Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 3h

Taxpayers should pay $950,000 to a former Chicago Police Department lieutenant who said his supervisors retaliated against him after he resisted orders to make “illegal” traffic stops, city lawyers recommended.

https://to.wttw.com/48TJprK

City Lawyers Recommend Paying $950K to CPD Lieutenant Who Blew Whistle on ‘Illegal’ Traffic Stops

Lt. Franklin Paz accused CPD officials of violating the state’s Whistleblower Act by reassigning him to the overnight shift in a South Side police district after he refused to order the officers he su...

to.wttw.com

1 2 12

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 17h

Chicago Stories: Rod Blagojevich starts now on WTTW and is now streaming on the PBS app and at this link: to.wttw.com/4ng5FjK #ChicagoStoriesWTTW

Video | Rod Blagojevich | Chicago Stories | WTTW Chicago

He could have been a character in a Greek tragedy. Rod Blagojevich, the Chicagoan familiarly known as "Blago," was blessed with talent, drive, and charisma, and he capitalized on these qualities to ri...

www.wttw.com

2 1 7

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 20h

Cook County will not need to hike property taxes or impose new fees to close a projected budget gap of $211.4 million in 2026, but “turmoil” looms in the years ahead, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday.

https://to.wttw.com/4o3EWYt

No Property Tax Hike Needed to Close Cook County’s $211.4M Budget Gap, But ‘Turmoil’ Looms: Preckwinkle

“We’re headed into pretty tough waters here, turmoil,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “And I would anticipate … next year, and particularly the years after next, we’re going to be ...

to.wttw.com

2 9

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 22h

The Department of Homeland Security is looking to purchase more buildings in Chicago to operate out of, Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday.

https://to.wttw.com/3ICDJrC

Homeland Security Plans to Purchase More Buildings in Chicago for ICE, Noem Says

The Department of Homeland Security is looking to purchase more buildings in Chicago to operate out of, Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday.

to.wttw.com

6 12 11

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 22h

Think of galls kind of like a scab — they’re the plant’s response to an injury, in this case an insect laying eggs or larva sucking on sap, generally during the rapid growth period of new leaves.

https://to.wttw.com/4h5l5W0

Has Your Tree Sprouted Warts? The Cause Is Absolutely Gall-ing

Ever seen a tree that looks like its leaves have sprouted warts or are suffering from a really bad rash? Welcome to the wild, wonderful world of plant oddities known as galls.

to.wttw.com

1 5

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 23h

Taxpayers should pay $7.5 million to the family of a Chicago pastor and her husband, who were struck and killed by a driver being chased by Chicago police, city lawyers recommended.

https://to.wttw.com/4nK0gBQ

Pay Family of Couple Killed by Driver Being Chased by Police $7.5M, City Lawyers Recommend

Nine cases alleging Chicagoans were hit or killed during a police chase that violated department policy cost taxpayers more than $75 million to resolve between Jan. 1 and July 31, according to WTTW Ne...

to.wttw.com

10

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the chaplain for the men’s basketball team at Loyola Chicago who became a beloved celebrity during the school’s fairy-tale run to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament in 2018, has died, the university announced Thursday night. https://to.wttw.com/3KR94ax

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, Loyola Chicago’s Beloved Basketball Chaplain, Dies at 106

Sister Jean, the chaplain for the men’s basketball team at Loyola Chicago who became a beloved international celebrity during the school’s fairy-tale run to the Final Four, has died.

to.wttw.com

2 9

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

A federal judge ruled ICE agents at the Broadview facility can't use “riot control weapons” like tear gas, pepper spray or less lethal bullets on reporters, protesters and clergy members who don't pose an immediate threat to the safety of law enforcement. https://to.wttw.com/3VZuHYA

Judge Temporarily Bars Feds From Using Tear Gas, Pepper Spray Against Reporters in Broadview

A federal judge ruled Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the Broadview facility cannot use “riot control weapons” like tear gas, pepper spray or rubber bullets against reporters, protesters...

to.wttw.com

2 13 44

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Planned Parenthood of Illinois is bracing for more patients after the Wisconsin chapter paused abortions last week.

The organization has been helping Wisconsin abortion patients with travel and food expenses as they head to Illinois to seek care. https://to.wttw.com/3KKtZft

3 11

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

There are a number of local fall forecast resources that will point you in the direction of peak color.

Looking for Peak Fall Foliage in and Around Chicago? These Fall Color Reports Won't Leave You Hanging

There are a number of local fall forecast resources that will point you in the direction of peak color.

news.wttw.com

4

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

Tonight on Chicago Stories: Hear from Rod Blagojevich himself in a new episode that chronicles his political rise and fall. Watch the show at 8:00 pm on WTTW, or stream it on the PBS app or wttw.com/chicagostories #ChicagoStoriesWTTW

3 2

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

A judge on Thursday temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from deploying members of the National Guard to Illinois.

“I see no credible evidence there is a danger of rebellion in the state of Illinois,” U.S. District Court Judge April Perry said. https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Federal Judge Grants Partial Restraining Order Blocking National Guard Deployment in Chicago Area

A federal judge is set to decide Thursday whether to block President Donald Trump from deploying 200 members of the Texas National Guard alongside 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to the Chi...

to.wttw.com

1 17 45

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 1d

A federal judge will soon decide whether to block President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in the Chicago area. Here is everything that happened during today's landmark hearing: https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Federal Judge Appears Skeptical of Reasoning Behind National Guard Deployment in Illinois During Ongoing Hearing

Lawyers for the Department of Justice told U.S. District Court Judge April Perry the president deployed the National Guard because “levels of violence against federal law enforcement executing their l...

to.wttw.com

1 6 12

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

A court hearing is now underway to decide whether a federal judge should block President Donald Trump from deploying 200 members of the Texas National Guard alongside 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to the Chicago area.

https://to.wttw.com/4h4acno

Judge to Decide Whether to Block National Guard Deployment as Trump Sends California Troops to Illinois

Lawyers for the Department of Justice told U.S. District Court Judge April Perry the president deployed the National Guard because “levels of violence against federal law enforcement executing their l...

to.wttw.com

3 15

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Tens of thousands of obsessives are expected to converge on Grant Park in 2026 for the return of Pokemon Go Fest, which formerly had a successful run in Chicago from 2017 to 2019.

https://to.wttw.com/46XMDbb

Pokemon Go Fest Coming to Grant Park in Summer 2026, Unique ‘Open Footprint’ Format Will Keep Area Open to the Public

Pokemon Go Fest will return to Grant Park in 2026 for the first time since 2019.

to.wttw.com

2

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

More than 500 Chicago police officers are still using a gun police union leaders believe could accidentally discharge a week after the federal judge overseeing the effort to reform the Chicago Police Department ordered them to “immediately” stop using.

https://to.wttw.com/48mH4pc

521 Chicago Police Officers Still Using Gun Federal Judge Says Should be Banned, CPD Says

While the number of officers carrying the gun “decreases daily,” CPD officials told the judge there is no firm timetable for all CPD officers to stop carrying the gun because of delays obtaining a new...

to.wttw.com

2 11

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

CTA leaders doubled down on their commitment to the long-awaited Red Line Extension on Wednesday, despite the Trump administration saying it would put a pause on releasing nearly $2 billion in federal funding amid a review of the project’s contracting.

https://to.wttw.com/4nGrKIy

CTA ‘Fully Committed’ to Red Line Extension Despite Trump Administration Move to Pause Funding

The funding freeze, which came despite a full funding agreement executed earlier this year, comes amid a broader anti-DEI push from the administration. In announcing the pause, federal officials said ...

to.wttw.com

1 13

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

As federal immigration enforcement operations spread “fear and anxiety” among many Chicago Public Schools families, district leaders say they’ve launched a command center to stay on top of emergency situations and provide help to concerned school leaders.

https://to.wttw.com/3WgI8Ul

Chicago Public Schools Sets Up District Command Center in Response to ‘Fear and Anxiety’ From ICE Operations

Interim CPS CEO Macquline King on Wednesday said the district command center in order to provide “round-the-clock support” to school communities experiencing “heightened stress due to activity outside...

to.wttw.com

4 16

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

A soccer match between Argentina and Puerto Rico, originally scheduled for next week in Chicago, has been relocated to Florida amid the immigration crackdown in the city, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

https://to.wttw.com/4h0ZYUF

Argentina, Puerto Rico Soccer Match Featuring Messi Moved From Chicago to Florida Amid Immigration Crackdown

The friendly match was supposed to be played on Oct. 13 at Soldier Field in Chicago but will be moved to Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home stadium of Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Mes...

to.wttw.com

2 7 8

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Amid the rapid developments as the administration appeals, here’s a look at National Guard deployments, how they have been done before and the legality of Trump’s efforts to send troops into Democratic-led cities.

FAQ: A Look at the National Guard's Role as Trump Seeks to Deploy Troops in Chicago

President Donald Trump's efforts to send National Guard troops into U.S. cities -- including Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon; and Chicago -- over the objections of Democratic mayors and governors have prompted a host of questions about the president's aut...

news.wttw.com

2 1 7

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Chicago social justice artist and photographer Tonika Lewis Johnson is among 22 MacArthur Fellows who were chosen to receive the prestigious “Genius Grant” this year, the MacArthur Foundation announced Wednesday.

https://to.wttw.com/4nA7w3c

Chicago Artist Tonika Lewis Johnson, Whose Work Explores Segregation, Awarded MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’

Tonika Lewis Johnson, an Englewood native, explores the impacts of segregation and disinvestment in Chicago neighborhoods through her “Folded Map Project,” “Inequity for Sale” and “UnBlocked Englewood...

to.wttw.com

4 22

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 2d

Taxpayers should pay $640,000 to two Chicago families who said their children were held at gunpoint during botched no-knock raids of their apartments, lawyers for the city of Chicago recommended Thursday.

https://to.wttw.com/3VQYKBM

City Lawyers Recommend Paying $640K to 2 Families Who Say They Were Held at Gunpoint During Botched No-Knock Raids

Botched raids by the Chicago Police Department have cost taxpayers more than $5.5 million since 2020, according to a WTTW News analysis.

to.wttw.com

4 15

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 3d

The Red Line extension was set to begin construction early next spring, but after a pause in federal funding, it's unclear where the timeline stands. Local organizers say it's essential for those who live in “transportation deserts” on the Far South Side.

https://to.wttw.com/48r5HkB

7 12

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 3d

National Guard troops from Texas arrived in Illinois as part of an unprecedented deployment this week with a directive to protect federal immigration agents “in places where there are violent demonstrations.”

So where might that be? https://to.wttw.com/42ty4uG

National Guard Troops Have Arrived in Illinois. What’s Their Directive and Where Might They Be Deployed?

National Guard troops arrived in Illinois as part of an unprecedented deployment with a directive to protect federal immigration agents “in places where there are violent demonstrations. So where migh...

to.wttw.com

1 8 16

WTTW - Chicago PBS @wttw.bsky.social · 3d

The federal government entered its sixth day of a shutdown Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of employees furloughed.

Chicago's federal workers spoke with "Chicago Tonight" Tuesday on working without pay. https://to.wttw.com/42rmFvm

2 7