WBEZ News

Today is the start of something brand new here at the station. At 9 we launched a new news-driven talk show In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons. And at 10, another new program where YOU can chime in; Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith. These two local programs will air weekdays between 9 and 11 each morning. Sasha-Ann Simons and a voice morning listeners know well -Mary Dixon-join me now wit...

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best. This week, we got this question: “My name is Anthony, and I'm from Kankakee, and I'm just wondering what to do now that I've gone through my retirement funds to save my house in the last recession, with the new recession co...

If you want to know how many arrests immigration officers have made in Chicago this year, you won’t get answers from the government. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE stopped publishing comprehensive data in January, after President Donald Trump was inaugurated. But watchdog groups have stepped in to fill some key gaps. They offer a big picture view of arrests and detentions in Illin...

Chicago just spent another week in the national spotlight, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten federal intervention. But that didn’t stop one local arts group …. Music of the Baroque …. from putting an orchestra on a large, sightseeing boat. All to create a moment of joy. On Wednesday, the group presented a sing-along to Handel’s [HAN-dell] “Water Music” from 17-17. They invited the pu...

The city of Chicago today announced a 90 million dollar proposed settlement to resolve almost two hundred lawsuits tied to Ronald Watts. He’s a former police sergeant who ran a corrupt public housing unit and went to federal prison for shaking down an FBI informant. HOST: LARA

Immigration enforcement actions are ramping up in Chicago - in predominantly Hispanic immigrant communities. Many immigrant workers say they’re afraid to work and some people are making the decision to stay home. But legal experts and labor organizers say there are several key steps business owners and employers can take to be prepared if federal immigration authorities show up. HOST: LABUZ

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents – and possibly the National Guard – being deployed on Chicago's streets. Like this one from Kathy Williams in Hyde Park: My concern is who is paying for the National Guard to be sent out, are they taxpayers paying for that?

The price of a college education is higher than it's ever been. In the midst of the student debt crisis, we talk to Sun-Times reporter Mary Norkol to examine Chicago college tuition and see how students are faring. HOST: LANE

Fans know Jenna Fischer from her time playing Pam Beesly [BEES-lee] on NBCs hit comedy “The Office.” Fischer is also a New York Times best selling author and podcaster… but now Fischer is moving into the new phase of her career. HOST: LABUZ

President Donald Trump has promised to increase federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. It’s raising questions and fears for some parents of school-age kids. Chicago Public Schools says it does not coordinate with federal agents, including ICE. But what about your commute to and from school? HOST: LABUZ

President Donald Trump has promised to increase federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. It’s raising questions and fears for some parents of school-age kids. Chicago Public Schools says it does not coordinate with federal agents, including ICE. But what about your commute to and from school? HOST: LABUZ

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents – and possibly the National Guard – being deployed on Chicago's streets. Like this one from Douglas Macayeal from Hyde Park: If the National Guard comes to Chicago can we take photographs and post them on social media?

Chicagoans have been bracing for a potential National Guard deployment. But the city's history with American soldiers stretches back to its founding. Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to talk about Chicago's history with troops. HOST: LANE

More and more buildings in Chicago and around the country are owned by LLCs. That’s making it easier for landlords to hide behind their companies. HOST: LABUZ

We're answering YOUR questions about the National Guard and immigration agents possibly being deployed on Chicago's streets.

We’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. Then each week we get your questions answered by the people who know best. Students are back in the classroom, and for high schoolers, they’ve got a big decision coming up. Calvin Buss from Godfrey, Illinois asks: "When looking for a good college, do I look for the cheapest college that I can afford without having to take out loan...

The Chicago Bears are back! We talked with WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout about how the team is looking and what we can expect from the season. HOST: LANE

President Donald Trump has been threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago, in what he calls an effort to curb violence in the city, despite lowering crime numbers. The threats come shortly after Trump deployed the National Guard into Washington DC, citing similar concerns. Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles is in Washington DC and joins us now to talk about what she’s see...

President Donald Trump has been threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago, in what he calls an effort to curb violence in the city, despite lowering crime numbers. The threats come shortly after Trump deployed the National Guard into Washington DC, citing similar concerns. Sun-Times national political reporter Tina Sfondeles is in Washington DC and joins us now to talk about what she’s see...

President Donald Trump has been sending federal immigration agents to Chicago. And more are expected to arrive as part of a plan to increase immigration enforcement efforts. A group of volunteers in the Pilsen neighborhood on Chicago’s south side wants to stop them from making arrests in their community and warn families before they get there. HOST: LABUZ

Hundreds of federal agents are being sent to a suburban naval base from Los Angeles, but they're not the National Guard. We talk with Sun-Times reporter Violet Miller about which agents are being sent and what we can expect them to do. HOST: LANE

Crime stats in Chicago see it fewest summer murders since 1965

President Donald Trump has threatened to send federal troops into Chicago to fight crime. But teenagers who liven area of the southeast side notorious for gun violence, have strong feelings about what that could mean for their community.

O’Hare Airport has broken ground on a new $1.3 billion dollar terminal Concourse D. Sun-Times Architecture Columnist Lee Bey says the designers plan to create a more calming and intimate space, with daylight, plants and a kids play area. HOST: LANE

The Chicago Public Library has selected its One Book, One Chicago title for 2025. The book is Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. Olga Dies Dreaming tells the stories of two successful Latino siblings who must confront the impact of long-held family secrets as their estranged mother returns to their lives. WBEZ contributor Adora Namigadde sits down with Xochitl Gonzalez to discuss the book. HO...