The Rundown | Chicago News

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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 ca...

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.

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 h...

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.

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 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...

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.

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.

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...

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 h...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 ab...

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.

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 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.