Organization

Chicago City Council passed a budget that closes a $1 billion gap despite a lack of support from Mayor Johnson. But, a new study by the watchdog group Truth in Accounting says the actual deficit is a wee bit higher than that... more like $41 billion. Judi Willard joins us.

Chicago leaders are once again revising a proposed "snap curfew" ordinance, with a new draft giving police more flexibility before issuing citations.

Chicago leaders are debating a new curfew proposal, and some youth advocates say it goes too far. Here's what to know.

Chicago City Council could vote as soon as tomorrow on a proposed “snap curfew” ordinance that would allow police to issue time-and-place orders banning minors from gathering in certain public spaces with 12 hours’ notice. 

Doctors in Chicago are testing immersive technology as part of a new clinical trial that could change how colon cancer is detected—and potentially expand to hospitals nationwide.

Tonight: J.B. Pritzker has launched his reelection campaign - we meet one of the republicans hoping to unseat him. CPS is losing students at an alarming rate - and could look vastly different in ten years. Will more schools have to shutter? And how you can personally have a political impact -- the non profit organization coaching voters on how to call and demand things from their elected representatives. 

A new study out concludes Chicago Public Schools is losing a staggering 10,000 students every year. And it's lost 100,000 in the last 20 years. How low can the population go, and can the city turn this decline around? Joining us now is Hal Woods of the group Kids First Illinois - who put out the report.

So do you feel like things are overwhelming these days and you want to make a difference, but you're not sure how?  Five-calls is making waves on social media in the wake of the deadly shooting of Alexi Pretti in Minneapolis.  It's an app that helps constituents contact members of Congress.  As influencers, activists, and everyday people wade into public policy conversations, many are turning to tools like 5 calls to streamline civic engagement.  It works by aggregating contact information giving users a direct line to local and federal officials to urge action on issues. Joining us now is Nick O'Neill, the founder of Five Calls.

Believe it or not - we are only weeks away from early voting here in the 2026 primary elections. There are several contested races to think about - one of them is the race for Governor. J.B. Pritzker is uncontested on the democratic side to seek a third term leading Illinois. But several candidates are vying to be the nominee on the republican side - and tonight we meet one, Ted Dabrowski - a North Shore businessman and former policy analyst for the publication Wirepoints.