Friday, December 5, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget team said that an alternative budget proposal from 26 alders who oppose the mayor’s spending plan is based on faulty projections and regressive fines. Indiana state House lawmakers have passed a new congressional map that now advances to the state Senate, where it is unclear if enough lawmakers will support its final passage. Granite City Works will make steel again next year. Plus, from the 67-foot-tall Norway spruce in Millennium Park to a dizzying number of “Christmas Carol” variations, Chicago’s most festive season has arrived. WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers rounded up the best Chicago festivities you can enjoy this holiday season and she joined WBEZ’s Clare Lane to talk about it.