The Rundown | Chicago News

The head of a nonprofit budget think tank says it’s time for the state of Illinois to raise taxes. A Black Jewish mom will be the 21st - and final - member of the Chicago school board. Plus, the Ireland and New Zealand national rugby teams will face off at Soldier Field this November. 

Cuts to Medicaid could impact many Illinois including those living with HIV/AIDS. Plus, Defense lawyers in the federal ComEd bribery case want a federal judge to pause it based on action by President Donald Trump. Senator Durbin says the Trump administration’s cuts to the N-I-H would jeopardize the wellbeing of Americans everywhere.

The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory from 9 p.m. tonight through noon tomorrow. The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services has activated its warming areas at six community service centers this week due to cold temperatures. An international soybean research program at the University of Illinois is getting ready to close after the Trump administration put its federal funding on hold.

Hundreds protested outside Lurie Children's Hospital over the weekend over its pause on gender affirming surgeries for people under 19, Illinois lawmakers consider financial aid for people in college, the Chicago Sky are making some big offseason roster moves.

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago is still pausing gender affirming surgeries despite a new court order. The state is suspending former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s government pension after his federal corruption conviction. Plus, find out how mammals, fish, and insects find love at the Field Museum. 

Resignations continue from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s cabinet, what cutting USAID does to Illinois farmers, and the Driehaus Museum hosts its largest ever display of contemporary art.

Two Illinois Democratic lawmakers are teaming up this spring to try to address what’s known as the “wandering officer” problem. An annual survey shows the majority of American Jews say antisemitism has increased. Plus, the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is once again searching for the coolest thing made in Illinois.

Illinois’ former House speaker Michael Madigan put on a smiling face after his corruption conviction. Illinois Republicans continue pushing for ethics reform after former House Speaker Mike Madigan is found guilty. Parents complain about a lack of a concrete plan to keep open seven Chicago charter schools, originally slated for closure.

Former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan is found guilty in 10 verdicts. National Heart Month is celebrated every February to raise awareness about heart health. Plus, some tips for driving safely in the snow. 

County board members in Springfield have approved the settlement with the family of Sonya Massey. Faith-based organizations in the U.S. and in Illinois are challenging in federal court the removal of a policy that kept ICE from coming into houses of worship. Certain aspects of those 25% tariffs on foreign steel imports aren't favored by America’s largest steel union.

The University of Chicago is part of a lawsuit over the Trump administration’s move to cut billions in funding for medical research. A conference to accelerate climate action in the Midwest will debut in Chicago this summer. Plus, a winter weather advisory starts tomorrow. 

President Donald Trump has pardoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Advocates in Chicago worry about the potential rise of vigilante activity because of anti-immigrant rhetoric coming from the White House. A tenants union on Chicago’s Northwest Side is protesting rising rents and looming displacement.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is suing the Trump administration along with attorneys general from 21 other states over Trump’s plans to cut funding for medical and public health research at universities. The family of a woman killed in yet another Chicago police chase gone wrong is slated to receive $27 million dollars. Karina’s Bill has now been signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker into Karina’s Law.

In the Illinois legislature’s spring session, The Clean Slate Coalition is hoping to cut through bureaucratic red tape that comes with relieving a criminal record. Legislation filed last week could boost partnerships between faith-based organizations in Illinois. Illinois broke another record for annual cannabis sales last year.

More than 160 employees who work on environmental justice or held positions related to DEI at the EPA have been placed on paid administrative leave. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced plans for another lawsuit against the Trump administration. Plus, county officials in Springfield have reached a 10 million dollar settlement with Sonya Massey’s family. 

The Justice Department sues officials including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker over immigrant sanctuary policies. A Chicago school board member wants the next leader of the Chicago Public Schools to be a full fledged superintendent, not a CEO. Chicago Public Schools says an independent arbitrator sided with them in Chicago teachers union contract negotiations.

The Department of Justice is suing the City of Chicago, the state of Illinois and Cook County over their so-called sanctuary laws that limit cooperation with immigration authorities. Illinois House Democrats are doing what they can to oppose President Donald Trump – but their power is extremely limited. Virginia McCaskey, owner of the Chicago Bears franchise, died today at 102 years old.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to defend Chicago’s sanctuary city status on a national stage next month — in testimony before the House Oversight Committee. The Chicago Teachers Union says an independent arbitrator has sided with them on some key issues. An Illinois Congressman warns that Ukrainians will die if the Trump administration cuts off humanitarian aid to that country.

Mayor Brandon Johnson says he will travel to D.C. next month to testify before Congress. Chicago attorneys say they are exploring what appears to be violations of the Fourth Amendment during recent immigration raids. Plus, a winter weather advisory.

Illinois is moving to bar anyone who took part in the January 6th insurrection from state employment. Will Chicago follow suit? Chicago’s cultural commissioner was at City Hall defending Chicago artists yesterday. The city of Chicago releases bodycam footage showing police officers fatally shoot a knife-wielding man in a senior apartment building.

Hundreds of ducks and other birds are washing up dead along the Chicago area’s lakefront. An organization that represents Illinois’s largest private employment sector is worried about price hikes. Plus, Shakira is coming to Suenos Music Festival this May in Grant Park.

Chicago teachers say some of their students stayed home yesterday as part of a national protest called a day without immigrants. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s policy agenda for the first quarter of this year is absent of any bold ideas for progressive revenue, despite promises to push for new funding streams. Illinois lawmakers will try again to pass legislation merging the Chicago area’s transit authorities.

Mayor Brandon Johnson works toward a revised Anjanette Young ordinance, Illinois lawmakers introduce a measure to punish students who sexually assault other students at school, and Cook County says more information is needed to make south suburban property taxes more fair.

Educators in Chicago are calling on universities to protect international student protesters. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is directing the state not to hire anyone convicted of crimes connected to the U.S. Capitol attack on January 6, 2021. Be prepared for a wild weather weekend.

The head of Chicago Public Schools says teachers union contract deal is closer than ever… the union challenges him to make it happen. The Chicago City Council is exploring how the city could regulate and tax the sale of hemp products. An Illinois Congressman says they’re worried the latest federal funding freeze debacle won’t be the last.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he doesn’t support some changes to state pensions that unions are asking for. The head of Illinois’ largest university system says he is no longer using the term DEI because he “doesn’t know what it means anymore.” The Chicago Housing Authority is offering scholarships for students who live in public housing.

Venezuelan migrants will soon be considered undocumented-immigrants by the Trump administration. The move could boost deportation numbers. Chicago public schools are trying to figure out how one of Trump’s executive orders will impact the district. Local activists say President Trump is endangering the health and safety of the trans community.

President Trump’s administration says an effort to block immigration raids in Chicago is “unprecedented and fundamentally flawed.” The fate of ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is now in the hands of jurors. Plus, reading scores for Illinois fourth graders continue to decline.

Top Illinois Democrats say President Donald Trump is lying as they continue grappling with his proposed freeze on federal aid. World Relief Chicagoland has seen a stop in its funding from the federal government for its refugee resettlement work, due to an executive order issued last week. Former Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus is heading back to Texas.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is joining a group of attorneys general to sue the Trump administration. As reports of immigration enforcement raids in Chicago continue, some local employers are seeing the effects. Plus, the Chicago Blackhawks are headed toward a third-straight bottom-three finish in the standings.

Reports of immigration enforcement raids in Chicago over the weekend are raising fears for local employers, employees and customers. Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s defense team tears into government mole Danny Solis in closing arguments. Some immigrant parents in Chicago say they are not taking their kids to school because they fear getting arrested.

Faith leaders gathered at a church in north suburban Evanston today to support the church’s sanctuary status. A top lawyer for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is trying to poke holes in the government’s racketeering conspiracy case as the trial nears its end. Lookingglass Theatre in Chicago is reopening this week with a new show and a new look.

Will a federal judge weigh in on the threatened immigration raids? Lawyers for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan are making their closing arguments in his federal corruption trial. Illinois public health leaders launch a data dashboard to track gun-related injuries and deaths.

CPS officials say federal immigration agents came to a school in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago is not considering strengthening its sanctuary city ordinance amid threats of mass deportation from President Donald Trump. Local researchers say President Trump’s partial shutdown of the National Institutes of Health could cost lives.

The State Board of Education says school districts should set policies for how they want to interact with federal immigration officials. Local researchers warn Trump’s new restrictions on the NIH could slow scientific progress. The City of Chicago is partnering with The Shine Hope Company to help city residents fight hopelessness.

President Trump will allow immigration officers to make arrests at schools, hospitals and even churches, causing fear among the undocumented communities. Amid abortion clinic closures, the Chicago Abortion Fund says their work will not slow down. Federal investigators are poking around at an embattled charter school network on Chicago’s South Side.

Closing arguments are underway in the federal corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Planned Parenthood of Illinois plans to close four health centers. Plus, the Bears have a new head coach.

Chicago activists monitoring for immigration arrests said they didn’t see activity yesterday, but ask people to remain alert. Pro-immigrant activists are targeting an airport in Gary, Indiana that’s used to fly undocumented immigrants to the Texas-Mexico border. Equality Illinois is advising trans-identifying residents to “resist and wait” following one of Trump’s recent executive orders.

Immigrant communities in the Chicago area have been preparing for increased deportations by setting up emergency plans. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is blasting Elon Musk for making a gesture at a rally yesterday that has been widely compared to a fascist salute. Plus, Chicago is in the middle of a dangerous cold snap.

President Trump’s pardons were great news for dozens of supporters from Illinois who went to the January 6th, 2021 riot in Washington … and came home with federal rap sheets. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is holding firm against any potential ICE raids. At the Evanston Public Library the hum of sewing machines is the soundtrack to a community service project for girls across the world.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached an agreement with Sangamon County officials in Springfield in an investigation into Sonya Massey’s killing. Communities across Chicago will be celebrating Martin Luther King Junior Day this weekend and Monday. “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” makes its Midwest premiere at Chicago Shakespeare Theater this weekend after winning two Tonys on Broadway.

Some doctors in Illinois are worried about vaccine funding as Republican Donald Trump becomes president. Undisclosed flood damages could cost home buyers thousands. It’s a moment more than 20 years in the making: Sammy Sosa and the Cubs will reunite at the team’s convention tonight.

The federal racketeering conspiracy trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain is entering its final stretch. Amtrak is canceling some Chicago-area trains ahead of an expected drop in temperatures early next week. The Chicago Bears interviewed former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head coaching job.

Israeli- and Palestinian-Americans react to the news of a ceasefire deal. The city council has overwhelmingly rejected an effort to repeal certain protections for immigrants in Chicago as President-elect Donald Trump promises mass deportations. Chicago’s new board of education members held their first meeting this week.

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a new acting president for the CTA. Chicago’s first elected school board members took their seats today. Plus, the Chicago Reader is laying off six of its employees.

Elected school board members for Chicago will be sworn in today for the very first time. Illinois lawmakers hope the CTA’s next president gets behind a plan to merge Chicago’s public transit agencies. An attorney with the ACLU told a federal judge that the Chicago Police Department is not doing enough to work with community groups critical of police.

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan ended his testimony this afternoon in his federal racketeering and conspiracy trial. Chicago transportation officials say there were fewer traffic fatalities in 2023 compared to previous years. Plus, Illinois legislators and advocacy groups announced a bill yesterday that would decriminalize sex work for consenting adults.

Some Chicago alderpersons want more say over the next CTA President after Dorval Carter announced his resignation. Prosecutors played a previously unheard recording yesterday during the trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Local consumer advocate groups turned over thousands of public comments calling for the state to overhaul the Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.

Embattled CTA President Dorval Carter is resigning after two decades with the agency. The Biden administration announced another round of student loan cancellations today. Illinois has secured $114 million in federal funding to build electric vehicle charging stations across the state.