WTTW
Week in Review: Judge Temporarily Blocks Troops in Chicago; Government Shutdown Leads to Delays
- Title
- Week in Review: Judge Temporarily Blocks Troops in Chicago; Government Shutdown Leads to Delays
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- The Trump administration’s Chicago-area immigration blitz runs into legal roadblocks.
A federal judge refuses to buy claims that troops are needed to protect immigration agents.
And a separate ruling orders ICE to stop using tear gas and rubber bullets on journalists and peaceful protesters.
Travelers grapple with hundreds of delayed flights at O’Hare and Midway.
Former congressman and federal inmate Jesse Jackson Jr. announces he’s running again.
The CTA says a federal funding freeze isn’t slowing plans for the Red Line extension.
The Cubs force a Game 5 in the National League Division Series against Milwaukee.
And Loyola University says goodbye to the much-loved Sister Jean.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 9, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Judge Temporarily Blocks National Guard Deployment in Chicago Area
Thursday's hearing marked the third installment of a nationwide legal fight over National Guard deployments.
New Leader of Planned Parenthood of Illinois on Reproductive Rights
Illinois is bracing for more patients after Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin paused abortions.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 8, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Texas National Guard Troops Are on the Ground in Illinois
It is unprecedented for a governor to send National Guard troops into another state over the objections of that state’s elected officials at the request of the president.
Advocates Push for More Equitable Public Transit Reform
As state lawmakers head to Springfield to discuss a possible transit funding plan, some advocates say Black communities on the South and West sides are being ignored.
Robin Givhan Chronicles Fashion Icon Virgil Abloh's Life in New Book
With no formal training, Virgil Abloh became the first African American artistic director of a French luxury fashion house and founder of the Italian brand Off-White.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 7, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- How the Government Shutdown is Impacting Illinois Residents
The federal government has been shut down for nearly a week after lawmakers in Washington, D.C., missed the Oct. 1 deadline to pass a funding bill.
Community Members React to Red Line Extension Funding Freeze
President Donald Trump’s administration will withhold $2.1 billion for Chicago infrastructure projects, the White House budget director said, expanding funding fights that have targeted Democratic areas during the government shutdown.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 6, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Mayor Brandon Johnson on Immigration, CPS and the National Guard
Chicago and Illinois officials are suing the Trump administration in an effort to stop the deployment of military troops in the state. We're one on one with the mayor.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Week in Review: Federal Agents Patrol Downtown; Chicago Bears Seek Public Funding
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- In the latest in a series of provocations, President Donald Trump suggests Chicago could be used as a training ground for the military.
Gov. JB Pritzker warns the Trump administration is planning to send 100 troops to Chicago to protect immigration agents and facilities.
Advocates work to track ICE arrests — amid a chaotic week of agents marching downtown and a military-style raid on a residential building.
Trump tries to use the government shutdown to retaliate against his political enemies.
The Trump administration wants to freeze $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago infrastructure projects, including the long-awaited Red Line Extension.
And the Bears are out with flashy renderings of a new Arlington Heights stadium — that comes with an ask for more than $800 million in publicly funded infrastructure work.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 2, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Plans for Chicago Fire Stadium Project Move Forward
The $750 million stadium will be funded by billionaire Joe Mansueto. Some community leaders in Chinatown are worried about the surrounding infrastructure leading to gentrification.
Latino Pharmacist Bridging Cultural Gaps on Northwest Side
What began as a high school job led a first-generation college student on the path to becoming a pharmacist.
Remembering Jane Goodall
Her long-term research on chimpanzees revolutionized the study of animals and unlocked previously unknown mysteries about how chimps lived and interacted with each other and their surroundings.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- October 1, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Chicago Alderpeople on How to Close City's $1.15B Budget Gap
Mayor Brandon Johnson is set to present his budget plan to the Chicago City Council on Oct. 16.
Local Businessman Willie Wilson on His Vision to Curb Crime in Chicago
The Trump administration continues to threaten to send troops to Chicago despite drops in violent crime.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Jane Goodall Speaks on Her Legacy in 2010 ‘Chicago Tonight’ Interview
- Runtime
- 0:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking scientist and humanitarian famous for studying wild chimpanzees in East Africa has died at 91.
Goodall gained fame around the world for her revolutionary contributions to understanding the behavior of the chimpanzees in ways no scientist had previously chronicled.
She helped pave the way for countless women scientists, as well as raise awareness about the importance of conservation. The Jane Goodall Institute announced her death this morning, and reports that Goodall was in California as part of a speaking tour of the United States.
In 2010, Goodall visited Chicago Tonight and spoke with Carol Marin about her work, and her legacy.
Video: WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- Broadview Officials Say ICE Waging ‘Disinformation Campaign’ Amid Protests
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- The mayor of suburban Broadview said her constituents are “begging for relief” from federal immigration agents who have placed residents and first responders in danger by their use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters.
Mayor Katrina Thompson on Tuesday accused Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials of waging a “disinformation campaign” amid their continued use of chemical and less-lethal munitions directed at crowds outside the agency’s Broadview processing center.
Marina Galindo, a Maywood resident who was demonstrating outside of the facility Tuesday, said federal agents in recent days made those gathered feel like they were getting attacked.
“People were protesting, we were just standing there, they would come out and just start pushing people, they were pushing people,” Galindo said. “They weren’t giving people the chance to move back. They were like, ‘Get back,’ but not everyone can w...
- Title
- September 30, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Broadview Officials Say ICE Waging ‘Disinformation Campaign’ Amid Protests
The mayor of suburban Broadview said her constituents are “begging for relief” from federal immigration agents who have placed residents and first responders in danger by their use of tear gas, pepper spray and rubber bullets against protesters.
Illinois Members of Congress Weigh in on Potential Government Shutdown
With a government shutdown just hours away, Democrats and Republicans angrily blamed each other and refused to budge from their positions Tuesday. Thousands of federal workers could be furloughed or laid off.
'America's Test Kitchen' Hosts on Chicago Food, New Cocktail Book
For more than 25 years, "America’s Test Kitchen" has been a trusted resource — where recipes are put through the wringer, gadgets are stress-tested, and home cooks get reliable tips.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Centro Sanar Connects Southwest Siders to Free Mental Health Care: ‘It’s Been Life-Changing’
- Runtime
- 2:24
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- In many communities, demand for mental health services is at an all-time high.
And the need is particularly acute in Brown and Black communities, which often lack access to those resources.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, WTTW News reporter Joanna Hernadez visited the Gage Park neighborhood to learn about @centro.sanar, a mental health center that’s taking care of underserved communities and offering bilingual services.
Story & Video: Joanna Hernandez/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- September 29, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Reform Groups Say CPD's Increased Use of Force Violates the Consent Decree
A coalition of police reform groups is raising new concerns about a significant increase in the number of times Chicago police officers are using force against members of the public.
What the Supreme Court Ruling on Racial Profiling Could Mean for Chicago
The Chicago Police Department has a long history of disproportionately targeting Black and Latino people in shootings, traffic stops, arrests and more.
Examining the Cost of Repeated Misconduct by Some CPD Officers
Chicago taxpayers have paid nearly $300 million over a six-year period due to alleged repeated misconduct by some officers. In all, 272 officers were named in at least two lawsuits that were resolved in a settlement or jury verdict.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Week in Review: ICE Agents Use Pepper Spray on Broadview Protesters; Loyola’s Sister Jean Retires
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- ICE agents pelt protesters with rubber bullets, pepper balls and tear gas outside a Broadview immigration facility.
Chicago educators say they’re committed to a Black Student Success Plan — even as the Trump administration says it will pull millions of dollars in funding from CPS.
In a whirlwind day at City Council plagued with hourslong delays, alderpeople pass a new affordable housing measure for communities near the Obama Presidential Center — as well as a watered-down ordinance allowing coach houses.
The Chicago Fire gets zoning approval for a purpose-built soccer stadium in The 78.
And Loyola University’s beloved basketball chaplain Sister Jean retires from on-campus activities at the age of 106.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Illinois Braces for ‘Large Influx of Patients’ After Wisconsin Planned Parenthood Pauses Abortions
- Runtime
- 0:53
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Abortion providers in Chicago and across Illinois anticipate a “large influx of patients” from Wisconsin after Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced it would stop scheduling patients for abortions, advocates said during a Thursday news conference.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s decision to pause abortions starting next week is in response to federal Medicaid funding cuts from President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill, which prohibits federal funds to large nonprofit health care organizations that offer abortion.
Federal law has long prohibited the use of federal funds for abortions. Planned Parenthood patients use Medicaid, however, to cover the cost of health services like cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing and treatment.
Illinois, a haven for reproductive health, serves more out-of-state abortion patients than any other state since the U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson ruling, which in 2022 eliminated the...
- Title
- September 25, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Chicago City Council Eyes Police Settlements, Coach House Rules
Chicago taxpayers will pay $90 million in the first-ever global settlement of lawsuits tied to a single Chicago police officer, under the agreement approved Thursday, to 180 people who spent nearly 200 years in prison.
Trump Links Tylenol to Autism. What Does the Science Show?
President Donald Trump this week used the platform of the presidency to promote unproven and in some cases discredited ties between Tylenol, vaccines and autism as his administration announced a wide-ranging effort to study the causes of the complex brain disorder.
Centro Sanar Offers Free Bilingual Mental Health Services
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, WTTW News correspondent Joanna Hernandez visited the Gage Park neighborhood to learn about a mental health center that's taking care of underserved communities and offering bilingual services.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Sister Jean, Who Cheered on Loyola’s Men’s Basketball Team, Is Retiring at 106
- Runtime
- 0:45
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Sister Jean, the chaplain of the men’s basketball team at @loyolachicago who gained national attention for cheering on the Ramblers during their 2018 NCAA March Madness tournament run, is retiring.
The student newspaper the Loyola Phoenix confirmed Sister Jean was stepping back from official duties at the university in a story published earlier this month.
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt gained national media attention in 2018 when the then No. 11 seed Loyola’s men’s basketball team broke brackets by making it to the Final Four in the NCAA March Madness tournament. Sister Jean, who often sported a maroon and gold scarf, would lead the team’s prayers before games.
Read the full story on our website.
Story: Eunice Alpasan/WTTW News
Video: WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- September 24, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Organizers, Lawmakers Push to Reopen Weiss Hospital in Uptown
Opioid-related responses in Chicago increased from fewer than 3,000 annually in 2015 to more than 13,000 in 2020, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
New Campaign to Address Chicago's Opioid Epidemic
Activists worry the closure leaves a critical gap in health care access, especially for low-income and elderly patients.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Chicago’s Latino Communities See Surge in Grassroots Activism as Immigration Operations Continue
- Runtime
- 2:06
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Federal officials said “Operation Midway Blitz” has led to more than 500 arrests since it was announced earlier this month.
Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports more than 2 million people have left the country since Jan. 20. The agency said it is on pace to deport nearly 600,000 people by the end of President Donald Trump’s first year back in office.
In response, organizations across Chicago have staged protests — including outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview — and launched resistance campaigns.
Baltazar Enriquez, president of the Little Village Community Council, which operates in one of Chicago’s most densely populated Latino communities, said he and others have begun handing out whistles so residents can alert each other of ICE sightings.
“We have a couple of members patrolling the neighborhood, and some of them have kicked out ICE by starting to blow the ...
- Title
- September 23, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- How Immigrant Rights Groups Are Responding to ICE Enforcement
As federal immigration enforcement agents focus on Chicago, volunteers from across the city are training to join neighborhood rapid response teams.
Local Event Raises Awareness for Suicide Prevention
People who have been touched by suicide are coming together this weekend to honor the lives lost.
Northwestern Lab Helps Shape the Future of Medical Monitoring
From flexible electronic monitors the size of a Band-Aid to tiny pacemakers that dissolve harmlessly in the body when no longer needed — the work of the Querrey Simpson Institute of Bioelectronics at Northwestern University at times seems truly miraculous.
#WTTWNews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- September 22, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 28:27
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Kimmel Suspension Raises Questions About Free Speech, Government Overreach
Amid pressure from the FCC, Kimmel's show was suspended last week after he made comments about Charlie Kirk's death. The move sparked outcry, with some saying the Trump administration went too far in an effort to silence Kimmel.
New Book Explores Why Some Women Get Stuck With More Housework
According to data examined by author Corinne Low, women in heterosexual marriages who are the primary breadwinners do almost twice as much cooking and cleaning as their male spouses.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Week in Review: Kimmel Suspension Sparks Free Speech Debate; Tear Gas Used on Broadview Protesters
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- The abrupt suspension of late-night talk host Jimmy Kimmel has Gov. JB Pritzker warning of an existential threat to our democracy.
Kimmel was suspended after pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr following comments about the alleged killer of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk.
“We are fighting for our democracy now,” Pritzker said, “and that is why people need to stand up and speak out.”
President Donald Trump said Kimmel was fired because of a lack of talent and low ratings. Returning from a state visit to Britain, the president also floated the idea that TV networks who aired negative coverage of him could potentially get their licenses pulled.
In Chicago, a special budget task force recommends annual property tax hikes and higher fees to close a $1.15 billion budget deficit.
Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino announces a new federal crackdown on undocumented migrants in Chicago.
In Broadview, tear...
- Title
- September 18, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Trump Trying to Strip Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans
The deportation protections were granted to Venezuelans in 2021 and 2023 and were extended through October 2026. The Trump administration is now trying to cut them short.
WTTW News Launches Weekly Urban Nature Newsletter
There's a reason the city's motto is "urbs in horto" or "city in a garden." Because for a city, urban nature here is bountiful. So for all of you nature lovers out there, our intrepid reporter Patty Wetli is bringing you a new way to get your nature fix.
After Nearly 100 Years, New Open Swimming Event to Take Place in Chicago River
Event organizers say they hope the race will shatter public perceptions of the river as being polluted, while raising money for ALS research and youth swimming lessons.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- September 17, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- What Federal Cuts to Minority-Serving Colleges Mean for Illinois
The U.S. Department of Education is cutting grants to universities predominantly serving students of color, known as minority-serving institutions.
Former Sen. Carol Mosely Braun on Her Career, New Book
From her stint in the Illinois General Assembly to serving as the ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Moseley Braun has made a journey through the ranks — but not without some obstacles along the way.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- September 16, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Trump Again Vows to Send National Guard to Chicago; Pritzker Fires Back
Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he can’t take “anything that (Trump) says seriously” and said he thinks Trump is “losing it” following another threat of a military deployment into Chicago.
The Fed Kicks Off Meetings on Whether to Cut Interest Rate
The meeting comes against a backdrop of increased pressure from President Donald Trump as he tries to gain more control over the Fed — calling on it to set lower interest rates and suggesting he could fire Fed chair Jerome Powell.
WTTW News Explains: Why is Chicago Sinking?
Attention Chicagoans, brace yourselves because Chicago is sinking. Northwestern University researchers were the first to study underground climate change and its effects on urban infrastructure, calling it a “silent hazard.”
Chicago is Sinking. Here's What Researchers Have to Say
Scientists say this so-called "slow-...
- Title
- September 15, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- Chicago's Mexican Community Celebrates Despite ICE Concerns
Several events are marking Mexico's Independence Day. WTTW News correspondent Joanna Hernandez is live in Pilsen for El Grito.
Students on the State of Public Discourse Following Charlie Kirk's Death
Shortly after Kirk was fatally shot on the Utah Valley University campus, President Donald Trump blamed what he called the “radical left” for the uptick in violence. Kirk was honored with a memorial service at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at Saturday’s anti-immigrant rally in London.
Remembering Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar
Jim Edgar was a moderate Republican who favored abortion rights and in recent years spoke out against President Donald Trump, endorsing Kamala Harris in 2024.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- Week in Review: Immigration Protests Continue; Trump Pivots on National Guard
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a man in suburban Franklin Park Friday morning.
President Donald Trump says he’ll send the National Guard to Memphis — not Chicago — despite crime being at a 25-year low, according to Memphis police.
In Chicago, “Operation Midway Blitz” has resulted in hundreds of hotline calls to immigration rights groups, but the exact scale compared to previous recent raids is unclear.
Cook County judges have voted for a new chief judge for the first time in 24 years.
And the Bears make it clear they want to move from Chicago to Arlington Heights. But what can they do without help in Springfield?
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- September 10, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Number of Times CPD Officers Pointed Guns at People Increased 44% From 2022 to 2024: Data
Chicago police officers pointed their guns at individuals 4,209 times in 2024, an increase of nearly 44% since 2022, according to Chicago Police Department data shared with the federal judge overseeing the ongoing effort to reform the department.
How National Guard Deployment Could Impact Unhoused Chicagoans
The city's shelter system is already strained, and a looming federal threat has advocacy groups concerned about encampment sweeps.
HIV Prevention Groups Struggling Amid Federal Funding Cuts
Advocates are pushing for more help from local lawmakers to prioritize Black and Brown people, who they say are uniquely impacted by the virus.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- September 9, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:48
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Terrorism Expert on How Chicago Could React to National Guard Troops
The Department of Homeland Security's launch of "Operation Midway Blitz" is expected to ramp up the deployment of ICE agents to Chicago. The president has also threatened to send National Guard troops to the city.
What Illinois Residents Should Know About Updated Vaccine Guidelines
According to the FDA, those who qualify to receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall are those 65 or older or people with certain health conditions. But medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics — and even some states — are breaking from the federal guidelines.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- September 11, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Concerns Over Racial Profiling Intensify After Supreme Court Ruling
Justices struck down a lower court order barring ICE agents in LA from questioning people based solely on factors like ethnicity and work status,
Chicagoans Prepare for Mexican Independence Day Events Amid ICE Concerns
As festivals and cultural traditions kick off in the city, organizers are concerned that federal immigration agents could target the events.
#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- September 8, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Local Congress Members on Potential National Guard, ICE Activity
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said federal agents will be ramping up immigration raids in Chicago.
James 'Big Cat' Williams on the Chicago Bears' New Season
The Bears are playing with a few major changes this season. Namely, new leadership. Head coach Ben Johnson, the highly sought-after former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, comes to Chicago with big expectations and a reported $13 million salary.
Uptown Theatre Marks Centennial With New Book
Chicago’s landmark Uptown Theatre opened its doors in August 1925 with much fanfare. Like a lot of 100-year-olds, the building’s got some aches and pains — but it’s also got a dedicated community hoping to see the long-vacant movie palace restored and brought back to life.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- Long-Shuttered Uptown Theatre Marks Centennial With New Book, Renewed Momentum for Restoration
- Runtime
- 2:51
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Chicago’s landmark Uptown Theatre just turned 100.
Like a lot of 100-year-olds, the building’s got some aches and pains – but it’s also got a dedicated community hoping to see the long-vacant movie palace restored and brought back to life.
The theater’s also being celebrated in a just-released book “The Uptown: Chicago’s Endangered Movie Palace.”
WTTW News reporter Nick Blumberg recently met with the building’s owner and its some of its supporters, who are hopeful the momentum around the Uptown’s centennial will finally get the massive project off the ground.
Read the full story on our website.
Story & Video: Nick Blumberg/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- Week in Review: Trump Threatens National Guard Deployment; Northwestern President Stepping Down
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- President Donald Trump promises to send the military to Chicago to quell violence and back up federal immigration enforcement agents.
Local leaders including Gov. JB. Pritzker push back as the Trump administration readies National Guard troops to deploy to Chicago.
Pritzker tells reporters, “We’re going to immediately go to court if National Guard or other military troops are deployed to the city of Chicago — immediately go to court.”
On Capitol Hill, senators grill Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over changes to vaccine guidance and turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Chicago, former Ald. Walter Burnett’s bid to be the new leader of the Chicago Housing Authority stalls.
And Northwestern University’s president announces he’s leaving after a tenure marred by a federal funding freeze, criticism over the school’s response to the Trump administration and a ha...
- Title
- September 4, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Legal Questions Swirl About Potential Use of National Guard in Chicago
Officials in Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's deployment of the National Guard in the city. Still, the president continues to suggest sending troops to other Democrat-led cities.
Chicago Groups Are Mobilizing to Push Back Against ICE
Community leaders and residents are gearing up for the federal immigration agents who officials say will be targeting cultural events.
How Trump's Crackdown on the Smithsonian Could Impact Other Museums
Historians warn the Trump administration's actions could have a chilling effect across the country.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- ICE Strike Team, Troops Could Reach Chicago in 48 Hours: Gov. JB Pritzker
- Runtime
- 1:01
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Gov. JB Pritzker warned on Wednesday that a strike team of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents accompanied by National Guard troops or other “armed military personnel” could hit Chicago’s streets as soon as Friday or Saturday.
“What we’re hearing is that they’ll be assembled, ready to go on Friday, and that they would begin actions on Saturday” and continue through the weekend, Pritzker told reporters after visiting Metropolitan Peace Academy, which coordinates violence prevention efforts on Chicago’s West Side.
As many as 300 federal agents are expected to gather at Naval Station Great Lakes, which is about 35 miles outside of the city, before being sent to Chicago, officials said.
State and local law enforcement agents will not assist federal immigration agents conduct those raids, but will be prepared to respond to any protests or unrest, Pritzker said.
“We’ve asked for the public to be ready with your iPhone,” Pritz...
- Title
- September 3, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Violence Interrupters Prepare for Federal Troops in Chicago
Gov. JB Pritzker warned on Wednesday that a strike team of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents accompanied by National Guard troops or other “armed military personnel” could hit Chicago’s streets as soon as Friday or Saturday.
What to Know About Changes to Minimum Wage for Tipped Workers
While Mayor Brandon Johnson and advocates say raising minimum wage helps the city's lowest-paid workers, critics worry about the higher labor costs facing restaurants.
New Documentary Explores History, Legacy of HBCUs
A new documentary called “Opportunity, Access and Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs” profiles five students exploring common misconceptions and the current state of these institutions.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- September 2, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Pritzker Says Trump Plans to Send ‘Armed Military Personnel’ to Chicago
President Donald Trump is preparing to send members of the Texas National Guard as well as “armed military personnel” to Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday, once again dismissing Trump’s latest pledge to combat crime as cover for an unconstitutional federal overreach.
How the FBI Has Been Assisting Local Law Enforcement
Chicago police data shows overall violent crime in the city is down by about 22% in the first half of the year compared to 2024. There have also been 31% fewer homicides and 36% fewer shootings between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31 this year.
What to Know About Changing Vaccine Guidance
There have been mass layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control. CDC director Susan Monarez was forced out last week, triggering resignations from other senior staff. Meanwhile, there's growing concern in the medical community over changing vaccine guidelines and the can...
- Title
- Week in Review: Trump Takes Aim at Cashless Bail; CPS Pushes Pension Payment
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Chicago officials say they haven’t received any communication about the possible deployment of National Guard troops and a surge of immigration agents in the city.
Gov. JB Pritzker says troops on the ground isn’t about crime, but an intimidation tactic being deployed close to midterms.
The Trump administration also takes aim at cashless bail policies, threatening to withhold funding to states that have eliminated cash bail.
Meanwhile, a federal judge blocked President Donald Trump from pulling funding from cities with sanctuary policies.
The Chicago Board of Education says no to Mayor Brandon Johnson’s push to borrow.
Johnson’s administration says the city faces a $1.15 billion budget hole next year.
The FDA moves to limit access to COVID-19 vaccines.
And the Chicago Reader staves off a shutdown thanks to a new owner.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- August 28, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Trump Threatens to Pull Funding From States That Eliminated Cash Bail
With the Pretrial Fairness Act, Illinois in 2023 became the first state to fully eliminate the use of cash bail.
Meet 3 UIC Students Who Could Be the NASA Engineers of Tomorrow
The trio just completed a summer internship program at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, helping to the lay the groundwork for humans to have an enduring presence on the moon.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- August 27, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul on National Guard Threats
Local and state leaders in Illinois have repeatedly said they do not want President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to Chicago.
Interim CPS CEO Macquline King on Budget Vote, Borrowing and Pensions
CPS officials laid out a plan that aims to close the $734 million budget gap. But district leaders are still debating whether a loan should be a part of the final plan — and whether the district should take on the city’s pension payment.
Austin Community Hub Creating New Opportunities on West Side
Emmet Elementary School was one of 50 schools closed by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools in 2013. The Westside Health Authority and Austin Coming Together collaborated to redevelop the vacant school into a vibrant hub.
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- August 26, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- School Board Members Talk CPS Budget Ahead of Looming Deadline
The Chicago Board of Education is facing a deadline on the district's budget. Board members have to come to a consensus by Friday or face being in violation of state law.
Chef Curtis Duffy on His New Memoir
"Fireproof: Memoir of a Chef" outlines the chef's rise to success and dives deep into traumatic childhood events.
#wttwnews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- August 25, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Pritzker Vows to Stop Trump From Sending National Guard to Chicago
The governor dismissed President Donald Trump’s latest pledge to combat crime as cover for an unconstitutional federal overreach.
Data Shows Violent Crime is Down in Chicago. Some Say That's Not the Full Story
As the Chicago Police Department reports drops in violent crime during the first half of 2025, some say there's still work to be done to improve public safety.
#wttwnews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- Week in Review: RTA Eyes Stopgap Funding to Avoid Service Cuts; Pleas for Flood Relief in Chicago
- Runtime
- 26:57
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- South and West Siders cry out for help after multiple rounds of damaging storms and flooding.
Officials say climate change is exacerbating already-shoddy infrastructure on the city’s South and West sides.
With a new push for independent redistricting underway, Gov. JB Pritzker says Democrats would be unilaterally disarming themselves if Illinois goes it alone.
Officials celebrate groundbreaking for a new $730 million concourse at O’Hare Airport.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin demands answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the “politicized” axing of 17 immigration judges.
The RTA eyes stopgap funding to keep buses and trains in service early next year.
And a Chicago-based group of pediatricians bucks new federal health recommendations, urging COVID-19 shots for kids.
#wttwnews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- August 21, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Massive Data Centers Could Endanger Great Lakes Water Supply: Report
A new report explores how unprecedented levels of consumption by heavy water users — namely “hyperscale” data centers — could lead to conflicts over and even shortages of a resource that’s largely been taken for granted.
VA Workers Speak Out as Trump Administration Moves to Cut Union Protections
The Trump administration cut union contracts for Department of Veterans Affairs employees earlier this month as part of a larger effort to strip federal workers of union protections.
Audio Adaptation of 'Hamlet' Delivers New Take on Tragedy
Tragedy, betrayal, revenge. Those are the themes of most any Shakespearean drama — but audiences are now getting a twist with the classic “Hamlet.”
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #WTTWNews
- Title
- August 20, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- CTU President Stacy Davis Gates on District's Budget Deficit
Facing a $734 million shortfall and a deadline to pass a balanced budget by next Friday, the options seem to be narrowing for interim CEO Maquline King and the CPS board.
What Happens During a Prison Lockdown? We Asked Incarcerated People
Lockdowns can be indistinguishable from solitary confinement-like conditions, with those incarcerated given little yard time and limited access to educational programming and commissary.
Illinois' SNAP Education Program Eliminated Due to Budget Cuts
The program reached more than 1 million Illinois residents and worked with 1,800 organizations.
#wttwnews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- August 19, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Trump Wants to Ban Mail-In Voting. How That Could Impact Illinois
The Illinois State Board of Elections said it has numerous security checks in place to ensure the validity of its mail-in ballots and that voter fraud remains “extremely rare,” as President Donald Trump vows to eliminate voting by mail before the 2026 midterm elections.
Head of Chicago Council on Global Affairs Talks Russia-Ukraine War
For more than 100 years, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has sought to play a positive role in helping to shape American foreign policy and its engagement with the world.
#wttwnews #ChicagoTonightWTTW
- Title
- With Nonprofits Stretched Thin, New Network Aims to Boost Collaboration
- Runtime
- 2:29
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Nonprofit organizations around the country are under stress.
They’ve seen cuts to their funding from the federal government – but the community needs they try to meet are more pressing than ever. The difficult job of running a nonprofit often means there isn’t always time to collaborate with other groups.
The new networking organization Chicago Nonprofit Connect aims to help local organizations break out of their silos and find ways to make the work they do more effective and sustainable.
WTTW News recently spoke with some nonprofits participating in the initiative to hear what impact its having on them.
Story & Video: Nick Blumberg/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews
- Title
- August 18, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- When it comes to Illinois laws aimed at protecting immigrants, Adams County Sheriff Tony Grootens has made his views clear. “I have no intentions of turning away ICE agents or any of them, Homeland Security agents, any of them, that encounter illegal aliens in our community,” Grootens said. It appears the western Illinois sheriff has made good on his promise, according to documents obtained by WTTW News.
Monday marked the first day of classes for Chicago Public Schools students, and the district faces a $734 million budget shortfall as the new academic year kicks off.
CPS leaders said they crafted a budget proposal to keep cuts out of the classroom, but the plan leans heavily on one-time funding, raising questions about long-term stability. Some of the money-saving measures proposed are central office staff reductions, IT project delays and hiring freezes.
Since 1995, Argonne National Laboratory, located just southwest of Chicago, has been at ...
- Title
- Week in Review: Trump Threatens DC-Style Crime Crackdown in Chicago; CPS Presents 2026 Budget Plan
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- After sending in the National Guard and taking control of police in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump threatens to do the same in Chicago and other Democrat-controlled cities — but Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and other local leaders say not so fast.
CPS bucks calls for major borrowing in its budget proposal — and kicks a pension payment down the road unless the district gets a new infusion of cash.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke says Chicago police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Dexter Reed following a traffic stop will not face charges.
Texas Democrats who fled to Illinois to stall Republican efforts to redistrict the state to further favor the GOP say they’re returning to the Lone Star State.
The city of Chicago gives applicants interested in replacing former Ald. Walter Burnett (27th Ward) a tight deadline to apply for the job.
And former Illinois Republican chair Don Tracy...
- Title
- Chicago Stories - Fall 2025 - Trailer
- Runtime
- 1:51
- Date posted
- 11 months ago
- Description
- NEW SEASON – CHICAGO STORIES - COMING FALL 2025
Fridays at 8:00 pm on WTTW beginning September 26, 2025
Five new stories uncover the fascinating history, rich diversity, and breadth of human experience that shaped this great American city.
