WBEZ News

Gridlock on the Kennedy Expressway has never been worse than these past few years. That’s according to a new analysis of more than two decades of travel times by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. Our investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos dug into why record-breaking delays persist on the Kennedy - and spoke with frustrated commuters … HOST: LANE

Dozens of Border Patrol agents are no longer roaming Chicago neighborhoods. Enforcement has grown quieter and less visible, but arrests continue. And the fear that took hold in immigrant communities last fall… hasn’t gone away. Some are completely shifting their routines to the night to avoid encountering ICE. This shift… and the constant anxiety that comes with it takes a toll on their health and...

Four years ago, billionaire businessman Michael Sacks wrote a $200,000 check to Brandon Johnson’s inaugural committee and went to see the mayor-elect to help him set up his administration. When Johnson launched his campaign for a second term last month, he named one man as his primary political opponent: Michael Sacks. Who is this Chicago power player now in the eye of the political storm? And how...

Each year, Chicago Fashion Week stages creations by local designers through a series of events and runway shows. But for the first time, one of its shows celebrated work created by a cast of all openly LGBTQ plus designers. HOST: LANE

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is laying out his $17-point-6 billion dollar budget proposal. The plan resurrects Johnson’s failed corporate head tax from last year in an attempt to close the city’s $882 million dollar budget gap. The spending plan also seeks to nearly double the tax on sports betting, from 10-and-a-quarter percent to 20 percent. Johnson’s council opponents quickly criticized the pr...

Election day is fast approaching. And Illinois voters are being asked to fill the open U.S. Senate seat now held by retiring Senator Dick Durbin. In the only face-to-face showdown of the campaign, Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy faced off last night [TUES] in a forum hosted by WTTW. HOST: LANE

This story contains references to sexual violence and may disturb some listeners. A 21-year-old woman says she was sexually assaulted at a frat house near the University of Chicago earlier this month. U-Chicago doesn’t officially recognize the fraternity and neither student involved attends the school. In a lawsuit filed Monday, another student says she was assaulted at a different fraternity near...

so far, the Chicago Teachers Union is being outraised and outspent. That’s despite the CTU being the biggest spender in these elections two years ago. HOST: MELBA

A woman is suing a University of Chicago fraternity, alleging she was raped earlier this year by one of its members. The lawsuit filed yesterday (MON) holds that a member of Alpha Delta Phi sexually assaulted the 19-year-old woman during a fraternity party on February 7th. This comes just over a week after Chicago Police Department opened an investigation into separate report of sexual assault at...

This October, some theaters in Chicago are getting into the Halloween spirit and staging spooky stories. HOST: LANE

The proposed merger announced Wednesday will now undergo a regulatory process that could take months before it’s approved. Once combined, the health system will include 12 hospitals in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. HOST: MELBA

There are fewer than three weeks until election day. And for the first time, Chicagoans will elect the entire Board of Education. Candidates for CPS Board President spoke at a forum hosted by WBEZ, the Chicago Sun-Times, and Chalkbeat yesterday (WED) as part of their final push. HOST: LABUZ

Bob Odenkirk has had many phases of his career…. From comedy writing on Saturday Night Live to dramatic acting in hit shows like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. This weekend, the Naperville native enters a new chapter, acting in a play in Champaign. HOST: LARA

A 19-year-old was detained on Sunday for allegedly plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu place of worship in Aurora. Police in suburban Palatine say 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis faces charges of making a terrorist threat and illegal gun possession. According to prosecutors, the suspect attempted to open fire Sunday before the AR-style rifle jammed. HOST: LARA

There are less than three weeks until election day. And as the campaigns hit high gear, Governor JB Pritzker and Republican candidate Darren Bailey faced off last night [tuesday] in a bitterly-fought, hourlong forum. The WTTW event is the only time Pritzker and Bailey will go up against one another on the same stage. HOST: LANE

Colorful, large-scale maps of Chicago’s Austin, North Lawndale and Garfield Park neighborhoods NOW live in the Chicago History Museum. HOST: LANE

Chicago songwriter Vivian McConnell is known for fusing indie rock with unexpected flares. You can hear Latin rhythms and ….the flute she learned to play in high school. Around town, she performs with artists like Finom or Spencer Tweedy. But under the moniker VV Lightbody, she has released a new album, called “Period Piece.” HOST: LANE

It was a tough weekend in Chicago sports. The White Sox fell to the Cleveland Guardians 2-0 Saturday, taking them out of American League Pennant and World Series contention. Legendary Bears player and coach Mike Ditka died Friday. The Bears suffered a tough 31-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers yesterday (SUN). And to add insult to injury - the Blackhawks and Bulls lost over the weekend as well. HOST...

Civil Rights Activist Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior would have turned 85 last week. His fraternity brothers hosted youth events at the Rainbow PUSH Headquarters to celebrate his birthday and honor his legacy. HOST: LABUZ

RESULTS OF THE SOX GAME.

Ditka played on the Bears’ 19-63 NFL championship team. And as coach of the 19-85 Bears, coached the team to its only Super Bowl championship. HOST: PUENTE

Former Bears Coach Mike Ditka has died at age 86. He became a symbol for the city of Chicago after leading the ‘85 Bears to the Super Bowl. WBEZ’s Noah Jennings has this remembrance. HOST: LARA

The Chicago Stars have had a rocky few years. The Windy City NWSL team has faced a slew of injuries and staffing changes that have them in last place this season. But the Stars are looking to shine again. HOST: LABUZ

Since President Donald Trump got reelected, more than 100 veteran immigration judges across the country have lost their jobs or resigned amid a sweeping overhaul of immigration courts. The Trump administration says it's making the courts more efficient. Several former judges who used to hear cases in Chicago’s court say the courts are being weaponized to increase deportations. They spoke recently...

This fall, the Chicago History Museum will display some rare presidential artifacts. Among them is an item from Mary Todd Lincoln’s wardrobe that really brings the past to life. HOST: LABUZ