Posts published in “Latest News”

In a series of raids across Illinois in recent months, federal agents have taken aim at local corruption. A factory owner shares that he felt strong pressure to give campaign cash to a politician under federal investigation.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling on the city’s Police Board to explain a disciplinary decision after a WBEZ investigation raised questions about it.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Chip Mitchell

Ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich spoke to a crush of reporters outside his Chicago home Wednesday morning. He had high praise for the president, and harsh words for the justice system.

Host: Melba Lara
Reporter: Dave McKinney

Illinois Republicans are lashing out against President Trump's decision to let Rod Blagojevich out of prison early.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Tony Arnold

Disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich is now a free man. Blagojevich was released from a Colorado federal prison Tuesday night.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Dave McKinney

President Trump is commuting the 14-year prison sentence of disgraced ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. WBEZ's Dave McKinney covered the Blagojevich saga and gets into the details about what happened.

Host: Melba Lara
Reporter: Dave McKinney

Hundreds of Greek-Americans from the Chicago area go north to see NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

The fight over transgender student rights in Illinois’ largest high school district is finally over. Palatine based school district 211 approved a legal settlement last night with a transgender student.

Host: Melba Lara
Interviewee: Nova Maday

The musical "Chicago" is based on real women who, in the 1920s, occupied a section of the Cook County jail known as “Murderess Row.” The new book “He Had It Coming” tells their true stories.

Host: Mary Dixon
Interviewees: Kori Rumore, Marianne Mather...

Young people from around the country are headed to Washington DC this weekend. Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ advocacy organization has named a new class of youth ambassadors.

Host: Melba Lara
Reporter: Susie An

Cook County’s Chief Judge undercounted the number of murders allegedly committed by people out on bail according to an investigation from the Chicago Tribune.

Host: Melba Lara
Reporter: Patrick Smith
Interviewee: David Jackson

It is an unprecedented step to make amends after Illinois found an overhaul of special education led to illegal delays and denial of services.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Sarah Karp

After the mass shooting in Aurora last year, the governor, state police, lawmakers and gun control activists promised major changes to address loopholes in Illinois gun laws.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Patrick Smith

Aurora Police Officer John Cebulski was just one of hundreds of officers who responded to an active shooter situation a year ago this Saturday at the Henry Pratt Company. He remembers that day and reflects on his recovery.

Saturday will mark one year since a deadly work-place shooting in west suburban Aurora, IL. Five employees of the Henry Pratt Company died when a disgruntled worker opened fire in a meeting room.

Actor Jussie Smollett has been indicted again after charges were dropped last year by Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

Chicago baseball gets underway this week as pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Arizona. WBEZ's Cheryl Raye Stout breaks down how each team is shaping up.

It's been less than a year since Lori Lightfoot became the first black woman to become Chicago’s mayor. Mayor Lightfoot joins WBEZ's Mary Dixon to review what's been a busy start to her term.