WBEZ News

Federal prosecutors in Chicago played some damaging undercover recordings in their criminal case against four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Paul Vallas plans changes to CPS’ structure and to prioritize testing while Brandon Johnson wants to guarantee a baseline of resources for each school. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

The middle child of 10 and a pastor for a father, Johnson chose public service instead of church leadership, and his faith guides that path still. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tessa Weinberg

Throughout Chicago’s mayoral race, candidate Paul Vallas has said CPD retirees are low-hanging fruit for replenishing sworn police ranks. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

How much snow did we get this winter? And how much rain should we expect this spring? We’re talking Chicago weather in this week’s climate conversation. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

After losing a bid for a legal injunction that would let them stay, some vendors bounced between packing up and making last-minute sales. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

In his years in the public limelight, Paul Vallas has developed a reputation for accessibility — and wonk. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Mariah Woelfel

Four former ComEd executives and lobbyists are on trial for allegedly bribing House Speaker Michael Madigan to advance legislation that steered hundreds of millions more profit to the power company. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Dave McKinney and Lauren Frost

All 18 of Cook County’s public housing developments will soon have mental health workers on site. Officials say it’s the first such initiative in the U.S. and part of an effort to help residents recover from the pandemic. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang and Lauren Frost

A report says US police departments face a three-fold crisis: an erosion of community trust, a violent-crime surge, and dwindling police staffing. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

Chicago Chinatown leaders fought for representation in City Council but two candidates face off in the 11th Ward runoff — one Asian and one white. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Chicago and Northwest Indiana rank high on a list of places with the worst air pollution in the U-S. We talk to a reporter from The Guardian U-S who worked on the ranking. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Michael McClain was speaking as an ‘agent’ of Michael Madigan. Recommends to Lou Lang to resign from the Illinois General Assembly.

Federal prosecutors are giving jurors a lesson in Illinois politics, as they make their case against four former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Lauren Frost and Dave McKinney

Some residents have raised concerns about a proposed biofuel plant in Northwest Indiana. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Michael Puente

Supt. Tony Sanders sees an “ever-widening gap between the left and the right … I think public education is squarely in the middle of that fight.” Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Susie An

In pleading for leniency Alex Banta said he took a job as a prison guard at 23 and had no idea how it would change him. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Shannon Heffernan and Lauren Frost

For 25 years, Jeff Schoep recruited young people for one of the most active hate groups in the U.S. Now, he’s discussing forgiveness and tolerance at Clemente High School. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

One educator compared the learning disruption caused by the pandemic to water freezing in cracked pavement, deepening the divide. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Susie An

Jollof rice is an iconic West African rice dish, filled with meat, vegetables, and intense spice. It’s gone from relative obscurity to global superstardom in the past 10 years. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Outreach workers say fewer shelter beds and Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s recent crackdown on people sleeping at O’Hare has forced more unhoused people onto trains and buses. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

By dosing teenage lab rats with THC, Kuei Tseng can see the impact of weed on brain development. The bottom line: There’s more the public needs to know. Host: Lisa Labuz: Reporters: Cianna Greaves, Zachary Nauth

From property taxes to paying the pensions, the two candidates for Chicago mayor are approaching finances in two completely different ways. Host: Susie An; Reporter: Tessa Weinberg, Mariah Woelfel

A big political corruption trial begins Tuesday. The case involves former Commonwealth Edison officials accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Ice is usually a common winter sight on the Great Lakes. But this season, ice cover on the lakes has been distinctly low. Host: Clare Lane; Guest: Andrea Vander Woude