WBEZ News

The Democratic National Convention is more than halfway done. And long nights of lavish after-parties, coupled with 8 A-M rallies over breakfast every morning, has Illinois delegates bleary-eyed. But the speakers at today’s [WED] morning event brought the energy – and the saltiness. WBEZ’s Mawa was there. HOST: LARA

Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us” is a diss toward fellow rap star Drake and his inner circle. But one Illinois politician is taking the song to a whole new civic level — using the phrase to try to highlight the contrast between Democrats and Republicans this election. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel reports the state’s attorney general – Kwame Raoul – is making a habit of churning political metapho...

Much has been made of the prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the office of President of the United States. Harris’ rise to presidential nominee is the latest chapter in the long history of Black women’s participation in American politics. Professor Sally Nuamah teaches political science at Northwestern University. Her current research fo...

The Democratic National Convention has been a boon for T-shirt makers. Sellers have traveled to Chicago from across the country to sell their unofficial merch. Shirts featuring Vice President Kamala Harris’ face, along with funny quips and slogans are suddenly a common sight on Chicago’s streets. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers talked to some sellers this week about what makes for a good shirt. HOST: DIX...

Now indulge us, will you, as we turn to fashion at the DNC. While some are making headlines for their designer suits and dresses — one Illinois politician says conventions are no place for satin or chiffon. Instead — Comptroller Susana Mendoza is making a splash with her casual, Chicago pride t-shirts, straight from a souvenir shop on Michigan Avenue. She gave WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel a tour of her c...

Planned Parenthood Great Rivers from downstate Illinois offered something unique this week during the Democratic National Convention: free vasectomies and medication abortion … from a parking lot. Illinois has become a destination for abortions. Access has vanished across much of the South and Midwest. WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch was there in the West Loop. HOST: LARA

Organized labor is taking center stage at this year’s Democratic National Convention. National leaders from large unions last night [MON] rallied for protecting workers’ rights and bringing manufacturing jobs back to the U-S. And, it’s been a topic of discussion for many Illinois delegates and elected officials, who are looking to use unions as a way to attract swing voters in surrounding states....

Illinois’ governor delivered a primetime address at last night’s (TUES) Democratic National Convention at the United Center. JB Pritzker’s speech painted Illinois’ values in contrast to Donald Trump. He worked in plenty of jabs against the Republican nominee. Even as Pritzker was on the offense, he says it’s kindness that Democrats lift up. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg and Mawa Iqbal have more from the U...

Political theater is on display at the United Center. And several shows about politics are playing at local theaters. A coincidence? Maybe not. WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis joined Morning Edition host Mary Dixon to sort through the drama.

For two years, the city of Chicago has operated nearly 30 shelters for thousands of migrants. Most of these shelters are run by A private company that has faced strong criticism for its management style. Plus, critics also say the shelters don’t offer enough long-term support for families. So, one local humanitarian organization has stepped in to run its own shelter. WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguiga...

Some Chicago residents have created an online ad campaign that pushes back against anti-immigrant narratives in the city. They timed it to coincide with this week’s Democratic National Convention. WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad has more. HOST: DIXON

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson used his roughly 4 minutes of spotlight at the Democratic National Convention yesterday to highlight the lineage of Black leadership in Chicago. As is customary, the host city’s mayor gave a welcome speech at the event attended by tens of thousands of delegates and politicians from across the country. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel was there. HOST: DIXON

It’s Day One of the Democratic National Convention and Illinois delegates kicked off the festivities with…. fiery speeches, surprise guests and some cat puns. Each morning Illinois Democrats are gathering in downtown Chicago to rally before each day’s events. WBEZ’s Alex Degman and Tessa Weinberg have more from the first breakfast of the week. Alex starts things off. HOST: LARA

Meanwhile there was more out of this morning’s (MON) breakfast event from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who’s giving hints about his own political plans – and whether he should run for a third term. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney reports. HOST: LARA

The Democratic National Convention begins tomorrow right here in Chicago. This is the first time the DNC is being held in the city since 19-96, making this a new experience for many Chicago residents. WBEZ’s Alex Degman covered the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last month and will be at the United Center this week. HOST: PUENTE

The Democratic National Convention has been years in the making — and it begins today. Roughly 50,000 political insiders are HERE in Chicago for panels, forums and, come Thursday, the nomination acceptance speech from Vice President Kamala Harris. So what does it look and sound like around the convention center’s core as the festivities ramp up? WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel and Mawa Iqbal surveyed the sc...

With the Democratic National Convention coming to town, we are highlighting some of what makes our city so special. Chef Diana Davilia opened her Logan Square restaurant, Mi Tocaya which means, my namesake … back in 2017. Davila’s cooking has earned nominations from the James Beard Foundation and Mi Tocaya was on the New York Times’s “best restaurant list” in 2021. But for the chef, everything com...

The Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago in three just a few days. Local and federal officials say they’ve been preparing for a year to keep the city safe during the event. Demonstrators have been preparing for months, too. They say they’re committed to keeping each other safe – and to making sure their message is heard. WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports. HOST: DIXON

Next up in our “This Is Chicago” series, alderperson Nick Sposato meets us at an Italian beef spot. He says Chicagoans demonstrate their generosity through food. Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos, HOST: DIXON

Doctor, comic book artist, and drummer Alex Thomas met up with WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip at Fort Knox studios in Albany Park. HOST: DIXON

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office is laying the groundwork to push out Pedro Martinez, the head of the city public school system. That’s what sources are telling WBEZ and the Chicago Sun Times. Our education reporter Sarah Karp and political reporter Mariah Woelfel have the scoop. They’re here to tell us what is going on. HOST: LARA

Ahead of next week’s Democratic National Convention, the Chicago Police Department says it’s ready for street protests. The department says it won’t be caught off guard, like during 20-20 unrest after George Floyd’s murder. To see if police are succeeding, WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell says to keep an eye on four things. HOST: DIXON

Next week’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago will be a glitzy, four-day affair that will generate news stories and headlines around the world. But the event can be expensive for newsrooms to cover. It can cost media outlets hundreds or thousands of dollars to reserve a table, chair, and internet near the United Center. For some smaller, hyperlocal outlets in Chicago – that’s out of their...

You’ve probably heard about young people who feel disaffected or disconnected from politics. But when the Democratic National Convention comes to Chicago next week a lot of local Gen Zers are going to be involved in one way or another. WBEZ’s higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip talked with a trio of them about their very different roles at the convention. All three want to empower other y...

Next up in our “This Is Chicago” series, Adeeb Borden traces his steps back to the Gary Comer Youth Center, where he started his journey as a teenage entrepreneur. Reporter: Anna Savchenko; HOST: DIXON