WBEZ News

Like a lot of students, Isabelle Dizon was looking for mental health support. Her college promised to help but never came through. Reporter: Lisa Kurian Philip; Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago voter turnout was at or near historic lows, likely a signal of either displeasure with the candidates or recognition that the party nominees were pre-determined. Reporter: Dave McKinney; Host: Mary Dixon

Eileen O’Neill Burke, who stepped down from a seat on the appellate court to run for state’s attorney, took an early lead against her opponent Clayton Harris III. Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Host: Clare Lane

Dozens of adults were expected to be evicted Sunday, amid an outbreak of measles, but just three were. They will be able to reapply for shelter at the city’s designated ‘landing zone.’ Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad; Host: Mary Dixon

In more than a dozen interviews about Preckwinkle, allies and rivals describe a “masterful” politician and how she’s held onto power. Reporter: Kristen Schorsch; Host: Mary Dixon

The ex-judge’s top 25 individual donors include no African Americans and no women, a WBEZ analysis of her Illinois campaign filings finds. Reporter: Chip Mitchell; Host: Melba Lara

Whether from Europe, the South or Mexico, Chicago has seen upticks in new arrivals before — not always with open arms. Reporters: Amy Qin and Tessa Weinberg; Host: Clare Lane

Jeremy Allen White on restaurant row. Ayo Edebiri in the burbs. Here’s where the cast and crew have been spotted so far by fans. Host: Mary Dixon, Reporter: Courtney Kueppers

One suburban library wants to help patrons navigate disinformation this upcoming election cycle. Reporter: Adora Namigadde; Host: Melba Lara

There has been a rapid increase of people getting pulled over for traffic violations and being arrested by Chicago Police. What’s more: these motorists are being arrested for unlawful use of a weapon charges – even though they’re not using a gun at all. A WBEZ analysis shows the number has grown by more than 700 percent since 2014. Critics say they’re people who simply don’t have the proper paperw...

Dozens of religious, academic and civil rights groups are opposing the proposed law that passed the state's house and senate. Reporter: Michael Puente; Host: Melba Lara

It’s the holiest month on the Islamic calendar and this year’s observation comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The holy month includes dawn to dusk fasting and calls for Muslims to build stronger relationships with Allah. WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde spoke with a few Muslim men at a mosque in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood about their preparations for the month.

The new Wind Creek Chicago Southland is opening just miles from a casino in Gary, Ind., and casino revenue is down in Illinois. Reporter: Michael Puente; Host: Melba Lara

The epic movie Oppenheimer is up for thirteen Oscars on Sunday. Hollywood’s take on the nuclear arms race has some key connections to the University of Chicago. WBEZ contributor Robert Loerzel takes us on a walk through the Hyde Park campus to find out more. Host: Mary Dixon

Snow. Tornadoes. 70-degree days. Chicagoland has seen it all this winter. Reporter: Lauren Frost; Host: Melba Lara

The have been 248 grievances lodged by migrants staying in more than two dozen city-run shelters between June 2023 and January. WBEZ obtained the grievances through a public records request with the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. Thousands of migrants — most from Venezuela — have been sent here from southern border states, primarily by the Texas governor, creating an on...

A Cook County judge has ruled that Donald Trump should be kicked off the Illinois ballot for the March 19th primary. The former president is vowing to appeal that decision. This all comes as we wait for a ruling from the U-S Supreme Court over Trump’s removal from the Colorado ballot. WBEZ politics reporter Dave McKinney spoke with Morning Edition host Mary Dixon.

There is a lot of hand wringing in Chicago about declining enrollment at neighborhood high schools. But in a few communities, demand is off the charts for spots in high performing schools. To make sure students are entitled to a seat, one South Side school says it visits the home of every incoming neighborhood student to check that they live in the attendance boundary. WBEZ reporter Courtney Kuepp...

The soundtrack of Palestinian solidarity is being created in Chicago. The album The Art of War is a genre-mixing work featuring the voices of young Palestinian artists from around the globe … Including local artists Norhan, El Theeb, and Amira Jazeera. WBEZ producer Cianna Greaves spoke with music engineer Bodhi Zee about his experience working with the artists.

A Cook County judge ruled the ballot question is invalid. But advocates and opponents say voters should still weigh in on the referendum. Reporter: Tessa Weinberg; Host: Melba Lara

Students, instructors and community members came together at Kennedy-King College in Englewood yesterday to celebrate Chicago’s soul food scene. The event was part of the school’s celebration of Black History Month. WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip stopped by to hear – and taste – the proceedings. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago residents can support monarch populations by planting milkweed and reducing pesticide use, experts say. Reporter: Lauren Frost; Host: Melba Lara

Chicago Alderperson Raymond Lopez is the rare Democrat from Chicago who often appears on right-wing cable news channels to criticize his own party. But he’s had a hard time seeking higher office. Through the end of last year, Lopez had raised less than 50-thousand dollars for his campaign to unseat progressive Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in next month’s primary election. Host: Clare Lane; Repo...

Voting ends in the Democratic primary to replace Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx three weeks from tomorrow, 3/19. The candidates are university lecturer Clayton Harris the 3rd and former state appellate judge Eileen O’Neill Burke. There’s a good chance you hadn’t heard of either of them before this race started. To help voters decide, WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell pressed both candidates for y...

Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi is making an expensive push to unseat one of three people elected to check his work. Kaegi is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars from his own pocket to help defeat county Board of Review Commissioner Larry Rogers Junior in next month’s Democratic primary. WBEZ’s Dan Mihalopoulos reports. Host: Mary Dixon