WBEZ News

An exhibit on the Near South Side focuses on South Asian artists who have come through and thrived in Chicago. It’s called “What is Seen and Unseen: Mapping South Asian American Art in Chicago.” WBEZ Rundown podcast host Erin Allen spoke with the curator, Shelly Bahl about her inspirations behind the exhibit. That was Shelly Bahl speaking with WBEZ Rundown podcast host Erin Allen. HOST: DIXON

With the calendar turning to September comes the end of meteorological summer – and it was certainly one to remember. Here to help recap some of what we saw is Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford. HOST: LARA

The holiday creep comes earlier and earlier each year. Already consumers are seeing fall- and Halloween-themed items on the shelves and menus. Illinois-based Portillo’s is jumping on that trend with its first new cake flavor in two decades. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang sits down with Garrett Kern, the head of culinary at the popular fast-casual chain known for Chicago-style hot dogs. HOST: LARA

But storms from earlier this week could create dangerous swimming and boating conditions. The Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project tracks the number of drowning fatalities in the Great Lakes. So far their data shows there have been 44 drowning deaths in Lake Michigan in 2024. Reporter: Araceli Gomez HOST: GOMEZ-ALDANA

Chicago has a new sculpture … of playwright, journalist, and activist Lorraine Hansberry. After a two-year tour of Los Angeles and New York, the artwork has made it to its permanent home — Navy Pier. The sculpture, designed by artist Alison Saar, is titled, To Sit Awhile. Chicago unveiled it at an event featuring Hansberry’s family, local writers and city officials. Reporter: Mike Davis HOST: DIXO...

Leaders with the Greater Chicago Food Depository say food insecurity is still prevalent in Cook County, after they saw an increase in people relying on food pantries this summer. WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana checked in with one non-profit trying to provide nutritious food for students year-round. HOST: LARA

Millions of Illinois voters had their home addresses exposed this year by an election conspiracy peddler who operates Right-leaning websites that purport to be impartial local news outlets. Those websites published allegedly restricted voter roll information and are now subject to a state lawsuit. A new WBEZ investigation has found the websites revealed where scores of state and federal judges liv...

Lifeline Theatre on Chicago’s North Side has staged award-winning performances for more than four decades. But like many arts organizations nationwide, the midsized Rogers Park theater has struggled after the COVID-19 pandemic. Lifeline has recently launched a funding campaign to help close a large budget gap and keep the house lights on. WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis joins me with more. HOST:...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration is predicting a nearly $1 billion dollar shortfall for next year’s city budget [2025]. But first – the city will also have to close a nearly $223 million dollar deficit before the end of this year [2024]. Budget officials are warning difficult choices will have to be made in the months ahead. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg joins me now to break down the annual...

A walk-up soft-serve ice cream window on Chicago’s North Side is attracting long lines of customers. And that’s primarily due to one unique quirk. WBEZ Rundown podcast host Erin Allen went to the Irving Park neighborhood to check it out. HOST: DIXON

If they protest peacefully, the media often ignore them. There can be a lot of news coverage if they’re militant or violent But that attention tends to be negative, and may spark a public backlash. WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell reports how these dynamics played out during last week’s Democratic National Convention here in Chicago. HOST: DIXON

Talk of abortion seemed to be everywhere during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last week. Illinois was celebrated for welcoming thousands of women needing the procedure. But abortions funds that help women travel here for care are running out of money. WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch has more. HOST: DIXON

Chicago is in the midst of its biggest heatwave of the year – tomorrow (TUES) we could see heat indices as high as 110 degrees. And it comes right as Chicago Public Schools students are headed back to the classroom. Here with me now to discuss the implications of this heat is Chicago allergist and immunologist Doctor Juanita Mora. HOST: LARA

This summer, three student jazz musicians from Illinois won a big audition to play in a national band. Hailed as musical diplomats, the group just wrapped a tour of South Africa. WBEZ contributor Hannah Edgar connected with one of the players to learn what it takes to reach jazz music’s most elite stages. HOST: DIXON

The Democratic National Convention brought more than just politicians and party bigwigs into town this week. The event and all those afterparties also brought big name musicians, who took over stages all across Chicago. WBEZ’s Mike Davis has more on the musical soundtrack that was DNC week. HOST: LABUZ

Another Chicago Democratic National Convention is in the bag. Delegates, journalists, and demonstrators from around the world are heading back home as the city’s officials are celebrating their handling of the major event. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel joins me now to take a look at how the city did with it all. HOST: LABUZ

Chicago played host to the Democratic National Convention this week. It had been nearly 30 years since the DNC last came to town. It was a week full of speeches, street protests and some emotional moments. In the end Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz accepted their party’s nomination. Many of the sounds in Chicago this week were unforgettable. Let's take a moment to listen back to the Chicago DNC …. REP...

Today is the first day of a new Chicago Public School year — and it promises to be a doozy. After a period of relative calm, CPS faces some rough waters ahead. There are potential leadership changes, labor tension and financial troubles. But there’s also plenty to look forward to. I spoke with WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp about what parents and kids can expect when they roll up to their scho...

Well some Illinois politicians are already looking to the NEXT DNC. They say Chicago should do it all over again in four years — and host the next Democratic convention in 2028. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg caught up with Illinois delegates and Chicago City Council members to see if the city is up for it. HOST: LABUZ

This week of the Democratic National Convention was also a week of protests and demonstrations. Mostly focused on the ongoing war in Gaza. Protesters came from around the country – and from all around Chicago - to join in the marches. As WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports, demonstrators say the trip was well worth it, and the protests were a success. HOST: LANE

A jubilant crowd of Illinois delegates hugged, snatched up DNC swag and navigated a sea of fallen balloons after a rousing speech from Kamala Harris last night. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel was there and spoke to Illinois Democrats about their takeaways. HOST: DIXON

The final day of the Democratic National Convention has arrived, and the political focus now moves toward what’s next. With 10 weeks left before the November elections, Illinois Democrats are saying it’s time to get down to the grassroots. WBEZ’s Mawa Iqbal has more. HOST: LARA

There are growing calls to allow a pro-Palestinian voice on the DNC stage at the United Center tonight (THURS). Some of those calls are now coming from high-ranking Illinois delegates and public officials - including Chicago’s mayor. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg has more as we head into the last evening of the DNC. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel contributed to this report. HOST: LARA

Chicagoans gathered at watch parties across the city last night as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic party’s nomination for president. Our reporters dropped by two of them … including one hosted by members of a local chapter of Harris’ sorority. We start with Alex Degman, who joined a few thousand people for a viewing party at Soldier Field. HOST: DIXON

He’s a Republican without a party. And, as WBEZ’s Dave McKinney reports from the United Center, former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger got a primetime role at the Democratic National Convention, and Illinois Democrats were quite happy about it. HOST: DIXON