The Rundown | Chicago News

A Chicago City Council committee gave initial approval to a $280,000 settlement stemming from a 2020 protest at the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park. People who live in Illinois owe more than $63 billion in student loans and face multiple levels of uncertainty as the Trump administration strips away debt relief programs. The city of Gary, Indiana is demolishing several old housing structures to make way for new homes.

The women’s rally downtown this weekend offered a platform to hundreds of locals to vent their frustrations towards President Trump. Public health officials are urging residents to stay current on measles vaccinations amid national outbreaks . Researchers have created a machine that can detect bird flu.

Illinois is joining 19 states to sue multiple federal agencies. Property values have fallen in downtown Chicago. Plus, the newest Beluga calf at the Shedd Aquarium now has a name.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on plans to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Illinois Department of Public Health officials say there was a more than 8% drop in overdose deaths in 2023, exceeding a nationwide decline of 4%. The results of an online contest to pick the new Illinois state flag are in.

After months of planning – city officials have begun connecting people living in Gompers Park with permanent housing. Illinois Department of Public Health officials are reporting an 8 percent drop in overdose deaths in 2023. Plus, Chicago released its first look at the summer festival calendar today.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s stuck to his talking points during a Congressional hearing. Chicago advocates criticize GOP leaders for spreading misinformation about immigrants during a congressional hearing yesterday. Chicago school board members are facing big budget decisions in the next two weeks.

A day after announcing it was selling 443 federal buildings, Trump administration officials apparently have reversed course for now. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city’s sanctuary status helps reduce crime – not exacerbate it – while testifying before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee along with the mayors of Boston, New York, and Denver. As the Trump administration continues to slash the federal workforce, fired employees from the Chicago area are speaking out.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to keep it cool, calm and collected at what’s expected to be an aggressive Congressional hearing on the city’s sanctuary status. A veteran Democratic congressman is strongly criticizing the Trump administration’s plans to sell federal buildings in Chicago. Preservation Chicago has released its annual list of the seven most endangered buildings in the city.

Democrats Jan Schakowsky, Sean Casten, and Mike Quigley say they will not attend President Trump's joint address to Congress tonight. Hundreds of parents and some of their children rallied at the Illinois State Capitol today. Plus, a national theater group sees a silver lining in its latest report on the financial health of the industry.

The mayor of Highland Park says it's a relief Robert Crimo III pleaded guilty yesterday. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the Democratic Party needs to reset its agenda to win back the White House. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it’s going to take $19 million dollars to fix up the site of Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home.

Robert Crimo III is pleading guilty to the mass shooting at the 2022 4th of July parade in Highland Park. A federal judge in Chicago is throwing out four of nine bribery convictions in a case involving a group of former Commonwealth Edison executives and lobbyists. Polish President Andrzej Duda is in Chicago to celebrate Pulaski Day.

Chicago News: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s supporters sent him off to D.C. with words of advice. Opening statements begin today (MON) in the trial of the young man suspected of pulling the trigger in the Highland Park mass shooting in 20-22. Plus, Local medical experts worry that some patients may lose their lives, or livelihoods, if Congress slashes Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars.

The Plainfield landlord accused of attacking his Palestinian tenant and killing her six-year-old son has been found guilty on all counts. More than a dozen Democratic elected officials in Illinois are blasting Republicans in Congress for voting to cut Medicaid health insurance by billions of dollars. Plus, Caitlin Clark is coming to the United Center.

Chicago News: Five of seven charter schools slated for closure get another reprieve at an emotional Chicago school board meeting. After a judge rules in favor of federal workers, a Chicago area union leader calls the ruling a big win. Plus, The organizer of the new Social Change Theater Festival talks about the plays of tomorrow.

Dozens of parents, students, and teachers are asking the Chicago Board of Education to save their charter schools. The 2026 campaign for Illinois governor is starting to take off. Plus, an update on where you can get a REAL ID this weekend. 

A charter school says an individual dropping off students yesterday got detained by ICE agents. A new lawsuit claims a vast conspiracy pinned a Chicago police murder on the wrong man. Plus, a Chicago-based nonprofit has filed a new lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders.

The Chicago City Council plans to borrow $830 million dollars for infrastructure projects like street and bridge repairs. Governor JB Pritzker is demanding that the federal government release nearly 2 billion dollars that he says is being withheld. Plus, the Walgreens in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood will shut its doors.

Emotional testimony in the first day of testimony for a south suburban man accused in the stabbing death of a 6-year-old child. Prosecutors allege the man attacked the boy because of his Muslim faith and the Israel-Hamas war. Chicago alderpeople are expected to debate a controversial borrowing plan spearheaded by Mayor Brandon Johnson. Plus, Chicago arts leaders want to see the city respond to changes in arts funding rules at the federal level.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker wants to restrict cell phone use in K-12 classrooms across the state. The mother of a 6-year-old boy who was stabbed to death in suburban Plainfield took the stand today to testify against the 73-year-old man accused of murdering her son. The Goodman Theatre will ring in its 100th anniversary this year by backing 100 free acts of theater — a series that will touch all 50 city wards.

The latest in the trial of the alleged Highland Park mass shooter. The trial of a south suburban Plainfield man is expected to get underway today for the murder of a 6-year-old child and the attempted murder of his mother allegedly because of their Muslim faith. Plus, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker thinks Democrats should have done some things differently during the last presidential cycle.

Jury selection is underway in the trial of Robert Crimo III, the suspect in the Highland Park mass shooting. Former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar has pancreatic cancer, according to reporting from Politico. Around 200 people came out Sunday to march in support of the immigrant and LGBTQ communities in Rockford.

Ukrainian-Americans in Chicago observed the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of their home country. Transgender teens and their parents are angry and frustrated after Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago paused gender care surgeries. The Chicago Park District is looking to fill thousands of summer jobs.

Friday marks the 6th anniversary of the infamous, wrongful police raid on Anjanette Young’s home and Chicago City Council still has not passed her namesake reform ordinance. R&B legend and longtime Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler has died. Chicago Black Restaurant Week wraps up its 10th year this weekend.

Friday marks the 6th anniversary of the infamous, wrongful police raid on Anjanette Young’s home and Chicago City Council still has not passed her namesake reform ordinance. R&B legend and longtime Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler has died. Chicago Black Restaurant Week wraps up its 10th year this weekend.

A renewed focus on extremism within the ranks in Chicago, don’t freak out if you don’t have an Illinois REAL ID yet, and data suggest more office workers could soon come back to downtown Chicago.

Immigrant rights groups in Illinois say they will fight to prevent Governor J.B Pritzker’s proposed funding cuts to a health care program for noncitizen adults. Victims of the Highland Park mass shooting will be allowed to attend the suspect’s upcoming trial. Plus, more than 400 artists are calling on the Trump administration to reverse changes it made to arts funding. 

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker aims to lower prescription drug prices under a new act that would limit the role of pharmaceutical middlemen. The Chicago City Council put the brakes on lowering the city’s speed limit. The Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal are challenging three Trump administration executive orders concerning diversity, equity, inclusion and transgender people.

Governor Pritzker rolls out a state budget proposal while taking shots at President Trump. Plus, updates on the Chicago city council.

Chicago City Council members are being asked to greenlight a $27 million dollar settlement for yet another police chase gone wrong. Plus, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker says he doesn’t want to raise taxes, but whether he needs to remains to be seen. A new study from UIC shows how safe people feel when guns are present.

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.