As Chicago's PBS station, WTTW is committed to producing and presenting independent, trusted, best-in-class content fueled by a distinctly Chicago sensibility. https://t.co/QTmgsrKIaj
Gov. JB Pritzker signed sweeping regulations Friday aimed at social media companies and cracking down on “addictive algorithms” that keep kids glued to their screens. https://to.wttw.com/4wFTj9G
Pritzker Signs Laws Regulating How Social Media Platforms Interact With ChildrenGov. JB Pritzker signed sweeping regulations Friday aimed at social media companies and cracking down on “addictive algorithms” that keep kids glued to their screens.to.wttw.comA newly released report shows resigned Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton engaged in a “pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct” dating back to 2023 when he was first seated to the House. https://to.wttw.com/4wuvJwl
Report Finds ‘Pattern and Practice’ of Sexual Harassment by Ex-Rep. Harry BentonA newly released report shows resigned Rep. Harry Benton engaged in a “pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct” dating back to 2023 when he was first seated to the House.to.wttw.comWomen’s softball is gaining momentum across the world, and in Mexico, the sport’s growing popularity is creating new opportunities for women and girls who historically have had few places to compete professionally. https://to.wttw.com/4uXcpGN
The Rise of Women’s Softball in Mexico CityWomen’s softball is gaining momentum across the world, and in Mexico, the sport’s growing popularity is creating new opportunities for women and girls who historically have had few places to compete p...to.wttw.comChildcare assistance. Early intervention. Preschool for all. Until recently, these state programs were split across three state agencies and the governor’s office. But since July 1, they’ve all been within the new Illinois Department of Early Childhood. https://to.wttw.com/4fLh8p0
That missed deadline comes as CPD officials acknowledged, again, that the number of times officers used force against members of the public “continues to trend upward,” according to the report. https://to.wttw.com/3Tzx7za
CPD Brass Missed Deadline to Detail How Many Times Officers Used Force Against Chicagoans in 2025: RecordsThat missed deadline comes as CPD officials acknowledged, again, that the number of times officers used force against members of the public “continues to trend upward,” according to the report.to.wttw.comCook County judges often ordered accused people to be detained while awaiting trial despite, by the court’s own assessments, being at low risk of rearrest or missing court, according to a recent report from the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice. https://to.wttw.com/4fP7uln
Cook County Judges Often Detain Pretrial Defendants Deemed a Low Risk of Reoffending or Missing Court, Report SaysA recent report from the Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice says Cook County judges often ordered accused people to be detained while awaiting trial despite, by the court’s own assessments, being a...to.wttw.comIllinois residents who lost food assistance benefits following federal rule changes will receive $400 under a new program announced by Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday. https://to.wttw.com/3TKguAP
Illinoisans Kicked Off SNAP to Receive One-Time $400 Benefit Under New ProgramThe $70 million program can support up to 175,000 Illinoisans who lost or received reduced SNAP benefits due to changes in eligibility. No paperwork or application is required; the one-time benefits a...to.wttw.comThe Chicago Board of Education just passed an approximately $10 billion budget after hours of contentious debate and a last-minute amendment aimed at forcing state lawmakers to come through with $150 million more in funding for the district. https://to.wttw.com/4fNzcz2
CPS Board Members Pass Last-Minute Amended Budget Assuming $150M More in State Revenue Despite Sharp Criticism Cash May Not MaterializeThe Chicago Board of Education on Thursday passed an approximately $10 billion budget after hours of contentious debate, a lengthy recess, sharp questions over revenue assumptions and a last-minute am...to.wttw.comIf dealing with throngs of young music fans and a general admission four-day pass that costs $439 aren’t on your list this week, don’t fret because there are tons of other, much more relaxed arts and culture events happening this week. https://to.wttw.com/4wscJyr
Shakespeare in a Park and a Car-Themed Film Series: 4 Arts Picks for Your WeekendEvery Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.to.wttw.comChicago’s race for mayor is officially underway as candidates begin collecting signatures this week for a spot on February’s ballot. Lisa Nee is making the case for her spot through a campaign focused on affordability, safety and fiscal responsibility. https://to.wttw.com/4fZfaml
A federal judge expanded the lawsuit accusing CPD of targeting Black and Latino drivers with a massive campaign of traffic stops to include all Black and Latino drivers who have been pulled over in the past five years — or could be in the future. https://to.wttw.com/3U41WvW
Judge Expands Lawsuit Accusing CPD of Targeting Black, Latino Chicagoans With Traffic Stops to Include All Black, Latino DriversChicago taxpayers have already paid $3.4 million to defend the lawsuit that accuses the CPD of making more than 1.5 million traffic stops between 2016 and 2023 based on dubious evidence of minor viola...to.wttw.comThe Chicago Board of Education is expected to vote on a revised $10 billion budget proposal Thursday. CPS CEO Macquline King joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss her revised budget and why she thinks board members should pass it. https://to.wttw.com/3TN2pCG
There's plenty of Lollapalooza sets and aftershows to catch this weekend in Grant Park. But if you want to avoid the fest, here's a few other artists you can catch around the Chicago area. https://to.wttw.com/4fqCUQa
Chicago-Area Live Music Recommendations for July 29-Aug. 4Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.to.wttw.comChicago has a rat problem and it isn’t likely to improve if the city doesn’t come up with a new playbook, according to a just-released analysis by the city’s watchdog. https://to.wttw.com/4x4I5es
Chicago Can’t Keep Trying to Poison Its Way Out of Rat Problem: Watchdog ReportChicago has a rat problem and it isn't likely to improve if the city doesn't come up with a new playbook, according to a just-released analysis by the city's watchdog.to.wttw.comLast year, the Joliet Treatment Center recorded roughly three fires a month. Despite that, officials at the prison have repeatedly failed to meet their responsibilities to prevent or respond to the fires, government records show. https://to.wttw.com/4fMtn4Z
A Prison on FireDesigned to help people with serious mental illness, Joliet Treatment Center repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires, despite two deaths.to.wttw.comStudents in all Illinois public schools will soon have to abide by rules barring them from using cellphones or other personal electronic communication devices during school hours unless they have been given specific permission to use them. https://to.wttw.com/4wEDL5R
Pritzker Signs School Cellphone Ban In Effort to Avoid Student DistractionsStudents in all Illinois public schools will soon have to abide by rules barring them from using cellphones or other personal electronic communication devices during school hours unless they have been...to.wttw.comThe leaders of the agency investigating misconduct by Chicago police officers created “a vacuum of accountability” by failing to follow its own rules while trying to clear a massive backlog of complaints, according to an analysis by the city’s watchdog. https://to.wttw.com/4fHMmxy
Agency Charged With Probing Chicago Police Department Misconduct Created ‘Vacuum of Accountability’ By Clearing Backlog: Watchdog“By administratively closing hundreds of cases COPA may have alleviated its own burden, but it also created a vacuum of accountability within the police oversight system it is mandated to uphold,” acc...to.wttw.comAfter calling the first proposal “dead on arrival,” Chicago Teachers Union president Stacy Davis Gates on Tuesday acknowledged progress, but still said the amendments come up short. https://to.wttw.com/4pKuwP1
Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Wednesday designed to ban purchases of guns and ammunition from firms that flout federal law and do not take steps to prevent weapons trafficking. https://to.wttw.com/44RcSQ1
Mayor Johnson Signs Executive Order Designed to Ban Purchases From Gun Dealers That Flout LawsGun policy group the Brady Campaign has urged elected officials to use their procurement power to force gun companies to change how they do business, since cities and states spend millions of dollars ...to.wttw.comPresident Donald Trump last week announced sweeping tariffs against Canada, threatening to reignite a trade battle with one of America’s closest allies and top economic partners. https://to.wttw.com/4pKTdux