WTTW
June 16, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Title
- June 16, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- CPD Officers Shot, Killed as Many People in First 5 Months of 2025 as They Did in All of 2024: Data
Chicago Police Department officers shot 12 people, killing six, during the first five months of 2025, the same number of people officers shot and killed in all of 2024, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.
Trump Considers Adding More Countries to Travel Ban
A memo from the State Department reveals 36 additional countries — most of them African or Black-majority nations — could soon face full or partial entry restrictions.
Health Officials Call Out RFK Jr.'s Dismissal of Vaccine Committee Members
All 17 experts recently dismissed from a government vaccine advisory panel published an essay Monday decrying “destabilizing decisions" made by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that could lead to more preventable disease spread.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Week in Review: Madigan Sentenced; Pritzker Defends Illinois’ Migrant Protections
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan — once known as the Velvet Hammer — caps a 50-year political career with 7.5-year prison sentence and a $2.5 million fine.
Prior to sentencing, U.S. District Judge John Blakey called Madigan’s trial testimony “a nauseating display … of perjury and evasion.”
In Washington, Gov. JB Pritzker punches back at Republicans in a Capitol Hill hearing on immigration policies the governor calls a political circus.
Mayor Brandon Johnson calls on people to peacefully “resist” what he called President Donald Trump’s “war on democracy.”
After a week of demonstrations in Chicago and around the country against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, the city prepares for a massive “No Kings” rally on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office says out-of-state police illegally accessed local license plate readers in immigration and a...
- Title
- June 12, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:47
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Pritzker Testifies Before Congress About Immigration Protections
Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday steadfastly defended Illinois’ handling of the migrant crisis and laws designed to protect undocumented immigrants, urging Republicans on the U.S. House Oversight Committee to help him fix the nation’s “broken immigration system.”
What to Know About Saturday's 'No Kings' Rally in Chicago
As President Donald Trump marks his birthday with a massive military parade in Washington, D.C., organizers in Chicago and around the country are pushing back.
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.”
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 11, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Rainbow PUSH Coalition Puts Out Call to Action
The group is protesting at the Target on State Street to draw attention to concerns about the Trump administration’s policies.
Exploring the Challenges Facing Many Black Fathers
Black men face higher rates of incarceration and unemployment than most other demographic groups, and reports show they’re more likely to be locked out of economic opportunities. That exclusion can place strain on families.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Illinois State Police Keeps Data on Suspected Gang Members. ICE Has Access
- Runtime
- 1:48
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois State Police keeps data on who they suspect to be gang members and they make that information available to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, despite an Illinois law that prohibits data sharing agreements between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities.
WTTW News obtained agreements that show state police have provided alleged gang data and other criminal history to ICE since 2008.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office has not responded to WTTW’s inquiries about whether this violates state law.
Read the full story on our website.
Story: Blair Paddock/WTTW News
Video: Nicole Cardos/WTTW News
#ChicagoTonightWTTW #wttwnews #immigration #ICE #chicago
- Title
- June 10, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Spotlight Politics: Pritzker to Testify Before Congress
Gov. JB Pritzker prepares for a political showdown in D.C. Chicago braces for more protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. And the end of the line for the Illinois politician once known as the Velvet Hammer.
Cook County Forgives $665M in Medical Debt
According to recent data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, 41% of adults in the U.S. have medical debt.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 9, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:45
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Trump's Deployment of the National Guard Raises Legal Questions
California officials vowed to sue President Donald Trump on Monday to roll back the administration’s National Guard deployment, saying the president trampled over the state’s sovereignty.
How Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum Are Impacting Illinois Businesses
The Trump administration is putting a 50% tax on these metals when they're imported from other countries.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Week in Review: ICE Arrests Spark Protests; Johnson Renews Calls to Tax ‘Ultra Rich’
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A surprise mass immigration arrest sparks fear and protests in the South Loop as federal agents reportedly detain at least 10 people who thought they were showing up for a routine check-in.
As transit funding hangs in the balance, Mayor Brandon Johnson calls on lawmakers to make the wealthy contribute their fair share to public transportation to avoid draconian service cuts.
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel — most recently U.S. ambassador to Japan — continues to fuel rumors of a presidential run.
Meanwhile, the University of Illinois is on edge amid a Trump administration effort to revoke the visas of Chinese students.
Health officials warn at-risk groups to limit their time outside as smoke from Canadian wildfires fills the skies.
And the Chicago Fire soccer team unveils an ambitious stadium plan for long vacant land in the South Loop.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 5, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Leaders, Advocates Respond to Mass Arrests in the South Loop
Tensions escalated as ICE agents were seen pushing back some of the immigrant advocates who gathered to protest the actions — with an alderperson saying he was thrown to the ground.
Illinois State Police Keeps Data on Suspected Gang Members. ICE Has Access
Despite an Illinois law prohibiting data sharing agreements between state law enforcement agencies and federal immigration authorities, the Illinois State Police makes available the names and information of individuals who they deem to be gang members to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
How Recent Venezuelan Elections Could Impact the US
Venezuela's ruling party claimed another election win last month amid opposition boycotts. Opposition leaders called for voters to abstain from casting ballots in protest of the July 2024 presidential election results.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 4, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Report Examines Building Wealth in Chicago's Black Communities
Research from the New School in New York found that in 2024, the median net worth for Black Chicago-area households was zero dollars, compared to $210,000 for White households.
Chicago State University Is Adding a Football Team
Coach Bobby Rome II is tasked with building the school's football program from the ground up.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Local Potato Chip Company Draws Inspiration From Iconic Chicago Foods
- Runtime
- 2:11
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago food culture is built on some of the city’s most famous foods: deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and of course, the classic Chicago-style hot dog.
Now, local entrepreneur Laura Gardner is putting all of those flavors in the bag and adding a little crunch to the city’s food scene with the creation of the potato chip company Local Style Potato Chips (@localstylechips).
WTTW News recently sat down with Gardner to learn more about how she set out to combine her love of potato chips and Chicago foods to make the ultimate snack.
Story & Video: Abena Bediako/WTTW News
#chicagotonightwttw #WTTWNews
- Title
- June 3, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- What to Know About the Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines
The Trump administration released new vaccine guidelines, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention seemingly contradicted it.
Spotlight Politics: Public Transit Funding Stalls in Springfield
With potential cuts looming, Springfield lawmakers fail to pass a regional transit funding bill. Mayor Brandon Johnson's hiring practices come under scrutiny from the DOJ. And the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear a challenge to counting absentee ballots from Illinois congressman Mike Bost.
Chicago History Museum to Explore Latino Stories in New Exhibit
Quinceañera dresses and an Indigenous ceremonial mask are among the items displayed in an exhibit celebrating the long history of Latinos in Chicago.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 2, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois Lawmakers React to $55.2B State Budget
Giving almost no time for public review, Illinois Democrats pushed through a $55.2 billion budget for next fiscal year late Saturday, bolstering coffers with new taxes on sports bets, nicotine products and businesses.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- June 2025 Birthdays — WTTW Kids Club
- Runtime
- 1:09
- Date posted
- 1 year 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
- Week in Review: Scramble to Pass State Budget; Assisted-Dying Bill Advances
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Springfield lawmakers scramble to finalize a new spending plan Friday as Gov. JB Pritzker promises to veto any proposal that includes broad-based new taxes to address a $1 billion budget hole.
But Illinois Republicans blast a budget process they describe as “broken” and “opaque.”
The Illinois House advances a measure that would allow terminally ill people to end their lives with the help of a physician.
Lawmakers also introduce a much-anticipated bill that would reform Chicago’s public transportation system — but skepticism remains over how it will be funded.
Meanwhile, a watchdog report finds the CTA paid out more than $1 million over the past five years to employees for remote work, despite the fact that their work could not be done remotely.
And amid a flurry of pardons, President Donald Trump commutes the federal life sentence of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover who has been in prison since 1973.
- Title
- May 29, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois Lawmakers Unveil New Funding Sources for Chicagoland Transit
Just one day after the release of a bill outlining a new “one-network, one-timetable, one-ticket model” for Chicago area public transportation, state lawmakers touted new sources of revenue for the system aimed at staving off a fiscal cliff that could have sent transit into a death spiral.
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi on His Bid for the US Senate
Since U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced his retirement last month, three Democratic candidates have launched campaigns to replace him.
Bill Would Legalize Physician-Assisted Death in Illinois
As Illinois lawmakers consider a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance, those opposed are sounding the alarm.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Potato Chip Company Draws Inspiration From Iconic Chicago Foods
- Runtime
- 4:07
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago food culture is built on some of the city’s most famous foods: deep dish pizza, Italian beef, and of course, the classic Chicago-style hot dog.
Now, a local entrepreneur is putting all of those flavors in the bag, and adding a little crunch to the city’s food scene.
Laura Gardner, owner of Local Style Potato Chips, set out to combine her love of potato chips and Chicago foods to make the ultimate snack. Though not a Chicago native, Gardner has taken on the city as her chosen home and fell in love with all aspects including the culture, nightlife, and of course, the food.
Once she decided to venture down this career path, she had no trouble with selecting the first flavors. Gardner simply followed the city’s “holy trinity” of deep dish pizza, Italian beef and the Chicago-style hot dog. The brand also includes a traditional classic kettle chip and a hot giardiniera flavor.
- Title
- May 28, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Lawmakers Unveil Plan to Overhaul Chicago-Area Transit With New Agency
State lawmakers lifted the curtain on a long-anticipated plan to reform Chicago-area transit on Wednesday, just days from the end of the spring session and after lengthy rounds of negotiations.
Jonathan Capehart Gets Personal in New Memoir
The Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, editor, columnist, PBS NewsHour political analyst and MSNBC host lays it all bare in his new book.
New Opera Showcases Black Women of the Civil Rights Movement
"She Who Dared" spotlights the women who challenged segregation in Montgomery, using classical music infused with sounds of gospel, jazz and the blues to tell the story centered around seven women.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 27, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois Lawmakers Launch Into Final Week of Spring Session
Lawmakers have until May 31 to pass a revenue and spending plan with a simple majority of votes. In addition to tackling the state budget and its $3 billion-plus gap, several other issues are being closely watched in the race toward the finish line.
Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke on Reshaping the Office
At her swearing-in ceremony six months ago, Cook County's top prosecutor promised a new approach to tackling violent crime.
Entrepreneur Selling Chips Inspired by Iconic Chicago Foods
Elements of Chicago culture are built on some of the city's most famous foods: deep dish pizza, Italian beef and, of course, the classic Chicago-style hot dog.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Week in Review: DOJ Investigating Chicago’s Hiring Practices; Snap Curfew Vote Stalls
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A Chicago man is charged with the murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C.
The FBI descends on the Albany Park home of the accused shooter, who reportedly shouted “free Palestine” as he was taken into custody.
Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago won’t be intimidated by a DOJ investigation into whether his administration’s hiring practices are racially biased.
Meanwhile, the vote on a controversial proposal allowing police to institute so-called snap curfews stalls in the Chicago City Council.
U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood decides not to join the race to replace U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Advocates for priest abuse survivors say Pope Leo XIV must do more to tackle clergy sexual misconduct.
And the Sun-Times apologizes for a massive AI misfire.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 22, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago Man Charged With Killing 2 Israeli Embassy Staffers
The man charged with fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., as they were leaving an event at a Jewish museum told police after his arrest, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” That’s according to court documents released Thursday charging Elias Rodriguez, 31, with the Wednesday night attack.
Public Transit Workers Push for More State Funding
CTA, Metra and Pace are facing a $770 million hole in their budget next year, but lawmakers have been clear that they aren't coming through with any more money unless they see reforms to how those agencies are run.
New Children's Book Explores Growing Up in Immigrant Family
Writer and illustrator Jacqueline Alcántara draws from her own childhood to help kids navigate their diverse identities in her new book.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 2025 Birthdays — WTTW Kids Club
- Runtime
- 1:49
- Date posted
- 1 year 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 21, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- It was Memorial Day five years ago that video captured the murder of George Floyd at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. Floyd’s death — just a couple of months into the start of a global pandemic — ignited a racial reckoning, sparking demonstrations nationwide and calls for police accountability. Tonight, we explore what’s changed in the five years since his death and what advocates say remains to be done.
On the show:
How Police-Community Relations Have Changed Since George Floyd's Murder
The Department of Justice announced it would end federal oversight of police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville and plans to close investigations in other cities. Despite the order, Chicago's consent decree mandating police reform will remain in effect because it does not involve the DOJ.
Black-Owned Bookstores Facing Challenges With Little Support
When Danielle Moore opened Semicolon Books in 2019, business was slow — until t...
- Title
- May 20, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:46
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Housing Commissioner on Green Housing Initiative, Funding Cuts
Chicago faces a shortfall of nearly 120,000 affordable housing units amid rising costs and threats to federal housing grants. Mayor Brandon Johnson's new Green Social Housing initiative aims to address the shortage by creating a city-owned nonprofit housing developer.
Spotlight Politics: DOJ Investigates City's Hiring Practices
The latest on a renewed push to allow Chicago police to declare snap curfews. The Department of Justice announces a probe into the city's hiring practices. And a fast-approaching budget deadline is focusing minds in Springfield.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 19, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois Lawmakers Weigh in on Budget Priorities
It’s crunch time in Springfield, with the deadline to pass the state budget for next fiscal year less than two weeks away.
Biden Announces Prostate Cancer Diagnosis. What to Know About Screenings
Former President Joe Biden has seen an outpouring of support following an announcement that he has prostate cancer. The 82-year-old shared his diagnosis on Sunday calling it aggressive and adding that it has spread to his bones.
Chicago's Beloved Piping Plovers Are Officially Expecting
Plover monitors announced the first of potentially four eggs was laid Sunday morning at Montrose Beach. Piping plover moms typically lay one egg every other day until they complete a full clutch of four, according to the Great Lakes Piping Plover Recovery Effort.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Meet the Chicago Teen Going Viral for Giving Free Hair Makeovers in the School Bathroom
- Runtime
- 2:20
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- For many Black people, getting their hair done can be a costly ordeal.
But Jessica Thurmond, a student in North Lawndale, is trying to alleviate that. She’s styling her classmates’ hair for free in her school’s bathroom stalls just in time for class.
Now that small act of kindness is turning her into a viral social media star — and a budding entrepreneur.
The 17-year-old North Lawndale College Prep junior spends time between classes styling wigs, braids, curls and locs. She posts her work on TikTok, drawing as many as 4 million views.
Thurmond said she enjoys helping students who can’t afford a professional stylist.
“It feels good because it shows them that they can trust me and come to me with their hair,” said Thurmond. “Not a lot of people can afford a style that they really want.”
Thurmond said she has been styling hair since she was 8 years old. Her talents started gaining traction last...
- Title
- Week in Review: Johnson Marks 2 Years in Office; Supreme Court Hears Birthright Citizenship Case
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Mayor Brandon Johnson reflects on changes to policy and his personal life as he marks two years in office.
Violent crime is down, and the migrant crisis is fading from the spotlight — but other challenges emerge, like a worsening financial picture and federal funding threats.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss jumps in the race to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky.
Illinois joins a coalition of states suing the Trump administration over withholding federal funds from states with sanctuary status.
Meanwhile, Chicago gets a population boost, reversing a shrinking trend.
The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on birthright citizenship — possibly reshaping what it means to be American.
And not even severe weather could rain on Beyoncé’s parade as the star kicks off three shows at Soldier Field.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Meet the Chicago Teen Giving Free Hair Makeovers in Her School Bathroom
- Runtime
- 3:22
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- For many Black people, getting their hair done can be a costly ordeal.
But Jessica Thurmond, a student in North Lawndale, is trying to alleviate that. She’s styling her classmates’ hair for free in her school’s bathroom stalls just in time for class.
Now that small act of kindness is turning her into a viral social media star — and a budding entrepreneur.
The 17-year-old North Lawndale College Prep junior spends time between classes styling wigs, braids, curls and locs. She posts her work on TikTok, drawing as many as 4 million views.
Thurmond said she enjoys helping students who can’t afford a professional stylist.
“It feels good because it shows them that they can trust me and come to me with their hair,” said Thurmond. “Not a lot of people can afford a style that they really want.”
Thurmond said she has been styling hair since she was 8 years old. Her talents started gaining traction last...
- Title
- Touring Chicago's Lakefront with Geoffrey Baer — Full Show
- Runtime
- 55:54
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago's lakefront is more than just a scenic backdrop. It's a vibrant playground, a refuge for nature, and a testament to the city's enduring spirit. Join Geoffrey Baer as he explores the history, the hidden gems, and the unique character of this urban oasis. From secluded beaches to bustling harbors, from architectural wonders to vibrant green spaces, discover the stories that have shaped this iconic waterfront and the people who bring it to life.
View the full site at https://wttw.com/lakefront
- Title
- May 15, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- CTU Members Set to Vote on Union Leadership
Weeks after ratifying a new labor agreement, rank-and-file members of the Chicago Teachers Unions this week will be voting once again, this time to decide on their leadership for the next three years.
Report Examines How Undocumented Health Care Programs Impact Hospital Debt
State officials are on track to shut down a program at the end of June that provides publicly funded health care coverage to more than 30,000 non-U.S. citizens in Illinois, including many who are in the country without legal authorization.
Sonia Manzano on 'Sesame Street,' Early Childhood Education
The actress who played Maria on "Sesame Street" recently came to Chicago, where she spoke about the importance of early childhood education and took a trip down memory lane.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 14, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Under 'Crime-Free Housing' Laws, People Can Be Evicted for Minor Offenses
An investigation by The New York Times and the Illinois Answers Project shows that many cities in Illinois have turned crime-free housing programs into a blunt instrument to oust families for virtually any alleged infraction, no matter how minor.
New Children's Book Encourages Kids to Speak Up
Whether it’s asking for a promotion or confronting the school bully, writer Luvvie Ajayi Jones has become an expert on overcoming fears and speaking up. Her books urge everyone to become what she calls a “troublemaker,” or someone who pushes for positive change.
West Side Teen Goes Viral for School Bathroom Makeovers
A North Lawndale student is styling her classmates hair — all from the girls' restroom. That small act of kindness is turning her into a viral social media star and a budding entrepreneur.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 13, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sits down with "Chicago Tonight" for an interview reflecting on his first two years in office.
Johnson discusses funding threats from the Trump administration, crime prevention efforts and building more affordable housing.
When Johnson took office two years ago, Chicago was in crisis.
As Johnson celebrates his second anniversary and marks what he hopes is the midpoint of his first term in office, Chicago remains in crisis. A different crisis.
Johnson spent much of his first two years in office lurching from emergency to emergency, battered by outside events and suffering from self-inflicted wounds. That has left the bulk of his promises to remake the city into a “Chicago for all” — not just the wealthy or the powerful — unfulfilled.
Despite the mayor’s trademark optimism, the unrelenting turmoil of the past two years, and his missteps in handling problems both new and old, has wea...
- Title
- May 12, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The race to replace retiring Senator Dick Durbin is heating up. Two weeks after the 80-year-old announced he would not seek a sixth term, three serious candidates had already launched campaigns.
U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the changes coming to Illinois politics and her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
Plus, a movement to allow community colleges in Illinois to begin offering some four-year degrees in an an effort to increase the number of students completing their studies.
- Title
- Week in Review: Chicago Gets a Pope; Senate Race Gets Crowded
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- After a two-day conclave, the Catholic Church has a new leader — and he’s from Chicago.
In a shock announcement, the group of 133 cardinals elected Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost to be the first American Pope.
Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order, will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
The Trump administration sent a message to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Springfield where she called the state a “firewall against president Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda.”
Meanwhile, Pritzker agreed to appear before the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next month to testify about Illinois’ protections for undocumented immigrants.
Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated a win after the City Council signed off on a landmark affordable housing effort but ran into a wall of pushback over reported move...
- Title
- Chicago-Area Catholics React to Pope Leo XIV
- Runtime
- 1:31
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago has a hometown pope.
Cardinal Robert Prevost, who was born in Chicago and grew up in south suburban Dolton, will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Prevost, 69, became the first American ever elected pope and will succeed Pope Francis as the leader of the Catholic Church and its more than 1 billion members. The Chicago native is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop.
Father Gregory Sakowicz, rector of Holy Name Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Chicago, said he was in “absolute shock” when Prevost was named pope.
“When he was named, at that moment I looked outside, here in Chicago, the sun came out,” Sakowicz said.
“Chicago Tonight” Host Brandis Friedman spoke with Heidi Schlumpf, a journalist with the National Catholic Reporter, and Rev. Paddy Gilger, an assitant professor of sociology at Loyola University Chicago, to learn more a...
- Title
- May 8, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The Catholic Church has a new pope — and he’s from Chicago. We have local reaction. We discuss Pope Leo XIV, his ties to the Chicago area and what local Catholics have to say about the choice.
Just hours after former Gov. George Ryan’s funeral, we talk with two former inmates who Ryan took off death row.
- Title
- May 7, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- City Council OKs Mayor’s New Approach to Building Affordable Housing in Chicago
The plan is designed to leverage the city’s financial power to build what the city calls “green social housing,” permanently affordable, mixed-income and environmentally sustainable housing.
What to Know About the Conclave as Voting Begins for the Next Pope
Black smoke poured out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on Wednesday, signaling that no pope had been elected as 133 cardinals opened the secretive, centuries-old ritual to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church.
Bronzeville Trail Revitalization Project is Underway
The project aims to turn a disused rail line in the historic district into a path for walking, biking and gathering.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 6, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Real ID Travel Deadline is May 7. Here's What to Know
The deadline has set off a rush for some travelers to the DMV — but not everyone needs a Real ID right away.
How Illinois is Pushing Back Against Cuts to Head Start
Completely shutting down the program requires congressional approval, but Head Start advocates say the disruption and uncertainty are already having devastating consequences.
Trump is Pushing for a Baby Boom, Proposes Incentives
Some think the baby fever frenzy is part of the rise of pronatalism, or the belief that a declining birth rate is a threat to future society.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- May 5, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:55
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago Groups Feeling the Impact of AmeriCorps Cuts
The federal agency tasked with dispatching more than 200,000 workers to serve at local organizations across the country is the latest to face cuts under the Trump administration.
New Book Examines Causes of Gun Violence
For decades, conservatives and liberals have fiercely debated what drives the nation's gun violence epidemic. A new book called "Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence" says neither side has it right.
Remembering George Ryan, Ex-Governor With Complicated Legacy
Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan, disgraced by a corruption scandal that landed him in prison yet heralded by some for clearing the state’s death row, has died. He was 91.
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- Title
- Week in Review: Pritzker Demands More Fight From ‘Do-Nothing Democrats’; Snap Curfew Proposal Stalls
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says it’s time for “do-nothing Democrats” to take the fight to the GOP.
Mayor Brandon Johnson goes to Springfield with a “modest” wish list for lawmakers and bats away accusations he has failed to build strong relationships in the Capitol.
A proposal to let Chicago police implement snap curfews stalls in City Council.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton’s Senate bid gets a high-profile endorsement — her potential counterpart, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth.
Federal prosecutors do an about-face and drop their attempt to claw back more than $3 million from convicted former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
Chicago firefighters pay their final respects to Captain David Meyer, killed in the line of duty in an alleged arson.
And former Illinois Gov. George Ryan dies at the age of 91.
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- Title
- The Cubs and Bulls Have Nothing on These Champs. Check Out Cook County’s MVP Trees
- Runtime
- 2:16
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago has celebrated its share of "champions." The '85 Bears, the Bulls dynasty years, the 2016 Cubs.
Cook County Forest Preserves (@fpdcc) is adding trees to that list.
From a towering 120-foot-tall black oak to a 20-foot redbud, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County has mapped the largest specimen of each tree species identified in the preserves and has made it easier for people to find these “champions.”
Read the full story on our website.
Story: Patty Wetli/WTTW News
Video: Nicole Cardos/WTTW News
#chicagotonightwttw #WTTWNews
- Title
- May 1, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- On 50th Anniversary, Vietnam War Veterans Share Their Experiences
The Vietnam War greatly impacted U.S. society from the passage of the War Powers Resolution that restricts the president’s ability to send troops into extended combat without congressional approval to the cementing of college campuses as centers of student activism.
WTTW News Explains: Chicago's History as a Sanctuary City
For four decades, Chicago has held the designation of a sanctuary city — but what does it mean, and how has Chicago’s status endured? WTTW News explains.
Chicago's Cinco de Mayo Parade Canceled Amid Deportation Fears
Organizers said nearly half of the parade sponsors dropped out after Chicago became a major target for immigration enforcement agents.
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- Title
- Anti-Trump Protesters Demand Protections For Immigrants, Workers’ Rights in May Day March
- Runtime
- 1:59
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicagoans from a diverse coalition of local grassroots organizations and labor unions marched the streets Thursday afternoon to protest the Trump administration’s policies on May Day, also known as International Workers' Day.
The march, which brought out participants in the thousands, aimed to unify against the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrant rights in addition to protesting the mass layoffs of federal workers, corporate greed, U.S. aid to Israel and the dismantling of public services, according to organizers.
Protesters were met with cloudy conditions and on-and-off rain during the morning of the march and as they kicked off the march along a predetermined route from Union Park in West Loop to Grant Park in downtown.
A march attendee, Terry Sadowski, said labor unions have been attacked under the Trump administration through what he describes as anti-union changes to the National Labor Relations Board and also through efforts to ...
- Title
- April 30, 2025 Full Episode — Black Voices
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicago City Council Debates Expanding Police Curfew Powers
A proposal to allow Chicago Police Department officials to impose a curfew anywhere in the city with just 30 minutes notice in an effort to stop large gatherings of teens failed to advance Wednesday after a fierce debate over the constitutionality of the measure.
Local Stakeholders on Pritzker's Budget Proposal, Priorities
Gov. JB Pritzker is proposing a $55.2 billion budget as budget watchdogs sound the alarm on the state’s $3.2 billion deficit. While Republicans say the state needs to cut spending and lower taxes, Democrats are raising concerns about cuts to services that families depend on.
New Park to Honor the Legacy of Chicago's Founder
Developers are aiming to complete the 3.4-acre lakefront park by 2027.
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- Title
- Chinatown Business Owners Brace for Impact of Trump’s Ongoing Trade War With China
- Runtime
- 2:05
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The U.S.-China trade war has been ratcheting up for nearly a month now.
President Donald Trump first announced new tariffs on almost all U.S. trading partners in early April, with China becoming the main target.
Taxes on Chinese imports are currently sitting at 145%. Beijing has retaliated with tariffs of its own, taxing American goods 125%.
WTTW News recently spoke with local shop owners in Chicago’s Chinatown community to hear how they are bracing for the consequences of the ongoing feud.
Story & Video: Shelby Hawkins / WTTW News
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#chicagotonightwttw #wttwnews
- Title
- April 29, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chicagoans Plan to Protest Trump at May Day Rally
As Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls on Democrats to be more aggressive in their fight against the Trump administration, organizers in Chicago and across the national are planning May Day rallies.
What Proposed Changes to the Endangered Species Act Mean for Illinois
Conservationists say a proposed rule change could "fundamentally upend" protections for endangered species that have been in place for the past 50 years.
Spotlight Politics: Proposal Seeks to Rein in Large Teen Gatherings
A proposal to expand police curfew powers goes before a key City Council committee. Meanwhile, Mayor Brandon Johnson heads to Springfield. And a financial reprieve for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- April 28, 2025 Full Episode — Chicago Tonight
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Some Say Trump Administration is Politicizing the Fight Against Antisemitism
President Donald Trump has made good on his promise to freeze federal funding to universities. He cites a rise in antisemitic attacks and institutions’ inadequate responses.
How Local Businesses Are Being Impacted by Trump's Tariffs
President Donald Trump first announced new tariffs on almost all U.S. trading partners in early April with China becoming the main target. Taxes on Chinese imports are currently sitting at 145%. Beijing has retaliated with tariffs of its own, taxing American goods at 125%.
Mariyana Spyropoulos on Her First 100 Days as Cook County Court Clerk
Just a few months into her term, Mariyana Spyropoulos is out with a new progress report.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Week in Review: Dick Durbin Passing the Torch; Highland Park Gunman Sentenced
- Runtime
- 26:56
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says it’s time to pass the torch and he won’t be seeking reelection for a sixth term.
Durbin’s retirement is expected to unleash a flood of would-be successors — with Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton first out of the gate.
Chicagoans join mourners around the world remembering the late Pope Francis as Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich prepares to help choose a successor.
Mayor Brandon Johnson sounds the alarm on city finances — and sounds off on former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
State Sen. Emil Jones III’s time in court ends in a mistrial, while convicted Highland Park shooter Robert Crimo III will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
And Chicago Bears fans mourn the loss of Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XX champion Steve McMichael to ALS.
#wttwnews #chicagotonightwttw
- Title
- Cedric (Full Episode) — FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers
- Runtime
- 24:51
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Cedric was given a second chance and he’s determined not to let it go to waste. After his life prison sentence was commuted, he returned to Chicago to push peace in the same neighborhoods where he once sold narcotics. Cedric is working for a nonprofit, where his job is to de-escalate conflicts, broker peace agreements among local gangs, and recruit others to help in these efforts.
See more from FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers at https://interactive.wttw.com/firsthand/peacekeepers
----------
About FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers
----------
As crime and public safety are top of mind across Chicago’s communities, there are people who are working to prevent conflict before it happens and stop it from escalating when it does. WTTW spends a year exploring violence interruption and prevention in Chicago in Firsthand: Peacekeepers, a series of documentaries, expert talks, investigative journalism, and community engagement focusing on extraordinary people who are...
- Title
- Adrian (Full Episode) — FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers
- Runtime
- 20:15
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Adrian is working to bring peace to the same streets that his gang-involved family once claimed as territory. His parents were among the founders of Humboldt Park’s Spanish Cobras in the 1970s. Now, he's using those same neighborhood connections to broker peace and build community. But, a late-summer walk through the park reveals that his neighborhood’s challenges run deeper than he imagined.
See more from FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers at https://interactive.wttw.com/firsthand/peacekeepers
----------
About FIRSTHAND: Peacekeepers
----------
As crime and public safety are top of mind across Chicago’s communities, there are people who are working to prevent conflict before it happens and stop it from escalating when it does. WTTW spends a year exploring violence interruption and prevention in Chicago in Firsthand: Peacekeepers, a series of documentaries, expert talks, investigative journalism, and community engagement focusing on extraordinary ...
