WBEZ News

Many immigrants arrested in the Chicago area are taken to a processing facility in Broadview IL before being released, transferred to a detention center outside the state or deported.
 
 The facility wasn’t designed to hold people overnight. There are no beds, no functioning showers, no medical staff. 
 
 But a WBEZ/Sun Times investigation found that Broadview has become a de facto detention center, minus the rules and oversight.
 HOST: DEGMAN

The Rink in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood is celebrating 50 years in business. 
 
 WBEZ’S Somer Van Benton takes us there to find out what keeps it rolling.
 
 HOST: LANE

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we’ve got this question from Nancy in Orland Park.
 
 NANCY: I am in my 80s and have cash in my trust, traditional and Roth IRAs. Which would be more prudent to use for everyday living?
 
 To find out, we called up an expert.
 
 Andy Timmerwilke

When Katrina Thompson was elected mayor of the small village of Broadview in 2017, her mom told her this:
 
 "You are going to go places that you never imagined. And I've been places I've never imagined, and this is one of them." 
 
 That place — is the national spotlight. 
 
 Thompson’s town is home to an ICE processing facility that’s been ground zero for violent clashes between protesters and federal agents, and surprise visits from top Trump administration officials. 
 
 HOST: LANE

Much has been made about a first-of-its-kind “global” settlement Chicago has reached to close 176 lawsuits tied to corrupt former police sergeant Ronald Watts.
 
 Watts operated out of a public housing complex, shaking people down for money and intel, and arresting them when they didn’t pay up.
 
 Council members say the $90 million dollar deal saves money and ends a dark chapter in Chicago’s history. 
 
 But what’s been lost amid news of the massive settlement are the people at the center of the lawsuits. 
 
 WBEZ’s Mariah Woelfel spoke with two men about what this moment – and money – means to them.
 HOST: LANE

Kurt Elling has long been a creative force in Chicago’s jazz scene. 
 
 The Chicago-born singer has won two Grammy Awards, and performed on stages all over the world — including at the White House.
 
 Now, the 57-year-old is starting a new adventure that is taking him to Broadway.
 
 WBEZ arts reporter Mike Davis spoke with Elling about his career adventure and filed this audio postcard.
 HOST: LANE

Federal workers have already experienced massive upheaval due to cuts earlier this year. Now they could face potential firings with the government shut down. 
 
 Here to break down what this means for federal workers in Illinois is Sun-Times national politics reporter Tina Sfondeles. 
 HOST: MELBA

It was the surprise of a lifetime.
 
 Back in 2022, a group of Chicago high schools on the South and West Side announced that every student – and their parents – could go to college for free. 
 
 The initiative was called Hope Chicago.
 
 And three years later, it is helping to answer the question of what happens when money is no longer a barrier to education beyond high school. 
 
 WBEZ’s Sarah Karp introduces us to one family.
 HOST: LARA

Chicago's Loop is making a comeback. 
 
 But that doesn't mean it's back to pre-pandemic levels just yet. 
 
 Abby Miller covers real estate development for the Sun-Times. 
 
 She joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to talk about where things stand with Chicago's downtown. 
 
 HOST: LANE

The recent fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez by an ICE agent in suburban Franklin Park sent shock waves through the immigrant community. 
 
 Gripped by fear and anxiety, some immigrant families living nearby are changing their daily routines, even avoiding going outside altogether.
 
 WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spent time with one family trying to navigate this new normal.
 
 Sun-Times reporter Elvia Malagon contributed reporting to this story. 
 
 HOST: LANE

Commander-at-large Gregory Bovino spoke to reporter Chip Mitchell as he led dozens of agents on a patrol in which they made several immigration arrests. 
 
 Bovino said that day his team was choosing people to arrest based partly on how they look.
 HOST: MELBA

Actress Elizabeth McGovern is perhaps best known for her role in the British period drama, Downton Abbey.
 
 But this month, McGovern is on stage in Chicago in an entirely different part. 
 
 In “Ava: The Secret Conversations,” McGovern plays Ava Gardner, the mega star from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
 
 WBEZ arts reporter Courtney Kueppers recently caught up with McGovern backstage.
 HOST: LANE

College offers young adults the chance to figure themselves out and find their purpose.
 
 For Palestinian-American students, the past nearly two years have meant that they’re doing those very traditional college-y things — while bearing witness to extreme violence against their community in Gaza. 
 
 For one DePaul University senior, the experience has tired her to the bone, she says, but has helped her find her voice. 
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip has her story.
 HOST: LANE

To counter fear and anxiety among immigrants, supporters have organized rapid-response networks.
 
 The idea is to track down immigration agents, then monitor and protest their activity.
 
 A west suburban group coordinates a rapid-response network called the People’s Patrol.
 HOST: DEGMAN

Cheech Marin is known as an actor and comedian – he’s one half of the legendary duo Cheech and Chong. 
 
 But a lesser-known fact is that Marin is also a large collector of Chicano Art. 
 
 More than 500 pieces from his personal collection now make up the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture in Riverside, California and has two traveling shows. 
 
 I recently had an opportunity to interview Marin for the Chicago Humanities Festival and wanted to share a portion of that conversation.
 HOST: PUENTE

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we’ve got this question:
 
 “I’m Morgan, I’m from Chicago. My question is just around student loans and what's the best way to pay them off, especially in this tight employee market environment where it's harder to secure high paying jobs. For context, I just graduated with a part-time MBA, so I'm facing the repayment of these very soon."

It’s been nearly two years since Hamas attacked Israel and the war in Gaza began.
 
 As the Palestinian death toll grew into the 10s of 1000s, protests spread across American college campuses including in Chicago.
 
 There has been fallout for some Jewish students. They say they’ve experienced everything from subtle hostility to overt harassment.
 
 WBEZ’s Esther Bergdahl spoke to leaders of Jewish student groups at three universities in Illinois.
 HOST: LANE

A Black woman-owned grocery store will celebrate its opening this weekend in Austin, on Chicago’s West Side. It’s been years in the making. The force behind Forty Acres Fresh Market is Elizabeth Abunaw, a former corporate saleswoman who – in her own words – has no filter. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang has the story of the last several months of Abunaw’s years-long quest to open the store. HOST: LARA

Chicago musician Jeff Tweedy is the frontman for the boundary-pushing band Wilco.
 
 But Tweedy is a prolific solo artist in his own right. 
 
 His fifth solo project, Twilight Override, comes out Friday. 
 
 It is a rare triple album of songs that feel both familiar and push his sound in fresh directions. 
 
 WBEZ contributor Adora Namigadde visited Tweedy in his Northwest side Loft and filed this audio postcard.

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents being deployed in the Chicago area. 
 
 Like this one from Mele Ortiz from Rogers Park: I was wondering if there are different laws/rights surrounding the interactions with these new agents since they are from federal and not local organizations.

A new bookstore focused on Black feminist stories is now open in Evanston. Zora’s Place had their grand opening last Saturday and we sat down with owner L’Oreal Thompson Payton to hear about the shop. HOST: LANE

It’s been just over two weeks since the Department of Homeland Security started an expanded immigration enforcement campaign in the Chicago area. 
 
 WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times have been reporting on every angle of that operation to understand how it’s impacting the community and what might come next.
 
 HOST: LANE

The months-long “America’s Got Talent” journey of the all-boys choir from Chicago’s Leo Catholic High School will come to a close this week.
 
 The boys will perform their final song tonight (TUES) as they make one last push to win the one-million-dollar grand prize.
 HOST: MELBA

Chicago artist Theaster Gates has exhibited work all over the world.
 
 But it has taken him nearly two decades to get his first solo museum show in his hometown. 
 
 WBEZ contributor Ben Austen visits Gates as he prepares for his show opening at the University of Chicago’s Smart Museum. 
 HOST: LANE

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering your questions about federal immigration agents being deployed in the Chicago area. 
 
 Like this one from a resident from suburban Highland Park, who wondered: what documents should I carry to prove my citizenship?

Students are feeling distracted and worried amid federal immigration arrests. Chicago youth organizations brought together a group of teens to talk about how they feel and share their ideas for a better future. HOST: LANE

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances. 
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we got this question: "Hi, my name is Avanti and my question is why are gas prices so different across the country?”
 
 To find out, we called up an expert.

Funeral services for former Republican Governor Jim Edgar will take place in Springfield Saturday.
 
 Democratic Governor J-B Pritzker has called Edgar a model public servant.
 
 And Democratic House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch described him as a “damn good governor.”
 
 Before his death, Edgar spent almost three hours talking to WBEZ’s Dave McKinney about his life and legacy, his cancer battle and a Republican Party under Donald Trump he no longer recognizes.
 
 HOST: LARA

For the past decade, the Chicago band Knuckle Puck has built a cult following with its mix of emo, pop punk and hardcore. 
 
 The band’s debut album “Copacetic” turns 10 this year, and the group is playing Riot Fest this weekend in celebration.

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents – and possibly the National Guard – being deployed on Chicago's streets. 
 
 Like this one from Cristina Hernandez from Logan Square: How do we have honest, hard conversations with our children? How do we explain what is going on without creating fear?

Nearly 50 instructors at Illinois colleges and universities are on what’s called the “Professor Watchlist.”
 
 It’s an online database compiled by late conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point U-S-A. 
 
 His non-profit says it aims to document professors who "advance leftist propaganda in the classroom"
 
 HOST: LANE

Bill Kurtis and his booming voice have been a staple of Chicago’s media landscape for decades. 
 
 His career took off at C-B-S, alongside Walter Jacobson, and now, he’s the voice of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me, here on W-B-E-Z and N-P-R. 
 
 Now, Kurtis is sharing 60 years worth of stories in his new memoir, titled “Whirlwind,” out this week.

Officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement weren’t wearing body cameras during a fatal encounter last week. The Sun-Times reports two ICE officers weren’t wearing the device when one of them shot and killed Silverio Villegas Gonzalez during a traffic stop in Franklin Park on Friday. The Department of Homeland Security says an ICE agent shot Villegas-Gonzalez after being dragged beneath his car. Activists are pointing to social media videos and raising questions about the feds’ account of the incident.

Parents of special education students at Chicago Public Schools say their children are getting left behind after the district made significant staffing changes this year. The number of Chicago Public School students in special education is at its highest in at least 15 years. This summer the school district cut about 1000 special ed positions only to reopen more than 600 new positions after classes started in the fall. CPS officials say these changes will help "right size the number of staff, where in the past some schools would have too many, and others too few." HOST: LANE

As alcohol consumption declines among young adults, breweries are pivoting to THC drinks to fill the gap. We talk to Sun Times contributor Chris Casacchia about the new trend and how local businesses are adapting. HOST: LANE

September opened with Chicago's prestigious jazz festival. But even if you missed it, there are two more events dedicated to the art form underway this month.
 
 Chicago Sun-Times reporter Erica Thompson has been on the jazz beat and recently spoke with WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers about what audiences can expect.
 HOST: LANE

Today is the start of something brand new here at the station. At 9 we launched a new news-driven talk show In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons. And at 10, another new program where YOU can chime in; Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith. These two local programs will air weekdays between 9 and 11 each morning. Sasha-Ann Simons and a voice morning listeners know well -Mary Dixon-join me now with more. HOST: LANE

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we got this question:
 
 “My name is Anthony, and I'm from Kankakee, and I'm just wondering what to do now that I've gone through my retirement funds to save my house in the last recession, with the new recession coming, what should I do to protect myself?”

If you want to know how many arrests immigration officers have made in Chicago this year, you won’t get answers from the government.
 
 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE stopped publishing comprehensive data in January, after President Donald Trump was inaugurated.
 
 But watchdog groups have stepped in to fill some key gaps. 
 
 They offer a big picture view of arrests and detentions in Illinois and across the country this year so far.
 
 Sun-Times Reporter Lauren FitzPatrick is here to break it down for us.
 HOST: MELBA

Chicago just spent another week in the national spotlight, as President Donald Trump continues to threaten federal intervention.
 
 But that didn’t stop one local arts group …. Music of the Baroque …. from putting an orchestra on a large, sightseeing boat. All to create a moment of joy.
 
 On Wednesday, the group presented a sing-along to Handel’s [HAN-dell] “Water Music” from 17-17. They invited the public to join in from the banks of the Chicago River
 HOST: LANE

The city of Chicago today announced a 90 million dollar proposed settlement to resolve almost two hundred lawsuits tied to Ronald Watts.
 
 He’s a former police sergeant who ran a corrupt public housing unit and went to federal prison for shaking down an FBI informant.
 
 HOST: LARA

Immigration enforcement actions are ramping up in Chicago - in predominantly Hispanic immigrant communities. 
 
 Many immigrant workers say they’re afraid to work and some people are making the decision to stay home.
 
 But legal experts and labor organizers say there are several key steps business owners and employers can take to be prepared if federal immigration authorities show up.
 HOST: LABUZ

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents – and possibly the National Guard – being deployed on Chicago's streets. 
 
 Like this one from Kathy Williams in Hyde Park:
 
 My concern is who is paying for the National Guard to be sent out, are they taxpayers paying for that?

The price of a college education is higher than it's ever been. In the midst of the student debt crisis, we talk to Sun-Times reporter Mary Norkol to examine Chicago college tuition and see how students are faring.
 HOST: LANE

Fans know Jenna Fischer from her time playing Pam Beesly [BEES-lee] on NBCs hit comedy “The Office.” 
 
 Fischer is also a New York Times best selling author and podcaster… but now Fischer is moving into the new phase of her career.
 HOST: LABUZ

President Donald Trump has promised to increase federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. 
 
 It’s raising questions and fears for some parents of school-age kids.
 
 Chicago Public Schools says it does not coordinate with federal agents, including ICE.
 
 But what about your commute to and from school?
 
 HOST: LABUZ

President Donald Trump has promised to increase federal immigration enforcement in Chicago. 
 
 It’s raising questions and fears for some parents of school-age kids.
 
 Chicago Public Schools says it does not coordinate with federal agents, including ICE.
 
 But what about your commute to and from school?
 
 HOST: LABUZ

I’m WBEZ reporter Araceli Gomez-Aldana. And we're answering YOUR questions about federal immigration agents – and possibly the National Guard – being deployed on Chicago's streets. 
 
 Like this one from Douglas Macayeal from Hyde Park:
 
 If the National Guard comes to Chicago can we take photographs and post them on social media?

Chicagoans have been bracing for a potential National Guard deployment.
 
 But the city's history with American soldiers stretches back to its founding. 
 
 Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to talk about Chicago's history with troops. 
 HOST: LANE

More and more buildings in Chicago and around the country are owned by LLCs. 
 
 That’s making it easier for landlords to hide behind their companies. 
 HOST: LABUZ