The Rundown | Chicago News

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.

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.

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 scie...

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.

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...

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 deci...

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.

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 Chi...

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 bi...