WBEZ News

A year ago the humanitarian crisis with migrants in Chicago was chaotic. Families were housed at police stations. People slept on the floor, didn’t have access to showers. Others camped outside. During that chaos, a new phase in efforts to help migrants emerged when thousands of volunteers formed a mutual aid network to respond to the needs of asylum seekers. WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad spoke...

The Chicago Bears are about to pick a new face for the organization when the NFL draft kicks off Thursday. But on Wednesday, they weren’t talking about their number one draft pick. Instead – the team revealed an ambitious plan to build a new stadium on Chicago’s lakefront near their current home of Soldier Field. But the proposal relies on public money – and comes with many questions about how the...

The Chicago Transit Authority’s apprenticeship program called “Second Chance” aims to help people with criminal records and other barriers to employment. But a new investigation from the Chicago Sun-Times finds that the CTA has hired a small percentage of its apprentices into full-time jobs with benefits. And some apprentices believe the CTA took advantage of them. Host: Labuz ; Reporters: Lauren...

The Chicago theater scene is brutal for actors. It can be even more challenging for non-Equity actors or actors who are outside the union. In the latest episode of WBEZ’s The Rundown podcast, our Arts and Culture reporter Mike Davis spoke with host Erin Allen about how non-Equity theater actors hustle to make ends meet. Host: Mary Dixon

The new WNBA season gets underway in two weeks. The Chicago Sky will start their 2024 campaign with new faces in the front office and on the court… including N-C-double-A superstars Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso. But will their rebuilding efforts be enough to help the Sky rebound after a disappointing 2023 season? Reporter: Cheryl Rae Stout; Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago has long been an innovator in comedy. A new exhibition at the Newberry Library shines a light on a venue you may not know. A Night At Mister Kelly’s takes visitors back to the heyday of Rush Street and the rise of modern stand-up comedy. Contributor Andrew Meriwether has the story. Host: Mary Dixon

For years a Northwestern University psychologist researched how people see their own prejudices toward different social groups. Now she has a new study out that shows what happens when white parents talk to their school-aged children about anti-Black racism. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang takes us to her lab. Host: Mary Dixon

There’s no trace of neurotic George Costanza in Sammy Campo, the sleazy lawyer who Jason Alexander brings to the stage this month at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Alexander stars in Judgment Day, a world premiere comedy from first-time playwright Rob Ulin, about an attorney who is motivated to shape up after a near-death experience reveals he’s not headed for heaven. He co-stars with Daniel Breaker...

It’s been less than a week since a mass shooting killed a 9 year old girl in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood. Community groups are trying to help the neighborhood heal. But residents are shaken. WBEZ’s Michael Puente takes us there. Host: Mary Dixon

The U-S Supreme Court will hear arguments about a bribery case that could have big ramifications for some high-profile corruption cases in Chicago. It involves a former Northwest Indiana mayor convicted of taking an illegal payment from a city contractor. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney breaks down the possible legal impact on bribery cases against one-time Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and former C...

Cook County has about $20 million dollars that suburbs can apply for to help migrants. But of all the suburbs in the county – only two have applied for that cash. WBEZ’s Kristen Schorsch explores why suburbs are leaving so much money on the table … and what that means for migrants. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability released a video earlier this week of the fatal police shooting of Dexter Reed Junior. The bodycam footage from last month shows five officers swarming Reed’s SUV in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Officials with the Civilian Office of Police Accountability say Reed fired at the officers first. But the bodycam video doesn’t clearly show that. Four...

Oak Park is home to a state go-kart racing champion… And he’s ten years old. Fourth grader Pierce Joy rose to the top of the Illinois junior league run by K-1 Speed this year. Now Pierce and two other kid drivers from Illinois… are headed to the national championship. To learn more, WBEZ’s Lauren Frost made a pit stop at the K-1 Speed tracks in west suburban Addison. Host: Mary Dixon

50 years ago a groundbreaking sitcom debuted on television. “Good Times” featured a Black family keeping their heads above water in Chicago. They lived in the Cabrini-Green public housing development. WBEZ’s Michael Puente has a story that reflects on the show’s legacy. Host: Mary Dixon

The Midwest’s largest art event of the year opens today at Navy Pier. Hundreds of gallerists from around the world will be at EXPO Chicago. So will a prominent list of artists, collectors and even… museum curators. EXPO Chicago runs through Sunday. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers is here to tell us more about what to expect. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago was at the center of the Black hair care industry for decades, with several key brands built here. Now, Black women are flocking to Chicago to sue those companies, saying the chemicals in the products used to straighten their hair left them sick. Recent studies have found frequent users of relaxers have a higher risk of getting certain kinds of cancers. Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm and WB...

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has tapped Finnish conductor Klaus Makela to be its next music director. Makela, who is just 28, will officially take up the baton in September 20-27. But he’s here this weekend for a series of concerts… and WBEZ’s art and culture reporter Courtney Kueppers caught up with the young maestro before the shows. Host: Mary Dixon

Black women in America have turned to hair relaxers to chemically straighten their hair since the early 1900s. Those chemicals are under scrutiny after decades of concern. Several scientific studies in recent years have found frequent users of those products have a higher risk of getting certain kinds of cancers. Now some of those companies are being sued in state court and federal court right her...

The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and the Center for Neighborhood Technology counted trucks for freight electrification. Reporter: Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco; Host: Melba Lara

Another federal judge in Chicago who also has dismissed gun cases based on the same Supreme Court ruling says the high court’s decision in what’s known as the Bruen case will “inevitably lead to more gun violence, more dead citizens and more devastated communities.” Reporter: Jon Seidel

Housing advocates in Chicago’s Logan Square are fighting to keep the rapidly developing neighborhood affordable, familiar and resilient to climate change. To do it, longtime residents are calling for affordable housing near transit stops. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco has the story Host: Mary Dixon

Baseball is BACK. The Chicago Cubs and White Sox both start regular season play today. Each team ended last year on a disappointing note. Host: Mary Dixon

More Chicagoans reported not having adequate heat this January than any other month in the last five years. Almost half of the complaints were made during January’s cold snap when temperatures were below 3 degrees for 3 consecutive days. Chicago Sun-Times Reporter Violet Miller and WBEZ’s Jessica Alvarado Gamez have documented this increase and join us today to discuss who was affected.

This kicks off the first election season for school board candidates in Chicago. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp looks at the challenges ahead as the city gets ready for this monumental change. Host: Mary Dixon

The city of Chicago has learned lessons and brought on new caterers to feed South American migrants in temporary shelters. Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad; Host: Mary Dixon