WBEZ News

A question before voters in Illinois asks whether protections for collective bargaining rights should be expanded and added to the constitution. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is a celebration of the Quincy “L” station. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Chicago’s mayor proposed her election-year spending plan as a “stability” budget, and it includes more spending on police and progressive programming. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

An atmospheric scientist explains the connection between hurricanes like Ian and our weather in Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is an ode to the Humboldt Park community. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

We break down the records of the two candidates for Illinois governor — incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker and Republican State Senator Darren Bailey. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold

An independent expert who has monitored the mental health care was terminated reducing the transparency around an often failing system. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan, Lauren Frost

The guidelines call for preserving the façade while including affordable housing, green infrastructure, open space and public art. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

The number of teams has more than doubled in the league’s second year. “This isn’t a boys sport. Girls can play too,” one coach said. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam says his son tested high for lead levels. We talk to him about what needs to be done about this citywide problem. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

The Chicago Board of Education will likely move forward this week with plans for a new high school on the Near South Side. School district leaders say the 120-million dollar school is needed for Black and Asian students who travel far outside the area for school. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporters: Sarah Karp, Natalie Moore

Former members say Covenant Fellowship Church has reneged on its vows to investigate allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Susie An

There’s only one incumbent Republican on the 17-member board running for re-election. Will Democrats take full control? Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Researchers plan to look at how the climate will evolve in our region, even at the street level. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

A new law banning most abortions went into effect yesterday, but it’s unlikely to end the debate over reproductive rights in Indiana. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente

COVID-era deaths, journeys and a DIY disco light inspired the Chicago musicians to cut through malaise and make an album that shimmers with joy. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mary Dixon and Cianna Greaves

It took 11 hours for jurors in the R&B star’s trial to reach their decision, finding Kelly guilty on six of 13 counts. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan and Cianna Greaves

Teenagers on Chicago’s West Side are getting trained up in the non-violence principles embraced by Martin Luther King. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

“The Color Is” by brothers Nick and Jack Cave is a tribute to the Emerald City Sequence in the 1978 movie version of “The Wiz.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

A lucrative street business is sparking some of the violence in Chicago's Police Beat 1112. But it’s not hard drugs — it’s loose cigarettes. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

Ahead of Election Day, WBEZ checked in with the Illinois Board of Elections. Here’s what you need to know about keeping your voting registration active. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Some Chicago neighborhood origin stories may surprise you.

The state spent nearly $150,000 in a civil discrimination case involving Democratic state Sen. Michael Hastings, whose wife accused him of domestic violence. Host: Lara Melba; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

R. Kelly trial closing arguments begin today. Ethnomusicologist Stephanie Shonekan speaks about the legacy of Kelly's music. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Cianna Greaves

St. Nicholas Cathedral School in Ukrainian Village has become a hub for 75 students and their families, who have fled the war in their home country. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

A string of grocery store closures in South and West Side neighborhoods have revealed clear disparities in food access across the city, as some researchers and activists begin to apply an alternate lens to this issue. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Melissa Renee Perry

Marcos Diaz was murdered on June 25 in Chicago. Witnesses are cooperating with police. But his family is still waiting for justice. Host: Mary Dixon, Reporter: Patrick Smith

For more than a decade, CHA has transferred land on former public housing sites for a CVS pharmacy, Mariano’s, Target and XS Tennis. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

City agencies and nonprofits are providing temporary shelter and other services to about 60 migrants who arrived by bus Wednesday night. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

After a two year search, Latonya Maley is the new executive director of Affinity Community Services. It’s a nonprofit focused on the needs of the Black LGBTQ community in Chicago. Host: Susie An; Reporter: Natalie Moore

As a CTU staffer mulls a mayoral run, and hopefuls vie for the union’s nod, questions swirl about the CTU’s ability to unseat Lori Lightfoot. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp, Mariah Woelfel

We visit a prison in Illinois offering incarcerated women the chance to earn a bachelor's degree, the first cohort of Northwestern’s Prison Education Program. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

The potential for a shift in control of the state’s highest court could impact major issues, including abortion and gun rights. Host: Clare Lane Reporters: Dave McKinney and Lauren Frost

Evanston council member Devon Reid says it’s time to remove a ban on the public display of female breasts. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sonal Soni

The phenomenon known as “corn sweat” and how it contributes to our humidity in Illinois. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

A Joliet family and those of other medically needy kids have struggled and often had to pay more after Aug. 10 recall. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Cianna Greaves

Jon Seidel with the Chicago Sun-Times explains the trial's progress and what charges could mean for the singer. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Cianna Greaves

WBEZ found low enrollment in many high-poverty schools and stronger rates in North Side areas, where wealthier families live. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana Reporter: Nereida Moreno

The Aux looks to empower Black businesses while providing essential health and wellness services in Evanston. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Melissa Renee Perry

Last month the International Union for Conservation of Nature designated the butterfly as Endangered. Here's what you can do.

Shawn Childs, an antiviolence worker on the city’s West Side, speaks about keeping the kids of Chicago’s Police beat 11-12 safe.

This weekend movie fans gathered armed with their fedoras and sunglasses to celebrate.

As the pandemic enters a new phase, Chicago public schools are scaling back safety mitigation efforts.

"Imagine Englewood if..." is a Chicago-based nonprofit that's expanding and scaling up its programming and resources offered to families. WBEZ’s Natalie Moore talked to Executive Director Michelle Rashad about the future of Englewood. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

In our weekly climate conversation, we discuss a new poll that shows a change in how many Americans are concerned about climate change affecting them personally. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

Administrators are preparing for everyone — whether they’re still struggling or seem fine — and paying attention to both students and staff. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Susie An

The second federal trial against R&B singer R. Kelly begins today in Chicago. The 55-year-old faces charges of producing child pornography, and obstruction of justice. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon; Reporter: Jon Seidel

Douglass Park in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood is now home to three of the city’s biggest music festivals. Residents have been organizing to evict them from the park because the festivals block access. Host: Clare Lane; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

The Schaumburg Democrat joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the intention of strengthening ties with Taiwan and talking microchip manufacturing. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Only one in 20 eligible kids under 5 in Illinois have received a first dose. That leaves pediatricians and child care providers trying to troubleshoot. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lisa Philip