WTTW
Week in Review: Hazardous Smoke Blankets the Region; CPS Eyes Layoffs and a Spending Freeze
- Title
- Week in Review: Hazardous Smoke Blankets the Region; CPS Eyes Layoffs and a Spending Freeze
- Runtime
- 31:37
- Date posted
- 2 days ago
- Description
- Wildfire smoke blankets the Chicago area.
Dangerously poor air quality sparks warnings to stay inside if possible and avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
Hundreds of cases of the severe stomach infection cyclosporiasis are reported in Illinois, with the number expected to rise.
CPS announces furlough days, a spending freeze and more as it tries to close a massive budget gap — but Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union give the district’s proposed spending plan a failing grade.
Meanwhile, a plan to sell Chicago’s parking meters hits a speed bump, as do efforts to sell debt owed to the city in an effort to generate much-needed revenue.
The mayor’s plan to hold federal immigration agents to account faces City Council scrutiny.
And Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling leaves his post.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 16, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- Air Quality Alerts in Effect as Wildfire Smoke Blankets Chicago
Wildfires burning across Canada and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness are sending smoke across the Great Lakes, creating unhealthy to hazardous air quality conditions.
CPS Officials Announce Plans to Close $732M Budget Gap
Chicago Public Schools is banking on $200 million in tax funding from the city and planning for a mid-year spending freeze and a week of furlough days to help close its $732 million budget shortfall.
Community Groups Reflect on Larry Snelling's Tenure as Chicago's Top Cop
After joining the department in 1992, Larry Snelling spent much of his career as an instructor in the CPD training academy. Promoted to lieutenant in 2019, he was named commander in the CPD’s 7th District just months later. He was in charge of the CPD’s counterterrorism bureau before Mayor Brandon Johnson tapped him to take over the entire department.
Group W...
- Title
- July 15, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 4 days ago
- Description
- Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee on Inflation, Economy
Inflation has been a thorn in the side of many Americans over the past five years. Making matters worse is the recent uncertainty from tariffs and the Iran war.
DOJ Memo Raises Questions About Protections for Americans With Disabilities
The memo challenges the Americans With Disabilities Act's "Integration Mandate," which requires states to provide services that enable people with disabilities to live in their own communities rather than institutions.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 14, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 5 days ago
- Description
- Parasitic Infection Spreads Across US. Here's What to Know
Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal disease caused by the parasite cyclospora, which can commonly cause watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As Chicago's Top Cop Retires, A Look at Where the Consent Decree Stands
By the time Larry Snelling retires Wednesday, CPD will have fully completed just 25% of the consent decree’s requirements, according to the most recent measurement of the department’s efforts to comply with the court-ordered reforms.
Entrepreneur Joe Holberg on His 2027 Mayoral Campaign
The Michigan-born businessman said he will prioritize growing Chicago’s economy, eliminating debt and expanding housing options.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 13, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 6 days ago
- Description
- New Report Details the Challenges Facing Domestic Violence Survivors
A Chicago and Cook County task force says improving coordination between the courts and law enforcement is critical. Advocates say without more funding, many survivors will struggle to get the help they need.
Chicago's Top Cop Is Retiring. What's the Process for Choosing His Successor?
The search for a new CPD superintendent begins with the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, which will review applications, interview applicants and submit the names of three finalists to the mayor.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- New Law Puts Cook County Sheriff’s Police on the ‘L.’ Here’s How It Works
- Runtime
- 2:51
- Date posted
- 7 days ago
- Description
- New Chicago Police Department data released late last week shows violent crime on CTA buses and trains is down 28%.
That may be, in part, because of a law enforcement effort introduced by the state’s new Northern Illinois Transit Authority.
The bill that created the agency to oversee the CTA, Metra and Pace also created a Task Force, where area law enforcement agencies partner to put the brakes on transit crimes.
WTTW News recently rode along with Cook County Sheriff’s deputies to see how they got on track.
Story & Video: Brandis Friedman/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review: State Lawmaker Indicted in Kickback Scheme; More Calls for Boutros to Resign
- Runtime
- 26:42
- Date posted
- 9 days ago
- Description
- Federal prosecutors accuse a Democratic state lawmaker of an illegal kickback scheme.
State Rep. Carol Ammons is stripped of her committee assignments and banished from the Democratic caucus — but GOP lawmakers say she must resign.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says the budget passed over his objections is coming up $130 million short, but opponents say it’s a revenue gap of his own making.
Chicago-area reservoirs are at near capacity after heavy rainfall, as the city looks to improve West Side infrastructure to alleviate chronic flooding.
Meanwhile, alderpeople call on Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros to resign — and a federal judge reprimands him for publicly discussing a sealed indictment.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 9, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 10 days ago
- Description
- Deep Tunnel Reservoirs Nearly Full. Here's How They Work
The Chicago region’s Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP), aka the Deep Tunnel system, can hold billions of gallons of water during extreme weather events. Following a 48-hour period of near biblical rain between July 2 and July 4, TARP’s reservoirs were all but maxed out, reaching unprecedented levels.
Police Torture Survivors Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chicago Memorial
The memorial honors the more than 125 Black men, women and children who were tortured by disgraced former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge, and the officers under his command, on Chicago’s South Side at Area 2 and 3 police headquarters from the 1970s to 1990s.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 8, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 11 days ago
- Description
- Former CHA Board Chair Matt Brewer on His Run for Mayor
The South Side native co-owns the iconic Wiener's Circle and co-owns the city's first independent Black-owned cannabis dispensary.
Some SNAP Costs Are Moving to States. What That Means for Illinois
The Trump administration says the change will cut fraud and waste, but advocates warn it could make it harder for families who rely on SNAP to get the assistance they need.
Free Boxing Program Creating Opportunities for West Side Youth
In 2021, Ray Flowers started his boxing club in the hopes of creating healthy, supportive spaces for the youth in his community.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 7, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- Reports of ICE Activity Surge. What Community Groups Are Seeing in Chicago
ICE and Border Patrol agents made more than 10,000 arrests over five days at the end of June, according to the New York Times.
Chicago's New Air Pollution Monitors Face Intense Summer Heat
Last fall, the Chicago Department of Public Health and the University of Illinois Chicago joined forces to install nearly 300 air quality monitors around the city.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Transgender Chicagoans Find Services, Support at Brave Space Alliance: ‘You Get Community Here’
- Runtime
- 2:59
- Date posted
- 12 days ago
- Description
- Transgender rights are at the center of political and legal battles across the country.
One South Side organization is focused on creating a place where people can simply be themselves.
WTTW News reporter Joanna Hernandez recently visited Brave Space Alliance (@bravespacealliance) in Hyde Park to learn more.
Story & Video: Joanna Hernandez/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- July 6, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 13 days ago
- Description
- Bipartisan Bill Aims to Address Housing Issues. Here's What It Would Do
The bill has already passed both the U.S. House and Senate, but President Donald Trump refuses to sign it — instead pushing for an unrelated voter ID bill. The housing bill will automatically go into effect July 10 unless he vetoes it.
Remembering Afro Sheen Creator George Johnson
For many Black people, Afro Sheen is a household name. Businessman George Johnson created the products in 1954 on Chicago’s South Side. He pushed through racial barriers to become one of the most successful Black entrepreneurs in the U.S. by the late 1960s.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 2, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 17 days ago
- Description
- New State Law Puts More Cook County Sheriff's Police on Public Transit
Since March, the Cook County sheriff has placed teams of officers — 50 per day, working 12-hour shifts — on Chicago's Green and Red line trains.
Chicago Aviation Commissioner on O'Hare's Expansion, Holiday Travel
Michael McMurray became commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation last May, at a critical time for O'Hare International Airport's expansion, concessions contracts and more.
Transgender Chicagoans Find Support at Brave Space Alliance
Transgender rights are at the center of political and legal battles across the country. One South Side organization is focused on creating a space where people can simply be themselves.
WTTW News Explains: What's the Story Behind Some of Chicago's Famous Foods?
Chicago is home to a plateful of iconic foods. The Italian beef sandwich was born here in the early 20th century. Gyros were introduced to Americ...
- Title
- July 1, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 18 days ago
- Description
- Chicago Faith Leaders React to Trump's Religious Liberty Commission
The advisory body was created by President Donald Trump last year and filled almost entirely by conservative Christians. The 224-page draft report — part policy document, part philosophical argument — echoes members’ support for a stronger role for religion and religious expression in government, schools and the public square.
Ken Burns on His Documentary Series 'The American Revolution'
More than nine years in the making, this six-part, 12-hour documentary series tells the tale of the country's founding struggle from viewpoints you haven't seen before.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 30, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- Supreme Court Allows Trump to End Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, Syrians
The 6-3 decision overturns lower court orders and allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to swiftly end temporary protected status, a program that protects a total of 1.3 million people from 17 countries.
Native American Leaders Reflect on the US Turning 250
The signing of the Declaration of Independence represents the birth of America, but groups existed on this land long before English settlers claimed it as their own. For centuries, Native Americans have fought for rights, land and sovereignty after the United States broke treaties and forcibly removed millions of Natives from ancestral territory.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- July 2026 Birthdays — WTTW Kids Club
- Runtime
- 1:38
- Date posted
- 19 days ago
- Description
- Wishing a happy, happy birthday to these kids in the WTTW Kids Club!
The WTTW Kids Club is a very special level of membership. With each Kids Club membership, you can enroll a child to receive a Kids Club Birthday Card from their favorite WTTW Kids character, an On-Air Birthday Greeting, a Kids Club thank you gift, a WTTW Kids Club Card which includes 2-for-1 entrance to children’s museums in the Chicago area and discounts at popular children’s stores, invitations to special events just for kids and families, and more!
Learn more at https://www.wttw.com/kidsclub
- Title
- June 29, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 20 days ago
- Description
- From Mail-In Voting to Executive Power, a Look at Recent SCOTUS Rulings
The Supreme Court on Monday dramatically expanded presidential power, upholding President Donald Trump’s firings of the heads of independent federal agencies with one important exception: the Federal Reserve.
US Rep. Mike Quigley Announces Bid for Chicago Mayor
The nine-term U.S. representative from Illinois’ 5th District launched his campaign Saturday at the historic but crumbling Uptown Theatre, using the landmark as a symbol of what he said is needed to restore Chicago’s promise.
How Local Organizations Are Working With Communities to Stem Gun Violence
Community violence interventionists, or CVIs, walk high-risk neighborhoods hoping to interrupt cycles of violence through direct outreach and trust-building.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review: Bears Stadium Saga Continues; Supreme Court Hands Down Immigration Rulings
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 23 days ago
- Description
- Following a mass shooting over Father’s Day weekend, Mayor Brandon Johnson signs an executive order to create a new Office of Gun Violence Reduction.
Another candidate jumps in the race to be the next Chicago mayor: former CHA chair Matt Brewer.
Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker prevents Illinois patients’ medical records from being shared with other states, signing the law on the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that struck down the federal constitutional right to abortion.
A Bears stadium in Illinois may still be on the table as lawmakers devise new plans.
President Donald Trump withholds his approval of a bipartisan bill meant to lower housing costs for Americans, until lawmakers pass stricter voting requirements.
The Cook County sheriff takes on crime on the CTA.
And a Supreme Court ruling hands over more power to Trump on immigration issues.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnew...
- Title
- June 25, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 24 days ago
- Description
- Middle East Specialist Explains the Tentative Agreement Between US, Iran
The two sides now have 60 days to finalize the deal, with major sticking points still to come, including the future of Iran's nuclear program.
How World Cup Is Getting Young Americans Excited About Soccer
North America is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1994. Since then, the number of teams has doubled, soccer has grown in popularity in the U.S. and ticket prices have risen.
Queer-Led Organization Working to Break Stigma in Gage Park
In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the grassroots organization has grown into a hub for families.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 24, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 25 days ago
- Description
- State Rep. Dan Ugaste on His Plan to Keep the Bears in Illinois
The General Assembly ended the spring session without passing a bill to incentivize the Bears to build a stadium in Illinois.
Meet 2 Chicagoans Who Worked Behind the Scenes at the Obama Presidential Center
Chicago natives had a hand in everything from the performances at the celebratory opening to the center's culinary space.
WTTW News Explains: How Did Meigs Field Become Northerly Island Park?
Along the Chicago lakefront is a strip of land that was once home to a small airport called Meigs Field. That was until one March 2003 morning when the city awoke to find Mayor Richard M. Daley had the airport bulldozed in the middle of the night. WTTW News explains.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 23, 2026 Chicago Tonight – Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:49
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- The U.S. Department of Justice filed to join an existing lawsuit challenging Evanston's reparations program, which began in 2021.The program aims to provide payments to Black residents and descendants of Black residents who experienced housing discrimination in the city between 1919 and 1969.
Cook County has been called the wrongful conviction capital of the country. But who is giving the county this title? In her new book, “Crime Fictions: How Racist Lies Built a System of Mass Wrongful Conviction,” author Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve tries to answer that.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- June 2026 Birthdays — WTTW Kids Club
- Runtime
- 1:41
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- Wishing a happy, happy birthday to these kids in the WTTW Kids Club!
The WTTW Kids Club is a very special level of membership. With each Kids Club membership, you can enroll a child to receive a Kids Club Birthday Card from their favorite WTTW Kids character, an On-Air Birthday Greeting, a Kids Club thank you gift, a WTTW Kids Club Card which includes 2-for-1 entrance to children’s museums in the Chicago area and discounts at popular children’s stores, invitations to special events just for kids and families, and more!
Learn more at https://www.wttw.com/kidsclub
- Title
- May 2026 Birthdays — WTTW Kids Club
- Runtime
- 1:55
- Date posted
- 26 days ago
- Description
- Wishing a happy, happy birthday to these kids in the WTTW Kids Club!
The WTTW Kids Club is a very special level of membership. With each Kids Club membership, you can enroll a child to receive a Kids Club Birthday Card from their favorite WTTW Kids character, an On-Air Birthday Greeting, a Kids Club thank you gift, a WTTW Kids Club Card which includes 2-for-1 entrance to children’s museums in the Chicago area and discounts at popular children’s stores, invitations to special events just for kids and families, and more!
Learn more at https://www.wttw.com/kidsclub
- Title
- June 22, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 27 days ago
- Description
- Data centers are one of the most hot-button topics in Chicago and Illinois. Alongside more constructions comes more public scrutiny — of their economic and environmental impacts, their strain on the power grid and their role in AI development.
Cook County is investing another $20 million in street outreach, case management and victim services in an effort to curb community violence. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on the move.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review, June 19, 2026 – Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:48
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- The Obama Presidential Center draws massive crowds to Jackson Park for its grand opening. And former Ald. George Cardenas is the newest candidate to announce a bid for mayor of Chicago.
#chicagotonightwttw #WTTWNews
- Title
- June 18, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Take a Look Inside the Obama Presidential Center
From the moment you set foot in the John Lewis Plaza, you know this isn’t your ordinary presidential museum. And upon entering the museum’s first floor, you’re face to face with history.
Valerie Jarrett on the Obama Presidential Center, Growing Up on the South Side
Valerie Jarrett was a senior advisor to President Barack Obama for the entirety of both his terms, making her the longest-serving senior advisor in history. Now she is the CEO of the Obama Foundation and one of the key players in the creation of the Obama Presidential Center.
Geoffrey Baer Explores the Obama Presidential Center Architecture
WTTW News sat down with the principal architects of TWBTA to discuss the creativity that would change the skyline of the South Side and what it was like working with the man who inspired it all: former President Barack Obama.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 17, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- New Deputy Mayor for Community Safety on His Plans for the Role
Emmanuel Andre is tasked with overseeing the city’s public safety agenda at a time when overall crime is on the decline -- but while critics of Mayor Brandon Johnson are questioning his administration's approach.
Former Ald. George Cardenas Launches Bid for Chicago Mayor
Cardenas represented McKinley Park and parts of Little Village and Brighton Park during his tenure as 12th Ward alderperson, which lasted from 2003 until his resignation in November 2022 following his election to the Cook County Board of Review, a position he still holds.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 16, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Former ICE Spokesperson on Immigration Enforcement Policies
Last week, President Donald Trump signed a $70 billion GOP-backed immigration enforcement funding bill. That means Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol will be funded through the end of Trump's term.
South Side Residents Renew Gentrification Concerns Around Obama Presidential Center
There are ordinances in place meant to prevent current residents from being pushed out, but some advocates argue the protections don't go far enough.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 15, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Chicago Paid $2.7M for System Designed to Flag Officers With Multiple Complaints: Records
It is not clear how — or why — Benchmark Analytics was selected by officials in the Johnson administration in the fall of 2024 to create the system required by the federal court order known as the consent decree, which is designed to force the department to change the way it trains, supervises and disciplines officers.
SCOTUS Set to Deliver Several Rulings in Coming Weeks. Here's What to Know
The rulings could have sweeping implications for birthright citizenship, presidential power, transgender athletes and more.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- The James Beard Awards Is Set For June 15. Here's Some of What to Expect
- Runtime
- 1:04
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- The James Beard Awards, often likened to the Academy Awards of the food world, will take place June 15 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, where it’s been hosted for the last decade and slated to run in the city through 2028.
WTTW Digital’s Daniel Hautzinger shares which local chefs and restaurants were named finalists this year and what else foodies can expect.
Story: Daniel Hautzinger/WTTW Digital
Video: Nicole Cardos/WTTW News
- Title
- Week in Review: Ex-Prosecutors Slam Chicago US Attorney; CPS CEO Testifies on Capitol Hill
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- More than 100 former federal prosecutors slam Chicago’s U.S. attorney. And the Chicago Public Schools CEO defends district policy from GOP attacks in Congress.
More than 100 former federal prosecutors say Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros has tarnished the office.
The collapse of the “Broadview Six” case amid alleged prosecutorial misconduct leads to two charges being dropped in the Loretto Hospital fraud prosecution.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King stands up for the district’s inclusive policies in a combative Capitol Hill hearing.
Gov. JB Pritzker says despite some of the Bears’ fumbles in seeking a stadium bill, he’s happy to call a special session this summer.
Meanwhile, a burning cross in Grant Park causes alarm and outrage.
And two days of powerful storms — including reported tornadoes — wallop parts of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
#chicagotonightwttw #w...
- Title
- 10 Buildings That Changed America with Geoffrey Baer — Full Documentary
- Runtime
- 56:40
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- How did ten revolutionary buildings reshape the American landscape? Join host Geoffrey Baer as he travels across the country to explore the groundbreaking architecture—from Thomas Jefferson's classical ideals to Frank Gehry’s bold futurism—that completely transformed how we live, work, and play.
In this full-length architecture documentary produced by WTTW, discover the shocking, funny, and deeply personal stories behind ten seminal structures that set new trends and broke the architectural mold. We step inside these iconic locations to examine their design, meet the daring architects, and reveal how they influenced the buildings all around us today.
Stream the full "10 That Changed America" series, find quizzes, educational guides, and web extras at https://www.wttw.com/ten
👉 Subscribe to our channel for more full episodes and history documentaries!
💻 Explore the interactive companion site: https://www.wttw.com/ten
...
- Title
- Chicago Buildings Are Killing Birds. ‘Flyway City’ Exhibit Is Architect Jeanne Gang’s Call To Action
- Runtime
- 1:26
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Chicago’s Jeanne Gang is arguably one of the best-known architects working today. She’s spending whatever social capital comes with that reputation to argue for better building design — not just for humans but for wildlife, particularly birds.
A passionate birder herself, Gang has made bird-friendly design central to her practice, from the highly lauded Aqua Tower that soars above Lakeshore East to her company’s studio in the West Town neighborhood.
It’s past time for others to do the same, she said, and that includes Chicago officials who have yet to pass a bird-friendly building design ordinance.
“I see this as a sustainability issue. Loss of biodiversity is one of the most important parts of what’s happening with climate change, and we really don’t need to be killing birds with our buildings. It’s not necessary and it’s so avoidable,” Gang said at a preview of the new exhibit, “Flyway City,” now open at the Chicago ...
- Title
- June 11, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Former Federal Prosecutors Blast US Attorney Andrew Boutros in Open Letter
More than 100 former federal prosecutors published an open letter Monday blasting Chicago’s U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros, claiming he “tarnished the reputation” of the office in the wake of the botched “Broadview Six” case.
Puerto Rican History, Pride to Take Center Stage in Humboldt Park Festival
Fiestas Patronales Puertorriqueñas marks the 60-year anniversary of the first Division Street riot. Riots in 1966 and 1977, both from Puerto Ricans in Humboldt Park, were a response to police brutality and neighborhood disinvestment.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 10, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- CPS CEO Macquline King Appears Before Congressional Committee
Chicago Public Schools CEO Macquline King defended the school district in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday amid congressional criticism of CPS support for trans students and “ideological agendas.”
'Broadview Six' Defendants Reflect on the Case
Newly unsealed transcripts detail federal prosecutors’ alleged misconduct as they repeatedly pushed for felony charges from a skeptical grand jury in the “Broadview Six” protester case.
As Mexico City Prepares to Host World Cup, Residents Say Construction Is Taking a Toll
Construction crews have been working to renovate Estadio Azteca, which is set to become the first stadium in history to host three World Cup opening matches. But the accelerated pace of that work is taking a toll on people who live nearby.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Police Are Investigating a Large Burning Cross at Grant Park
- Runtime
- 0:13
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- A large, burning cross was discovered at Grant Park on Tuesday afternoon, and police said they are investigating how it ended up there and the motive behind it.
Video taken by a motorist shows the wooden cross engulfed in bright orange flames as it leans against a tree in Grant Park, a popular area near Lake Michigan. The Chicago Fire Department confirmed the flaming object was a cross, and said officials put out the fire.
Chicago Police said there were no reports of injuries and that they are investigating the motive and circumstances around the “object on fire.“
While the motive behind the burning cross was not immediately clear, cross burnings in the U.S. have historically been seen as “symbols of hate” that are “inextricably intertwined with the history of the Ku Klux Klan,” according to a 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision written by the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The justices ruled that the First Amendment allows bans on c...
- Title
- June 9, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- What to Know About the Chicago Bears' Plan to Move to Indiana
In a statement from Bears Chairman George McCaskey posted Friday afternoon, the team confirmed they will be moving forward with plans to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, with an exact site still to be determined.
Chicago's First-Ever Director of LGBTQ+ Affairs on His New Role, Pride Month
Antonio King's priorities include supporting LGBTQ+ youth and elders, keeping transgender and nonbinary Chicagoans safe, and more.
Women's Sports Bar Coming to Wrigleyville
The space will soon become a hub dedicated entirely to women’s sports — something owner Clarissa Flores said is long overdue.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 8, 2026 Chicago Tonight: Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- We’re looking at what’s driving so-called teen takeovers, the large gatherings that can become disruptive and even violent. A look at law enforcement’s work to prevent them, as well as the response when they do occur. We’ll also unpack alternative efforts to keep kids busy and safe this summer.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review: Indiana Bears, Mendoza Runs and an Obama Center Preview
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- After a last-minute stadium bill stalls in the General Assembly, the Chicago Bears’ board of directors votes to move forward with a new stadium in Indiana.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza launches her second bid for Chicago mayor.
Anti-violence advocates demand answers on a gunshot detection system for Chicago.
The acting U.S. attorney general throws his support behind embattled Northern Illinois U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros.
And the Obama Presidential Center hosts a preview ahead of a Juneteenth opening.
Guests:
Heather Cherone, WTTW News
Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune
Shruti Singh, Bloomberg
Laura Washington, Chicago Tribune and ABC 7 News #chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 04, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:54
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- ComEd, the Chicago area's primary electricity distributor, has announced monthly bills increased beginning June 1. The utility company's CEO explains what's behind the increase.
A look at what to expect from the soon-to-open Obama Presidential Center and how local residents can use the site.
WTTW News Explains on the common myths around tornadoes and how the weather events can hit Chicago.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- From Dancehall to Reggaeton, Exhibit Explores the Power of Music as Protest
- Runtime
- 3:00
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- A new contemporary art exhibition explores the evolution and spiritual roots of what’s arguably the Caribbean’s two most popular music genres: dance hall and reggaeton.
“Dancing the Revolution: From Dancehall to Reggaetón” at the Museum of Contemporary Art (@mcachicago) is a showcase that can move you, both emotionally and physically, as it takes you through the history.
WTTW News reporter Joanna Hernandez recently met with its curator, Carla Acevedo-Yates, to learn more.
Story & Video: Joanna Hernandez/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- Obama Presidential Center Is Ready for Its Close-Up: Here's a Sneak Preview
- Runtime
- 3:34
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Though the official grand opening for $850 million Obama Presidential Center on Juneteenth is still two weeks away, on Wednesday media including WTTW News received a sneak peak of the 20-acre campus — including the 225-foot-tall museum tower — which has transformed the southwest corner of Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side.
Those lucky enough to have nabbed entry tickets, which are completely sold out through the end of August, will discover four content-rich levels that balance big ideas with small moments, and touch on both the public and personal lives of Barack and Michelle Obama.
Brandis Friendman, the Alexandra and John Nichols Chief Correspondent and Anchor for “Chicago Tonight,” shows us the details inside the museum that stood out to her.
Story: Patty Wetli/WTTW News
Video: Nicole Cardos/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- June 03, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Launches Chicago Mayoral Campaign
Mendoza has been a frequent critic of Mayor Brandon Johnson. She called for responsible spending and accountability to everyday Chicagoans.
Illinois House Republican Leader Recaps the Spring Legislative Session
The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up its spring session Monday — but questions remain about the Bears stadium, the fate of new taxes and the focus of state spending. Tony McCombie joins "Chicago Tonight."
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 02, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Columbia College's New President on the Institution's Future
Shantay Bolton is the first woman of color to lead the institution. She comes at a difficult moment: a shrinking student body, a series of faculty layoffs and a $40 million budget deficit.
Illinois House Speaker on State Budget, Bears Stadium Plan
It was well past 4 a.m. Monday when the state House adjourned for the summer. The budget had been balanced, and a flurry of bills were sent to the governor's desk. Emanuel "Chris" Welch discusses what passed and what had to wait.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- June 1, 2026 - Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:51
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- This year's spring legislative session in Springfield may be remembered for the bills that did not pass, just as much as what did. Lawmakers approved a new $56 billion budget, but the House and Senate could not agree on a bill that would pave the way for the Bears to build a new stadium in Illinois.
U.S. officials on Monday said radar and drone sites in Iran were bombed after Tehran shot down an American drone over the weekend. Iran then said it targeted American soldiers in Kuwait with missiles, which the U.S. says it shot down. We breakdown the latest on the tenuous ceasefire talks.
#chicagotonightwttw
#WTTWNews
- Title
- Week in Review: Lawmakers Race to Finish Budget; Johnson Meets Pope Leo
- Runtime
- 26:50
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- #ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- May 28, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Illinois Lawmakers Pass Legislation on AI Regulation, Insurance Rates
State lawmakers passed sweeping artificial intelligence regulation that experts have described as the toughest in the nation.
Policy Shift Will Require Most Green Card Applicants to Apply From Home Country
Immigration attorneys argue the move upends years of precedent and signals a broader crackdown on legal immigration pathways.
New MCA Exhibits Explores History of Reggaetón
The Museum of Contemporary Art is showcasing a new exhibition tracing the visual, political and spiritual origins of Caribbean popular music.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- May 27, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:50
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- “My life has been genuinely enriched by helping people from our great state and nation. I hope that yours will be as well.”
That was one of the messages from long-serving U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin at a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate on Wednesday, where he was warmly received by fellow Democratic lawmakers who celebrated his lengthy career and repeatedly lauded his accomplishments.
The redistricting battle that took place in Texas last year continues to have ripple effects across the nation. A number of states either have already or are about to change their congressional maps after a recent Supreme Court ruling.
A son lost in a clash with the police. A huge cash settlement on the table. And a father torn between staying put in Chicago or starting anew.
That all-too-real dilemma is what underpins the play “Windfall,” a new work by Oscar-winning Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney that began pr...
- Title
- May 26, 2026 Chicago Tonight - Full Episode
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- A federal tax-credit scholarship program passed last summer could bring new education funding to Illinois students. If Illinois chooses to participate, organizations could provide families with money for tutoring, test prep and private school tuition. Critics argue the initiative is a school voucher program in disguise that could divert money away from public schools.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have been prescribed for patients to treat diabetes and as weight loss medications. While they grow in use, some have raised concerns about their availability for vulnerable populations.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review: Broadview Protester Charges Dropped; Tipped Minimum Wage Phaseout Delayed
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- Federal prosecutors drop all charges against Broadview protesters after stunning misconduct allegations.
A federal judge says she was “incredibly shocked” by the behavior of prosecutors — saying they violated the trust placed in them.
Meanwhile, a Cook County judge denies a bid to appoint a special prosecutor charged with investigating “Operation Midway Blitz” misconduct claims.
Alderpeople reach a compromise measure delaying the phaseout of tipped minimum wage for two years.
Amid the debate over the new Bears stadium, Gov. JB Pritzker throws cold water on last-minute claims that Chicago could still be in the running.
And Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke expands her office’s focus on prosecuting crimes on transit to include Metra, Pace and an array of law enforcement agencies.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
