WBEZ News

Prisoncast 1/6

When kids pass through the school house doors they are supposed to feel safe and welcomed. That’s not what happened to one Black girl at a mostly white Chicago public school. Her story played out as the district has struggled to tackle a rising number of complaints of racism and other forms of discrimination. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp tells us how the girl’s mother is responding. HOST: LARA

Approximately ten percent of babies nationwide are born prematurely and some families end up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NIC-U. But as complications and emergencies arise during birth … for the non-birthing parent, there isn’t much support. WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana reports on a local dad’s group that is hoping to change the misconception about what dads want and need during the birth...

Governor J-B Pritzker is on Capitol Hill today testifying on behalf of Illinois’ sanctuary law before a Congressional oversight committee. The Democratic billionaire has retained a powerful D-C lawyer to prepare for what’s going to be a high-profile appearance. Chicago Sun Times reporter Tina Sfondeles is there. She says Pritzker – who is seen as a potential Presidential candidate in 20-28 – can’t...

Just in time for summer, Chicago’s home for so-called “outsider art” has reopened after a multi- million-dollar renovation and expansion. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers took a trip to the newly reimagined Intuit Art Museum in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood and has this story. HOST: DIXON

President Donald Trump has stripped many immigrants of the temporary protections that have allowed them to live and work legally in the United States. Now, many immigrants from countries like Haiti and Venezuela have a tough decision to make: live in the U.S. illegally and risk deportation, or go back to countries that continue to face political unrest and violence. WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad...

Chicago attracted more than 55 million visitors last year (2024). That was up almost 7 (6.5) percent from the year before ... but it's still behind the city's pre-pandemic levels. Kristen Reynolds – the new president and CEO of Choose Chicago – spoke with WBEZ host Clare Lane about this summer’s inbound travel forecast. HOST: MELBA

Chicago homicide numbers keep heading down. So far this year, the city has recorded nearly 30 percent fewer murders than during the same period last year. And the city’s so-called safety gap has narrowed. HOST: DIXON

A new book reclaims the narrative of Dr. Edith Farnsworth, the Plano patron of Mies van der Rohe. HOST: DIXON

The decade-long criminal pursuit of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan finally comes down to this. On Friday, a man once regarded as the state’s most powerful politician will be sentenced for multiple corruption convictions. If Madigan gets a long prison term, could his next step be to seek relief from President Trump? HOST: MELBA

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. Then each week, we bring you answers from the people who know best. This week, we heard from Dan in Irving Park, who recently got scammed. HOST: DIXON

Officer Krystal Rivera was an animal lover, a devoted mom and a dedicated public servant. That’s according to family members who spoke today (FRI) with the Sun-Times’ Mary Norkol. Rivera was shot and killed during a pursuit in the Chatham neighborhood last night (THURS). Mary Norkol joins me now to tell us more about the shooting…and about Officer Rivera. HOST: LARA

Chicago has recorded 157 murders so far this year. That’s the fewest through this date of any year in more than a decade. Some experts are crediting publicly funded street outreach known as community violence intervention. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell got a close-up look at that outreach on the city’s West Side. HOST: DIXON

Thursday is Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers. WBEZ’s Michael Puente talked to some Chicago-area fans of the team next door. HOST: LARA

A ballet version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet opens Thursday and runs most of June. The man behind it is the esteemed choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. HOST: DIXON

The White House has submitted a rescissions package to Congress, asking them to eliminate over a billion dollars in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS. This follows an executive order last month where President Donald Trump aimed to defund C-P-B, which is now facing lawsuits. Here to tell us more about what this means for WBEZ is Chicago Public Media CEO M...

Rising costs and political uncertainty has some people rethinking their summer travel plans. Whether you're flying off to a faraway destination or looking to explore closer to home, there are a few things you need to know before you go. WBEZ producer and travel writer Andrea Guthman joins me now with a few tips on how to maximize your summer vacation. HOST: DIXON

A new opera premiering in Chicago highlights the lesser-known women at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. Chicago Opera Theatre is staging the production through Sunday. HOST: DIXON

Local rapper Jay Wood is known for his authentic lyrics and energetic shows. When it comes to fashion, he’s influenced by streetwear, skate culture and growing up around Chicago. Wood says his music and fashion styles inspire and reflect each other. The artist recently visited our studios for the latest segment of Vocalo’s Getting Dressed series.

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. Then each week, we bring you answers from the people who know best. HOST: DIXON

Illinois lawmakers have adjourned for the summer. Over the weekend - they passed a state budget just a few minutes before their midnight deadline Saturday night – but there’s plenty they left on the table. Here to talk about it with us is WBEZ Statehouse Reporter Alex Degman – Alex, good morning. HOST: DIXON

One of the objectives of President Trump’s tariff strategy is getting companies to move their operations from overseas to the United States. This strategy is known as reshoring. While experts have doubts this strategy will work, some people in Northwest Indiana hope to take advantage of the policy. HOST: LABUZ

A new investigation by the Invisible Institute and ProPublica reveals that The Chicago Police Department has failed to vigorously investigate allegations of sexual assault by officers. A review of over 300 sexual assault and misconduct complaints found claims were often downplayed or ignored, sometimes allowing officers to abuse again and again. Reporters Dana Brozost-Kelleher and María Inés Zamud...

Immigration remains a flashpoint between President Trump and Illinois Democrats. Lawmakers in Springfield have vowed to serve as a firewall against Trump’s deportation agenda. And as they wrap up their Spring legislative session, several bills that would further put Illinois at odds with the federal government have stalled.

A new investigation by the Invisible Institute and ProPublica reveals that The Chicago Police Department has failed to vigorously investigate allegations of sexual assault by officers. A review of over 300 sexual assault and misconduct complaints found claims were often downplayed or ignored, sometimes allowing officers to abuse again and again. Reporters Dana Brozost-Kelleher and María Inés Zamud...