WBEZ News

The founder of the Young Lords Organization died last week (FRI).
 
 José “Cha Cha” Jiménez led the street gang turned political organization in the 1960s and 70s when it fought displacement of Chicago's Puerto Rican community in Lincoln Park. 
 
 Jiménez and the Young Lords also joined with the Black Panther Party and Young Patriots to form the first Rainbow Coalition.
 
 Jiménez talked to WBEZ's Jerome McDonnell in 20-18 about how his time in jail inspired him to move the Young Lords in a political direction.
 
 Here's an edited version of that conversation.
 HOST: DIXON

It’s a new year and a new arts season, and Chicagoans this year have a lot to choose from. 
 
 WBEZ theater reporter Mike Davis and arts reporter Courtney Kueppers joined host Lisa Labuz with their picks for 2025’s hottest tickets.
 HOST: LABUZ

It’s time to swear in a new group of Illinois lawmakers.
 
 Six newly elected state representatives and three state senators will take their oaths of office for the first time today (WEDS).
 
 Before they do, they had a lot to learn about logistics and working with each other. 
 
 WBEZ’s Alex Degman introduces us to a couple of new lawmakers – and tells us about the training they went through.
 HOST: LABUZ

Ex-lllinois House Speaker Michael Madigan wielded power for decades, but very little was known about his private life.
 
 His federal corruption trial is changing that.
 
 WBEZ’s Dave McKinney reports.
 HOST: LABUZ

After its final show this past weekend, the iconic Blue Man Group is saying goodbye to Chicago and moving to Florida.
 
 But not before a funeral procession.
 
 WBEZ’s Mike Davis has more. HOST: LABUZ

For people who want to dance, Chicago has many great places to offer, but most of them don’t ramp up until the later evening hours.
 
 
 That’s why high school best friends Laura Baginski and Susie Lee formed the Early Birds Club – a dance party for women that starts early and ends early.
 
 
 Less than a year after their first event, they’ve expanded to hold more parties in Chicago, as well as California and New York.
 
 
 Baginski and Lee sat down with WBEZ’s Erin Allen on the Rundown podcast last year to discuss the club’s origins.
 HOST: LABUZ

The Chicago Bears ended a losing season on a winning note, beating the Green Bay Packers 24 to 22. 
 
 The 5 and 12 Bears beat the Packers for the first time since 20-18, ending an 11-game losing streak in the rivalry. 
 
 Quarterback Caleb Williams says he was glad to end the season with a win..
 HOST: LANE

Since it’s early January … the Indiana Dunes National Park probably isn’t top of mind for a lot of people right now. 
 
 But many leaders in Northwest Indiana are trying to enhance the experience for visitors in the coming months and years. 
 
 A 20-million-dollar grant will help them do just that. 
 
 I recently sat down with Kelly Anoe, president of the Legacy Foundation of Northwest Indiana, in her office, to talk about the grant. 
 HOST: PUENTE

Chicago rapper Lil Durk is being held in federal custody in Los Angeles on charges he orchestrated a 2022 plot to kill a rival. 
 
 Federal prosecutors are using lyrics by the Grammy award-winning rapper–whose real name is Durk Devontay Banks–to prove their case. 
 
 However, some industry leaders and civil libertarians say using song lyrics as evidence in court is dangerous and unconstitutional. 
 
 Chicago Sun-Times criminal justice editor Tom Schuba spoke with Morning Edition host Mary Dixon. HOST: LANE

For many, Chicago winters can be difficult … especially after the holiday season. 
 
 We have long winter months with the dark evenings, blustery cold days, and a lack of outdoor activities…. it can all lead to the winter blues. 
 
 For some tips on how to make it through WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spoke to Kristen Larson about the Danish expression of Hygge.
 
 Larson works at Chicago’s Swedish American Museum and she’s ancestrally Danish. 
 HOST: DIXON

2024 was a busy year, but when it comes to Chicago sports, it was certainly one to forget.
 
 WBEZ’s Noah Jennings sat down with our sports contributor Cheryl Raye Stout to recap the highs and lows of the year – with a big emphasis on the latter.
 HOST: GOMEZ-ALDANA

A few months ago Chicago Sun Times investigative reporter Lauren FitzPatrick found the holiday record at a thrift store, bought it for a buck and took it home. 
 
 She wondered about the story behind the album and teamed up with WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana to discover the decades-old story of one South-Side high school acapella choir. 
 HOST: LANE

Christmas time is when people celebrate their cultures and traditions – especially with food.
 
 Here in Chicago, recently arrived Venezuelan immigrants are trying to duplicate the flavors from back home during the holidays.
 
 WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad visited a Venezuelan cook who is on a mission to share the recipes she learned from her mother and aunts growing up.
 HOST: LANE

The City of Chicago will soon meet a long-time climate goal. Starting January First, Chicago municipal buildings…. will source their electricity from 100 percent renewable energy.. It’s part of a years-long effort to wean the city off fossil fuels. 
 
 WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco has the story
 HOST: DIXON

As the new year approaches, we’re looking back at some of our favorite Chicago albums of 20-24. 
 
 From hip-hop and jazz to indie rock, the arts and culture teams at WBEZ and sister station Vocalo, have created a list of their top 13 albums of the year. 
 
 Nudia Hernandez and Morgan Ciocca cover music for Vocalo. 
 HOST: DIXON

This year's indie nonfiction book of the year, according to the Chicago Writers Association, was a book from a Northwest Indiana author about hospital overcrowding.
 
 The book is Hospital Heal Thyself.
 
 
 It's written by veteran Chicago area health care journalist Mark Taylor.
 
 
 Taylor found that fixing overcrowding would improve patient care and potentially save struggling hospitals.
 
 Thank you for joining us today, Mark. HOST: PUENTE

The federal criminal trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain took an important turn this week.
 
 Prosecutors rested their case, the defense began presenting witnesses, and this historic trial seems headed toward the homestretch.
 
 Here this afternoon is WBEZ’s Dave McKinney to tell us the latest on where things stand with this case.
 HOST: LARA

With the swirl of holiday chaos upon us … from shopping … to family get-togethers … it can be a stressful time of year. So, we decided … we really needed a laugh. 
 
 WBEZ’s arts and culture team has this story about holidays gone wrong. Here’s reporter Courtney Kueppers.
 HOST: DIXON

The Chicago Board of Education fired CEO Pedro Martinez last night, but a provision in his contract allows him to stay on for six months. 
 
 WBEZ’s Sarah Karp tells us how this all played out.
 HOST: PUENTE

A high school on Chicago’s Southeast side has helped feed the members of its community for years. 
 
 Now, the school is turning its food distribution efforts into a permanent pantry — that will be run by STUDENTS. 
 
 WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko brings us this story from the hallways of St. Francis De Sales. HOST: DIXON

In Chicago and throughout the U-S, Black men born from 1951 through 1970 are dying of opioid poisoning at a greater rate than any other segment of society.
 
 That’s according to a data analysis by the Baltimore Banner, which collaborated with the Sun-Times and other news organizations.
 
 We’re joined now by Sun-Times reporters Elvia Malagon and Frank Main to break down this startling trend…
 HOST: LABUZ

For this story… we’re going to take you inside a prison.
 
 For months, WBEZ has been collaborating with incarcerated journalists at the Kewanee Life Skills Re-entry Center in northwest Illinois.
 
 It’s focused on preparing returning citizens for their lives outside.
 
 That means… investment classes. An art studio. A barbershop for learning to cut hair. 
 
 Last week, we passed the mic to one of the journalists there.
 
 Now, he’s gonna take us on a tour to meet some of the folks incarcerated at Kewanee… and along the way, record some holiday greetings for their loved ones on the outside.
 HOST: DIXON

Concert ticket prices keep going up – especially to see the big stars like Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish – and fans keep buying.
 
 A report from Pollstar finds that the average concert ticket now costs $127 dollars.
 
 But this trend of big arena shows upping their prices ends up negatively impacting Chicago’s smaller indie venues.
 
 WBEZ’s Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis joins us now to discuss. 
 HOST: LARA

Chicago has many holiday activities and traditions. 
 
 Morning Edition producer Cianna Greaves is new to the city, and instead of going back East for the holidays, this year, she’s doing Christmas - Chicago style. 
 
 She hit the pavement and asked folks about their favorite holiday traditions.
 
 HOST: DIXON

One of the city’s more flamboyant holiday experiences is unfolding in a circus tent tucked atop a Loop hotel.
 
 WBEZ’s Mike Davis takes us behind the scenes of Teatro Zinzanni.
 HOST: DIXOn

A Northwestern musicologist helped unearth a trove of Latin American holiday music from 400 years ago. 
 
 Chicago-based early music ensemble - The Newberryury Consort– recently performed the music for audiences for the first time. 
 
 I’m joined by WBEZ Arts and Culture contributor Hannah Edgar, who spoke with the pioneers behind the project. 
 
 HOST: DIXON

Winter is here, and for many people, that means more days to relax and snuggle indoors with a book. 
 
 For recommendations, WBEZ’s arts desk asked our staff for their favorite reads of 2024. 
 HOST: DIXON

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson passed his $17-billion dollar budget in a narrow 27 to 23 vote yesterday (mon). 
 
 That’s after a drawn out process that many say has caused fractures in the City Council.
 
 The final budget avoids a property tax increase, but relies on cuts to some progressive programs. It increases taxes and fees on plastic bags and streaming services.
 
 Johnson had to make significant changes to his original proposal amid stiff pushback. 
 
 WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel sat down with the mayor after the budget vote.
 HOST: DIXON

Prosecutors are close to wrapping up their side of the story in the federal racketeering conspiracy trial of ex-House Speaker Michael Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain.
 
 Some of the key pieces of evidence involve secretly-recorded conversations both had about a parcel of land in Chicago’s Chinatown. 
 
 The deal they were trying to make is an important snapshot of the bigger criminal enterprise the government says Madigan led.
 
 WBEZ’s Dave McKinney takes us there.
 HOST: DIXON

In a city with many theater companies, Chicago’s oldest Latino theater is one of a few groups performing shows in Spanish. 
 
 Aguijón [ah-ghee-HOHN] Theater is celebrating its 35th birthday with a Latin-Caribbean retelling of a Greek tragedy. 
 
 The production showcases Aguijón’s dedication to removing the language barrier for Spanish-speaking audiences *and* performers.
 
 WBEZ contributor Anita Li has the story.
 HOST: DIXON

Madigan and co-defendant Michael McClain is getting close to resting.
 
 After more than nine weeks, jurors have heard a litany of schemes from which Madigan allegedly profited both financially and politically.
 
 Here to tell us where this trial now stands is WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.
 
 Good afternoon, Dave. This trial began in early October, and you’ve been there every day. Bring us up to speed on where things are at right now.
 HOST: LARA

Chicago’s documentary scene has had a great year. 
 
 Local film festivals, like Doc TEN, drew big audiences. And Midwest movies won major awards. But will anyone get to see these films?
 
 WBEZ’s Mike Davis traced the path of one documentary. 
 
 HOST: DIXON

You’ve likely heard about how expensive college has gotten. 
 
 Maybe you’re putting a huge chunk of your paycheck towards student loan payments. 
 
 Or you’re wondering how you’ll afford to send your kids to college.
 
 What you may not know is the problem is especially bad here in Illinois.
 
 But now, a group of politicians and advocates in the state have a pretty revolutionary plan to change that. 
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip breaks it down how it would work.
 HOST: DIXON

Add up the Nutcrackers and Scrooges alone, and you’ll get about a dozen. 
 
 WBEZ arts reporter Courtney Kueppers joined host Lisa Labuz to sort through the options
 HOST: DIXON

After months of work and warnings, Dec. 6 is the day that city officials pledged to clear Humboldt Park of all tents and homeless people.
 
 The vast park on the Near Northwest Side has been home to Chicago’s largest tent city.
 
 It's one of many encampments that have gone up in Chicago in recent years.
 
 Since summer, city officials and advocates have been connecting people there with housing.
 
 Now they say - housing or not - everyone sleeping at the park has got to go.
 
 WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell has been reporting on the encampment and joins me now from the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
 
 HOST: LANE

Basketball leagues for young Muslim girls are springing up around the Chicago area. 
 
 They’re encouraging more girls to get into sports while celebrating their Muslim identity. 
 
 WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko picks up this story from the sidelines. HOST: DIXON

Chicago is a sanctuary city — that means local law enforcement can’t collaborate with federal immigration officials when they try to enforce immigration laws, including deportations. 
 
 Illinois has a similar policy. 
 
 But there are limitations. 
 
 WBEZ’s immigration reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad joins me to explain what sanctuary laws actually do and what they don’t do. 
 HOST: DIXON

Chicago has its flashy Loop theaters, but the city is also known for its gutsy neighborhood storefronts. 
 
 WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana visited one in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on the south side. 
 
 It’s where she discovered a show that connects to its audience through a sense of place. HOST: DIXON

Before Bridgerton’s string quartet renditions of pop songs, D-Composed was performing chamber music Beyoncé covers in Chicago.
 
 The Black chamber music collective rarely charges for tickets, and they want audience members to “come as you are.” That goes for the ensemble’s musicians, too.
 
 Cellist and founding member Tahirah (tuh-HEE-ruh) Whittington and artistic director Kori Coleman sat down with WBEZ’s Erin Allen on the Rundown podcast to talk about what it means to bring your full self to the stage.
 
 HOST: DEGMAN

This Friday, Chicago officials plan to clear out what remains of the city’s biggest homeless encampment.
 
 They say they’re providing rent-free apartments to most people in Humboldt Park’s tent city … and offering shelter beds to the rest.
 
 As encampments have grown across Chicago, the scale of the housing effort is unprecedented.
 
 But the people not getting an apartment are wondering why.
 
 WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell reports…
 HOST: DIXON

WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout discusses what's next for the team. Reporter: Noah Jennings

The Black artist from the South Side used his art to express grief, racial trauma and liberation. Reporter: Mawa Iqbal; Host: Mary Dixon

Thanksgiving can feel like a fraught time for some folks… whether it’s complicated relationships or tense political conversations. 
 
 The last thing you want is for dietary restrictions and preferences to also get in the way while you’re creating that welcoming environment. 
 
 Jordan Wimby, also known as “The Melanin Martha,” is a chef and culinary preservationist. 
 
 She sat down with WBEZ’s Erin Allen on the Rundown Podcast to talk about prioritizing identity, community and healing when you’re cooking and creating space during the holiday season. HOST: LABUZ

Chicago’s holiday season is a-go…and while there are plenty of wholesome events to entertain little ones, the season isn’t just for the kids. 
 
 From Risque reindeer to a whimsical parody of Die Hard, there’s plenty of fun to be had for adults this December. 
 
 WBEZ Arts and Culture reporter Mike Davis has compiled a list of the naughty nights out for adults this holiday season.
 
 HOST: LABUZ

Chicago’s holiday season is a-go…and while there are plenty of wholesome events to entertain little ones, the season isn’t just for the kids. 
 
 From Risque reindeer to a whimsical parody of Die Hard, there’s plenty of fun to be had for adults this December. 
 
 WBEZ Arts and Culture reporter Mike Davis has compiled a list of the naughty nights out for adults this holiday season.
 
 HOST: LABUZ

The Department of Energy last week committed up to one-billion dollars to ramp up hydrogen production in the Midwest. 
 
 Proponents say the investment won’t just create green jobs, it’ll slash emissions, too. 
 
 But local environmentalists say it is a shell game that allows oil and gas companies to continue business as usual. 
 
 WBEZ’s Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco went to a rally in Northwest Indiana where advocates wanted to hit the brakes on what they call dirty hydrogen. 
 HOST: LABUZ

Property tax bills rose nearly 20-percent for the median homeowner in south suburban Cook County – the highest increase in three decades.
 
 WBEZ’s Adora Namigadde explores why this happened, who it impacts, and what can be done about it. 
 HOST: LABUZ

One of the most infamous moles in Chicago political lore has taken the stand.
 
 Danny Solis was a Chicago alderperson – and made multiple undercover recordings for the FBI.
 
 Here to talk more about what Solis is expected to tell jurors is WBEZ’s Dave McKinney.
 HOST: LANE

Two Grammy award-winning Chicago jazz and blues musicians will take the stage this weekend.

The proposed closings have led to fierce protests from students, parents and staff who are hoping for Acero to reverse course or CPS to provide a solution.