago this past weekend.

This year’s Black Harvest Film Festival focuses on past, present and future Nov 07, 2023

This year marks the 29th Black Harvest Film Festival, which showcases work from Black filmmakers—past and present.

From a short film about Chicago’s South Shore Drill Team to a Black Barbie documentary, the 2023 lineup promises a wide range of Black joy onscreen. And the festival looks back to Black filmmakers that came before with screenings of films from the 20th cCentury.

Host Erin Allen previews the festival with Chicagoan and journalist Arionne Nettles. For more information about the festival, you can read Nettles’ story for WBEZ or head to siskelfilmcenter.org/blackharvest.

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Morning News: November 7, 2023 Nov 07, 2023

One of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top City Council allies is resigning from leadership amid accusations of bullying. The ramifications of a guilty plea from the father of the alleged Highland Park shooter. Latinos in Chicago are three times more likely to contract COVID than other demographic groups, according to experts with the city’s health department.

Afternoon News: Monday November 6, 2023 Nov 06, 2023

The father of the man accused of last year’s July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park will spend 60 days in jail for helping his son get a gun permit when he was under age. The Chicago Cubs are hiring former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell as their new manager. A second victim is suing the Chicago Blackhawks for alleged sexual misconduct by former coach Brad Aldrich.

‘Those fairytales were real’: Ayana Contreras on Black excellence in Chicago Nov 06, 2023

Ayana Contreras is an influential figure in Chicago’s arts, music and history scene. She was an early-career mentor to artists like Chance the Rapper and Noname. She even wrote a book about Black excellence here in Chicago.

“Growing up in Chicago and the Chicagoland area and being a Black person, there were so many fairy tales honestly that we heard, but those fairy tales were real,” she said.

She’s talking about the likes of musicians Chaka Khan and Mavis Staples, “Ebony” and “Jet” magazine founders John and Eunice Johnson, Uncle Remus founders Gus and Mary Rickette, and so many more.

Contreras is an overall culture creator, a prolific DJ, a style-icon in her own right and has been the content director at WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, a radio station she played a big role in creating. She talks with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about why Chicago needed an urban alternative public radio station, her career in Chicago’s arts scenes and why afro-optimism is the antidote to afro-pessimism.

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Morning News: November 6, 2023 Nov 06, 2023

It’s been a long-time coming. Today, the trial of former Alderman Ed Burke begins. In more courtroom news, the trial is expected to get underway for the father of the Highland Park July 4th mass shooting suspect. Members of a Chicago-based medical aid organization are calling on locals to advocate for a humanitarian corridor in Gaza.

Afternoon News: Friday November 3, 2023 Nov 03, 2023

Former Northwestern University athletes are calling for an end to racist abuse they say they experienced. Howard Brown Health Workers plan to go on a two-day strike later this month. The Village Board of Oak Park has approved an Emergency Disaster Resolution to provide aid and support to asylum seekers.

America tried permanent Daylight Saving Time once. It lasted less than a year. Nov 03, 2023

The U.S. Senate voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent last year (the House of Representatives has yet to take up the bill, known as the Sunshine Protection Act). As we mark another semi-annual clock change, we speak with Dr. James Rowley, the president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, who reminds us of an “experiment” back in 1974 when permanent Daylight Saving Time came and went quickly.

“People were so against it, Congress reversed themselves in less than a year,” he said.

Rowley explains why the Academy instead supports a change to permanent Standard Time. He also shares some tips for acclimating to Sunday’s change.

This episode originally aired on Mar. 17, 2023.

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Morning News: November 3, 2023 Nov 03, 2023

A former Chicago top cop is back in the Police Department. A Chicago City Council meeting ended abruptly over a debate on the city’s sanctuary city status. Congressman Mike Quigley thinks he and his colleagues could soon consider aid to cities to help care for migrants.

Afternoon News: Thursday November 2, 2023 Nov 02, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office said he had “positive” and “productive” conversations in Washington D.C. today about the ongoing migrant crisis. Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Chicago has five more Michelin-recognized restaurants – in Bucktown, Chinatown, Lincoln Square and Logan Square.

Chicago cops with ties to anti-government Oath Keepers Nov 02, 2023

In the 1960s, the Chicago Police Department uncovered and fired officers with ties to the Ku Klux Klan. Now in the 2020s, cops across Chicago and Illinois are dues-paying members of the Oath Keepers, an anti-government group that played a central role in the Jan. 6 insurrection. A WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times investigation looked into these officers, their track records and the countless complaints filed against them. Host Erin Allen breaks down the findings of the investigations with WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos and Chicago Sun-Times criminal justice editor Tom Schuba.

Morning News: November 2, 2023 Nov 02, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reaffirmed his stance that officers shouldn’t belong to extremist groups. Governor J-B Pritzker says the state legislature won’t be sending any more money this year to Chicago to help accommodate migrants. A new proposed Chicago elected school board map is out. Lawmakers could vote on it as early as next week.

Afternoon News: Wednesday November 1, 2023 Nov 01, 2023

Families of Israelis taken hostage or killed by Hamas will share their experiences at Jewish community vigils tonight and tomorrow. Chicago City Council delayed a vote on a plan to purchase 6.5 acres of land on the South Side for a city migrant shelter. Chicago has finished its fourth month in a row with a drop in murders compared to last year.

It’s officially cold – let’s get into some books! Nov 01, 2023

Greta Johnsen is the host of WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast and a known super-reader, regularly knocking out at least a book a week. Rundown host Erin Allen talks with Greta about her favorite fall reads, new and old, where to find them (hey Libby!) and what a poll of readers is consuming right now.

Here’s just a few of the many recommendations in this episode:

“Happiness Falls” by Angie Kim (2023)
“Worthy” by Jada Pinkett Smith (2023)
“Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner (2021)
“Throne of Glass” series by Sarah J. Maas (2012-2018)
“Thinking Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman (2011)
“Who Fears Death” by Nnedi Okorafor (2010)
“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt (1992)

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Morning News: November 1, 2023 Nov 01, 2023

A measure asking Chicago voters whether they want to increase a tax on the sale of high-end properties is one step closer to appearing on the March ballot. Cook County Health plans to spend less on expensive temporary workers. An Illinois state lawmaker is hoping to crack down on emerging threats from AI technology.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 31, 2023 Oct 31, 2023

A 48-year-old man faces felony charges for allegedly wounding 15 people in a shooting at a Halloween party early Sunday morning. Doctor Erik Mikaitis is named the interim CEO of Cook County Health. Chicago will host the 2025 Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress.

A haunting in East Pilsen Oct 31, 2023

This spooky season, we want to share a very real ghost story. The Lozano family moved into their East Pilsen home when it was newly built, and no one has died there since. Still, they’re convinced a spirit lives among them. They hear footsteps on the stairs, see shadows under doors and experience unexplainable phenomena. Enter reporters Adriana Cardona-Maguigad and Mauricio Peña. They gamely took on the role of ghost hunters for an episode of WBEZ’s Curious City podcast and worked with the Lozanos to uncover the source of this paranormal activity. But as they report, Pilsen residents face far scarier challenges than spirits. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Peña and Cardona-Maguigad about their reporting on spirits, spiritualism and the looming threat of gentrification in Pilsen.

Morning News: October 31, 2023 Oct 31, 2023

A suburban Chicago landlord charged with murdering a Palestinian American boy pleads not guilty. State test scores show continued gaps in performance between racial and ethnic groups, despite impressive growth overall. Students at UChicago and across the country are calling on their universities to divest from the fossil fuel industry.

Afternoon News: Monday October 30, 2023 Oct 30, 2023

A Chicago City Council committee approved buying land on the city’s South Side to open a shelter for migrants. A man has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the fatal stabbing of a young Palestinian American boy. Expect some snow this Halloween.

How the Garfield Park Conservatory is lifegiving Oct 30, 2023

Flora and fauna from all types of climates, available to bask in – in Chicago – year round. The Garfield Park Conservatory is a special place.

“The first impression is just overwhelming,” said Jennifer Van Valkenburg, the president and CEO of the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

In this episode, Van Valkenburg offers up reasons you should visit and spots you shouldn’t miss. She also talks about the conservatory’s upcoming “floral fashion fundraiser” Fleurotica, how the conservatory’s relationship with the community has changed over the years, and why it holds such a special place in many Chicagoans’ hearts.

“Every time I meet someone and I tell them I work for the conservatory, they have generational stories,” she said. “Everybody connects with the conservatory in an individual way.”

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Morning News: October 30, 2023 Oct 30, 2023

Homeowners in the north and northwest suburbs should brace for sticker shock as their property tax bills arrive. City officials want to purchase the site of a vacant Morgan Park Jewel-Osco to turn into a shelter for migrants. The deadline to apply for federal flood relief for this past summer’s rainstorms is tonight (Monday).

Afternoon News: Friday October 27, 2023 Oct 27, 2023

A suburban foundation plans to send a million hot meals to Gaza. A northwest Illinois sheriff defends a cop who joined an anti-government extremist group. Another Chicago cyclist was hit and killed by a car.

Why did Chicago become a haven for feral cats? Oct 27, 2023

You know Chicago is the country's rattiest city – at least according to Orkin, who just gave us that distinction for the ninth straight year – but did you also know it’s one of the feral-cattiest?

Chicago has thousands of outdoor cats, as well as thousands of humans who care for them.

“Probably over 3,000 caretakers in the city taking care of I don’t even know how many cats, cats we don’t even know about,” said Cecilia Ocampo-Solis, community programs manager at Tree House Humane Society in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

In this episode, we talk with one of these feral cat colony-minders about what it’s like to host a couple of wild fuzzballs.

“I call them more like barn cats,” said Rob Crowder, who hosts two cats, Washington and Drake, in his backyard in Chicago’s Roscoe Village neighborhood. “Because they’re – they don’t live in a barn but they’re always just around, they’re easy to maintain, and they give back to us as well.”

By “give back” Crowder means “deter rats.” But Ocampo-Solis also myth-busts a common misconception about Chicago’s feral cats and her organization’s "Cats at Work" program.

“This program was built to offer quote unquote, a ‘second chance’ to unsocialized cats in high-volume shelters. They don't have many options. Sometimes their options are humane euthanasia,” Ocampo-Solis said. “So it's a harm reduction program.”

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Morning News: Friday October 27, 2023 Oct 27, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending a contract extension with a Kansas company to staff migrant shelters. The iconic South Side Brown Sugar Bakery opened its new manufacturing facility yesterday. Chicago City Council members want to see a new proposed Department of Environment have enforcement powers.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 26, 2023 Oct 26, 2023

Arson fires are an issue across Chicago, according to a new WBEZ analysis. Unionized part-time faculty at Columbia College Chicago plan to strike Monday if a contract deal isn’t reached by then. Even as some high schools in Chicago struggle with low enrollment, a high school community on the far southwest side is asking for overcrowding relief.

What are Chicago’s 22 police district councils up to? Oct 26, 2023

Chicago elected its first-ever police district councils earlier this year, and people around the country are watching. The councils put police accountability in the hands of neighborhood residents and could inspire similar models in other cities—depending on how they fare. For the 65 council members across 22 districts, the first challenge is getting residents to show up and share their input. WBEZ’s criminal justice reporter Chip Mitchell talked at length with Austin District Council chair Carmelita Earls, who wants to create a safe space for people to share concerns without risking retaliation from officers in their neighborhood. In this episode, Mitchell updates host Erin Allen on the first few months of police district councils.

Morning News: Thursday October 26, 2023 Oct 26, 2023

We have an update on how things are going with a new effort in Cook County to locate missing people. It’s onto the state Senate for a measure allowing Illinois legislative employees to unionize. The city’s human relations commission says Chicago has seen an uptick in reported hate crimes.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 25, 2023 Oct 25, 2023

Two Chicago police officers killed in the line of duty will be honored tonight. Chicago officials are assessing a site in Brighton Park on the South Side as a possible base camp to house 2,000 migrants. Bat sightings are on the rise in Chicago, and not just because of Halloween.

Learn the origin story of Chicago’s pothole artist Oct 25, 2023

If you’ve seen a Chicago pothole filled with old world, mosaic tile artwork – yet depicting something modern like a pair of hot sauce packets or a pack of Marlboro cigarettes – it was probably the creation of Jim Bachor.

“I’ve found that my goal in life is to drag the artform of the mosaic kicking and screaming into the 21st century,” Bachor said.

Bachor tells Rundown podcast host Erin Allen how a tour guide in Pompeii kickstarted his obsession with mosaics, why both the durability and the restrictions of the medium are reasons he loves it, and why he started installing his artwork in Chicago potholes.

“I got to thinking,” he said, “I’ve got this reoccuring problem outside of the house that can’t be fixed, and then a hundred yards away in my studio in the basement here I am passionately working on this artform that is so durable, why don’t I combine them?”

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Morning News: Wednesday October 25, 2023 Oct 25, 2023

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling backs sending mental health staffers to 911 crisis calls instead of police. A measure to allow legislative employees at the Illinois capitol to unionize is moving. After 38 years – Chicago’s Newberry Library is ending its annual book fair to focus on future exhibitions and storytelling events.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 24, 2023 Oct 24, 2023

The Chicago Police Department responds to WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times reporting about extremist connections to the force. Illinois joins more than 30 states in suing Meta. The Chicago Audubon Society changes its name.

You need advice. ‘Someone In Chicago’ is here to help. Oct 24, 2023

Before he got into the advice biz, Chicago Sun-Times columnist Ismael Perez did the research. He found advice columns going back to at least the 1800s when people would write into local newspapers for tips on clothing stains and housewarming parties. Somehow along the way, we ended up crowdsourcing wisdom on Reddit and calling into podcasts for advice. Now, Perez has an advice column for 2023. It’s called “Someone In Chicago,” and it’s geared toward Chicagoans in their twenties, thirties and forties. But that didn’t stop him from answering a query from a 92-year-old widow. In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Perez about the advice that shaped us and getting vulnerable enough to accept help.

Morning News: Tuesday October 24, 2023 Oct 24, 2023

Hundreds of protestors blocked traffic in downtown Chicago Monday to call for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. The leading Jewish civil rights group wants the Chicago Police to thoroughly investigate the influence of political extremism on the force. Some City Council members say the city needs more 3-1-1 operators that are multilingual.

Afternoon News: Monday October 23, 2023 Oct 23, 2023

Community members and activists in west suburban Oak Park want village leaders to step up to help with the migrant crisis. There was a chaotic scene outside an Israeli solidarity event in the northern suburbs Sunday. Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent speaks about leading the Chicago Bears to a 30-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Why student loan debt can hinder women and people of color the most Oct 23, 2023

Briana Kidd realized the interest on her student loans was paused and saw a golden opportunity to pay down the principal. Living with her dad, working two jobs and routinely saving money allowed her to pay her balance down from $37,000 to $10,000. Andrew Palomo was able to adopt his now 16-month-old daughter Teresa. And although he’s been paying off his loans for nearly a decade, he still owes nearly $186,000 – “which is a house,” he said. In this episode, Erin Allen talks with WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Philip about these two very different approaches to the pandemic-era student loan repayment pause – which ended this month – and what the return of loan payments means particularly for borrowers of color, both current borrowers and potential new ones, who may have changing views on the value of higher education.

Morning News: Monday October 23, 2023 Oct 23, 2023

We'll hear more from the WBEZ-Sun-Times investigation into the troubling experiences people had with police officers who appeared on a leaked list of the Oath Keepers. Illinois lawmakers accepted donations from red-light camera companies despite passing a bill saying they can’t do that. Military veterans want Cook County to provide more resources.

Afternoon News: Friday October 20, 2023 Oct 20, 2023

An Evanston mother and daughter who were taken hostage by Hamas militants have been released. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged a sit-in at Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s office. This year’s pumpkin crop was strong despite droughts.

What happens to childhood when anyone can go viral? Oct 20, 2023

Even 20 years ago, kids didn’t have their entire lives recorded online. Then, social media assured anyone could go viral and smartphones made us all infinitely more trackable. These technologies have changed what it means to be a kid. Chicagoland author Devorah Heitner explores childhood in the 21st Century in her latest book “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World.” In this episode, we talk to Heitner about location tracking, “sharenting” and why kids post the way they do.

Morning News: Friday October 20, 2023 Oct 20, 2023

Illinois election officials are considering various security measures ahead of the 2024 primary elections next Spring. All those ads you see on CTA trains and buses are helping to keep ticket prices from rising. An Illinois healthcare program for undocumented seniors is pausing enrollments next month.

Afternoon News: Thursday October 19, 2023 Oct 19, 2023

Chicago officials on a trip to the Southern border are seeing firsthand what conditions look like for asylum-seekers when they enter the U.S. Illinois is pausing enrollment in the program providing Medicaid-style healthcare coverage for undocumented immigrants over age 65. A young guitarist mistakenly shot by a Des Plaines police officer four years ago is now getting a $1.9 million payout from the suburb.

Am I Wakandan? Ytasha Womack on the cultural significance of ‘Black Panther’ Oct 19, 2023

Chicago’s own Ytasha Womack is both a scholar of afrofuturism and the author of a new book on one of the most notable figures in afrofuturistic sci-fi: Marvel’s “Black Panther.” In this episode, host Erin Allen talks with Womack about her book, “Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration,” how afro futures are everyone’s futures, and the cultural importance of T’Challa’s home country of Wakanda.

“One woman in the book said that Wakanda was as real for her as the biblical city of Canaan,” Womack said. “So for some, it's not just some fantasy tale, it has real resonance because it synergizes all these possibilities, these hopes, these dreams.”

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Morning News: Thursday October 19, 2023 Oct 19, 2023

After a bombing of a Gaza hospital left hundreds dead – protesters in Chicago say they want local leaders to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Loyola University Law Professor Jeannine Bell breaks down what goes into a hate crime prosecution as the Chicago office of the FBI investigates the recent killing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy. The public will have more chances to weigh in on possible changes to the state’s blueprint for teaching reading in Illinois schools.

Afternoon News: Wednesday October 18, 2023 Oct 18, 2023

Google has gotten the go-ahead to demolish the glass exterior and atrium of the Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. There could be a strike among healthcare and retail workers at Howard Brown Health. The launch of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s new abortion rights nonprofit signals he will not run for president next year, according to the chief political reporter at The Chicago Sun-Times.

Lee Crooks has voiced your CTA stop for 25 years, but who is he? Oct 18, 2023

If you live in Chicago, you know Lee Crooks—probably without realizing it. Crooks has been the voice of the CTA for 25 years, so he’s a fixture in most of our lives. We wanted to get to know the man behind “Doors closing.” In this episode, we talk to Crooks about trains, legacy and Midwest accents. And yes, we have him do the voice.

Morning News: Wednesday October 18, 2023 Oct 18, 2023

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, an Islamic Day School in Chicago's southwest suburbs is trying to protect itself from violence and hate speech. Some Chicago alderpersons want the city to increase liquor inspectors to crack down on bars that have drawn shootings. Congress is hoping to create national standards for compensating college athletes.

Afternoon News: Tuesday October 17, 2023 Oct 17, 2023

A vigil is planned tonight in suburban Plainfield to honor 6-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume, who was stabbed to death Saturday. Chicago-based nonprofit MedGlobal is working to support hospitals in Gaza. Family, friends and neighbors hope for the safe return of two Evanston women from Gaza.

Why some Chicago vending machines are full of art Oct 17, 2023

Instead of junk food and sodas, a Good Things Vending machine offers local art, throwback trading cards, games and dozens of other items you won’t find in a typical vending machine. There are a handful of them around Chicago, and the creator of the business says the goal is to spark joy and promote the city’s arts community. Steph Krim talks with Erin Allen about how she came up with the idea, her favorite items and where you can find a machine near you.

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Morning News: Tuesday October 17, 2023 Oct 17, 2023

Family members of the 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was stabbed to death this weekend gathered to condemn the alleged hate crime. Chicago’s Council on American-Islamic Relations Office says they’re receiving an increasing number of Islamophobic phone calls. If college enrollment remains steady, only about 30% of Chicago Public School freshmen today are predicted over the next decade to get a bachelor’s or associate's degree.

Afternoon News: Monday October 16, 2023 Oct 16, 2023

A 6-year old suburban Palestinian-American boy was laid to rest today two days after being stabbed to death. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson reversed course and will not visit the U.S.-Mexico border. Bears quarterback Justin Fields dislocated his thumb and may miss Sunday’s game.

This podcast is growing! Oct 16, 2023

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time listener, you’ll love the changes coming to The Rundown podcast. From now on, catch three episodes from The Rundown feed every weekday: morning news, a midday deep-dive conversation and afternoon news. We want to bring you all the Chicago news you need to get through your day. And with our midday episodes, we’ll help you discover new places, people and things to love about the city. In this episode, host Erin Allen checks in with morning news host Adora Namigadde and afternoon news host Lisa Labuz.

Morning News: Monday October 16, 2023 Oct 16, 2023

Prosecutors charged a southwest-suburban man with murder and hate crimes after the deadly stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy. Hearings kick off Monday as City Council members vet Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed spending plan for next year. Chicago’s homes impacted by flooding earlier this summer have more time to apply for federal relief.

Humans created the concept of race. A new exhibit explains how. Oct 13, 2023

The concept of a person’s “race” is relatively new in the scope of human history. A new exhibit at Chicago’s Newberry Library, “Seeing Race Before Race,” looks at the period before we started grouping ourselves in racial hierarchies.

“From a period of time from about 1100 to 1800, we’re arguing that race was made, through image and text,” said Lia Markey, one of the exhibit’s curators.

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks through the exhibit with Markey and Noémie Ndiaye, another exhibit curator, about its most striking components and the goals of their scholarly research.

“I think it's much more useful to think of what race does than to think of what race is,” Ndiaye said. “Who benefits from this? What is the power structure that is being upheld or made?”

“Seeing Race Before Race” is open until late December.

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Alderpersons discuss Gaza conflict, migrant state money unlikely, Karina’s Bill Oct 13, 2023

The Chicago City Council is meeting Friday to debate a resolution “condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel.” Emanuel “Chris” Welch says it’s unlikely Illinois lawmakers will consider additional funding for migrants in Chicago during their upcoming legislative session. There’s a new push for a law, known as “Karina’s Bill” that would require police to remove guns from the homes of accused domestic abusers.

Johnson delivers budget plan, Uber and Lyft driver deactivations, flood recovery Oct 12, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s first budget lays the groundwork for his campaign promises while not raising property taxes. A new report says Uber and Lyft deactivated thousands of Chicago drivers. Many are still struggling to recover three months after record setting storms flooded thousands of homes.

A photo exhibit on Navy Pier highlights the joy and pain of being a new mom Oct 11, 2023

The first 12 weeks postpartum are stressful for new parents, especially for new mothers.

“It’s not something that’s really talked about,” said WBEZ photojournalist Manuel Martinez. He took dozens of powerful photographs of new mothers for the WBEZ multimedia series The First 12 Weeks, which is now a free interactive photo exhibit on Navy Pier through Nov. 30.

In this episode, Martinez explains his process for taking photos during such an intimate time in a person’s life, as well as how he and his wife handled this totally unique part of human life.

“We went through the pregnancy feeling like there were a lot of hands involved in making sure that she was going to be safe and the pregnancy was going to be successful,” Martinez said, “and then you go through the birth and you bring this baby home and nobody’s there. Everybody’s gone.”

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Pritzker condemns Hamas, Johnson’s budget plan, school funding research Oct 11, 2023

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker added his voice to those condemning the actions of Hamas in Israel. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will lay out his proposal Wednesday to close a half-a-billion-dollar budget gap. New research shows that the way Chicago funds its public schools is helping its neediest students.

Calls for peace, Columbus statue debates continue, rebuilding transit staff Oct 10, 2023

Illinois lawmakers are calling for peace and de-escalation in wake of growing tensions between Israel and Palestine. Italian Americans in Chicago are continuing to call for statues of Christopher Columbus to be replaced in the city’s parks. Chicago transit officials claim significant progress in rebuilding its workforce.

Mary Mitchell wants you to ‘embrace aging’ Oct 09, 2023

For Mary Mitchell, retirement isn’t sticking. Lucky for us, she’s coming out of retirement to write a new column about aging called “Starting Over.” “I think we should embrace aging as opposed to making fun of it,” Mitchell said. She wants us to celebrate aging and use this opportunity to impart her wisdom to the next generation. In this episode, we talk to the Chicago Sun-Times columnist about what it means to reinvent ourselves later in life.

Attacks in Gaza reaction, Indigenous Peoples Day, marathon world records Oct 09, 2023

Israelis and Palestinians in Chicago are watching as casualties mount on both sides in Israel, following a declaration of war over the weekend. Native American people are celebrating their centuries-long history of resilience on Indigenous Peoples Day. Chicago Marathon fans were out in earnest cheering on runners during Sunday’s race where two world records were set.

Black drivers are involved in Illinois traffic stops at record rates. Why? Oct 06, 2023

Black drivers accounted for over 30% of all traffic stops in Illinois last year, even though the state’s adult population is only 13.6% Black. There’s also been a fivefold increase in the number of Black drivers stopped for non-moving violations and then let go with a warning.

That’s all according to a recent data analysis by WBEZ and the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, which found that Black driver involvement in Illinois traffic stops has reached its highest level on record.

In this episode, Erin Allen speaks with Angela Caputo and Michael Liptrot, two of the many journalists behind the report, about the increase in so-called “pretextual stops,” how public officials responded to questions about the data, and the effect these traffic stops have on Black drivers.

“If you come to work and you're doing everything you're supposed to do and then every so often you just get pulled into HR for nothing and questioned about what you're doing, it will lead you to have a level of angst and anxiety about just going about your day,” Liptrot said.

We want to hear about your traffic stop experience in Illinois. It will inform WBEZ's coverage going forward. Visit wbez.org/trafficsurvey.

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Sub-minimum wage vote, remembering Dick Butkus, wrongful termination lawsuit Oct 06, 2023

Chicago City Council members will vote on a proposal to eliminate the commonly known “sub-minimum wage.” Chicago Bears legend Dick Butkus, considered the gold standard for middle linebackers, has died at the age of 80. Northwestern University’s former head football coach Pat Fitzgerald is suing the university for more than $130 million in damages for “wrongful termination.”

Head of state child & family services resigns, mayor says he’ll visit southern border, Cook County budget proposal Oct 05, 2023

The head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services resigns. Mayor Brandon Johnson says he will soon visit the southern border to assess the migrant situation himself as the number being brought to Chicago continues to grow. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle proposes a budget with no new taxes for next year.

Chappell Roan is creating the queer spaces she wants to see Oct 04, 2023

Growing up in Missouri, singer Chappell Roan didn’t think of queerness as an option. Now that she’s an openly queer pop star, she wants to use her platform to empower LGBTQ+ communities. So she’s booking local drag queens to open for her in every city on tour. “Drag is just inspirational throughout my whole project,” Roan said. “It would be only right to have drag open for me.” Enter Boyj, a Chicago-based drag artist. He also didn’t see himself reflected in the mainstream growing up. He said queer communities in Northalsted—formerly Boystown—helped him find himself. “I like to think of Chicago as the headquarters of drag,” Boyj said. You can see where this is going: Boyj is one of Chappell Roan’s openers for her Chicago shows at the House of Blues. In this episode, we talk to them both about drag, queer origin stories and Roan’s debut album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.”

Spike in hate crimes, funding homeless prevention, nurses seek patient limits Oct 04, 2023

Illinois saw a spike in hate crimes and speech over the last three years. Chicagoans can weigh in on a proposal to increase a tax on high-end property sales to fund homelessness prevention. Nurses want Illinois state lawmakers to regulate how many patients they treat at a time.

Murders decline in Chicago, expanding internet access, migrant crisis update Oct 03, 2023

This past month, Chicago had fewer murders than any September since 2014. Cook County announces a Digital Equity Action Plan to expand internet access. Groups demand work permits for all undocumented immigrants – not just Venezuelans

‘Everyone has a story’: Nestor Gomez explains why you should get on stage Oct 02, 2023

The Guatemalan civil war brought Nestor Gomez and his family to the United States when he was a teenager in the 1980s.

“In many ways I didn’t have a voice at all,” he told Erin Allen. “I didn’t have a voice because I couldn’t vote as an undocumented person, I didn’t have a voice because I stuttered and I didn’t have a voice because I didn’t know the language.”

Decades later and Nestor is somewhat of a legend in Chicago’s storytelling scene. He’s won The Moth's Story SLAM over 70 times and the Chicago Grand SLAM three times (and he’s competing for a fourth win on Saturday, Oct. 7). In this episode, he explains how he found his voice, how he stays conversational on stage and why everyone has a story worth telling.

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Mexican consulate opens legal clinic, UAW strike update, Chi baseball is over Oct 02, 2023

Mexicans in Chicago who face wrongful convictions may now seek free legal aid from their local consulate. More than 5,000 employees at the Chicago Ford plant joined the auto workers strike on Friday. Chicago may have two baseball teams – but neither made it to the postseason.

You know LaRoyce Hawkins from ‘Chicago P.D.’ Now, meet LaRoyce the poet. Sep 29, 2023

If you watch any shows set in Chicago, you’ve probably seen LaRoyce Hawkins. He plays Kevin Atwater in “Chicago P.D.” and its many crossover shows and is in “South Side” as Michael “Shaw” Owens. Even if Hawkins hasn’t appeared on your TV, you might’ve seen him around town. He’s the tall guy with the toothpick, coordinating fundraisers for community organizations in and around Chicago. But he’s also a lifelong poet and comedian, and currently touring his show “Poetry OVER Prose.” In this episode, we talk to Hawkins about poetry, improv and unicycles.

Pritzker on migrant housing, CPS infrastructure, celebrating right to vote Sep 29, 2023

Gov. J.B. Pritzker expresses concerns about a controversial security firm tapped to build tent shelters for migrants in Chicago. Chicago Public Schools lays out just how much it would cost to modernize its aging buildings. South Side artist Dorian Sylvain’s to unveil a new mural in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment is unveiled downtown.

Chicago’s new police chief, colleges aid transparency, long COVID impact Sep 28, 2023

Larry Snelling is now Chicago’s police superintendent after a unanimous vote by the city council Wednesday. A new study from North Shore University Health System is searching for treatment options for long COVID. A handful of Illinois colleges have committed to making their financial aid offers more transparent.

Chicago arts organizations committed to racial equity in 2020. What’s changed? Sep 27, 2023

In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, many arts institutions promised to take steps toward racial equity. Enrich Chicago partners with organizations to upend racist systems in the arts, and they wanted to find out whether those promises actually brought about meaningful change. They surveyed employees of their member institutions and confirmed what many already knew: Not much has changed since 2020. In this episode, we talk to Enrich Chicago director Nina Sánchez about the survey and how to chart the path toward anti-racism in the arts.

Chicago's new top cop, 911 response without police, lifeguard abuse settlements Sep 27, 2023

The Chicago City Council could confirm Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick for top cop as soon as this morning. The council is also working on expanding a 911 response program that does not include police. More fallout from a lifeguard-abuse scandal at the Chicago Park District. WBEZ has the story of three legal settlements with young women.

CPS literacy scores, Durbin joins UAW picket, refugee puppet comes to Chicago Sep 26, 2023

Chicago Public School officials say a literacy test shows its youngest students are improving in reading and vocabulary. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin stood with members of the United Auto Workers at the picket line in Bolingbrook. What to expect when a 12-foot puppet doll named Little Amal comes to Chicago.

What happens when Chicago ends the tipped minimum wage? Sep 25, 2023

Tipped minimum wage is a policy that allows restaurants to pay servers 60% of the set minimum wage, assuming that tips cover the rest. Chicago’s City Council has the votes to end tipped minimum wage when it votes on a new measure next month. So what will that mean for servers, owners, and restaurant goers? Ashok Selvam, the editor of Eater Chicago, explains what we can expect next for the restaurant industry.

When leaves will change colors, Dia de Los Muertos exhibit, COVID vaccine supply Sep 25, 2023

The National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen opened its Dia de Los Muertos Exhibit this weekend and runs through December 10th. Chicagoans can expect to see fall colors peak by mid-October. Chicago’s Department of Public Health will begin hosting COVID and Flu vaccine clinics as early as next week.

It’s Chicagohenge time. Don’t forget to look up. Sep 22, 2023

Chicagohenge comes around twice a year: just after the spring equinox and right before the fall equinox. That means this weekend is our last opportunity of 2023 to catch the phenomenon. When the sun rises directly in the east and sets directly in the west on the equinoxes, it creates a dazzling effect in some Chicago streets. The name “Chicagohenge” is a play on Stonehenge, the ancient stone monument in England that also interacts with the sun in some amazing ways. It’s the kind of interplay between nature and infrastructure we love to geek out about on The Rundown. In this episode, we space out with Michelle Nichols, the Director of Public Observing at the Adler Planetarium. Michelle explains Chicagohenge and makes the case that we should all look up as often as we can.

Rules on isolating students, “base camps” for migrants, potential government shutdown Sep 22, 2023

Illinois is considering further tightening rules for restraining and isolating students in schools. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is defending its deal with a controversial security firm to prop up so-called “base camps” for migrants. Local advocates praise the Biden administration for fast-tracking work permits for migrants, but say the same should apply to other undocumented immigrants

County hotel for unhoused people, subminimum wage, chemical contamination lawsuit Sep 21, 2023

Cook County commissioners want to spend nearly $14 million dollars to buy two hotels for the unhoused population. A proposal to pay tipped workers Chicago’s minimum wage is one step closer to passing. The City of Chicago is filing a lawsuit against the company Monsanto and several co-defendants related to chemical contamination.

‘Chicago is everything’: Matthew A. Cherry shows the city love in his new show Sep 20, 2023

Matthew A. Cherry wasn’t an artsy kid. Growing up on Chicago’s Northwest Side, he played four sports in high school, football in college, and then bounced around the National Football League for a few years.

His Plan B was a pivot to TV and film production and eventually an Academy Award, for his 2020 animated short film “Hair Love,” about a young Black father struggling to style his daughter’s hair on a special day.

On this episode of The Rundown, Cherry talks about his circuitous career journey, how he hopes he can inspire a new generation of young Black animators, and why he set his new animated TV series – “Young Love,” an expansion of “Hair Love” that premieres Thursday on Max – in Chicago.

“Chicago is everything. Chicago is hard-working. People that work nine-to-fives, they’re trying to survive, they’re trying to live, but they’re also present for their family,” Cherry said. “That’s what we’re representing.”

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Flood relief, cash bail confusion, Illinois clean jobs status Sep 20, 2023

Cook County is offering some property tax relief for residents and businesses whose properties suffered severe flood damage this summer. Sangamon County court officials continue to process prior cases under the new no cash bail system. And a new report says Illinois added thousands of clean energy jobs last year.

Cash bail confusion, call for reforms at NAR, new Chicago environmental study Sep 19, 2023

Judges in some Illinois counties were still setting money bonds, despite a new law eliminating cash bail. In the wake of disturbing allegations of sexual harassment by leaders at the National Association of Realtors, advocates are demanding sweeping reforms. A new environmental assessment published by the city of Chicago addresses the uneven effects of climate change and pollution across the city.

Producing community-based festivals in Chicago can be hard. But why? Sep 18, 2023

In Chicago, autumn rings in the end of summer festival season. The city plays host to countless music, food and cultural festivals each year. For some of us, that’s part of the magic of summertime Chi. But others argue that events like Lollapalooza, Riot Fest and the Taste of Chicago can do more harm than good. Tickets can be costly, and events render public spaces inaccessible for a few days and can cause lasting damage to parks, plus residents can feel a lack of engagement with planners. This has us wondering: Is it possible to organize a large-scale event in Chicago that also engages the community? In this episode, we pose that question to activist and artist Ricardo Gamboa and Silver Room Block Party founder Eric Williams.

Cash bail ends, Riot Fest grumbles, preschool openings Sep 18, 2023

Today is the official end of cash bail in the state of Illinois. Riot Fest attracted thousands, but some long-time residents and business owners feel frustrated that they aren’t more involved with planning the event. Thousands of preschool seats for Chicago Public Schools remain unfilled.

WBEZ’s Prisoncast: Understanding incarceration from those experiencing it Sep 15, 2023

How do you parent someone who is incarcerated? How do you let yourself be parented while locked up? WBEZ and our sister station Vocalo are producing a project called Prisoncast! for the second year in a row in partnership with Illinois Public Radio stations across the state. In this episode, we preview two of the pieces from the program. Lauren Frost produced both pieces in this episode and is the executive producer of Prisoncast!. Alex Keefe is the lead editor, and Ayana Contreras is the show’s host.

COVID shots in Chicago, preventing gentrification, bilingual poll workers needed Sep 15, 2023

Chicago residents will have access to the latest COVID-19 vaccine as early as today. Legislation in Chicago’s City Council aims to prevent South Shore residents from being displaced. Chicago is looking for bilingual poll workers for next year’s election season.

Chicago’s budget shortfall, bomb threats at libraries, public transit updates Sep 14, 2023

Financial experts say Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will need to find revenue sources to close an anticipated $538 million budget deficit. Patrons react to several libraries in Chicago and the suburbs receiving bomb threats earlier this week. A bold plan to redesign public transit in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs faced its first public hearing yesterday.

Turning the place you stay into your ‘home’ Sep 13, 2023

Sometimes a home isn’t a home until you’ve put your stamp on it – or embedded yourself in your community in a certain way. Austin Cantú has called Waukegan home for a long time, but it wasn’t until he started revitalizing an abandoned arts park that he finally connected with his father and his roots. As for Marco Lopez, home always meant being on the move. But now that he has a partner and a daughter, he’s ready to create something permanent in Chicago. These stories were produced by Andrea Flores and Cynthia Salgado as part of the NextGen Radio Project from WBEZ and NPR.

Trans athletes in Illinois, Chicago’s budget outlook, helping Morocco Sep 13, 2023

Illinois is updating its policy for transgender athletes who want to play in post-season athletic tournaments. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to release his budget forecast today, which will give the public a first look at how big of a budget gap the city is facing for the year ahead. Chicagoans with ties to Morocco are leading efforts to assist those devastated by an earthquake there last week.

COVID booster shots, restorative practices in schools, remembering Sept. 11 Sep 12, 2023

Lawmakers put politics aside to mourn the thousands lost during the 9/11 terror attacks 22 years ago. The Food and Drug Administration has approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine. A new study finds that the use of restorative practices in Chicago Public Schools have led to a significant decrease in suspensions and arrests.

What ‘home’ means for two Chicago immigrants Sep 11, 2023

The concept of “home” means different things to different people, including those in Chicago’s vibrant immigrant community. We hear from Erwin Lopez Rada, a Venezuelan immigrant now living in Chicago who was forced out of his country by political persecution. “It’s terrible to feel like you don’t belong in your own country,” he said.

For Lola Wang, a queer therapist who immigrated to the U.S. from China in 2014, creating a sense of home for other queer immigrants is her priority. “I kinda wish there was a space I can be both Asian and queer,” she said, “and that’s something I’m trying to build up for myself and for the people around me.”

These stories were produced by Nidhi Shastri and Ryland Pietras as part of the NextGen Radio Project from WBEZ and NPR.

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Bally’s opens, funding for Red Line extension, Bears lose season opener Sep 11, 2023

A fight over school choice is brewing amid news that the Chicago Teachers Union president is sending her son to a private school. The federal government will provide a little over half the money needed to extend the Red Line. The city’s first-ever legal casino opens its doors for gamblers and employees searching for new job prospects.

‘I feel like I belong here now’: Jitesh Jaggi on calling Chicago home Sep 08, 2023

What does it mean to be an American? A Chicagoan?

Jitesh Jaggi is a storyteller and writer who moved from India to Chicago a few years ago.

“I’m in my 30s,” he said, “but in American years I’m like five.”

His one-man-show at Steppenwolf – titled Suitcase Stories, which runs Sept. 14 and 16 – explores what it means to leave one home and find another. Rundown host Erin Allen talks with Jaggi about teaching kids how to breakdance on the streets of Mumbai, his move to America and the moment he fell in love with Chicago, and why learning about a person’s immigration experience is time well spent.

“I want people to hear my stories, my show, Suitcase Stories, and take it as a first hand account of an immigrant and kind of a sneak peek into the life of an immigrant, going from nothing, starting from scratch, to five years later feeling very confidently that this is his home and nobody can say otherwise,” Jaggi said. “I feel like I belong here now.”

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Food for migrants, Johnson’s first budget, ending cash bail plan Sep 08, 2023

Medical volunteers working with migrants say a lack of nutritious food at police stations and other shelters is causing an increased risk for malnutrition. Mayor Brandon Johnson hinted his first city budget will likely take incremental steps to his goals. Judges across Illinois are preparing for an end to cash bail.

Illinois union growth, U.S. Education Secretary visit, EV conversion study Sep 07, 2023

A new report looks at union growth in Illinois, while other states see shrinking numbers. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was in Illinois to kick off the new school year. A study out of Northwestern University makes the case for converting trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles to electric.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting impact on mental health Sep 06, 2023

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our collective mental wellbeing. From the isolation of early-pandemic lockdowns to the hardship of a COVID infection, our brains and minds are under a whole new kind of stress these days. But we’ve also changed the way we take care of ourselves. For example, telehealth has made therapy more accessible and easier to schedule. “Online mental health services can be as effective as in-person mental health services,” says Jonathan Singer, a social work professor at Loyola University and the host of the Social Work Podcast. In this episode, we talk about the big picture of mental health in the pandemic with Singer and University of Chicago psychiatry professor Royce Lee.

Campaigns officially start, immigrant health care updates, PPP fraud at CPS Sep 06, 2023

Illinois politicians hit the pavement on Tuesday as nominating petitions began circulating to appear on next March’s primary ballot for U.S. president and other offices. The Pritzker administration is rolling back some changes the state made earlier this summer to curb costs for immigrant health insurance. New Chicago Public School inspector general report shows some high level staff wrongly got federal pandemic loans.

O’Hare temporary migrant shelter, professor Lightfoot, free books for kids Sep 05, 2023

A Chicago Sun-Times report finds overcrowding and unsanitary conditions for migrants sheltered at O’Hare. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a new title: Harvard professor. Chicago kids living in public housing can now pick up free books from any Chicago Housing Authority office across the city.

Mayadet Patitucci Cruz says healing is part of organizing Sep 01, 2023

Mayadet Patitucci Cruz grew up in Gage Park and didn’t leave their neighborhood very often until high school. Now, they work to bring resources to LGBTQ youth around the city. “What led me to it was wanting to work more with queer and trans young people,” Cruz explained. “But also doing some other healing work at the same time, which is what happens when you’re doing organizing.” This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

Police misconduct transparency, Skip the Line, migrant plan frustrations Sep 01, 2023

Some Chicagoans speak out against allowing secret hearings on police misconduct. The Illinois Secretary of State’s plan to reduce wait times at driver’s services facilities is officially underway. A plan to move migrants into a hotel in the Kenwood neighborhood is drawing the ire of residents nearby.

Bus service lacking, electronic monitoring changes, big bonus for CSU president Aug 31, 2023

Hundreds of Chicago students with disabilities are still waiting on bus service to school. Bail reform advocates are slamming a new electronic monitoring program from the Illinois Supreme Court. Chicago State University’s president was given a hefty bonus despite the university’s claims of financial strain during this year’s faculty strike.

It’s likely you know someone dealing with long COVID Aug 30, 2023

Severe fatigue, cognitive impairment and post-exertional malaise are just a few of the many symptoms associated with long COVID. It can last weeks, months and even years. Having this condition is also somewhat common. “It’s generally a minimum of 10% of COVID infections lead to long COVID,” said Hannah Davis, the co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative. With COVID hospitalizations on the rise for the first time this year, we speak with Davis and Pulitzer-winning science journalist Ed Yong. They both say that what frustrates a lot of COVID long-haulers is the lack of public knowledge about the condition… and the misconceptions surrounding it. “If you are listening to this and you find yourself thinking, ‘I don’t know anyone with long COVID,’ I guarantee that you do,” Yong said.

Water debt woes, campaign cash limitations, inmate gender-affirming care Aug 30, 2023

Chicago residents are airing frustrations about ballooning water debt with no paths to dispute charges. Republicans in the Illinois legislature want to bar the use of campaign cash for a legal defense. The ACLU of Indiana is challenging a state law preventing inmates from receiving gender-affirming care.

Shooting investigation, migrant shelter plan, Covid-19 present in wastewater Aug 29, 2023

Chicago police are still investigating how two women were shot during a White Sox game last Friday. City leaders are moving forward with a plan to purchase property meant to house newly-arriving migrants. The state health department is seeing evidence of Covid-19 in wastewater samples, but transmission rates are still low.

Chicago has millions for homelessness programs, but it’s only spent 15% Aug 28, 2023

The city of Chicago has millions of federal dollars to use to help people experiencing homelessness, but it’s not spending it, according to reporting in the Illinois Answers Project. Investigative reporters Rachel Hinton and Manny Ramos say that of the $52 million budgeted from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, Chicago has only spent 15%.

Why? Why so slow? And what impact does this delay have on the thousands of unhoused people in Chicago? We talk with Hinton and Ramos, now reporters at Block Club Chicago, about their investigation.

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Overdose awareness rally, grants for literacy, new law requires pay transparency Aug 28, 2023

Later today, there’s gonna be a rally downtown to raise awareness about the overdose crisis. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announces 146 grants for libraries and other organizations that support literacy. Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently signed a law that will require pay transparency in job listings.

The hip-hop chef: Chicago’s own SoloSam Aug 25, 2023

SoloSam is a Chicago rapper and producer born and raised on the South Side – “79th and Ada,” he points out – but he’s also a chef with a cooking show series, a cookbook and also B-EATS, a bi-monthly party series that combines good food, good music and community.

“If it wasn’t for food I wouldn’t have grown as a music artist, for sure,” he told Erin Allen.

In this episode, we play some of his songs, learn about his Ghanaian-Korean heritage and talk about the connection he finds between food and music.

“At the end of the day, it’s just art.”

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CPS busing woes, Mapes found guilty, cooler temps arrive in Chicago Aug 25, 2023

Chicago Public Schools says it's prioritizing bus service for students in special education, but some parents are frustrated by shortages. One of Springfield's most powerful men was humbled by a federal jury. This week's heat could have affected your mental health too.

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Chicagoans face historic heat, new laws regulate for-profit colleges Aug 24, 2023

Chicago Public School leaders say they were ready for this week’s heat wave, but temperatures inside some buildings are uneven. Chicago city officials are keeping tabs on seniors, people in prison, and unhoused people as the heat wave continues. In Illinois, for-profit colleges will now have to pay back state aid if they deceive students.

‘A penny for a deal’: How the Hollywood strikes affect Chicago’s artists Aug 23, 2023

The strikes among actors and writers aren’t just taking place in Hollywood. Hundreds of Chicagoans are also on the picket lines. We wanted to know what Chicago artists are fighting for and how they’re coping with being out of work for months. To find out, we talked to WBEZ reporter Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, who shares two stories from local artists.

A tax plan to help the homeless, crisis pregnancy centers, changes to the Sox Aug 23, 2023

Mayor Johnson throws his weight behind a tiered tax plan that could help the homeless. A WBEZ analysis found crisis pregnancy centers outnumber abortion providers in Illinois by a nearly three-to-one ratio. The White Sox shake up their staff as their season slump continues.

Johnson’s 100th day in office, staying healthy in heat, school starts Aug 22, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defends his governing style as he marks 100 days in office. A medical expert says get to know the warning signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion in order to prevent serious health damage to your body. On the first day of school, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union questioned whether the August start date was too early, given the uneven air conditioning and heat wave coming later this week.

Talking civic love and public housing with DJ Spinderella and Isaiah Sharkey Aug 21, 2023

In 2024, the National Public Housing Museum will open in Chicago. Even in advance of their grand opening, the museum is working with community members to change the way we talk about public housing. That includes an art installation based on their project “36 Questions for Civic Love.” This Friday, WBEZ is co-hosting a concert with the museum. So we wanted to take the opportunity to sit down with two of the headlining artists: DJ Spinderella (yes, that DJ Spinderella) and Isaiah Sharkey. In this episode, we talk to them about music, civic love, and how growing up in public housing has informed their artistic practice.

CPS school year starts, funding to fight food deserts, Illinois job numbers Aug 21, 2023

The first day of school for CPS is today, with more and more migrants enrolling in the district. There’s a renewed effort to help solve the issue of “food deserts” in Illinois. Illinois says jobs are up and the unemployment rate is steady, but the labor pool is shrinking.

Pandemic-era SNAP benefits are long gone. Here’s how food pantries are coping. Aug 18, 2023

Food pantries are the first line of defense for people facing food insecurity. With the help of pandemic-era SNAP benefits, some Chicagoans stopped relying on them. Then earlier this year, the Biden administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency—and pandemic SNAP benefits along with it. So organizations like the Irving Park Community Food Pantry have seen an uptick in traffic, including many who hadn’t needed to supplement their groceries since before the pandemic. In this episode, we get insight from Irving Park Community Food Pantry executive director John Psiharis and client services coordinator Elvia Esparza.

Child social media influencers, GOP prep for 2024, migrant safety Aug 18, 2023

Illinois recently became the first state to ensure legal protections for child social media influencers. Illinois Republicans are embracing voting by mail as they prepare for the 2024 election cycle. Local volunteers aim to protect migrants arriving in Chicago from exploitation.

Federal disaster declaration, rent’s rising, migrant pop-up barbershop Aug 17, 2023

The Biden administration declared Cook County a disaster area following major flooding before July 4. The cost of rent is becoming a burden for many Illinoians and local organizers say they want to lift the state’s Rent Control Preemption Act. A group of asylum seekers set up a pop-up barbershop near downtown Chicago.

Meet Major Taylor, then ride the Chicago trail that bears his name Aug 16, 2023

Major Taylor is an American cyclist that once held seven world sprint records. He demanded justice during his competing days around the turn of the 20th century in the face of racist competitors and race organizers. A cycling and walking trail through Chicago’s South Side bears Major Taylor’s name, and a celebration ride in his honor is scheduled for August 26. Two local experts on Major Taylor and the Major Taylor Trail tell us his story and the story of the community through which his trail passes.

Keith Holt is a founding member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago and a pivotal part of the establishment of the Major Taylor Trail. Brenda Dixon is the secretary of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, vice president of the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and president of the board for the Major Taylor Trail Keepers.

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Local indictment impact, soaring housing costs, Amazon zoning accusations Aug 16, 2023

Two Trump allies based in Chicago are included in the latest indictment out of Georgia related to charges of election interference. The median sold price for homes in the Chicago area is up by nearly 9% from about this time last year. Some residents said Amazon violated zoning code at a West Side facility.

Prison healthcare contract, migrant housing uncertainty, religions conference Aug 15, 2023

Illinois lawmakers are considering whether to renew a contract with a private prison health care company after hearing concerns over quality. Two migrant families who were kicked out of hotels after missing curfew by minutes say they haven’t heard from city leaders about other options. The Parliament of World’s Religions is meeting in Chicago this week.

The many scenes and faces of the Argyle Night Market Aug 14, 2023

The Argyle Night Market is a weekly street festival held on summer Thursdays in Uptown’s Argyle Street, and it’s a vibe. It attracts people of all stripes, incomes, and ages, and it’s the subject of a new installation of photos, called “Faces of Argyle.” “The market is like no other market I’ve experienced in Chicago,” said Ronit Bezalel, the photographer behind the exhibit. Bezalel’s photos were curated by visual artist and writer Riva Lehrer and are on display at Everybody’s Coffee on Wilson Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood. They include posed portraits of joy and lives well-lived as well as candid shots of the spectrum of people enjoying the festival. In this episode Bezalel and Lehrer tell Erin Allen about the Night Market, their Uptown community, and the stunning photographs that came out of both.

Johnson picks CPD leader; Arwady fired; updates coming around 'The Bean' Aug 14, 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson goes with an insider in his pick for the next police superintendent. Illinois democratic state officials are applauding the state supreme court’s ruling in a case over a controversial gun control law. Dr. Allison Arwady announced that she’s leaving her post as the Chicago public health commissioner.

Field Museum’s Death exhibit asks life’s biggest questions Aug 11, 2023

“There’s not such a finite line between life and death,” says Gary Feinman, an anthropology curator and content expert at the Field Museum. Feinman and his colleagues, including exhibition developer Ben Miller, spent several years working on the museum’s exhibit “Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery.” In this episode, we talk with Feinman and Miller about the exhibit and confronting our own mortality. And yeah, it gets pretty deep. “Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery” closes at the Field Museum on August 27.

State education funding, Loretto tentative agreement, looming court opinion Aug 11, 2023

Chicago Public Schools is getting a slightly smaller increase in state funding than it was expecting. Loretto Hospital workers reached a tentative contract agreement with hospital leaders. The Illinois Supreme Court plans to issue an opinion today on the state’s ban on assault weapons.

Unknown flood risk, EV infrastructure, butter cow revealed Aug 10, 2023

Cook County faces the second-highest unknown flood risk in the country. ComEd is spending hundreds of millions to upgrade EV infrastructure in northern Illinois. State fair officials unveiled the 102nd butter cow sculpture.

Dont Fret: Where art meets social commentary meets community engagement Aug 09, 2023

Anonymous, in part because he spent his childhood tagging walls across Chicago, Dont Fret is a Chicago-born cartoonist, muralist and self-published author. And you can tell he wholeheartedly loves this city: “You’re a Chicagoan,” he writes in his new book, “This Is No Quiet City,” “your eyes and heart are wide open, and that is pure, raw, messy, true, and terrifying.”

In this episode, Dont Fret explains how he got into graffiti growing up in Wicker Park, why he self-published his book, and why Chicago is a city that punches back.

“We are a tough, tough people,” he said to host Erin Allen, “and I think that comes from the stockyards. It comes from inclusion and immigration, diversity and eclect-icity.”

You can find Dont Fret’s work on his Instagram, and his book here.

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First-degree murder charge, Cook County Health vacancies, public transit help Aug 09, 2023

A judge ordered a man accused of murdering 9-year-old Serabi Medina, while she was playing outside, to stay in jail while he awaits trial. Struggling with vacancies, Cook County Health has a new plan to hire people faster. Two bills signed by Gov. JB Pritzker will help support public transit in Chicago and the surrounding region.

Medicaid re-enrollment, indoor vaping banned, housing relief Aug 08, 2023

Health experts around Illinois are urging people to re-enroll in Medicaid if they’ve been dropped from the program. Vaping is no longer allowed in Illinois’ public spaces. The Chicago Housing Authority is offering financial relief to some families living in subpar housing through a pilot program.

Is harm reduction the answer to Cook County’s opioid crisis? Aug 07, 2023

The opioid crisis isn’t slowing down in Cook County. In fact, according to the county medical examiner’s office, a record number of people died from opioid overdoses in 2022. Addiction treatment workers say they aren’t surprised. “All of these statistics would be mitigated in some fashion by better investment in social services, housing, harm reduction programming,” said John Werning, the executive director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance. Werning said using the phrase “opioid crisis” is a misnomer. He sees it as a crisis of opioid overdoses. In this episode, we talked to Werning about harm reduction, stigma, and why he thinks policy—rather than drugs themselves—fuels the crisis.

Crowds at Lolla, new Illinois laws, credit score impacts Aug 07, 2023

The crowds packed downtown for Lollapalooza. Gov. JB Pritzker signed a batch of bills late last week, including a number of new laws that will help support the state’s Native American residents. A new report shows how your credit score might be affecting your car insurance rates in Illinois.

The story of the Chicago Public Library is the story of Chicago Aug 04, 2023

The Chicago Public Library turns 150 this year. And it’s no coincidence that just a couple years ago, the city celebrated the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. “The period after the Great Fire in Chicago was a period of enormous development and innovation, and the library was definitely part of that story,” said Alison Cuddy, host of the podcast Library for the People: 150 years of Chicago Stories. The fire burned countless books in the city of Chicago, which did not have a public library at the time, but the system developed soon after. In this episode, we talk to Alison and CPL Commissioner Chris Brown about how the windy city got its public library system and its century-and-a-half of history since.

‘Whole Child’ bill, Union Station proposed upgrades, Lolla continues Aug 04, 2023

Governor Pritzker signed a measure into law aimed at helping school-aged children cope with trauma. Local, state and federal leaders are looking to upgrade Union Station. Lollapalooza continues today by adding in a celebration of local food.

Dangerous conditions at Loretto Hospital, full-day kindergarten, Lolla begins Aug 03, 2023

About 200 unionized staff at a hospital on the West Side have gone on strike over working conditions, primarily: their own safety. Every school district in Illinois will now be required to offer a full-day kindergarten program by fall 2027. Lollapalooza begins today, and if you’re venturing out, stay hydrated.

Barbie meets queer Chicago in new Gerber/Hart exhibit Aug 02, 2023

The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives have been cataloging LGBTQ history in Chicago and the Midwest for more than 40 years. Now, the library’s newest display explores the intersection of play and queer identity. The exhibit, “A Dreamhouse of Our Own,” is not a Barbie-only affair, although it draws inspiration from Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.”

In this episode, we talk about play, queer childhood and healing your inner child with Olivia De Keyser, the curator of “A Dreamhouse of Our Own,” and the exhibit photographer and supporting artist Wren Lively.

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Indiana’s abortion law, Northwestern investigation, CTA Green Line money Aug 02, 2023

Clinics in Indiana stopped performing abortions ahead of the state’s near-total abortion ban officially taking effect. Northwestern officials said they hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review its athletic department. Federal lawmakers announced $780,000 in funding for the CTA to explore reopening an Englewood Green Line station with modernized accessibility standards.

Abortion care coordination, COVID cases uptick, back-to-school bash Aug 01, 2023

The state is launching a program to better coordinate abortions at hospitals for high-risk patients. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in certain areas of the country. Chicago Public Schools is hosting a series of back-to-school bashes before students return to class later this month.

Chicago’s 311 shelter request system is bursting at the seams Jul 31, 2023

People in Chicago call 311 for lots of reasons, including when they need temporary housing, whether due to homelessness, a domestic violence situation or any number of other reasons. But today, the number of shelter request calls coming through Chicago’s 311 phone line is way, way up, and that’s resulted in more and more people falling through the cracks. “This year an average of one in seven calls resulted in a successful placement,” said WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin, who investigated the overburdened 311 call system with WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko. “As for the six other folks? It’s actually really unclear what happens to them because of issues with their records and data.” Today, Amy and Anna explain their reporting, looking at what’s wrong, what’s needed and what’s next.

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Reducing recidivism, unemployment benefits audit, Silver Room Block Party ends Jul 31, 2023

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing recidivism. A new state audit identified massive fraud and excessive overpayments of unemployment benefits totaling $5.2 billion during the pandemic. As the Silver Room Block Party tradition comes to an end, we hear how the first party started some 20 years ago.

Chicago’s Black theaters are thriving Jul 28, 2023

Across the country—and here in Chicago—the theater industry is floundering. Ticket sales haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms, the traditional funding model is cracking and major theaters nationwide are downsizing or closing altogether. As predominantly white institutions scramble to stay afloat, Chicago’s Black theaters are building solidarity rather than falling into competition with one another.

In this episode, we check in with the leaders of two such organizations, Congo Square Theatre and Black Ensemble Theater.

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Crisis pregnancy centers crackdown, post-pandemic rebound, new migrant shelter Jul 28, 2023

Illinois elected officials applaud a new law cracking down on crisis pregnancy centers. A new report suggests Chicago is slow to rebound from the pandemic in attracting new residents. The city of Chicago is moving forward with converting Broadway Armory Park into an emergency migrant shelter.

Migrant special session, new lifeguard accusation, FEMA damage survey Jul 27, 2023

Chicago’s city council is considering a special session focused on the ongoing migrant crisis. There’s been another accusation of misconduct by a Chicago lifeguard. FEMA officials toured areas that dealt with major flooding earlier this month to determine if they are eligible for assistance.

You can learn how to vogue in Chicago — if you’re ready to ‘do the homework’ Jul 26, 2023

Voguing <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/brief-history-voguing" target="_blank">originated</a> in New York City’s Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Then, Madonna’s song “Vogue” brought the dance form into the mainstream. But it’s much more than a series of poses and a sick beat.“If you’re not feeling it, loving it, and appreciating yourself, you’re not voguing,” says Damon Green, the founder and owner of TEXTUREDance Studio.At studios like TEXTURED, anyone can learn to vogue — but that doesn’t mean automatic entry to the vibrant voguing community. Green asserts voguing is by and for Black and Brown queer people, so anyone who doesn’t share those identities should be ready to “do the homework” if they want to be invited in.“We do get to gatekeep this form, and we get to allow people into it,” Green says. “You want to maintain every aspect of its nature, its heritage, its culture.”In this episode, we follow host Erin Allen on her voguing journey. You can hear more about her experience on <a href="https://www.wbez.org/stories/voguing-classes-in-chicago/e35ec4b6-aa19-4eb4-b7b6-7fb34820dfc2" target="_blank">Reset</a> .]]>

Monument to Emmett Till, policing at universities, remembering Rocky Wirtz Jul 26, 2023

President Joe Biden designated a new national monument yesterday in honor of Emmett Till and his mother, including a church in Bronzeville. The police departments at two of Illinois’ public universities are working with mental health professionals to respond to some 911 calls. The owner of the Chicago Blackhawks died unexpectedly yesterday after a brief illness.

Mental health services, heat wave hits, remembering Renault Robinson Jul 25, 2023

Alderpersons took a first step toward one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promises on mental health services. A heat wave is expected to reach the Chicago area this week. A church service this morning will celebrate the life of a former Chicago cop who stood up to police racism and won reforms.

Daisy Zamora takes healing into her own hands Jul 24, 2023

Daisy Zamora is a proud Latinx Chicagoan out here bettering her community. She’s both a volunteer doula who supports new mothers during childbirth, and an activist who leads conversations to create healing between communities. Zamora facilitates “community solidarity circles,” and says that these kinds of discussions among young people can help create a radically inclusive Chicago.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Illinois prison conditions, school metal detectors, more Latino homeowners Jul 24, 2023

Illinois’ prisons need billions of dollars in repairs, according to a report, leaving officials wondering if it’s time to close some facilities. Newly seated Chicago Board of Education members are asking questions about whether metal detectors in schools make kids safer. A new initiative meant to produce 4 million Latino homeowners kicks off in Chicago.

Evictions in Cook County: Costly, traumatic and concentrated in one zip code Jul 21, 2023

Evictions in Cook County are back to pre-pandemic levels. More than 800 people were evicted from their homes in the month of May, the highest total in four years. Why? WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin explains her recent findings: that wages aren’t keeping up with rising rents, that eviction enforcement disproportionately affects Black residents in one South Side zip code and that Cook County’s eviction process can be particularly devastating. “It is a costly process. It is emotionally traumatic for people,” Qin said on The Rundown. “And I'm just kind of thinking, you know, is there a better way to resolve this?”

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Flooding outpaces previous years, artist protests, social equity cannabis Jul 21, 2023

A record number of basements were flooded this month in Chicago, according to a WBEZ analysis. SAG-AFTRA members rallied in Grant Park for a new contract. A new south suburban craft cannabis grow facility aims to help areas affected by the War on Drugs.

Citywide plowing, lawsuits against Northwestern, Loretto strike vote Jul 20, 2023

The Chicago City Council is considering a citywide snow plowing program, but not everyone is happy about it. Northwestern University is facing lawsuits based on accounts of widespread hazing and sexual abuse. Unionized workers at Loretto Hospital on the city’s West Side have authorized a strike. An earlier version of this episode said Waukegan is about 3 hours north of Chicago. That has been corrected to say "about one hour north of Chicago."

How Chicago’s migrant crisis is testing what ‘sanctuary city’ really means Jul 19, 2023

Thousands of migrants have made their way to Chicago over the last year. Today you’ll hear the stories of one migrant who’s seeking asylum in the city, an attorney who’s trying to help her, a woman who offers clothes and showers to people sleeping outside police stations, and more. WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Kristen Schorsch discuss what life is like for these migrants, the folks helping them, and what being a “sanctuary city” really means.

Reporting in this story was from Mariah Woelfel, Kristen Schorsch, Tessa Weinberg, Claudia Morell and Manuel Martinez. Araceli Gómez-Aldana also contributed. Read their full report here.

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Cash bail ends, misconduct allegations update, Rainbow PUSH in Chicago Jul 19, 2023

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a law eliminating cash bail throughout the state. The head of a Chicago agency investigating alleged sexual misconduct by police officers involving migrants said they haven’t identified any victims yet. The next leader for Rainbow PUSH said he plans to keep the organization in Chicago.

Bad for cyclists, new lawsuit settlement, football players lawyer up Jul 18, 2023

A new report ranks Chicago among the worst big cities for cyclists. Chicago aldermen agree to settle a 2018 federal lawsuit alleging the city’s police department had a policy of unconstitutional stops. Eight former Northwestern University football players have retained lawyers for an anticipated lawsuit.

World Emoji Day: Complex reactions to something that seems so simple Jul 17, 2023

It’s World Emoji Day! In honor of these handy companions that have helped us emote in an ever evolving digital world, we’re returning to an episode we did about them on The Rundown podcast last year: As helpful as emojis can be, there’s some tension and disagreement between age groups on what they mean and how they should be used – especially in the workplace. Erin talks with some WBEZ colleagues and a communications expert on the emojis that make Millennials smile and Gen Z cringe.

Jesse Jackson steps down from Rainbow PUSH, SAG strike, Great Lakes pollution Jul 17, 2023

Vice President Kamala Harris visits Chicago as civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson announces plans to step down from Rainbow PUSH. Chicago area actors joining the SAG-AFTRA strike say they’re in a fight for their livelihood and art. Workers at the Starbucks Chicago Roastery on Michigan Avenue announced they have filed for a union with the National Labor Relations Board.

The fallout from Northwestern’s football hazing scandal Jul 14, 2023

A months-long investigation found strong evidence of hazing on Northwestern University’s football team. The particulars of the investigation were enough for university president Michael Schill to place the team’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald on a two-week suspension. Then, student reporters got involved. The Daily Northwestern published detailed accounts of sexual abuse from an anonymous former player, and subsequent allegations of racism on the team dating back to the mid-2000s. Just two days later, Schill fired Coach Fitzgerald. In this episode, we unpack the fallout and look at the “intense culture” of college athletics with WBEZ’s higher education reporter Lisa Philip.

Top cop finalists, new long COVID study, storm cleanup continues Jul 14, 2023

A citizen panel sent Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson three finalists for police superintendent. Northwestern Medicine has new findings from a study looking at long COVID that show people are still suffering. Cleanup continues after severe weather blew through the region this week.

Tornado sightings, underground climate change, a historic appointment Jul 13, 2023

Severe weather made its way through the Chicago area Wednesday night, including confirmed tornadoes. A Northwestern researcher found evidence of underground climate change in Chicago’s Loop. Precious Brady-Davis is now the first Black transgender appointee to a public office in Cook County history.

‘Choices that we make’: SNAP and Medicaid return to pre-pandemic status quo Jul 12, 2023

People who used federal food assistance and healthcare programs received expanded benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. But now that the pandemic emergency declaration is over, people are starting to feel the effects of a return to the status quo. That means fewer people qualify for Medicaid – the federal healthcare program for low-income individuals. And families on SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – are getting fewer dollars for groceries. “These are choices that we make,” said Carrie Chapman, Senior Director of Litigation and Advocacy at the Legal Council for Health Justice. “We decide in this country that we think it is ok for people to be hungry.” Chapman joined The Rundown to explain options if your SNAP benefits have dwindled, how you can make sure you don’t lose access to Medicaid and why a return to the status quo might not be good enough.

Flooding relief, Northwestern fallout, downtown street closures Jul 12, 2023

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation related to the flooding over the July 4th weekend, and we have more rain expected this week. Northwestern University professors urge the school to pump the brakes on new football stadium plans. Street closures will continue to impact downtown.

Fitzgerald out, Chicago police union responds, affordable housing declines Jul 11, 2023

Northwestern University fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The head of the union for rank-and-file Chicago officers is urging an end to rumors about an investigation of alleged sexual misconduct involving West Side officers and at least one migrant. Chicago’s North and Northwest Sides are seeing the biggest decline in affordable rental housing.

Why good soul food can ‘catapult you to the past’ Jul 10, 2023

Cornbread dressing. Baked mac and cheese. Jamaican fried dumplings.

Soul food is absolutely delicious, and National Soul Food Month – the soul food celebration that takes place every June – was founded by Chicagoan Charla Draper, the former food editor at Ebony Magazine. WBEZ producer Cianna Greaves recently broke bread with Draper. So, we had to talk with Greaves about the importance of soul food, the history of National Soul Food Month, our favorite soul foods and recipes, and why it’s so important to preserve them.

“There’s something about a good plate of soul food that kind of takes you out of yourself,” Greaves said, “and if it’s made just right it does catapult you to the past.”

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Migrants moved from 10th District station, transportation projects, NU hazing Jul 10, 2023

Migrants have been moved from the 10th District police station following allegations of sexual misconduct against officers. The state of Illinois is using $40 billion to tackle improvements around many modes of transportation. Northwestern University is considering even more penalties after suspending its football coach due to evidence of hazing by players.

The ways immigrants participate in and enhance American democracy Jul 07, 2023

It’s a challenging moment to be an immigrant in the United States. Some elected officials run on anti-immigration platforms, and new policies are targeting undocumented workers. With their very existence up for debate, immigrants have a lot at stake. In this episode, we discuss how immigrants participate in democracy. Naturalized citizens are able to take part in formal ways, like voting. But permanent residents and the undocumented population have many informal pathways open to them. Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez breaks it all down.

Johnson transition report, Illinois prison healthcare, CPD investigation Jul 07, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a 223-page report filled with policy proposals to wade through after his transition committee released it Thursday. Illinois has a chance to improve its troubled prison healthcare. Chicago police are investigating allegations that multiple officers had sexual relations with migrants sleeping at police stations - including a claim an officer impregnated a teen girl.

School board picks, NASCAR mixed reaction, rent payment changes Jul 06, 2023

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s picks for the Chicago Board of Education are steeped in grassroot organizing and advocacy. Business owners downtown are saying they saw mixed results during the recent NASCAR race weekend. A new Illinois law requires landlords to accept any type of rent payment – including cash.

SCOTUS struck down loan forgiveness and affirmative action. Now what? Jul 05, 2023

Last week, the Supreme Court issued two rulings with big implications in the world of higher education. First, they ruled that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina were unconstitutional, effectively ending affirmative action at colleges nationwide. The next day, they ruled that an executive action by President Joe Biden – one that would have canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some borrowers – was beyond his authority, effectively killing the program. To explain what these rulings mean for future students and the millions of people who already have educational loans, we’re joined by Lisa Philip, WBEZ’s higher education reporter. She’s been gauging the reactions from borrowers, students, administrators and others.

Highland Park one year later, assessing flood damage, money to navigate courts Jul 05, 2023

Fourth of July looked different in suburban Highland Park, which spent the day marking one year since a deadly mass shooting. Chicago officials are taking inventory of recent damage caused by torrential rainfall and flooding. Millions in state funding will be made available to help people navigate the court system in Cook County.

Reflecting on the Highland Park mass shooting one year later Jul 03, 2023

Highland Park’s 2022 4th of July parade kicked off on a beautiful morning. But it wasn’t long before a shooter opened fire on the festivities. The mass shooting resulted in seven deaths and left 48 other parade goers injured. A year later, the community is coming together to process. Mayor Nancy Rotering has become an outspoken advocate for gun control, including the assault weapons ban that has since passed in Illinois. Rotering said young people in Highland Park expected a mass shooting in their community. “The adults were like, ‘How could this ever happen in Highland Park?’ but the kids said ‘We expected this to happen, and we expected it to happen in school,’” she said. Now, she wants to return to a time when gun violence was not so normalized. In this episode, we reflect on the Highland Park shooting a year later with WBEZ statehouse reporter Alex Degman.

Record rainfall, NASCAR disruptions, student debt frustration Jul 03, 2023

The Chicago area saw record rainfall over the weekend, followed by flash flooding. The rain caused problems for NASCAR. More than a million student loan borrowers in Illinois asked for loan forgiveness through a Biden administration plan and the Supreme Court struck it down.

Finding queer spaces outside Northalsted Jun 30, 2023

Where are the queer spaces outside of Northalsted for those who either cannot or don’t want to trek to Lake View? Adam Rhodes is a training director at Investigative Reporters and Editors and a former social justice reporter at The Chicago Reader, where they covered the Northalsted community during its period of recent tumult. On today’s episode, they talk about the history of Chicago’s main gay enclave and name some of the city’s welcoming spaces outside of it.

To see a list of Rhodes' suggestions, check out our story here on WBEZ.org.

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Affirmative action reaction, continued air quality concerns, top cop candidates Jun 30, 2023

Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down affirmative action, local professors and state officials react. Wildfires, NASCAR and Independence Day celebrations have experts wondering how Chicago’s air quality will be over the next several days. There are now six remaining candidates under consideration to be Chicago’s next police superintendent.

Unhealthy air lingers, questions about restraining students, NASCAR security Jun 29, 2023

We could get a break from unhealthy levels of air quality soon. The Cook County Juvenile Detention Center is facing questions over its use of physical restraint in the facility’s school. Chicago emergency officials are setting up a new security system ahead of NASCAR this weekend.

How the Chicago city council became the gayest in the country Jun 28, 2023

Chicago now has nine city council members who identify as LGBTQ+, and they’re working together as the “LGBT Caucus.” It’s the largest of its kind in the country, according to Block Club Chicago reporter Jake Wittich. He spoke with all of them, and in this episode of The Rundown he explains the humble beginnings of Chicago city council’s LGBT Caucus and what it hopes to accomplish with its newfound strength in numbers. ]]>

Air quality concerns, CTA electric fleet upgrades, rising maternal mortality Jun 28, 2023

Chicago’s air quality Tuesday was among the worst in the world, and it’s not getting much better. The CTA received $25 million in federal money to advance its electric bus fleet. Local health officials want to bring attention to a rising rate of maternal mortality in Cook County.

Lead paint worries, budget town halls, dropped murder charges Jun 27, 2023

A WBEZ analysis shows Chicago Public Schools still has ongoing lead paint remediation projects, despite saying the work is done. Chicago leaders are hosting budget town halls to get feedback from residents. Cook County prosecutors have dropped murder charges for Carlishia Hood and her son.

Why the Chicago Sun-Times now offers a “right to be forgotten” Jun 26, 2023

The Chicago Sun-Times announced a new policy earlier this month that allows people who have appeared in its news coverage to ask for a review – and possibly have those stories removed from internet searches. Sun-Times executive editor Jennifer Kho says the policy is a response to the permanence of the internet and Chicago’s history of unjust arrests. “At the Sun-Times,” Kho wrote when the policy went public, “we don’t think it’s fair for stories about arrests to follow people around forever if they were never convicted or if charges were dropped or expunged.” Kho and Mary Mitchell, a Sun-Times columnist and the paper’s director of culture and community engagement, join The Rundown to explain the decisions behind “the right to be forgotten.”

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Funding health care for kids, taxing music festivals, home sales in IL Jun 26, 2023

An Illinois health care coverage program for kids loses millions in federal matching dollars due to clerical errors. An Illinois lawmaker wants a new ticket tax to help communities hosting major music festivals. Migrants in Chicago say they’re getting better treatment at police stations than they would at city shelters.

The definitive WBEZ guide to summertime in Chicago Jun 23, 2023

The WBEZ Summer 250 is live! It’s our interactive guide to 250 (and counting) activities in the Chicago area this season. Stopping by to explain what’s inside the guide are WBEZ editor Cassie Walker Burke, who curated the content for the guide, and WBEZ visual producer Andjela Padejski, who designed the product experience.

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Keeping Illinoisans on Medicaid, Metra upgrades, biking Lake Calumet Jun 23, 2023

Illinois Medicaid providers are encouraging customers to renew their coverage plans. Three Metra stations on Chicago’s South Side are getting major upgrades that’ll make them more accessible to people with disabilities. Cook County is seeking resident input on ways to improve biking around Lake Calumet.

NASCAR worries, police in schools question, birthplace of House designation Jun 22, 2023

As construction for NASCAR ramps up, O’Hare Airport concession workers warn severe understaffing could create havoc as the city braces for an influx of travelers for the race. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson won’t call for an end to police in schools — despite opposing the practice as a candidate. The so-called “birthplace of House Music” will be officially designated as a historical landmark.

‘A lot of chaos’: A look at abortion access in the U.S. one year after Dobbs Jun 21, 2023

It’s been a year since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. What’s happened since? “A lot of chaos,” according to Lee Hasselbacher, the director of the University of Chicago’s Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health. Lee explains the implications of the Dobbs decision one year in – for healthcare providers, pregnant people, tourists and everyone else.

The fight over Urban Prep, helping domestic violence survivors, banking equity Jun 21, 2023

Urban Prep Academy is still fighting to stay open, even as CPS plans to open a replacement school this fall. The city of Chicago is officially launching another cash assistance program– this time for survivors of domestic violence. Three years after a WBEZ investigation into disparate home lending by banks, Chicago leaders say work still needs to be done.

A violent weekend, CTA survey results, funding for Burge victims memorial Jun 20, 2023

After three shootings in the Chicago area, including one where at least 23 people were injured, one fatally, an Illinois congressman reiterates that guns are the problem. A recent survey shows that more people would use the CTA if there was expanded service during the weekday. A private foundation is funding a memorial to victims of former Chicago Police Commander John Burge and his “Midnight Crew.”

Tony Smith changes the world one student (and one photo) at a time Jun 16, 2023

Tony Smith came of age during Chicago’s house music scene in the late 1970s. Chosen Few and Frankie Knuckles were his neighbors, and they helped him find his footing in Chicago’s arts scene, a space he’s occupied ever since. Smith’s a multimedia artist – a photographer, a musician, a documentarian and an archivist – and today he teaches his students at the Hyde Park Art Center how to have their own voice through art – and how it can make a difference.

This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

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Juneteenth celebrations, temporary casino approved, Board of Education updates Jun 16, 2023

Bally’s hopes to open a temporary casino in Chicago by the end of the summer after an initial greenlight from a state regulatory board yesterday. Some community groups are asking Mayor Brandon Johnson to solicit their input as he chooses new Board of Education members. Cook County’s annual Juneteenth festivities start today.

Coerced confession settlement, Douglass Park tensions, police reform questions Jun 15, 2023

The City of Chicago may enter a multimillion dollar settlement over a coerced confession. The Chicago Park District gave the green light to three major music festivals in Douglass Park, despite complaints from residents. A former city official is sounding the alarm about Chicago’s slow pace of police reform.

Chicago closed 50 schools a decade ago. Was it worth it? Jun 14, 2023

Imagine how you’d feel if your elementary school permanently closed its doors in the summer between your 2nd and 3rd grades, severing your relationship with friends, teachers and an entire community. For tens of thousands of Chicago students, that kind of situation was a reality in 2013, when then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Chicago Board of Education closed 50 schools in one fell swoop. Ten years later, WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times analyzed why that decision was made and how it affected students, families and communities. Sun-Times investigative reporter Lauren FitzPatrick and WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp explain their findings.

Chicago’s finances, protecting striking workers, less EV rebate money Jun 14, 2023

A new report from The Civic Federation is pointing to concerns around Chicago’s finances. Gov. JB Pritzker signed a pair of labor laws designed to protect striking workers. The state of Illinois’ new budget will have less money for electric vehicle rebates.

Illinois’ book ban ban, federal dollars for migrants, demand for abortion care Jun 13, 2023

Illinois becomes the first state in the nation to effectively ban book bans. Chicago is set to receive $10.5 million in federal funding to help with the city’s migrant population. Planned Parenthood of Illinois saw a big increase in abortion care patients since Roe fell last summer.

New book ‘Carmageddon’ imagines a society with less car dependence Jun 12, 2023

Daniel Knowles rides his bike almost everywhere. When he’s not cycling, he takes the CTA from his home in Wicker Park. Knowles is from the United Kingdom and has traveled the world as a reporter, so he has seen how people across the globe get around town. His main takeaway: We need to lower our reliance on cars. From automobiles’ well-publicized drawbacks—car deaths and climate impact—to lesser-known contributions to housing insecurity and racial inequities, driving may be taking more from us than it gives. In this episode, we sit down with Knowles to discuss his new book “Carmageddon: How Cars Make Life Worse, and What to Do About It.”

Funding for rape crisis centers, mourning an asylum seeker, teen mental health Jun 12, 2023

A new study finds a program can help reduce stress and depression in teenage girls. Migrants mourned the death of a fellow asylum seeker at a Woodlawn church this weekend. Rape crisis centers in Illinois are scrambling for funding after a shortfall in federal aid.

How to do summer festivals: Two cents from Chicago natives Jun 09, 2023

It’s summer festival season in Chicago! From Market Days to World Dumpling Fest to the African/Caribbean International Festival of Life and dozens more, the city’s festivals give you the chance to eat, dance, and enjoy a new part of the city. WBEZ digital audience engagement manager Taylor Faye Nazon and Bekoe from our sister station Vocalo give us their top recommendations and advice for getting out there this year.

Find a full list of this summer’s festivals at do312.com.

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School staff parental leave, catalytic converter theft, billions in scholarships Jun 09, 2023

City and school leaders released details of a forthcoming parental leave policy for Chicago teachers. Catalytic converter thefts continue to plague Chicago vehicle owners. Chicago Public Schools announced its students earned an estimated $2 billion in college scholarships.

Gov. Pritzker signs more than $50 billion state budget, but not all are happy Jun 08, 2023

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed next year’s more than $50 billion state budget. Wildfires in Canada mean hazy skies in Chicago, but, our air quality is on the upswing, says the Illinois State Climatologist. The American Lung Association quantifies the health benefits of more electric vehicles in Illinois.

Why are we talking about SCOTUS so much? Jun 07, 2023

It seems like the Supreme Court is making more and more landmark decisions affecting Americans’ day-to-day lives. To explain the court’s role in democracy – how it started from the bottom and how it’s here – we spoke with Sarah Konsky, a law professor at the University of Chicago and the director of the university’s Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic. She explains how the court is using its power more often and whether the other branches of government are pushing back.

Bike safety worries, demands from sexual abuse survivors, Bears’ negotiations Jun 07, 2023

Biking advocates say they’re concerned for their safety with an increase in road construction around the Chicago area. Sexual abuse survivors are demanding Illinois do more to “out” Catholic religious leaders credibly accused of sexual abuse. As the Chicago Bears continue negotiations for a possible new stadium in Arlington Heights – some observers say they’re looking for leverage to get a better deal.

New Chicago officers, EV charging stations, family-friendly Pride events Jun 06, 2023

Brandon Johnson addressed Chicago’s newest police officers as the city’s mayor. Illinois will use the last of its Volkswagen settlement money to buy and install 348 new electric vehicle charging ports around the state. In an effort to bring more family-friendly Pride events to Chicago – the “Queer Fam Pride Jam” is coming to the Salt Shed music venue on June 17.

Paying homage to the history of jazz in Chicago Jun 05, 2023

Chicago jazz artists jammed on the South Side in the Jazz in the Alley sessions of the 1960s and 70s. On June 10, a one-night-only event will pay homage to these jams at The Auditorium Theatre: “Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley.” Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few will join video artist Rasean Davonte Johnson and the South Chicago Dance Theatre to perform during the multimedia event. Kia Smith is the dance theatre’s founder, and she created Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley. Her father was celebrated saxophonist Jimmy Ellis, a cofounder of Jazz in the Alley. Kia and Isaiah share how their Chicago roots in jazz, performance and community led to this celebration.

Chicago youth jobs, new race category on Illinois forms, City Council job status Jun 05, 2023

It’s not too late for young people in Chicago to apply for a summer job through the city. Illinois residents may soon see another category under “race” on government forms. Chicago City Council members would be full-time employees under a new proposal.

Artist Edra Soto explores ‘belonging’ through architectural interventions Jun 02, 2023

Edra Soto loves photo archives, and her latest installation at the Hyde Park Art Center is itself an archive. Over 10 years, she has created what she calls architectural interventions through her GRAFT project. These pieces take the form of structural installations, often in public spaces. Her new exhibit, Destination/El Destino: A Decade of GRAFT, captures years of architectural interventions through fragments and photos. In this episode, we talk to Edra about her origin story as a Puerto Rican born artist working in Chicago. You can see Destination/El Destino at the Hyde Park Art Center for free, seven days a week through August 13.

Lead pipe replacement money, police drones at parades, racial disparities report Jun 02, 2023

Federal funding for lead pipe replacement is coming to Illinois – but there’s more to the issue than just replacing pipes. Illinois lawmakers passed a measure expanding police use of drones in public at certain events. A new report from the Chicago Urban League highlights wide outcome disparities between Black and white residents in the city.

Temporary migrant aid, dreaded shrink-flation, drinking water contract talks Jun 01, 2023

Chicago’s City Council approved tens of millions to aid asylum-seekers arriving in the city but the aid is only temporary. Shrink-flation is still showing up on store shelves and hitting consumers in the pocketbook. DuPage County leaders are talking about building their own pipeline to Lake Michigan, bypassing a continued agreement with Chicago.

The joys and struggles of a new mother’s first 12 weeks May 31, 2023

Motherhood can be beautiful, rewarding, overwhelming, sad and everything in between. As part of our WBEZ series “The First 12 Weeks,” a new Chicago mother from West Englewood shares moments of both joy and frustration.

This audio diary was produced by WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana.

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Migrant resources questions, religious equity, Stevenson expansion pushback May 31, 2023

As the migrant crisis grows, residents in some neighborhoods where the asylum seekers are housed question why support is showing up only now. State lawmakers passed proposals to increase religious equity in state prisons, hospitals and schools. Environmental groups are concerned about a push to expand the Stevenson Expressway.

Memorial Day weekend violence, state budget passes, surge at food pantries May 30, 2023

Chicagoans gathered to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, but the holiday weekend also brought a tragic level of violence. Illinois lawmakers passed a state budget in the wee hours of Saturday morning. And Chicago-area food pantries are seeing a rise in demand after reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Chicagoan Tyomi Morgan creates safe spaces for intimacy work in film May 26, 2023

Tyomi Morgan is an intimacy coordinator, the person on a film or TV set who makes sure the taping of a sex scene is both safe and authentic. She’s also the creator of The Cowgirl Workout, a body-weight strength training exercise that leans into sexuality. Tyomi was born and raised in Chicago, and for the “Chi Sounds Like” series on WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, she explains why she was inspired to learn more about sexual health and enter this line of work, given the lack of Black woman representation.

This episode was produced for Vocalo by Joshua X. Miller.

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Illinois budget update, paid leave and county workers, anti-bullying legislation May 26, 2023

The Illinois Senate has passed a roughly $50 billion state budget. Lawmakers also passed a bill requiring schools to inform parents of bullying within 24 hours of an incident. Cook County government is considering a big expansion of paid parental leave for its 19,000 employees.

A new city council meets, state budget stalls, funding for public higher ed May 25, 2023

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson showed off his sense of humor as he led his first regular city council meeting on Wednesday. The Illinois Senate failed to pass the state budget yesterday. The state is funding peacekeepers for the City of Chicago to patrol city neighborhoods and help dispel any large street gatherings and reduce violence.

Illinois lawmakers continue budget talks May 24, 2023

Legislators missed their self-imposed deadline to end the spring legislative session on May 19. Now, they’re back to hash out the state budget. Lawmakers have until June 30 to pass a spending plan, but many hope to settle the issue within the week. At issue is a program that provides healthcare access to undocumented immigrants, which WBEZ Statehouse reporter Alex Degman says “is just costing way more money than anybody thought it would.” In this episode, Alex helps us break down the current legislative session.

Sexual abuse in Catholic Church, Johnson’s first council meeting, DNC questions May 24, 2023

The state attorney general found the Catholic Church in Illinois didn’t report hundreds of priests and other clergy members accused of sexual abuse. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will gavel in a City Council meeting for the first time today. As Chicago prepares to host the Democratic Convention next summer, some financial experts question if the benefits will outweigh the costs.

School for migrant kids, license plate data protection, Great Lakes designation May 23, 2023

Chicago Public Schools is enrolling migrant children in the city. Illinois lawmakers are hoping to protect license plate data of people who are crossing state lines seeking abortion care. The Great Lakes are now the only freshwater system to earn a nod for their role in ocean health.

Is Illinois a safe haven for the transgender community? May 22, 2023

“As trans people, we can never be safe,” says Stephanie Skora, the Chief Development Officer at Brave Space Alliance. “That's why we’re named Brave Space Alliance, not safe space alliance.”

On this episode of The Rundown, producer and guest host Sarah Stark talks with Skora and Brave Space Alliance CEO Channyn Lynne Parker about the pressing issues facing transgender folks in the Midwest and nationwide, how the conversation has shifted in the past few years, and how to make some space for joy, too. Brave Space supports transgender Chicagoans who have been left out of traditional spaces, especially Black and brown Chicagoans on the South and West sides.

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Catching up on Springfield, pollution near warehouses, Griner's home open May 22, 2023

A recent bill passed by Illinois state lawmakers would allow transit agencies to suspend unruly riders. Another would allow residents without U.S. citizenship status to work in law enforcement. Nearly 2 million Illinois residents living near freight warehouses are at risk of health complications. Britney Griner played the Chicago Sky during her first home game with the Phoenix Mercury since returning from being detained in Russia.

This collective is mapping Chicago’s Black social culture May 19, 2023

The artists of Honey Pot Performance collective didn’t want the passage of time to erase Black Chicagoans’ cultural history. So they created The Chicago Black Social Culture map. It’s a virtual map, dotted with social spaces, past and present, as markers. And they’re brought to life by photos, videos, writing and in-person programming that showcase the lived experiences of Black Chicagoans. Meida McNeal, the project’s director, talks about centering House music in the map and how it gives a chronically under-documented constituency a way to see their history represented.]]>

Illinois lawmakers miss deadline, closed CPS schools, Riot Fest update May 19, 2023

Illinois lawmakers will miss their self-imposed adjournment deadline today as budget negotiations continue behind closed doors. A WBEZ and Sun-Times investigation finds that the 50 Chicago public schools that were closed ten years ago are still sitting vacant. Five major US cities – including Chicago – and the state of California will receive federal help to get unsheltered residents into permanent housing.

Assault weapons ban stands, third airport potential, AAPI discrimination study May 18, 2023

Illinois’ ban on high-powered firearms and large-capacity magazines will remain in place for now after the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to consider a case against the law. A long-dormant idea of building a third Chicago-area airport in the south suburbs is being revived by Illinois lawmakers. A new study highlights the discrimination Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. have faced since the start of the pandemic.

Change is coming with Brandon Johnson and his mayoral to-do list May 17, 2023

It’s been a little more than a month since Brandon Johnson declared victory in the mayoral runoff election, and he’s now taken his place on the fourth floor of City Hall. In his inauguration speech Monday, Chicago’s new mayor set some priorities. Among them were safety, transit, reopening shuttered mental health clinics, and finding resources for the some 8,000 migrants who have made their way to Chicago since August. In this episode, we get the download on Mayor Johnson’s first couple days in office from WBEZ city politics and government reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg.

Johnson migrant focus, environmental advocates celebrate, public transit push May 17, 2023

New Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t saying for sure if he will call in the National Guard to assist with the increase in asylum seekers. Environmental advocates celebrate the city’s commitment to overhaul policies that lead to pollution in more Black and brown communities, compared to white neighborhoods. State lawmakers are urging passage of a measure to address public transit needs across Illinois.

Mayor Brandon Johnson, Bears seek state help, Chonkosaurus love fest May 16, 2023

Brandon Johnson is now Chicago’s mayor and used his inauguration speech to talk about his priorities in the office. He even signed a few executive orders. State lawmakers will discuss a proposal meant to help the Bears move to Arlington Heights. The giant snapping turtle named Chonkosaurus is winning the hearts of many.

‘Quietly Hostile’: Author Sam Irby gets “knee deep in the muck” this time around May 15, 2023

Sam Irby is a comedian, TV writer, essayist and best-selling author. She’s back with a new book of short stories, “Quietly Hostile,” which hits shelves Tuesday. “This time it felt less like, you know, ‘I have to get these urgent thoughts out of my brain,’ and more like, ‘this is what’s going on, let’s laugh at it,’” Irby said. She talks about the book, transitioning into TV writing , and why she always goes there – to deep and uncomfortable places – to offer her readers a sense of belonging. ]]>

Johnson swearing in, updates to migrant crisis, CPS principals want a union May 15, 2023

Brandon Johnson officially becomes Chicago’s next mayor today. A new respite center opened in Little Village to house migrants and some churches are taking a larger role in helping manage the crisis. Principals at Chicago Public Schools filed a petition to unionize.

You survived April showers. Here’s where to catch May flowers around Chicago. May 12, 2023

In traditional Chicago fashion, spring has sprung just in time for summer. While places like the Garfield Park Conservatory offer flower sightings year-round, this is the moment to get outside and see—or grow—spring blooms. In the final installment of our series on WBEZ’s culture guide, we get tips on where to wander through flowers around the city.

Emergency orders lifted, slow return downtown, reproductive care protections May 12, 2023

Pandemic emergency declarations are officially over on the state and federal levels. With those orders lifting this week – workplaces in Chicago could soon be seeing more employees return to the office. A coalition of Illinois Democratic lawmakers passed four reproductive rights measures.

Charges in officer’s murder, wish list for top cop, erasing medical debt May 11, 2023

Four teenagers are charged in the killing of off-duty police officer Aréanah Preston. People on the Southwest Side had an opportunity last night to talk about what they want in a new police superintendent. Cook County is erasing nearly $80 million dollars in medical debt for residents, and there’s more to come.

Composting at home can be easier (and less nasty) than you think May 10, 2023

You may already know the benefits: Composting food waste keeps a whole lot of organic matter from ending up in landfills, where it creates methane gas and contributes to climate change. But most people don’t do it, often because the process can be complicated and messy. WBEZ reporter and digital producer Courtney Kueppers just started composting, and she decided to follow her bin of compost from food scraps to bag-of-dirt. She tells us that – if you use one of Chicago’s several compost collection services – the experience isn’t messy or smelly, but it is worth it.

COVID orders lifting, migrant state of emergency, a call for language access May 10, 2023

The COVID-19 public health emergency in Illinois is set to lift tomorrow, in line with the federal expiration date. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is declaring a state of emergency as the city is seeing a rise in asylum seekers. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans were in Springfield calling for more access to language interpreters at state agencies.

Lightfoot farewell, vigil for Areanah Preston, immigration attorneys overwhelmed May 09, 2023

Outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot bids farewell as she enters her final week in office. A police patrol district on the South Side is hosting a prayer vigil for Areanah Preston tonight. The influx of asylum seekers in Chicago is adding pressure to the few immigration attorneys in the city.

You should try salsa dancing May 08, 2023

Chicago has a thriving salsa and bachata dancing scene, with classes and dance socials offered all across the city. On today’s episode, guest host Brenda Ruiz talks to Gregory Almonord and Taylor Diem, organizers of spontaneous pop-up salsa and bachata events around Chicago. They explain the joy behind salsa and bachata dancing, offer tips for beginners who might want to give it a try and tell us their favorite spots to dance, from El Caobo Internacional at 31st Street Beach to the Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville.]]>

Maternal Mental Health Month, car air freshener law, monkeypox cases rising May 08, 2023

May is National Maternal Mental Health Month. It may soon be legal in Illinois to hang air fresheners or other objects from your rearview mirror. Chicago’s LGBTQ+ community is being urged to get the vaccine to prevent monkeypox.

It’s concert-going season. WBEZ has you covered. May 05, 2023

Chicago is a hotbed for innovation in music and has long drawn crowds for concerts and festivals. This year is no exception. From the Sueños Festival in Grant Park during Memorial Day weekend to Babyface Ray and Rico Nasty concerts, the concert season is already up and running. In this episode, we talk to freelance music writer Alejandro Hernandez about his guide to the best spring concerts around the city.

Migrant plan pushback, pension eligibility questions, state revenue down May 05, 2023

A proposal to use the former South Shore High School to house migrants is getting major pushback from residents. Illinois’ attorney general is taking a close look at pension payments for one of the convicted “ComEd Four.” Revenue forecasters for the state are worried about a looming recession.

New interim top cop, seeking help with migrants, combatting book bans May 04, 2023

Fred Waller will serve as Chicago’s interim police superintendent while the city searches for a permanent hire. Chicago and Cook County leaders continue looking for ways to manage the number of migrants in the city. Illinois lawmakers are combatting book bans.

Will Chicago’s new mayor finally get the lead out? May 03, 2023

Chicago has had a heavy metal problem for decades. The city is home to more lead service lines – those are the pipes that carry your tap water the final few meters into your home – than any other major metropolitan area in the country. That means that dangerous lead seeps into the water for hundreds of thousands of residents, often unknowingly. The issue has gone unresolved over multiple mayoral administrations, so what’s Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson planning to do differently? Axios Chicago reporter Monica Eng explains how Chicago got into this mess and whether or not Johnson can be the mayor that finally gets us out of it.]]>

‘ComEd Four’ guilty, Police District Councils sworn in, statehouse unionizing May 03, 2023

Four former executives and lobbyists at ComEd were found guilty on every count they faced related to a wide-ranging government bribery scheme. Members of the newly-elected Police District Councils were sworn in yesterday. Two dozen employees in the Illinois House Speaker’s office want to unionize.

CPD housing migrants, guns sales increase, grants for artists May 02, 2023

Conditions are not good for migrants living temporarily in police station lobbies. Gun sales are up while Illinois’ assault weapons ban is on pause. The deadline is May 10 for creative workers hit hard by the pandemic eligible for the state’s Back 2 Business grants. ]]>

The road to 2024 through The Democracy Solutions Project May 01, 2023

In advance of the 2024 election, Chicago Public Media is launching a new initiative,The Democracy Solutions Project, where journalists from WBEZ and The Chicago Sun-Times dig into the big themes and questions surrounding democracy in the United States. Expect installments of the project to appear from both outlets, in partnership with The University of Chicago’s Center for Effective Government. We talk with Tracy Brown, CPM’s Chief Content Officer, about what readers and listeners can expect from The Democracy Solutions Project over the next 18 months.

Chicago migrant crisis, Johnson prepares for office, assault weapons ban blocked May 01, 2023

Chicago is struggling to provide care for the thousands of migrants who have been arriving in the city since August. Incoming Mayor Brandon Johnson’s team is preparing to take over. A federal judge in southern Illinois temporarily blocked enforcement of the assault weapons ban.

New theater productions, art festivals and even opera you don’t want to miss Apr 28, 2023

WBEZ’s Spring Culture Guide has everything you need to say goodbye to winter in style, and we’re rounding up our favorite recommendations from the guide. In today’s episode: visual art, theater and opera. It’s always tough to know which shows and exhibits are worth your time. So host Erin Allen sat down with WBEZ producer and curator Julia Binswanger and producer Sarah Stark to talk about the productions in Chicago you shouldn’t miss this spring, including several from underrepresented voices.]]>

Where kids really stand in school, Jerry Springer and Chicago, Bears draft Apr 28, 2023

A wide majority of parents in Chicago think their children are on track at school, but that's not the case. Chicago daytime talkshow host Jerry Springer died yesterday. The Chicago Bears selected Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Crisis pregnancy centers, a school closing, men's health concerns Apr 27, 2023

A bill sponsored by Illinois Democrats would put guardrails on Crisis Pregnancy Centers and has led anti-abortion protesters and Republican lawmakers to speak out. A West Side school serving students with autism abruptly announced it will close at the end of the school year. A physician at University of Illinois Health says men are living about six years fewer than women because they have to get dragged to the doctor’s office.

Why do we exist? A new Fermilab experiment asks neutrinos for the answer Apr 26, 2023

There’s a weird discrepancy in the field of particle physics: basically, it’s unclear why we all exist. All the matter and antimatter particles produced during the Big Bang should have annihilated one another, according to Sam Zeller, a physicist at Fermilab in Batavia, Illinois. But our presence on Earth – as well as the presence of Earth, and everything else – is evidence that didn’t happen. In an attempt to solve this mystery, Fermilab is conducting a new flagship experiment called the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, or DUNE. Zeller is the deputy director for part of the project, and she explains why they’re going to start blasting neutrinos from Illinois to South Dakota.]]>

Kim Foxx decides against re-election, ComEd jury deliberations, NFL draft Apr 26, 2023

Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx is not running for re-election. Jury deliberations continue today in the ComEd trial. And the NFL draft kicks off tomorrow.

Creating a cannabis workforce, housing after jail, full-day kindergarten Apr 25, 2023

Cannabis production programs are popping up at Illinois’ colleges and universities. Local advocacy groups are holding a summit today to encourage landlords to rent to people who were in prison. An Illinois Senate council will meet today to discuss mandating full day kindergarten state wide.

Omolará Mino wants her students to know they can do it all Apr 24, 2023

Ọmọlará Mino is a social worker and educator from Englewood whose goal is to connect Black students with their African roots. “It’s all with the idea of us reclaiming our history, reclaiming our truths, reclaiming parts of ourselves that we’ve been taken away from,” she says. Mino is also a musician known artistically as Omo Nyame. As part of the “Chi Sounds Like” series from WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, we hear some of Mino’s tracks, and she explains why she’s teaching Black youth to love their history in order to build up the next generation.]]>

Latest ruling on an abortion pill, affordable housing, Record Store Day Apr 24, 2023

Illinois abortion providers say they are relieved by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that preserves widespread access to a key abortion pill — for now. Chicago's incoming mayor says developing more affordable housing will be a priority under his administration. Local clergy led a march over the weekend to show support for Chicago’s youth.

‘Creatives of Color’ power couple shows us where art meets business Apr 21, 2023

Eddie Sanders, Eric “Phero” Lopez and Pilar McQuirter founded The New Vanguard, a coalition of BIPOC creators, during the pandemic. Not long after, Chelsey Carter-Sanders entered the mix. She’s a prolific, Chicago-based fashion designer and founder of the Alex Carter brand. Plus, if you clocked that last name, she and Eddie are married. Chelsey’s debut art exhibit is part of “Creatives of Color,” a partnership between WNDR Museum and The New Vanguard. In this episode, Chelsey and Eddie talk about their own partnership and the American history that informs Chelsey’s work.]]>

Interim top cop resigns, texts about youth gatherings, Greyhound station status Apr 21, 2023

Chicago’s interim police superintendent announced he will retire the same day Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson takes office. Chicago parents hoping to prevent more downtown chaos have a new way to be notified of mass youth gatherings. A study by DePaul University makes the case for why Chicago needs to keep its downtown Greyhound Bus station from closing.

Cannabis workers strike, Johnson heads to Springfield, PPP fraud claims Apr 20, 2023

For the first time in Illinois, about 100 cannabis workers from three dispensaries under the same company umbrella went to the picket lines. Chicago Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson spent time in Springfield to start building relationships with Illinois lawmakers. Chicago Park District officials are “extremely disturbed” to learn how their employees have allegedly defrauded a federal pandemic-aid program.

Illinois has a program to help kids with their mental health. It’s overwhelmed. Apr 19, 2023

Twenty years ago, Illinois developed a safety net for children from low-income families who are in a mental health crisis. It’s called Screening, Assessment and Support Services, or SASS. After a six-month investigation, WBEZ found the program isn’t working for thousands of children. WBEZ reporters Sarah Karp and Kristen Schorsch catch us up on what’s happened since their initial reporting and look to potential solutions.]]>

Outdated CTA tracker, Chicago budget, after school programs funding uncertainty Apr 19, 2023

The CTA’s bus and train tracking technology needs an update. Chicago’s budget gap has narrowed significantly since the start of the pandemic. A state miscalculation is casting uncertainty over funding for after school programs serving thousands of kids.

Preventing violence downtown, emissions restrictions, post-pandemic recovery Apr 18, 2023

City officials weigh in on what Chicago should do to prevent violent incidents downtown. New White House emissions restrictions mean more electric vehicles and expanding public charging stations in Illinois. Arts and culture has been the leading driver in downtown’s post pandemic recovery according to a new report.

Tips for the ‘dance curious’ Chicagoan Apr 17, 2023

WBEZ’s Spring Culture Guide has everything you need to say goodbye to winter in style, and we’re rounding up our favorite recommendations from the guide. In this episode: Chicago for the dance-curious. Whether you’re into ballet, hip-hop, or anything in between—including the Chicago-born hybrid “hiplet”—WBEZ external editor Cassie Walker Burke has got you covered.

Walmart locations close, teens crowd downtown, tentative agreement at CSU Apr 17, 2023

Despite protests, Walmart moved ahead with its plan to close four of its stores in Chicago. Hundreds of teens gathered downtown over the weekend where crowds were dancing, stomping on cars and two teens were shot. Striking faculty at Chicago State University reached a tentative agreement with the school.

Faculty strikes at Illinois’ public universities are skyrocketing. Why? Apr 14, 2023

First it was faculty at University of Illinois Chicago. Now professors at Chicago State and Governor’s State are on the picket lines. What’s behind these faculty strikes and how is it affecting students? WBEZ’s higher education reporter Lisa Philip explains how low pay, small budgets and politics got us here, and what we can expect next.

Mifepristone access, examining COVID behaviors, choosing Chicago’s next top cop Apr 14, 2023

A key drug used in medication abortion remains available in Illinois. Scientists examining Americans' COVID behaviors have published their 100th report. Chicago residents are getting a chance to share what they want from the city’s next top cop.

CTA slowly hiring, Chicago prepares for NASCAR, DNC’s economic benefits Apr 13, 2023

Leaders with the Chicago Transit Authority say they’re making progress toward its hiring goals, but it’s still not enough to bring service back to pre-pandemic levels. Chicago is preparing to host a NASCAR street race around Grant Park in July, and the public has some questions. Officials say they will work to ensure the economic impacts of next year’s Democratic National Convention extend beyond downtown.

Part II: Tricia Hersey says ‘Rest Is Resistance’ under capitalism Apr 12, 2023

Through The Nap Ministry, Tricia Hersey organizes communal naps and spreads her message that rest is resistance. Her New York Times bestselling book, aptly titled “Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto,” came out last fall. In part two of her conversation with Erin, she talks about rest within the framework of Black liberation, plus what happens to the living things around us when we rest.

DNC in Chicago, students join striking university faculty, cannabis expungements Apr 12, 2023

Hosting the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago could elevate the profiles of some of Illinois’ top Democrats. Students from three public universities across Illinois rallied behind their striking professors Tuesday. More than 800,000 people in Illinois have had cannabis related arrest records expunged, according to newly released data.

Johnson joins picket line, Black maternal health, unseasonably beautiful weather Apr 11, 2023

Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson joined Chicago State University faculty and staff on the picket lines. The University of Chicago is focusing on Black maternal health through new technologies. It’s going to be unseasonably beautiful the next few days in Chicago.

Part I: The Nap Ministry founder Tricia Hersey wants you to slow down Apr 10, 2023

If you don’t know Tricia Hersey’s name, you’ve probably seen her work. Hersey founded The Nap Ministry, perhaps best known for its popular Instagram account, with the hope of teaching others how to rest in a society that glorifies grind culture. In her New York Times bestselling book “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto,” Hersey explores the lifelong project of rest and grapples with the impact of capitalism on our ability to thrive. In the face of these systemic issues, Hersey talks about resting and community care as acts of resistance in part one of her conversation with Erin.]]>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. ]]>

Trump reaction, CPS attempts overcoming learning loss, intense allergy season Mar 31, 2023

Chicago’s mayoral candidates had some things to say about Donald Trump’s indictment. Chicago Public Schools is hoping its expensive universal curriculum is helping students overcome pandemic learning loss. Climate change is impacting allergy seasons here in Chicago.

Gun owners rally in Springfield, protections for child vloggers, vote by mail Mar 30, 2023

Illinois gun owners and advocates rallied in Springfield against recent gun control legislation. A proposal extending child labor law protections to young vloggers on social media unanimously passed the Illinois Senate. Today is the deadline to get your vote-by-mail applications in for the April 4 runoff.

Taking a look at what’s shaped Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas Mar 29, 2023

Chicagoans have a choice to make on April 4 about who they want to run the city. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have been called “polar opposites,” but who are they, really? Erin talks to WBEZ city politics and government reporters Mariah Woelfel and Tessa Weinberg about their backstories: what shapes them, trips them up and redeems them.

Local reaction to Nashville shooting, CTA worker arrested, mayoral dead heat Mar 29, 2023

A former Chicago Public Schools principal reacts to the latest school shooting in Nashville. A CTA worker has been charged with felony aggravated battery after allegedly attacking a 54 year old man on a downtown train platform. A new poll shows Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas are neck in neck going into the runoff election.

Final election push, lawmakers talk plastic use, rate hike protests Mar 28, 2023

Chicago’s two mayoral candidates are trying to set the record straight ahead of the runoff. A measure passed by the Illinois Senate would require state agencies to create plans to limit their use of plastic foodware. Advocates were out in earnest yesterday protesting proposed rate hikes by People’s Gas.

CCH Pounder talks curiosity, ancestry and her museum-sized art collection Mar 27, 2023

CCH Pounder isn’t just an Emmy nominated actress, known for her roles in Avatar, The X Files, ER, or on The Shield as Detective Claudette Wyms. She’s also a renowned art collector, and some of her pieces were recently installed at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. The installation, “Diaspora Stories,” is focused on artwork from across the African diaspora. She talks to Erin about helping to curate the installation, which is open through July 16, and the lines that permeate her art performance and art collecting.]]>

Questions about TikTok, gender inclusive language, carjacking investigations Mar 27, 2023

Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is among those advocating for changes at TikTok. A proposal in Springfield would add gender neutral language to a law requiring insurance companies to offer pap smear and prostate exam coverage. The Illinois Secretary of State awards $21 million to police task forces to investigate carjackings.

Two Second City performers on the magic of an all Black ensemble Mar 24, 2023

Chicago is known for its improv, but it’s not often you see an all-Black ensemble performing. Adonis Holmes and Arlieta Hall are co-writers and ensemble members of the Second City show, “Dance Like There Are Black People Watching: A Black Excellence Review.” They talk to Erin about how their past lives influence the work they do now, dancing on stage and performing while Black.

Chicago’s warm winter, polystyrene foam ban, full-day kindergarten statewide Mar 24, 2023

Chicago just saw its fourth warmest winter in 70 years. A measure that would end the use of food containers made of polystyrene foam is headed to the Illinois Senate. The Illinois House has passed a measure that would require full-day kindergarten in all Illinois schools by 2027.

Ramadan begins, how sleep affects vaccines, Little Village mall vendors sue Mar 23, 2023

A Chicago Muslim community group is welcoming people of all faiths to study a text known as “The Treatise on Rights” during Ramadan, which began last night. A new study from the University of Chicago found better sleep can improve the body’s response to a variety of common vaccines. Little Village Discount Mall vendors have filed a lawsuit to prevent imminent eviction.

For many of Chicago’s unhoused population, the CTA is the last resort Mar 22, 2023

If you ride the CTA, you probably noticed the system has a crisis on its hands. More and more, the city’s unhoused population is using trains and buses as a last resort to find a place to stay. WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko explains the cause: a serious shortage in shelter beds combined with a pandemic-related increase in homelessness. Savchenko tells us about the roots of the crisis, what the city’s doing to intervene, and she talks about the social service agencies working to help the unhoused.]]>

Abortion opponents rally, protest against fossil fuels, state looks at SASS Mar 22, 2023

Thousands of abortion rights opponents traveled to Springfield Tuesday to rally against legislation aimed at crisis pregnancy centers suspected of misleading patients from getting an abortion. And in Chicago, a group of seniors rallied downtown to protest banks investing in fossil fuels. On the heels of a WBEZ investigation, Illinois lawmakers are considering looking into a state program for low-income kids in mental health distress known as SASS.

Illinois needs more rental homes, summer music festivals, cannabis competition Mar 21, 2023

A new report says Illinois needs about 300,000 additional rental homes for people living in poverty. More summer festival line-ups are being announced this week. Legalized recreational cannabis sales in Missouri are surpassing – and maybe cutting into – the Illinois market.

How do Chicago’s new police district councils create accountability, if at all? Mar 20, 2023

If you voted in the February 28 election, you probably saw an option to elect a police district council member on your ballot. This is a new council that was created to give civilians more say over how policing works in their neighborhoods. It’s the type of history-making community autonomy that activists have been demanding for more than a decade. But the way the council is structured and how they work with other civic entities could use some more explaining. Jim Daley is a digital news editor for The TRiiBE, and he joined The Rundown to explain the history behind the council and how it works.

Early voting begins, construction on the Kennedy, ‘Chicagohenge’ arrives Mar 20, 2023

You can now vote early in the April 4 runoff election for mayor of Chicago. A three-year construction project on the Kennedy Expressway begins later today. It’s the vernal equinox, so keep your eyes peeled for “Chicagohenge.”

Should America make Daylight Saving Time permanent? We ask a sleep scientist Mar 17, 2023

The U.S. Senate wants to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, but sleep scientists are against it. Dr. James Rowley is a professor of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at Wayne State University. He’s also the president-elect of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “We feel strongly that our bodies are best attuned to a clock that is standard time,” Rowley told us. Rowley talks about the history of Daylight Saving Time and shares some tips for acclimating to Sunday’s change.

Another mayoral debate, ChatGPT in medicine, parents sue Chicago Public Schools Mar 17, 2023

Paul Vallas rarely attacked his opponent throughout his campaign for Chicago mayor, but that changed at last night’s debate. Northwestern University experts weigh in on the legal landscape for ChatGPT in medicine and future regulation. Parents of young children with special needs on the Far South Side are suing Chicago Public Schools.

Big day at the city council, police union election results, mayoral endorsements Mar 16, 2023

Chicago’s city council made decisions on funding to aid migrants, ticketing and surveillance for downtown motorists, and its own independence from the mayor’s office. Two more big endorsements came through in Chicago’s race for mayor. Chicago cops who voted in this month’s Fraternal Order Police election rejected most Black and female candidates — just like in past elections.

‘It’s the best:’ A Liberian-American food writer on finding good jollof rice Mar 15, 2023

There’s a lot of pride that goes into the historic West African dish jollof rice. It dates back thousands of years and has been compared to jambalaya or paella, but with its own twist. WBEZ audio producer and former chef Cianna Greaves gives us a look into how jollof is made, what it means for her Liberian heritage and the fond memories associated with the spice-filled dish.

Mayoral candidates and public safety, CTA hiring, Businesses and paid time off Mar 15, 2023

Chicago’s mayoral candidates were questioned in a debate last night about legalizing video gaming and their past rhetoric on public safety issues. The CTA tells state lawmakers it’s looking to hire several hundred bus drivers to address the “ghost bus” problem. Illinois small business owners are reacting to the new mandatory paid time off law.

Mandatory paid leave, community college transfers, SAFE-T Act court hearing Mar 14, 2023

Gov. JB Pritzker signs mandatory paid leave for all employees into law. New research shows one in two community college students who transfer to selective universities come from America’s wealthiest families. An Illinois law eliminating cash bail will be the focus of oral arguments in the Illinois Supreme Court today.

Three years in, social equity cannabis applicants waiting on Illinois Mar 13, 2023

When Illinois passed a law legalizing recreational cannabis in 2019, Gov. JB Pritzker promised a robust social equity program alongside it. More than three years later, the criminal records of hundreds of thousands of low-level drug offenders have been expunged, but the opportunities for them to profit from the new multi-billion dollar industry remain limited. Only a handful of dispensaries are owned and operated by equity applicants. The licensing process is slow, beset by delays that are costing potential dispensary owners lots of money. WBEZ Statehouse Reporter Alex Degman explains why.

Start of St. Paddy’s festivities, police overtime lawsuit, digital state IDs Mar 13, 2023

Chicago kicked off St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a green river and South Side parade — also marking three years since health officials declared the COVID-19 pandemic. Police won a lawsuit against the city of Chicago – and they say they’re now owed a lot of overtime pay. Illinois’ new secretary of state says digital IDs could be on the horizon.

Black taxpayers are more likely to be audited. But why? Mar 10, 2023

A few years back, Dan Ho and his team at Stanford University’s Regulation, Evaluation, and Governance Lab started thinking of ways to improve the IRS’s auditing process. They eventually discovered that Black taxpayers were being audited at surprisingly higher rates than their counterparts of other ethnic backgrounds. With this information, Ho is now helping to modernize the audit selection process. To see the full study, visit Stanford University’s webpage. ]]>

Funding for the Red Line extension, mayoral heat continues, St. Pat's in Chicago Mar 10, 2023

President Biden’s budget includes a $350 million dollar grant for the Red Line extension south. Chicago mayoral candidates squared off in another heated debate last night. Daylight saving time and St. Patrick’s Day are coming up this weekend.

Breaking down the mayoral debate, abortion rights protest, endangered buildings Mar 09, 2023

The two mayoral runoff candidates vowed they’d remain independent from their biggest supporters if elected. Abortion rights activists and the state of California are taking shots at Walgreens. Today is the funeral for slain Chicago police Officer Andres Vasquez Lasso.

Chicago through the lens of “The Negro Motorist Green Book” Mar 08, 2023

“The Negro Motorist Green Book” helped Black Americans travel safely to and between thousands of businesses during America’s Jim Crow era. The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie has a new exhibit focused on its history, including an interactive simulation where you pack your car and hit the road, making stops based on the Green Book’s recommendations. Arielle Weininger is the Chief Curator of Collections and Exhibitions. She talks about how Chicagoans used the book and why its purpose still resonates for Black people, Jewish people, women and others today. ]]>

Mayoral candidates face off, soot pollution, tug-of-war over Taste of Chicago Mar 08, 2023

Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will face off today in the first debate before runoff elections. A new report highlights the impacts of soot pollution in Cook County. A proposal to relocate the Annual Taste of Chicago to Navy Pier this summer is causing tension among City Council members.

Chicago's theaters struggle, mayoral endorsements, discrimination at NEIU Mar 07, 2023

Chicago's theaters continue to struggle post-pandemic. Endorsements are rolling in for Chicago’s runoff elections for mayor. The president of Northeastern Illinois University has alleged gender and race discrimination by board members.

Beatrice Scescke creates a nature healing haven in Chicago Mar 06, 2023

Beatrice Scescke was born and raised in Chicago but always dreamed of those greener pastures – something she had been drawn to since her visits to Kentucky as a child. Years later, she founded the Chicago Rewilding Society, a non-profit urban nature sanctuary that allows city residents to connect with nature, animals and therapeutic healing. The Society is located in Garfield Park and houses rescued horses, goats, chickens and more. To learn about her story, visit Vocalo’s Chi Sounds Like. ]]>

Celebrating Chicago’s birthday, United Center strike, low voter turnout Mar 06, 2023

Chicago turns 186 years old. Unionized concession workers at the United Center staged a one-day strike during the Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers game. Experts are analyzing why most Chicagoans stayed home on election day.

J. Ivy talks Grammys, gratitude and poetry GOATs Mar 03, 2023

J. Ivy is a writer, narrator and poet who recently took home the first Grammy ever awarded in the new category of Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. “When I’m creating an album, I don’t listen to anybody else,” the multi-hyphenate artist said on The Rundown. “If I found myself sounding like anybody else I switch that up real quick.” He came by WBEZ and talked with Erin about the differences between rap and spoken word poetry, his influences and inspirations, and about how he produced the tracks on his Grammy-winning new album “The Poet Who Sat By The Door.”

Vallas endorsement, South Side call for affordable housing, reparations efforts Mar 03, 2023

Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is throwing his endorsement into the Chicago mayor’s race. A ballot measure passes on Chicago’s South Side that calls on the City Council to address affordable housing near the Obama Center. Illinois launched a website for a newly created commission on reparations.

Brown resigns, first-ever police district councilors, sluggish state hires Mar 02, 2023

Chicago’s Police Superintendent David Brown will step down. We hear from one of the newly-elected, and first-ever Chicago police district councilors. Illinois lawmakers are raising concerns over how long it takes to fill job vacancies at the state’s child welfare agency.

Wait, so who won? A Chicago election recap Mar 01, 2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her re-election bid Tuesday night. It’s the first time in 40 years a sitting mayor in Chicago won’t see a second term. Instead, Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson have advanced to the runoff election in April. We’ll get you context on the mayoral race, along with the competitive aldermanic contests and the results of the first-ever police district council races.

Lightfoot out, Vallas and Johnson advance to runoff, roadwork on the Kennedy Mar 01, 2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot lost her reelection bid Tuesday making her the first elected mayor in 40 years to not win a second term. Former Chicago Public School CEO Paul Vallas will face Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson in Chicago’s mayoral runoff. Drivers should anticipate major delays on the Kennedy starting March 20.

Teen election judges, SCOTUS student debt arguments, locals help migrants Feb 28, 2023

It’s election day, and hundreds of teens are serving as election judges. The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments today in a case that could impact more than one million student people in Illinois with college debt. Local groups are stepping up to provide shelter for asylum seekers arriving in Chicago.

Magic, music and gratitude in Ghana: a Black Star Line Festival review Feb 27, 2023

Vic Mensa and Chance the Rapper hosted a music festival in Ghana last month – the Black Star Line Festival, featuring sets from Erykah Badu, T-Pain, Dave Chappelle, Jeremih and more – and WBEZ sent Vocalo morning host Stephen Bekoe to take in the scene. Bekoe tells us about the concert, about his first trip to the continent of Africa, and about the people and experiences he’ll never forget.]]>

Election looms, Russians protest Ukraine invasion, mental health workers for 911 Feb 27, 2023

The Chicago municipal election is tomorrow, so be sure to get that mail-in ballot returned. Russians in Chicago gathered Saturday to protest their country’s year long invasion of Ukraine. Chicago will soon be able to send mental health workers to more 911 calls.

Joe(y) saves lives — and wants to teach you how to save lives, too Feb 24, 2023

After a serious life-threatening injury, most people’s first reaction is to call 911 and get to an emergency room. But what happens when those resources aren’t available in your neighborhood? Meet Joe(y), who goes by his first name only. He’s a 22-year-old training coordinator for Ujimaa Medics, or UMedics. It’s a grassroots nonprofit collective of Black individuals around Chicago dedicated to spreading life-saving, emergency first response knowledge to its community for when city first-responders aren’t there to help. He tells us his story through the series “Chi Sounds Like” on our sister station Vocalo.]]>

A year of war in Ukraine, R. Kelly sentenced, DJ Spinderella curates music room Feb 24, 2023

Exactly one year after Russia invaded Ukraine – there are still many Ukrainian refugees living in Chicago. A federal judge rules in R. Kelly’s case. DJ Spinderella from the music group Salt-N-Pepa has a new role with Chicago’s National Public Housing Museum.

CPD warns of ‘day of hate,’ R. Kelly sentencing, new CPS calendar Feb 23, 2023

More than 90,000 ComEd customers are without power. Chicago police are urging Jewish and other religious communities to be extra vigilant this weekend during a recently declared “Day of Hate.” A federal judge is set to sentence R. Kelly for his Chicago convictions of child pornography and enticement. The new CPS calendar is out.

Kimberly Dixon-Mays is no stranger to the power of words Feb 22, 2023

As a poet, playwright and performer, Kimberly Dixon-Mays is no stranger to the power of words. Her plays and poetry convey stories of the human experience, specifically people of color and psychic survival, which explores the “definition and defense of self-identity when outside forces are against it.” Hear her story thanks to our sister station, Vocalo, and their series “Chi Sounds Like.”]]>

Lightfoot campaign email update, anti-violence money, craft cannabis extension Feb 22, 2023

Documents show there were many more emails sent to city employees from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign than previously thought. Cook County is adding another $25 million to community anti-violence efforts. Illinois craft cannabis entrepreneurs now have more time to get up and running with a deadline extension from the state.

Voter language access, ADA compliance at the polls, paid leave awaits signature Feb 21, 2023

Chicago’s Board of Elections has added new polling places where non-English speaking voters can get language help. But a new report shows that two out of every three polling places in Chicago are not fully compliant with ADA standards. Governor JB Pritzker is poised to sign new paid leave legislation.

‘Kold x Windy’ puts Chicago drill culture into context Feb 20, 2023

Filmmakers and artists Kenny Young, Vernon “Xtreme” Brown and Phil James noticed most TV shows don’t accurately depict the Chicago they knew and loved. So they decided to fix it. Their new show on WEtv, “Kold x Windy,” explores the relationship between two drill star best friends on the South Side. According to Young, “even if you’ve never been to Chicago or the South Side in your life, you can still watch the show and take something away from it.”

Vote-by-mail deadline, South Side reproductive health center, weapons ban ruling Feb 20, 2023

Morning episodes of “The Rundown” will hit your feeds around 8 a.m. now. The application deadline to vote-by-mail in Chicago’s city election is coming up. There’s a new health center on the city’s South Side focused on ending “period poverty.” A federal judge in Chicago has denied a motion seeking to block the assault weapons ban in the state.

Writer and photographer Lee Bey says ‘the South Side makes Chicago’ Feb 17, 2023

Chicago’s South Side neighborhood is saturated with both Black history and Chicago history. From the city’s first world fair held in Jackson Park to the jazz legends founded at the Sunset Cafe, the area is rich in unparalleled culture. Architecture photographer, writer and critic, Lee Bey talks about covering the South Side through the lens of its built environment. His book Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side inspired a new film from WTTW called Building/Blocks: The Architecture of Chicago’s South Side, which you can watch here. ]]>

Hope for MAP increase, more Pritzker budget reaction, Chicago hiring changes Feb 17, 2023

College advocates are hopeful a proposed $100 million increase in MAP grants in Illinois will become reality. Leaders from the Legislative Black and Latino caucuses respond to the governor’s spending plan. Changes to Chicago’s hiring and personnel policies are meant to open doors to more people.

Pritzker releases budget, Metra focuses on its future, Bears make a deal Feb 16, 2023

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released his proposed spending plan for next year totaling $49.6 billion, and there’s already pushback. Metra has a new strategic plan addressing the transit agency’s finances and future service. The Chicago Bears have closed a deal to buy the former Arlington Heights racetrack.

So many candidates in so little time: A WBEZ voter guide Feb 15, 2023

The Chicago Mayoral Election is right around the corner and we know how stressful voting can be. To help make this experience hassle-free, WBEZ’s Government and Politics Senior Editor Angela Rozas O’Toole breaks down the ins and outs of this election: the important issues, which candidates you’ll see on your ballot and how to make your most informed decisions on Feb. 28. Take the WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times mayoral candidate quiz here. ]]>

NIU honors mass shooting anniversary, ride passes merge, State of the State Feb 15, 2023

On the heels of the Michigan State University shooting, Illinois residents remember victims of the shooting at Northern Illinois University on its 15th anniversary. Chicago Transit Authority and Pace are merging their ride passes next week. Governor J.B. Pritzker will give his budget proposal for the new fiscal year during his State of the State address today.

Breakup bar for Swifties, heated mayoral forum, migrant housing plan worries Feb 14, 2023

Maybe you knew they were trouble when they walked in, and you’re looking for a place to shake it off… head to the pop-up Taylor Swift breakup bar. Mayoral candidates sparred in last night’s forum. A plan to move migrants into a vacant Kmart on Chicago’s Southwest Side is getting pushback.

A new podcast asks Asians to redefine ‘sexy’ on their own terms Feb 13, 2023

The creators of WBEZ’s new podcast, Shoes Off: A Sexy Asians Podcast, want to put to rest long-running slights against members of the Asian community, who are often ignored, fetishized or made the butt of the joke in America. Erin talks with hosts Susie An and Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and producer Stephanie Kim about the show and why they’re trying to redefine “sexy” on their own terms.]]>

Super Bowl gatherings, early voting sites open, EMS body camera proposal Feb 13, 2023

The Bears might not have made it to the Super Bowl, but Chicagoans were still enjoying the game yesterday. Early voting sites in the city’s 50 wards open today. There’s a proposal in Springfield for all EMS workers to wear body cameras.

godscloset celebrates ‘trans divinity’ with gender-affirming clothes Feb 10, 2023

Wing Yun Schreiber was experimenting with their gender presentation through fashion a few years ago when they realized they couldn’t access the clothing they needed. So they created godscloset, a community closet that provides gender-affirming clothing to trans and gender non-conforming people in Chicago – all for free. Wing Yun shares the birth of godscloset, the meaning behind the name, and what you can expect at the upcoming pop-up fundraiser on Feb. 19 in Humboldt Park.]]>

Earthquake vigil, mayoral candidates talk education, Chicago investments strong Feb 10, 2023

A vigil in northwest suburban Mount Prospect honors the more than 20,000 people who died in an earthquake in Turkey and Syria. At WBEZ’s mayoral forum two candidates disagree on education issues. The city’s investment portfolio is strong and continues to grow, according to the city treasurer.

Chicagoans feels unsafe, a less car-centric city, an Anti-Valentine’s Day bash Feb 09, 2023

A new poll shows Chicagoans don’t feel safe here. Five of Chicago’s mayoral candidates put forward their plans during a WBEZ forum to make Chicago less car-centric. An Anti-Valentine’s Day Party is popping up for young adults and teens at The National Museum of Mexican Art.

Part II: Navigating anti-fat bias in the workplace Feb 08, 2023

Fat phobia is pervasive in most spaces, and the workplace is not immune. In part two of this conversation, Sarah Stark, a freelance producer at WBEZ, recaps the “Bias Against Bodies” series on the daily talk show “Reset”, starting with how anti-fat bias affects employment decisions. Plus, she shares how we can change our language and culture when it comes to people who are fat, and how they themselves are modeling steps to do so.

Frustrated Chicagoans, all eyes on new UIC faculty contract, Sky prep for new season Feb 08, 2023

A new poll shows Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s re-election effort faces stiff headwinds as a majority of voters disapprove of her performance. Academics around the country are celebrating the UIC faculty’s newly ratified contract. Kahleah Copper may be the only Chicago Sky starter left after last season, but she’s ready to lead.

Low voter turnout, Pritzker warns of extremism, police officer mental health Feb 07, 2023

A WBEZ analysis suggests most Chicago voters will skip the upcoming municipal election. Meanwhile, Governor JB Pritzker wants people to pay attention to local elections to help root out what he calls “extreme ideology.” A report from the Chicago inspector general criticizes the city police department for failing to provide enough mental health support for officers.

Part I: The weight that anti-fat bias carries Feb 06, 2023

Whether it's through weight loss campaigns or outright discrimination, fat phobia seems to be one of the last acceptable kinds of bias. Sarah Stark is a freelance producer, and she launched the “Bias Against Bodies” series on WBEZ’s daily talk show, “Reset.” In five episodes, guests cover how pervasive anti-fat bias is in America and the negative mental, physical and financial effects fat phobia causes for children and adults alike. In part one of the conversation, Stark recaps the part of the series about fat phobia’s anti-Black origins and how bias against bodies shows up at the gym and the doctor’s office. Editor's note: A previous version of this episode misattributed a quote in the introduction to Brandie Solovay. The correct speaker was Esther Rothblum.

Early voting spots, tenants lack heat and water, Medicaid protections ending Feb 06, 2023

Early voting is underway in Chicago; find out where to drop off your ballot. Tenants of a South Side apartment complex have been without heat and water for weeks. With Medicaid pandemic protections coming to an end March 31st, more than 300 thousand Illinois residents could lose health insurance.

‘Motive’ podcast follows former Chicago gang members working to stop violence Feb 03, 2023

When you hear the word “gang,” different thoughts may come to mind. But overall, why people join gangs and everything that happens after is complicated. And then there are those former gang members who’ve made it their job to stop the violence that comes with gang life. The host of WBEZ’s Motive podcast, Pat Smith, spent a year with these anti-violence workers, and he talks about making season 5 of the podcast with them at the center.

Federal grant to help unhoused folks, new community complex, 'zombie' fungus Feb 03, 2023

The U.S. Housing Secretary gives Chicago $60 million dollars to address homelessness. The fungus in “The Last of Us” is among us – housed for research purposes at the Chicago Field Museum, and it’s not really that deadly. The new North Austin Community Center opened yesterday to much fanfare.

Black History Month in Chicago, railway expansion, college enrollment drops Feb 02, 2023

It’s Black History Month and cultural institutions all over Chicago are celebrating with innovation, including a Shark Tank contest for Black entrepreneurs in the city. The Chicago City Council approved the Norfolk Southern Railway expansion to the 47th Street rail yard. Declining enrollment at Illinois colleges may be a sign of an upcoming demographic cliff.

Book bans and sanctuaries: A look at war and peace in local libraries Feb 01, 2023

Libraries are often considered peaceful spaces, but in reality, they’ve long been battlegrounds for freedom of speech. To ban books or not to ban books? It’s an issue fueled by identity politics and critical questions about who has the authority to limit access to information. WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde talks about what censorship looks like for librarians and library visitors in a push and pull about what should stock the shelves.

Upgrades at O’Hare, school staffing shortages, COVID disaster emergency to end Feb 01, 2023

Billions of dollars later, construction on the International Terminal at O’Hare is finally complete. Amid staffing shortages in Illinois public schools, the state has a new superintendent of education starting this month. Gov. JB Pritzker announced the end of Illinois’s COVID disaster emergencies, effective this spring.

Tyre Nichols protests continue, financial health, goodbye to Candace Parker Jan 31, 2023

Tyre Nichols protests continue in Chicago. A new report shows that Black and Latinx residents are more financially vulnerable than white ones, even accounting for income similarities. Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s office is expected to drop charges against R. Kelly in a court hearing today.

Understanding menstrual equity and detaching the stigma from periods Jan 30, 2023

The average person with a period pays $200 to $300 a year on products. To curb that cost, some states like Illinois have made period products tax exempt. But the question remains: Should they be readily available to all people with periods? Illinois Latino News Reporter Annabel Rocha talks about her work to destigmatize periods and make the experience more equitable. Find out more about the event at wbez.org.

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Vigils follow police shooting video, temporary migrant shelter, low COVID risk Jan 30, 2023

Demonstrations and vigils remain calm in Chicago after the release of a Memphis police shooting video. City officials share plans for a temporary migrant shelter in Woodlawn, despite significant community pushback. Chicago and Cook County are now in the “low” category for COVID-19 community transmission.

Nina Sánchez liberates her community through creativity Jan 27, 2023

Nina Sánchez wants institutions in Chicago’s arts community to evolve into places where people of color can thrive. Sánchez is an anti-racism organizer and the owner of 51st Ward Books, a bilingual, social justice-centered bookshop for children. In this profile from our sister station Vocalo and its “Chi Sounds Like” series, Sánchez discusses her work, growing up in Pilsen, and why creativity is essential in community.

Lightfoot on the defense, advancing CPS students changes, Covid-era surcharges Jan 27, 2023

Tensions were high at the latest mayoral forum as we get closer to Election Day. Chicago Public Schools is making changes to its promotion or retention policy for students. Covid-era surcharges at Chicago restaurants are lingering, but it’s leaving a bad taste in the mouth for some patrons.

Controversial training academy opens, early voting starts, SNAP benefit rollback Jan 26, 2023

Chicago officials have opened a new training facility on the city’s West Side for police and firefighters, but there’s some controversy. Early voting begins today for the city’s municipal election. The additional SNAP benefits tied to the pandemic are expiring in Illinois as of March 1.

Hac Tran works to amplify Asia on Argyle Jan 25, 2023

In the Southeast Asian community on Argyle Street in Uptown, Hac Tran says he’s seen nearly 10 businesses close due to rent increases, gentrification, pandemic complications and other issues. He sees the closures as a threat to the community’s identity, so he and a few business owners started HAIBAYÔ, a creative initiative that highlights local businesses. This week on The Rundown, we’re featuring profiles from our sister station Vocalo and its “Chi Sounds Like” series, which looks at Chicagoans who have made this city what it is.

Another assault weapons lawsuit, sheltering the unhoused, Cook County tax sale Jan 25, 2023

More lawsuits are getting filed against Illinois’ new assault weapons ban. The cold, snowy weather is adding another challenge to Chicago’s unhoused population. There’s an effort underway to prevent people with delinquent property taxes from losing their homes through auction.

Lightfoot ethics investigation, temp workers protections, surge in food bank use Jan 24, 2023

The Chicago Board of Ethics is expected to ask for an investigation after Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s campaign sent out emails to CPS teachers looking for student volunteers. A new proposal in Springfield would provide more protections for temporary workers. The Northern Illinois Food Bank is seeing a 40 percent increase in clients.

Christopher LeMark uses coffee and hip-hop to destigmatize mental health Jan 23, 2023

Christopher LeMark says he never had a safe space to work through the difficult, complex emotions after he experienced childhood trauma. That’s why he created Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health, an organization that aims to destigmatize mental health struggles, particularly in the Black community, by removing financial, emotional and systemic barriers to seeking therapy. This week on The Rundown, we’re featuring profiles from our sister station Vocalo and its “Chi Sounds Like” series, which looks at Chicagoans who have made this city what it is.

Lunar New Year, first ruling on assault weapons ban, Roe v. Wade anniversary Jan 23, 2023

Chicago’s Lunar New Year celebrations were marked by the mass shooting in California that left 10 dead and 10 others wounded. A downstate judge has allowed a temporary restraining order for roughly 800 Illinoisans to be exempt from the new assault weapons ban. Protesters were out Sunday for the annual Women’s March on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Sentrock: The artist behind the Bird City Saint Jan 20, 2023

Joseph Perez is known to many as Sentrock – the muralist and street artist whose work can be experienced on walls, in illustrations, and as action figures across Chicago and the U.S. You’d probably recognize his signature character, a boy with a red bird mask named the Bird City Saint. Sentrock talks about the childhood yearnings and storytelling that inspire his work and how it manifested into a 3-room exhibit at the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Mayoral debate, a new National Historical Park, how to spot a green comet Jan 20, 2023

At the first televised Chicago mayoral debate, candidates discussed how they would secure funds for asylum seekers and how they could make the CTA more secure. The newest National Historical Park is on the south side of Chicago, in the historic Pullman neighborhood. A comet that hasn’t been visible from Earth in thousands of years can be seen this month in Illinois.

School funding, proposed surveillance ordinance, police union and elections Jan 19, 2023

A new transportation agreement and proposed surveillance ordinance aim to address safety for cyclists, pedestrians and people in wheelchairs. Chicago’s largest police union is making efforts to kick candidates off the police district council ballot ahead of the city elections. The Illinois State Board of Education approved spending more on schools, but advocates say it’s not nearly enough to fully fund them.

Nine people want to be mayor of Chicago. We want to ask them your questions Jan 18, 2023

Election coverage doesn’t always feel very engaging; it’s more like a horse race, focusing on who’s in the lead instead of what candidates stand for. But WBEZ’s engagement team is covering the Chicago mayoral election — and much of their journalism — a little differently. They’re collecting your questions and posing them to the candidates. It’s called “engagement journalism,” and WBEZ’s Alex Keefe tells us what it is and how they do it.

Bus drivers needed, safer biking, UIC strike continues Jan 18, 2023

Chicago Public Schools is hosting a job fair Wednesday to recruit support staff, including desperately needed bus drivers. A political movement for safer bike infrastructure is growing in Chicago. Students at the University of Illinois at Chicago are facing day two of canceled classes during a faculty strike.

Remembering MLK, CTA schedule changes, reducing long prison sentences Jan 17, 2023

Chicagoans celebrated Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. with art, music and podcasting. Reducing the length of prison sentences in Illinois would only slightly increase criminal arrests, according to a new study. CTA operators are concerned about schedule changes, despite more reliability for riders.

A Chicago native reps his city with percussive dance Jan 13, 2023

Step Afrika! is an international, percussive dance company, and they’re coming to Chicago for one night only on Saturday, Jan. 14. Dancer and artist Robert Warnsley is one of the few in the company who’s from Chicago, and they happen to have a special segment of the show, dedicated to the city – it’s appropriately named “Chicago.” He’ll tell us about the show and what it means to him to represent the Windy City.

Lightfoot apologizes, money for asylum seekers, plans for West Garfield Park Jan 13, 2023

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is apologizing for emails her campaign sent to Chicago Public School teachers recruiting student volunteers. Illinois lawmakers approve new spending to help asylum seekers who have come to the state. A West Side group has won a $10 million Pritzker Traubert Foundation prize to create a walkable village in West Garfield Park.

Chicago’s terrible traffic, paid leave in Illinois, audits for CPS Jan 12, 2023

If it feels like you are wasting most of your life sitting in highway traffic… you’re not imagining it. Chicago has the worst congestion of any major city. Illinois is one step away from requiring 40 hours of paid leave every year to ALL employees in the state. Chicago Public Schools has hired a new chief auditor and will start reviewing schools again after a long hiatus.

Part II: It’s okay to talk to your loved ones about money Jan 11, 2023

Where exactly does money belong between us and our loved ones? Brad Klontz is back for part two of our conversation about the psychology of money. Today, the financial psychologist is going beyond how you think about money, and into how to talk about it with your kids, your partner, and other folks around you.

Protections for abortion care, tracking COVID-19, eco-friendly transportation Jan 11, 2023

Illinois lawmakers passed two important measures last night on gun control, abortion and gender-affirming care. Health officials in Illinois have launched a new online COVID-19 tracker. Some North Lawndale residents can apply for stipends to purchase climate-friendly transportation.

Assault weapons ban pushback, Pritzker inauguration, Bronzeville historic status Jan 10, 2023

Democratic state senators passed an assault weapons ban last night, and Republicans in Springfield are pushing back. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wants to make college tuition free for some families. Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood is now a National Heritage area.

Part I: Your mind on your money Jan 09, 2023

From inflation to gas prices, to call this past year challenging would be an understatement for many. Things are starting to ease up a bit now, but all these fluctuations can make you question how much control you have over your own finances. What if it’s less about control and more about how we think about money in the first place? Brad Klontz is a Financial Psychologist. He’ll talk about how to adjust your personal psychology around money, in a way that will serve you whether you’re in a time of abundance or a time of scarcity.

Who’s in for mayor, legislative pay raises, LGBTQ protections Jan 09, 2023

The list of candidates running to be Chicago’s next mayor is set after one last hopeful was kicked off the ballot. Illinois state senators passed a budget bill that would give themselves a nearly 20 percent pay raise. Lawmakers and LGBTQ advocates outline some priorities for Illinois’ spring legislative session.

Kicking off Orthodox Christmas with mouthwatering food Jan 06, 2023

There are those Christians who already celebrated Christmas last month... and then there are those who are just getting started. Orthodox Christmas falls on January 7 this year, and Chicago has one of the largest Orthodox Christian populations in the US. They’re all celebrating with delectable holiday food this weekend, and WBEZ producer (and former chef) Cianna Greaves is here to tell us where we can find and enjoy some of it.

Assault weapons ban clears hurdle, abortion protections, X on birth certificates Jan 06, 2023

It was a big night in Springfield. Illinois lawmakers are closer to passing a statewide assault weapons ban. State representatives voted late last night on new protections for patients who get abortions and their providers. And state senators passed a measure allowing residents to mark X for the sex on birth certificates.

Student civic engagement, record opioid overdoses, Southeast side bridge repairs Jan 05, 2023

A Chicago teacher says a new state law allowing student absences to attend civic events recognizes learning also takes place outside the classroom. Cook County set another record for opioid overdose deaths. Four bridges on Chicago’s Southeast side will be getting repairs thanks to a boost in federal funding.

Living your best food life: Suggestions from a chef Jan 04, 2023

When it comes to living your best life in the new year, switching to more healthy eating may be at the top of your list. While you may know why this is a good idea, just how to do it can be mystifying. The latter is Chef Bri Houston’s specialty; she talks about creating meals, cookbooks and new habits for folks who want to explore a palette outside of the standard American diet.

Chicago COVID risk, LaSalle Street revitalization update, lame duck starts Jan 04, 2023

Chicago remains at a medium risk level for COVID-19, but Chicago’s public health commissioner predicts that won’t last long. Developers have pitched $1 billion in renovations as part of Chicago’s Revitalize LaSalle initiative. Illinois lawmakers are back in Springfield for the lame duck session this week.

Natural hairstyle protections, Pell grants for prisons, students’ basic needs Jan 03, 2023

An Illinois law protecting natural hairstyles from workplace discrimination is now in effect. Some prison education experts worry the return of Pell grants won’t be a catch-all solution for students behind bars. A survey finds more Chicago public schools are being asked by families to help meet their children’s basic needs.

Chicago’s newest dry bar and bottle shop opens just in time for Dry January Dec 30, 2022

Some folks will be taking a break from alcohol soon for Dry January. But abstaining from it doesn't mean you want to stop going to bars or consume delicious beverages. Cristina Torres is the founder of Bendición Dry Bar and Bottle Shop in Humboldt Park. She explains why focusing on community and reflection is vital when you’re sober, whether it’s for a month, a night or forever.

Growing technical education, state prison population, representation in science Dec 30, 2022

A new state law aims to promote career and technical education amongst high school students. Illinois ends the year with a slightly higher prison population than in 2021. Frederick Collins will be the last mayoral candidate knocked off the February ballot after falling short of the signatures he needed to qualify.

Damen Silos sold, SAFE-T Act ruling, recycling Christmas lights Dec 29, 2022

Illinois sells Damen Silos land despite growing concerns from community and environmental groups. A new report shines light on the mismanagement of prison investigations. A Kankakee County judge has ruled part of the SAFE-T Act unconstitutional.

The time they tried to close a beloved school in Chicago’s South Loop Dec 28, 2022

National Teachers Academy (NTA) is a high performing, majority Black elementary school in Chicago’s South Loop. A few years ago, a group of wealthier residents in the area rallied around closing the school to make space for a new high school their children could attend. Erin talks with the director of “Let the Little Light Shine,” a documentary about how NTA administrators, parents and students organized to instead keep the school open and welcoming to all students.

Southwest cancellations, Uber and Lyft driver protest, Chicago harm reduction Dec 28, 2022

Flight delays with Southwest Airlines are not just because of weather. Uber and Lyft drivers protested at O’Hare Airport last night and refused rides from the airport in demand of better working conditions. While the city of Chicago has embraced some harm-reduction steps to prevent drug overdoses, there's one step it’s not willing to take.

Celebrating Kwanzaa, sustainable Christmas tree disposal, free bike giveaway Dec 27, 2022

The Chicago Department of Transportation is getting ready for another round of free bike giveaways. The Bronzeville Children’s Museum kicked off Kwanzaa celebrations this week. The Morton Arboretum has sustainable suggestions for disposing of your live Christmas tree.

CTA riders are airing their grievances through a WBEZ survey Dec 23, 2022

The CTA has spent most of this year trying to recover from staff shortages and a massive culture shift toward remote work – two of the many by-products of a global pandemic. Last month, WBEZ asked listeners to fill out a survey, so we could hear directly from you about just how the issues with the CTA are affecting your lives and views of Chicago transit. Freelance journalist Rebecca Holland talks about the results.

Frostbite is no joke, mask up for gatherings, Benito Juarez says no to police Dec 23, 2022

Doctors are advising people to stay indoors as bitter cold temperatures linger this weekend, but they have tips if you absolutely must go out. You should mask up if you’re going to be with family and friends celebrating the holidays. Teachers and parents at Benito Juarez High School are saying they aren’t interested in bringing police officers back into schools, despite the shooting outside the building last week.

Winter storm arriving, more dispensary licenses coming, mayoral challenge update Dec 22, 2022

Officials in numerous Chicago departments – including CPS, CTA, and the Department of Family and Support Services – are bracing for low temperatures and heavy snow in the coming days. More people will soon be able to apply for a cannabis dispensary license in Illinois. Two candidates in Chicago’s mayoral race have dropped their efforts to get each other kicked off of February’s ballot.

Pilsen residents battle gentrification with a push for affordable housing Dec 21, 2022

A promise of affordable housing sits at 18th and Peoria in Pilsen. It’s the single largest vacant and developable lot in the neighborhood, and the property has changed hands for roughly 20 years. Now the city owns the land and promises to build affordable housing – something community members have been organizing for, for years. WBEZ metro reporter Indira Khera talks about what residents are hoping for, as the city invites them into the planning process.

Travelers pack O’Hare and Midway, broadband funding, SAFE-T Act’s day in court Dec 21, 2022

Midway and O’Hare airports could get nearly three million travelers over the next two weeks. Illinois is getting funding to improve broadband infrastructure and access to high speed internet. A lawsuit by state’s attorneys from across Illinois challenging the constitutionality of the SAFE-T Act had a hearing in court.

Winter arrives, accessible transit funding, school COVID money spending Dec 20, 2022

A winter storm could hit the region hard later this week. The Federal Transit Administration is providing millions in funding to make Chicago-area public transit systems more accessible. The Illinois State Board of Education released a “spending dashboard,” showing how Illinois school districts spend COVID recovery aid.

Understanding your grief Dec 19, 2022

Grief – does it have to be sad? How do children grieve? What if you feel awkward talking about loss with a loved one who’s grieving? Julie Weatherhead is a grief counselor and co-founder of Got Grief House. On today’s episode, she speaks to these questions and more.

Gun violence prevention, Hanukkah begins, new center examines cannabis’ impact Dec 19, 2022

A Chicago alderman talks about preventing school violence after Friday’s shooting at Benito Juarez High School left two teens dead and two others injured. A newly announced research center in Chicago will focus on the societal and medical impacts of cannabis. Folks gathered outside Wrigley Field Sunday night for the First Night First Light Hanukkah event, despite freezing temperatures.

A professor's take on the nuance of Ye Dec 16, 2022

Ye – the artist formerly known as Kanye West has been stirring up quite a bit of controversy lately, and it’s a lot to take in. But if you really think about it, he’s always been a lot to take in – for better or for worse. Professor Jeffrey McCune Jr. has written about, researched and taught classes on the artist, and he’s here to add even more nuance to how we think about Ye’s existence in the culture.

Temperatures drop, discrimination lawsuit filed, assault weapons ban questioned Dec 16, 2022

The City of Chicago encourages residents to be prepared and utilize City services and resources during the Winter season. A new lawsuit says the way Cook County conducts property tax sales illegally discriminates Black and brown residents by leaving them with no equity. Some Chicago anti-violence workers believe an assault weapons ban won’t do enough to curb city-wide gun violence.

Get outside to beat the winter blues Dec 15, 2022

Experts advise going outside, instead of staying in, to mitigate seasonal affective disorder symptoms. After 9 years, the Jane Byrne interchange is set to fully reopen. An update on Wednesday’s City Council votes, including an approved funding plan to extend the CTA Red Line southbound to 130th Street.

Get ready to call ‘Dibs’ Dec 14, 2022

The season of ‘Dibs’ is coming. Motorists, are you ready? Author, historian, and Chicago tour guide, Adam Selzer, talks about Chicago’s unofficial dibs tradition of saving a shoveled parking space, using lawn chairs – or, in his case, a frozen pair of pants. He’ll share some dibs suggestions, funny stories, and the legal piece of things, too.

Big Chicago casino vote today, check your smoke alarms, NBA honors Jordan Dec 14, 2022

Illinois homeowners need to check their smoke alarms before a new law takes effect on January 1st. The proposed Bally’s casino in River West is one step closer to reality. The NBA’s MVP award is renamed to honor Michael Jordan.

Assault weapons ban, no Chicago property tax relief, pilgrimage to Des Plaines Dec 13, 2022

Hearings on a proposal to ban assault weapons in Illinois have started. A push to repeal automatic property tax increases in Chicago fails. An estimated 200-thousand pilgrims traveled to suburban Des Plaines to honor The Virgin Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Since when are smiley emojis passive aggressive? Dec 12, 2022

We are firmly in the age of the emoji, whether it’s texting a homie or emailing a coworker. And as helpful as emojis can be, there’s some tension and disagreement between age groups on what they mean and how they should be used – especially in the workplace. Erin talks with some WBEZ co-workers and a communications expert on the emojis that make Millennials smile and Gen Z cringe.

Red Line extension vote, new banking options on West Side, Pfleger reinstated Dec 12, 2022

Chicago city council members will consider a plan to raise nearly a billion dollars to cover the long awaited extension of the Red Line. Faith leaders are partnering to bring a credit union to Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, the first in several years. Pastor Michael Pfleger is reinstated at St. Sabina.

How to break up the holiday monotony Dec 09, 2022

Traditional holiday activities can be comforting, but at times, monotonous. If those activities are leaning more toward the latter for you this year, WBEZ’s Samantha Callender has a guide to help freshen up your fun holiday season to-dos.

Warmer winters, reducing gun violence, youth mental health Dec 09, 2022

Chicago winters are getting warmer. The Chicago Sky is celebrating Brittney Griner’s release from a Russian prison. Illinois State Sen. Mike Simmons discusses ways to address youth mental health at a panel with the U.S. Surgeon General.

Cannabis social equity, proposed assault weapons ban, Sue the T-Rex lends an arm Dec 08, 2022

Today marks the deadline for eighth graders to apply for a seat in a Chicago public high school outside their neighborhood. Paleontologists are working with Dinosaur Sue at the Field Museum to see why Tyrannosaurus rexes’ arms are so short. An online petition is calling on the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to rescind the honorary doctorate it awarded to Ye.

Guaranteed income pilots provide ‘autonomy’ to local residents Dec 07, 2022

The way inflation has us barreling through our bank accounts, a little money help could go a long way. Both Cook County and the City of Chicago are starting to provide that help in the form of monthly cash payments directly to residents. Erin talks with Chicago Sun-Times reporter Elvia Malagón about how these programs work and what sets them apart from other pilots across the country.

Where Chicago invests, fiscal cliff for CTA, eco-friendly Christmas trees Dec 07, 2022

A new study found that Chicago distributes public money evenly, but private sector investments fall along racial and wealth lines. A looming fiscal cliff could be coming for the the Regional Transportation Authority if local transit agencies — like the CTA — don't get financial aid soon. The SAFE-T Act is now law and the REAL ID deadline is extended.

Pilsen development plans, engaging citizen scientists, a new HIV treatment Dec 06, 2022

An upcoming meeting will show potential plans for Pilsen’s largest vacant lot. Citizen scientists are keeping tabs on chloride levels in Illinois rivers and streams. The state is offering a new, injectable treatment for HIV, starting in January.

Are voters ready to back Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot again? Dec 05, 2022

Ten people are competing with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the February municipal election. Some folks are backing her, others are on the fence, and then there are those who never supported her and never will. WBEZ city politics reporter, Mariah Woelfel, gives us a sense of where people are coming from.

Gas prices down, menstrual products in IL prisons, Bears lose ‘most wins’ title Dec 05, 2022

Illinois lawmakers approve a bill requiring free access to menstrual products in state correctional facilities. The Chicago Bears no longer have the most wins of any franchise in NFL history. The price of gas has gone down, but the price of children’s cold medicine has gone up.

Sneakerhead University is a sea of gym shoe drip Dec 02, 2022

Sneakerhead University is the type of place you go when you’re ready to be dipped in the history of pop culture, through gym shoe drip. It’s an interactive, sneaker culture museum that opened up this fall in Chicago. Owner and curator, Shay Belvin, tells us what it’s about and who it’s for. And yes, we do talk about Ye.

SAFE-T Act changes, lending gaps, battle over a beloved statue Dec 02, 2022

Illinois lawmakers pass changes to the criminal justice reform package known as the SAFE-T Act. Banks that hold the city’s money have made little progress in closing the lending equity gap. Protesters from the now-closed St. Adalbert Catholic Church are suing the City of Chicago.

Overnight parking ban, it’s World AIDS Day, public previews new space exhibit Dec 01, 2022

Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban starts today. Black community groups in Chicago are calling for more equitable funding for HIV and AIDS programming on the South and West Sides. Democratic state lawmakers are proposing to ban the sale of assault rifles in Illinois.

When English isn’t your first language Nov 30, 2022

About one-third of people in Chicago, over the age of 5, speak a language other than English at home. Today, we talk with WBEZ data reporter, Amy Qin, about the most common languages spoken in the city, who’s speaking them and the broader context of immigration, culture and community.

Mag Mile reinvention, Illinois to see more EV charging stations, renew your ID Nov 30, 2022

Chicago’s Magnificent Mile has more storefront vacancies than ever, and business owners want to reinvent it. Illinois is moving ahead with plans for electric vehicle charging stations on major interstates. The deadline for expired IDs is coming.

Winter predictions, changing restaurant hours and getting fit alone Nov 29, 2022

Winter could be wetter-than-normal in the Chicago area this year. Some Chicagoans are concerned about the police department’s proposed Criminal Enterprise Information System, also known as the gang database. A gym for introverts opens in Fulton Market.

Walking and wheeling in the Windy City Nov 28, 2022

For many, getting around Chicago is pretty easy. It’s one of the few American cities that’s invested in high quality transit, cycling, and walkability infrastructure. But, for people with a disability that inhibits their mobility, it’s just not as easy to get around. Today’s guest is an accessibility researcher, and he tells us why.

Sleep for heart health, independent contractor rights, abortion access by plane Nov 28, 2022

The American Heart Association says getting a good night’s rest helps prevent heart disease. What the Workers Rights Amendment means for independent contractors. And an Illinois non-profit is working with pilots to transport pregnant people seeking abortion care.

Focusing on the feels at Friendsgiving Nov 23, 2022

For Thanksgiving, the food may be taken care of, but what about the feels? Jordan Wimby AKA “The Melanin Martha” is a chef and culinary preservationist, and she talks to us about prioritizing identity, community and healing when you’re cooking and creating space during the holiday season.

Shopping safely, Hire Trans Now initiative, an upcoming CPS deadline Nov 23, 2022

Illinois elected leaders and advocates are warning families about recalled or potentially hazardous toys this season. Illinois State Police are making it harder for people to get guns if they’ve had run-ins with law enforcement. Chicago’s public health commissioner is urging holiday travelers to check COVID-19 transmission levels at their destinations before they leave.

World Cup watch parties, guaranteed income enrollment, who's running for office Nov 22, 2022

The 2022 World Cup is in full swing, though some feel torn about human rights abuses in the host country. Plans for a cannabis dispensary at the former Rainforest Café in River North have gotten a green light. CTA holiday buses and trains are on their way.

Dixmoor’s long-term water problems continue to plague its residents Nov 21, 2022

Read more about Dixmoor's Water Crisis, from WBEZ's Adora Namigadde

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CTA signing bonuses, student social media warning signs, COVID risks study Nov 21, 2022

Chicago Public Schools is monitoring students’ social media for signs they might engage in violence at school or harm themselves. The CTA is implementing a signing bonus and other incentives to attract new drivers and train operators. A new study found that those middle-aged were at higher risk of dying during the second year of the pandemic than the first.

Comedian Hannibal Buress switches things up with new single as Eshu Tune Nov 18, 2022

You may know Hannibal Buress as a stand-up comedian and actor from shows like Broad City. But he also happens to be a rapper. He just dropped a new single called “Knee Brace” under the moniker Eshu Tune. We asked him, why music? And why now?

Holiday travel tips, tripledemic advice, expanding internet access Nov 18, 2022

Healthcare providers are concerned about surging RSV cases as we head into flu season. What the TSA is expecting in Illinois and nationwide during the Thanksgiving travel period, which commences today. Cook County commissioners approved a budget of more than $8 billion dollars.

Save-a-Lot skepticism, vacant lot makeover plan, jobs for trans folks Nov 17, 2022

Community members push back on plans to rehab six Save-A-Lot grocery stores on the south and west sides. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces a plan intending to re-populate neighborhoods on the city’s South and West sides. A UChicago instructor is dealing with death threats over a class called “The Problem of Whiteness.”

State lawmakers are in Springfield for a veto session. But what does that mean? Nov 16, 2022

The Illinois legislature’s two weeks veto session is currently underway. They’ve got a lot to talk about and decisions to make. And while they’re in Springfield doing that, we’re here with an explainer – today WBEZ’s Alex Degman tells us what exactly a veto session is, and what happens during these weeks-long meetings every fall.

Workers rights, weed dispensaries, a green light for grocery stores Nov 16, 2022

McDonald’s employees rallied outside the Chicago global headquarters in the West Loop yesterday, calling for better wages, while Illinois voters passed a measure enshrining collective bargaining in the state constitution. Another prisoner has been exonerated in a murder case put together by infamous, former Chicago police detective, Reynaldo Guevara.

Snow, city council ghosts Bring Chicago Home, property taxes rise Nov 15, 2022

Chicago homeowners expected to pay hundreds of dollars less in property taxes this year, but now they may actually be paying more. Meanwhile, renters may see some relief. Alderman no-shows means Chicagoans will not get to vote on the Bring Chicago Home ordinance, a proposal to combat homelessness in Chicago. Illinois lawmakers are expected to tweak the so-called SAFE-T act during their last session of the year.

Who is Erin Allen? Nov 14, 2022

WBEZ Chicago’s The Rundown newsletter meets The Rundown podcast. Hunter Clauss writes the newsletter every afternoon, and he welcomes podcast host Erin Allen into the mix with an interview about where she’s coming from and where she hopes to go – with listeners – in Chicago.

Whole Foods closes, Chicago COVID cases are up, millennial voters turned out Nov 14, 2022

A Whole Foods in Englewood closed. Also, climate change might be impacting our local power grid, and masks are recommended for some people as COVID-19 transmission has risen to a medium risk level across the Chicago area.

Coming Soon… The Rundown podcast Oct 26, 2022

This November, WBEZ launches its daily news podcast. Host Erin Allen will keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago’s news, culture and people in bite-sized episodes each weekday. Subscribe today!

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