WBEZ News

There’s a remarkable run of blockbuster public-corruption cases filing through Chicago’s federal courthouse this year. Chicago Public Media is examining the defining issues facing our democracy and reforms proposed to strengthen it. WBEZ’s Dave McKinney examines the effect all of these corruption cases are having on Illinois’ democracy and its voters. Host: Lisa Labuz

Marie Henderson runs Out of the Past Records. She’s seen the neighborhood change for the worse, but she said she is proud she’s “still here.”

Earlier this year, a man driving in Chicago’s West Garfield Park neighborhood was shot and killed. His car smashed through the front of LiFE restaurant on Madison Street. The incident is an all too-common tragedy for a neighborhood that struggles with violent crime. It was also a major blow to the mom-and-pop eatery. Residents worried it would mean the end of one of West Garfield’s few restaurants...

With Thanksgiving in our rearview … it’s officially the Holiday season. From twinkling lights to live music, Chicago has something to get everyone in the festive spirit. WBEZ Digital Producer and reporter Courtney Kueppers joined morning edition host Mary Dixon with a roundup of Chicago’s top attractions.

Traditional civics education teaches students about the government, quizzing them on things like who makes laws. But Chicago Public Schools has quietly revolted. Instead of just facts, students are taught that their voice matters. These lessons have had powerful ripple effects for schools and the students. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp explains.

The Chicago area is home to the country’s largest Palestinian American community. Generations started coming here in the early 1900s and it’s now considered a destination for some. WBEZ’s Amy Qin spoke with Rundown podcast host Erin Allen about why so many people eventually settled here, and started with some history about Palestinian migration.

Drought, dust storms and sediment piles the size of skyscrapers are wreaking havoc on central Illinois farms. Can the next generation innovate fast enough? Reporter: Zachary Nauth; Host: Melba Lara

With the City of Chicago stretched thin helping thousands of Venezuelan migrants secure shelter and jobs, neighboring suburb Oak Park is trying to help. But it hasn’t been easy for the western suburb to help about 160 migrants, underscoring that no one municipality can take on the crisis without more resources and collaboration. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

At Sullivan High School in Rogers Park, almost 70 Venezuelan students are now learning English and catching up on months—sometimes years—of missed school. WBEZ met one Venezuelan senior as she prepared to sing a song from her homeland at the school’s fall concert. Host: Mary Dixon

Rising seas, hotter summers, and more rain are all on the way—and in some cases are already here. The Biden Administration’s National Climate Assessment is out today and that means hotter and wetter conditions for the Midwest. WBEZ and Grist’s regional climate reporter Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco joined host Mary Dixon to explain what it all means.

After 118 days, the Hollywood actors’ strike is over. SAG-AFTRA and television-movie studios have reached a tentative deal. Union officials say the contract is valued at over one billion dollars. There are about 5000 SAG-AFTRA members in Chicago. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang sat down with a SAG-AFTRA actress based in Chicago. Sydney Charles has appeared in such shows as “The Chi,” “Shameless” and “S...

For decades, south suburban Harvey has weathered severe flooding. The city’s infrastructure is made up of combined sewers that are prone to overflowing during heavy rains. More than half of Harvey residents have reported structural flooding in their homes. Past storms have impacted hundreds of buildings – causing long-term damage to structures and roadways. Now there’s a plan to temper those effec...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s floor leader is resigning from his leadership posts after a chaotic City Council meeting last week. The meeting broke down over a proposed referendum vote on the city’s sanctuary status. Underlying the drama was a race for one of just three spots for citywide ballot questions that are allowed during an election. WBEZ’s Tessa Weinberg explains how that limit leads to...

The father of the suspect in last year’s mass shooting in Highland Park has pleaded guilty to acting recklessly when he helped his son get a gun permit when he was underage. Robert Crimo Junior was scheduled to go on trial today (MON). Instead he struck a plea deal that means he’ll spend two months in jail and two years on probation. Crimo’s son - Robert Crimo the third - is facing more than a hun...

It’s been a month since the initial attack on Israel by Hamas. Spiritual leaders in Chicago are helping their congregations deal with the onslaught of death and trauma. They’re coming at it from a multitude of perspectives. WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde talked to different faith leaders about how they’re grappling with how to lift others up. Host: Mary Dixon

Veterans Day is next Saturday… and a group in nearby East Chicago, Indiana wants to rename a community center there in honor of a fallen hero from the Vietnam War. Emilio De La Garza Jr. was only 20 years old when he sacrificed his life to two fellow marines in 1970 after an enemy soldier pulled the pin of a grenade. De La Garza jumped on the grenade to shield his fellow soldiers from the blast –...

It’s been nearly five years since federal prosecutors slapped former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke with a corruption indictment … accusing him of using his power to steer business to his private law firm. WBEZ’s city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel and the Chicago Sun-Times’ federal courts reporter Jon Seidel will be in court every day, and bring us updates throughout. They join us now with a rundown...

One small school in the southwest suburbs has been shaken to its core by the Israel-Hamas war. It's one of many schools serving Muslim or Jewish students that is struggling. The school has had to confront hate, grapple with the pain of seeing their people killed, while at the same time trying to make their students feel secure. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

For thousands of refugees arriving in Chicago, finding work is the first step to establishing a new life here. Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang; Host: Melba Lara

In Chicago, the way buildings are heated, cooled, and made livable are responsible for about 70 percent of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions every year. Chicago is looking to join other cities around the country that have changed emission standards for new buildings. Activists say changes would help health, climate – and the pockets of homeowners. WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez- Franco has the s...

With an average of five crashes a day, bicyclists have been involved in more than 16-hundred traffic crashes in Chicago so far this year. The crashes leave some cyclists with thousands of dollars in bike repairs and medical bills. Most suffer from injuries, such as lacerations and broken bones. And some have even been killed. WBEZ’s Jessica Alvarado Gamez has the story of how cyclists say the city...

Six members and associates of a gang faction are on trial in connection with the 20-20 murder of Chicago rapper FBG Duck. Reporter: Tom Schuba; Host: Melba Lara

The sudden cold and snow in Chicago… is presenting new challenges for the thousands of migrants arriving here, on top of the difficulties they’ve had in finding adequate food, clothing and shelter. But as WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports, many of the newly arriving migrants are trying to make the best of it.

It takes an in-depth look at the different city departments’ efforts to bake in equity across government. Candace Moore became the city’s first chief equity officer in 2019. She spoke with WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde about how the report will affect Chicagoans … and started off by giving an example from the department of Streets and Sanitation.

Next week’s federal corruption trial of former Chicago Alderman Ed Burke will pull back the curtain on Chicago-style, scratch-my-back politics. Burke is accused of using his position as an alderman, and chair of the powerful finance committee, to strongarm developers into hiring his private law firm. WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel has more on how Burke accumulated immense power, and how it paved the way fo...