The Rundown | Chicago News

Major Taylor is an American cyclist that once held seven world sprint records. He demanded justice during his competing days around the turn of the 20th century in the face of racist competitors and race organizers. A cycling and walking trail through Chicago’s South Side bears Major Taylor’s name, and a celebration ride in his honor is scheduled for August 26. Two local experts on Major Taylor and the Major Taylor Trail tell us his story and the story of the community through which his trail passes. Keith Holt is a founding member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago and a pivotal part of the establishment of the Major Taylor Trail. Brenda Dixon is the secretary of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, vice president of the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and president of the board for the Major Taylor Trail Keepers.

Two Trump allies based in Chicago are included in the latest indictment out of Georgia related to charges of election interference. The median sold price for homes in the Chicago area is up by nearly 9% from about this time last year. Some residents said Amazon violated zoning code at a West Side facility.

Illinois lawmakers are considering whether to renew a contract with a private prison health care company after hearing concerns over quality. Two migrant families who were kicked out of hotels after missing curfew by minutes say they haven’t heard from city leaders about other options. The Parliament of World’s Religions is meeting in Chicago this week.

The Argyle Night Market is a weekly street festival held on summer Thursdays in Uptown’s Argyle Street, and it’s a vibe. It attracts people of all stripes, incomes, and ages, and it’s the subject of a new installation of photos, called “Faces of Argyle.” 
 
 “The market is like no other market I’ve experienced in Chicago,” said Ronit Bezalel, the photographer behind the exhibit. Bezalel’s photos were curated by visual artist and writer Riva Lehrer and are on display at Everybody’s Coffee on Wilson Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood. They include posed portraits of joy and lives well-lived as well as candid shots of the spectrum of people enjoying the festival. In this episode Bezalel and Lehrer tell Erin Allen about the Night Market, their Uptown community, and the stunning photographs that came out of both.

Mayor Brandon Johnson goes with an insider in his pick for the next police superintendent. Illinois democratic state officials are applauding the state supreme court’s ruling in a case over a controversial gun control law. Dr. Allison Arwady announced that she’s leaving her post as the Chicago public health commissioner.

“There’s not such a finite line between life and death,” says Gary Feinman, an anthropology curator and content expert at the Field Museum. Feinman and his colleagues, including exhibition developer Ben Miller, spent several years working on the museum’s exhibit “Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery.”
 
 In this episode, we talk with Feinman and Miller about the exhibit and confronting our own mortality. And yeah, it gets pretty deep.
 
 “Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery” closes at the Field Museum on August 27.

Chicago Public Schools is getting a slightly smaller increase in state funding than it was expecting. Loretto Hospital workers reached a tentative contract agreement with hospital leaders. The Illinois Supreme Court plans to issue an opinion today on the state’s ban on assault weapons.

Cook County faces the second-highest unknown flood risk in the country. ComEd is spending hundreds of millions to upgrade EV infrastructure in northern Illinois. State fair officials unveiled the 102nd butter cow sculpture.

Anonymous, in part because he spent his childhood tagging walls across Chicago, Dont Fret is a Chicago-born cartoonist, muralist and self-published author. And you can tell he wholeheartedly loves this city: “You’re a Chicagoan,” he writes in his new book, “This Is No Quiet City,” “your eyes and heart are wide open, and that is pure, raw, messy, true, and terrifying.” In this episode, Dont Fret explains how he got into graffiti growing up in Wicker Park, why he self-published his book, and why Chicago is a city that punches back. “We are a tough, tough people,” he said to host Erin Allen, “and I think that comes from the stockyards. It comes from inclusion and immigration, diversity and eclect-icity.” You can find Dont Fret’s work on his Instagram, and his book here. 

A judge ordered a man accused of murdering 9-year-old Serabi Medina, while she was playing outside, to stay in jail while he awaits trial. Struggling with vacancies, Cook County Health has a new plan to hire people faster. Two bills signed by Gov. JB Pritzker will help support public transit in Chicago and the surrounding region.

Health experts around Illinois are urging people to re-enroll in Medicaid if they’ve been dropped from the program. Vaping is no longer allowed in Illinois’ public spaces. The Chicago Housing Authority is offering financial relief to some families living in subpar housing through a pilot program.

The opioid crisis isn’t slowing down in Cook County. In fact, according to the county medical examiner’s office, a record number of people died from opioid overdoses in 2022. Addiction treatment workers say they aren’t surprised. 
 
 
 
 “All of these statistics would be mitigated in some fashion by better investment in social services, housing, harm reduction programming,” said John Werning, the executive director of the Chicago Recovery Alliance. Werning said using the phrase “opioid crisis” is a misnomer. He sees it as a crisis of opioid overdoses.
 
 
 
 In this episode, we talked to Werning about harm reduction, stigma, and why he thinks policy—rather than drugs themselves—fuels the crisis.

The crowds packed downtown for Lollapalooza. Gov. JB Pritzker signed a batch of bills late last week, including a number of new laws that will help support the state’s Native American residents. A new report shows how your credit score might be affecting your car insurance rates in Illinois.

The Chicago Public Library turns 150 this year. And it’s no coincidence that just a couple years ago, the city celebrated the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. 
 
 “The period after the Great Fire in Chicago was a period of enormous development and innovation, and the library was definitely part of that story,” said Alison Cuddy, host of the podcast Library for the People: 150 years of Chicago Stories. The fire burned countless books in the city of Chicago, which did not have a public library at the time, but the system developed soon after. 
 
 In this episode, we talk to Alison and CPL Commissioner Chris Brown about how the windy city got its public library system and its century-and-a-half of history since.

Governor Pritzker signed a measure into law aimed at helping school-aged children cope with trauma. Local, state and federal leaders are looking to upgrade Union Station. Lollapalooza continues today by adding in a celebration of local food.

About 200 unionized staff at a hospital on the West Side have gone on strike over working conditions, primarily: their own safety. Every school district in Illinois will now be required to offer a full-day kindergarten program by fall 2027. Lollapalooza begins today, and if you’re venturing out, stay hydrated.

The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives have been cataloging LGBTQ history in Chicago and the Midwest for more than 40 years. Now, the library’s newest display explores the intersection of play and queer identity. The exhibit, “A Dreamhouse of Our Own,” is not a Barbie-only affair, although it draws inspiration from Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie.” In this episode, we talk about play, queer childhood and healing your inner child with Olivia De Keyser, the curator of “A Dreamhouse of Our Own,” and the exhibit photographer and supporting artist Wren Lively.

Clinics in Indiana stopped performing abortions ahead of the state’s near-total abortion ban officially taking effect. Northwestern officials said they hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to review its athletic department. Federal lawmakers announced $780,000 in funding for the CTA to explore reopening an Englewood Green Line station with modernized accessibility standards.

The state is launching a program to better coordinate abortions at hospitals for high-risk patients. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in certain areas of the country. Chicago Public Schools is hosting a series of back-to-school bashes before students return to class later this month.

People in Chicago call 311 for lots of reasons, including when they need temporary housing, whether due to homelessness, a domestic violence situation or any number of other reasons. But today, the number of shelter request calls coming through Chicago’s 311 phone line is way, way up, and that’s resulted in more and more people falling through the cracks. “This year an average of one in seven calls resulted in a successful placement,” said WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin, who investigated the overburdened 311 call system with WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko. “As for the six other folks? It’s actually really unclear what happens to them because of issues with their records and data.” Today, Amy and Anna explain their reporting, looking at what’s wrong, what’s needed and what’s next.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed a criminal justice reform bill aimed at reducing recidivism. A new state audit identified massive fraud and excessive overpayments of unemployment benefits totaling $5.2 billion during the pandemic. As the Silver Room Block Party tradition comes to an end, we hear how the first party started some 20 years ago.

Across the country—and here in Chicago—the theater industry is floundering. Ticket sales haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms, the traditional funding model is cracking and major theaters nationwide are downsizing or closing altogether. As predominantly white institutions scramble to stay afloat, Chicago’s Black theaters are building solidarity rather than falling into competition with one another.In this episode, we check in with the leaders of two such organizations, Congo Square Theatre and Black Ensemble Theater.

Illinois elected officials applaud a new law cracking down on crisis pregnancy centers. A new report suggests Chicago is slow to rebound from the pandemic in attracting new residents. The city of Chicago is moving forward with converting Broadway Armory Park into an emergency migrant shelter.

Chicago’s city council is considering a special session focused on the ongoing migrant crisis. There’s been another accusation of misconduct by a Chicago lifeguard. FEMA officials toured areas that dealt with major flooding earlier this month to determine if they are eligible for assistance.

<p>Voguing <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/brief-history-voguing" target="_blank">originated</a>  in New York City’s Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities of the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Then, Madonna’s song “Vogue” brought the dance form into the mainstream. But it’s much more than a series of poses and a sick beat.</p><p>“If you’re not feeling it, loving it, and appreciating yourself, you’re not voguing,” says Damon Green, the founder and owner of TEXTUREDance Studio.</p><p>At studios like TEXTURED, anyone can learn to vogue — but that doesn’t mean automatic entry to the vibrant voguing community. Green asserts voguing is by and for Black and Brown queer people, so anyone who doesn’t share those identities should be ready to “do the homework” if they want to be invited in.</p><p>“We do get to gatekeep this form, and we get to allow people into it,” Green says. “You want to maintain every aspect of its nature, its heritage, its culture.”</p><p>In this episode, we follow host Erin Allen on her voguing journey. You can hear more about her experience on <a href="https://www.wbez.org/stories/voguing-classes-in-chicago/e35ec4b6-aa19-4eb4-b7b6-7fb34820dfc2" target="_blank">Reset</a> .</p>

President Joe Biden designated a new national monument yesterday in honor of Emmett Till and his mother, including a church in Bronzeville. The police departments at two of Illinois’ public universities are working with mental health professionals to respond to some 911 calls. The owner of the Chicago Blackhawks died unexpectedly yesterday after a brief illness.

Alderpersons took a first step toward one of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promises on mental health services. A heat wave is expected to reach the Chicago area this week. A church service this morning will celebrate the life of a former Chicago cop who stood up to police racism and won reforms.

Daisy Zamora is a proud Latinx Chicagoan out here bettering her community. She’s both a volunteer doula who supports new mothers during childbirth, and an activist who leads conversations to create healing between communities. Zamora facilitates “community solidarity circles,” and says that these kinds of discussions among young people can help create a radically inclusive Chicago. This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series. 

Illinois’ prisons need billions of dollars in repairs, according to a report, leaving officials wondering if it’s time to close some facilities. Newly seated Chicago Board of Education members are asking questions about whether metal detectors in schools make kids safer. A new initiative meant to produce 4 million Latino homeowners kicks off in Chicago.

Evictions in Cook County are back to pre-pandemic levels. More than 800 people were evicted from their homes in the month of May, the highest total in four years. Why? WBEZ data reporter Amy Qin explains her recent findings: that wages aren’t keeping up with rising rents, that eviction enforcement disproportionately affects Black residents in one South Side zip code and that Cook County’s eviction process can be particularly devastating. “It is a costly process. It is emotionally traumatic for people,” Qin said on The Rundown. “And I'm just kind of thinking, you know, is there a better way to resolve this?” 

A record number of basements were flooded this month in Chicago, according to a WBEZ analysis. SAG-AFTRA members rallied in Grant Park for a new contract. A new south suburban craft cannabis grow facility aims to help areas affected by the War on Drugs.

The Chicago City Council is considering a citywide snow plowing program, but not everyone is happy about it. Northwestern University is facing lawsuits based on accounts of widespread hazing and sexual abuse. Unionized workers at Loretto Hospital on the city’s West Side have authorized a strike. An earlier version of this episode said Waukegan is about 3 hours north of Chicago. That has been corrected to say "about one hour north of Chicago."

Thousands of migrants have made their way to Chicago over the last year. Today you’ll hear the stories of one migrant who’s seeking asylum in the city, an attorney who’s trying to help her, a woman who offers clothes and showers to people sleeping outside police stations, and more. WBEZ reporters Mariah Woelfel and Kristen Schorsch discuss what life is like for these migrants, the folks helping them, and what being a “sanctuary city” really means.Reporting in this story was from Mariah Woelfel, Kristen Schorsch, Tessa Weinberg, Claudia Morell and Manuel Martinez. Araceli Gómez-Aldana also contributed. Read their full report here.

The Illinois Supreme Court upheld a law eliminating cash bail throughout the state. The head of a Chicago agency investigating alleged sexual misconduct by police officers involving migrants said they haven’t identified any victims yet. The next leader for Rainbow PUSH said he plans to keep the organization in Chicago.

A new report ranks Chicago among the worst big cities for cyclists. Chicago aldermen agree to settle a 2018 federal lawsuit alleging the city’s police department had a policy of unconstitutional stops. Eight former Northwestern University football players have retained lawyers for an anticipated lawsuit.

It’s World Emoji Day! In honor of these handy companions that have helped us emote in an ever evolving digital world, we’re returning to an episode we did about them on The Rundown podcast last year: As helpful as emojis can be, there’s some tension and disagreement between age groups on what they mean and how they should be used – especially in the workplace. Erin talks with some WBEZ colleagues and a communications expert on the emojis that make Millennials smile and Gen Z cringe.

Vice President Kamala Harris visits Chicago as civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson announces plans to step down from Rainbow PUSH. Chicago area actors joining the SAG-AFTRA strike say they’re in a fight for their livelihood and art. Workers at the Starbucks Chicago Roastery on Michigan Avenue announced they have filed for a union with the National Labor Relations Board.

A months-long investigation found strong evidence of hazing on Northwestern University’s football team. The particulars of the investigation were enough for university president Michael Schill to place the team’s head coach Pat Fitzgerald on a two-week suspension. Then, student reporters got involved.
 
 The Daily Northwestern published detailed accounts of sexual abuse from an anonymous former player, and subsequent allegations of racism on the team dating back to the mid-2000s. Just two days later, Schill fired Coach Fitzgerald. In this episode, we unpack the fallout and look at the “intense culture” of college athletics with WBEZ’s higher education reporter Lisa Philip.

A citizen panel sent Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson three finalists for police superintendent. Northwestern Medicine has new findings from a study looking at long COVID that show people are still suffering. Cleanup continues after severe weather blew through the region this week.

Severe weather made its way through the Chicago area Wednesday night, including confirmed tornadoes. A Northwestern researcher found evidence of underground climate change in Chicago’s Loop. Precious Brady-Davis is now the first Black transgender appointee to a public office in Cook County history.

People who used federal food assistance and healthcare programs received expanded benefits during the coronavirus pandemic. But now that the pandemic emergency declaration is over, people are starting to feel the effects of a return to the status quo. That means fewer people qualify for Medicaid – the federal healthcare program for low-income individuals. And families on SNAP – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – are getting fewer dollars for groceries. “These are choices that we make,” said Carrie Chapman, Senior Director of Litigation and Advocacy at the Legal Council for Health Justice. “We decide in this country that we think it is ok for people to be hungry.” Chapman joined The Rundown to explain options if your SNAP benefits have dwindled, how you can make sure you don’t lose access to Medicaid and why a return to the status quo might not be good enough.

Gov. JB Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation related to the flooding over the July 4th weekend, and we have more rain expected this week. Northwestern University professors urge the school to pump the brakes on new football stadium plans. Street closures will continue to impact downtown.

Northwestern University fired head coach Pat Fitzgerald. The head of the union for rank-and-file Chicago officers is urging an end to rumors about an investigation of alleged sexual misconduct involving West Side officers and at least one migrant. Chicago’s North and Northwest Sides are seeing the biggest decline in affordable rental housing.

Cornbread dressing. Baked mac and cheese. Jamaican fried dumplings. Soul food is absolutely delicious, and National Soul Food Month – the soul food celebration that takes place every June – was founded by Chicagoan Charla Draper, the former food editor at Ebony Magazine. WBEZ producer Cianna Greaves recently broke bread with Draper. So, we had to talk with Greaves about the importance of soul food, the history of National Soul Food Month, our favorite soul foods and recipes, and why it’s so important to preserve them.“There’s something about a good plate of soul food that kind of takes you out of yourself,” Greaves said, “and if it’s made just right it does catapult you to the past.”

Migrants have been moved from the 10th District police station following allegations of sexual misconduct against officers. The state of Illinois is using $40 billion to tackle improvements around many modes of transportation. Northwestern University is considering even more penalties after suspending its football coach due to evidence of hazing by players.

It’s a challenging moment to be an immigrant in the United States. Some elected officials run on anti-immigration platforms, and new policies are targeting undocumented workers. With their very existence up for debate, immigrants have a lot at stake.
 
 In this episode, we discuss how immigrants participate in democracy. Naturalized citizens are able to take part in formal ways, like voting. But permanent residents and the undocumented population have many informal pathways open to them. Northwestern University political science professor Jaime Dominguez breaks it all down.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has a 223-page report filled with policy proposals to wade through after his transition committee released it Thursday. Illinois has a chance to improve its troubled prison healthcare. Chicago police are investigating allegations that multiple officers had sexual relations with migrants sleeping at police stations - including a claim an officer impregnated a teen girl.

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s picks for the Chicago Board of Education are steeped in grassroot organizing and advocacy. Business owners downtown are saying they saw mixed results during the recent NASCAR race weekend. A new Illinois law requires landlords to accept any type of rent payment – including cash.

Last week, the Supreme Court issued two rulings with big implications in the world of higher education. First, they ruled that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina were unconstitutional, effectively ending affirmative action at colleges nationwide. The next day, they ruled that an executive action by President Joe Biden – one that would have canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some borrowers – was beyond his authority, effectively killing the program. To explain what these rulings mean for future students and the millions of people who already have educational loans, we’re joined by Lisa Philip, WBEZ’s higher education reporter. She’s been gauging the reactions from borrowers, students, administrators and others.

Fourth of July looked different in suburban Highland Park, which spent the day marking one year since a deadly mass shooting. Chicago officials are taking inventory of recent damage caused by torrential rainfall and flooding. Millions in state funding will be made available to help people navigate the court system in Cook County.