WBEZ News

The crisis is exposing major weakness in Puerto Rico’s water delivery infrastructure. HOST: PUENTE

Former charter school operator Aspira has declared bankruptcy. It comes just 11 years after the nonprofit built a modern school in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood with $27 million dollars from the state of Illinois. Now, Aspira wants to sell the building for $11 million dollars — and pocket some of the proceeds for its own operations. Here to break down how we got here and what could be next for Aspira is WBEZ education reporter Sarah Karp and WBEZ investigations reporter Dan Mihalopoulos. HOST: LARA

Illinois might get even–more–storms today (FRI). The rocky forecast follows a week of deadly severe weather that caused a wave of damage, leaving hundreds of thousands in Illinois and Indiana without power. HOST: LANE

For Chicago-area Muslim families, finding a preschool that reflects their values *and* supports their children’s development is a challenge. Culturally and religiously competent options are scarce. Some families are choosing to enroll their children in a full Arabic immersion preschool in southwest suburban Bridgeview. HOST: LANE

In recent years, many Chicago renters have been priced out of their neighborhoods. In some parts of the city, there’s an ordinance in place that gives tenants a shot at buying their building if it goes up for sale. But… it’s not easy buying a building. One Northwest Side group is trying to change that— with help from some young organizers. HOST: LANE

The South Deering neighborhood is in a historically heavy industrial area. This area was once home to large steel mills that have since closed. There are still other factories and they’ve caused a stink with neighbors. But longtime resident Eren Hernandez says a new stink – that came about a couple of weeks ago – is different. HOST: MELBA

A listener wanted to know about the history of block clubs in Chicago and who is behind them today. HOST: PUENTE

We're following an important local story today that could be disturbing for some listeners. Dozens of decomposing bodies were found at a Far South Side funeral home yesterday. The area around South Chicago Chapel on 95th Street was blocked off by police, and bodies were still being loaded into vehicles this morning. Chicago Sun-Times reporter Cindy Hernandez has been reporting on this developing story. HOST: LARA

Lollapalooza weekend brought thousands of people to Chicago’s Grant Park. Amid the headliners and packed crowds, another group made its way through the festival: parents. HOST: LABUZ

The Women’s Professional Baseball League kicked off their inaugural season in Springfield this weekend. And despite a forecast that brought showers all day, over 4 thousand fans from all over the country packed the rain-soaked stadium… Wearing thin ponchos and cheering not only for the women playing.. But also for the league to succeed as a whole. HOST: LANE

The Trump administration is shifting tactics in its deportation campaign. Last year, the focus was aggressive arrests … highlighted by 'Operation Midway Blitz.’ This year, Chicago advocates say the strategy is much more subtle. HOST: ALEX

State Representative Harry Benton resigned his Illinois House seat under pressure last month amid allegations he harassed a lobbyist. But the report by the legislative inspector general documented two other instances of sexual harassment, and it’s all raising questions about how Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch handled each case. HOST: ALEX

Scorch has tapped into that character for many creative projects since, from a poem about hot dogs to a popular series reviewing Park District bathrooms. Now, he’s embarking on a major endeavor: to read the city of Chicago’s roughly 3,000 page municipal code out loud, for a podcast, in his Chicago accent. HOST: LANE

To the uninitiated, a Rainbow Cone might seem like a recent Instagram-inspired creation. Five colorful layers stacked on top of each other. But Chicagoans, especially those on the South Side, know the Original Rainbow Cone shop is a long-loved, local institution. Launched in August 1926 in a small shack in Beverly, Rainbow Cone turns 100 this year. HOST: LANE

The Chicago Board of Ed took the unprecedented step of changing the budget presented by Chicago Public School officials. They voted to cancel more than 1,000 layoffs and to increase the amount of money the district is assuming the state will provide. District leaders warned that it was risky to include uncommitted state revenue. But the 11 members who voted for the change said they wanted to put pressure on the state to provide more money. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp reports. HOST: LARA

A deal offered by prosecutors would’ve required Ivy Kelly to admit guilt following a murder trial tainted by a corrupt detective and ineffective defense counsel. WBEZ’s reporter Chip Mitchell sat down with him in Cook County Jail … to see how he made his decision. HOST: LARA

Funk legend George Clinton is best known as a writer for Motown and as the leader of the popular Parliament-Funkadelic movement. But starting with the COVID pandemic, Clinton got serious about painting. A major exhibition of his work just opened at Chicago’s Mariane Ibrahim Gallery. HOST: LANE

Tenants rights groups have for years fought for this overhaul of the city’s existing rental laws

Chicago Public Schools earlier this month announced drastic plans to close the district’s around $730-million dollar-budget deficit. That includes layoffs and a midyear spending freeze. CPS officials say the plan is “responsible” and “entirely student-centered” But some worry the proposed budget tradeoffs will have negative impacts on students. Board members are being asked to vote on the proposal tomorrow (THU). HOST: LANE

The number of Illinois residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – or SNAP – has declined by 16% over the past year. That’s according to data from the Illinois Department of Human Services. It comes following expanded work rules and other restrictions that were pushed by the Trump Administration last summer. HOST: MELBA

Chicagoans with big dreams of becoming this city’s mayor are fanning out across town today (TUE) to collect the signatures needed to get on the ballot. That’s 12-thousand-500 valid signatures, to be exact. Today (TUE) marks the unofficial start to what’s sure to be a jam packed and, as always, contentious, mayor’s race. HOST: LANE

A note that this next story contains descriptions of self-harm. The Joliet Treatment Center – about an hour outside of Chicago – is a specialized Illinois prison meant to provide intensive mental healthcare. But some incarcerated people and civil rights lawyers say the treatment there is abysmal – and men are frequently left isolated in their cells for long stretches… their mental health deteriorating. Desperate for help, some have chosen to do something extreme to bring attention to their troubles. They set their locked cells – or their own bodies – on fire. In the last 3 years there have been more than 70 fires at Joliet Treatment Center, including at least a dozen cases of self-immolation. HOST: LANE

Several times a year, our show Prisoncast sends hundreds of surveys inside prisons and jails in Illinois. One thing we ask the people incarcerated there: What’s a sound from the outside world that you miss hearing the most? HOST: MELBA

Annie Clark, the superstar guitarist who performs under the name St. Vincent, will play with the Chicago Symphony this weekend at Ravinia. It’s a stop on her nationwide tour, appearing with local orchestras. AND, it’s part of a larger trend that puts Clark in the company of many of her pop peers. HOST: LABUZ

America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this month (July). At a recent reading of the Declaration of Independence at Chicago’s Newberry Library, some Chicagoans shared their thoughts on the milestone. HOST: LABUZ

Four beluga whales have been transported to the Shedd Aquarium from Canada in an effort aquarium staff called “unprecedented” and “urgent.” But animal rights advocates have questions about how the Shedd will be handling the belugas. HOST: MELBA

Brothers and restaurateurs Teddy and Alexis Vejar spent their childhood surrounded by great cooks both in Mexico and the US. Now, they run the restaurant Jarabe on the city’s Near West Side, where they serve cochinita pibil. The dish reminds them of when their dad would cook it for them when they were kids. HOST: LABUZ

School districts across the country are seeing a spike in students with autism. As it has in other places, the increase in students with special needs is putting a tremendous strain on Chicago Public Schools’ budget. It’s a key reason why, despite declining enrollment, CPS has added staff. HOST: LABUZ

It’s been more than three months since West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park suddenly closed. Now patients nearby on Chicago’s West Side are traveling farther for care and ending up in crowded emergency departments at other hospitals. These are the unintended consequences when a community hospital shuts down. Doctors worry more hospitals like West Suburban could close … those that treat people who can expect to die younger compared to Chicagoans in other parts of the city. HOST: LABUZ

Indie rocker Lucy Dacus performs this weekend in Millennium Park. She is backed by the Chicago Philharmonic. It’s a full circle moment of sorts. HOST: LABUZ

Layoff notices went out to more than 15-hundred Chicago Public School staffers yesterday [wed]. This includes nearly 800 teachers. And the cash-strapped district plans to furlough staff for five days when students aren’t in class to save money. This is part of the budget plan for the school year that starts next month. The deficit is 732 million dollars. HOST: LABUZ

After Russia invaded Ukraine, Vladimir Putin’s government made it illegal to criticize the war. But one Russian family couldn’t hold back their outrage. That led to persecution … … and a frantic effort to seek asylum in the U.S. — a country with a long history of protecting Russian dissidents. Instead of being welcomed, some of the family has been in detention for almost nine months. The rest of the family is in Chicago’s northern suburbs, trying to get them out. WBEZ’s Anna Savchenko has their story. HOST: LARA

Illinois is legally required to provide health care to people locked up in state prisons. But it’s been a year since the state backed out of a massive contract with the private company charged with providing that care. HOST: MELBA

Chicago has the largest known inventory of lead pipes of any city in the country. It’s got more than 400, 000 lines. HOST: MELBA

Is Chicago suddenly a bagel town? The heated rivalry between indie shops and Big Bagel. HOST: LANE

The hit, Chicago-based NPR quiz show “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me” sounds a little different these days. Former panelist Alzo (AL-zo) Slade is replacing scorekeeper Bill Kurtis, who retired after 12 years on the show. WBEZ’s Mike Davis takes us behind the scenes at the Studebaker Theater to meet the newest cast member.

After months of planning, America’s 250th birthday is here. As celebrations look back across our nation’s history, one prominent work memorializes the words of the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Composer Aaron Copland captured Lincoln’s enduring wisdom in his 19-42 work, “Lincoln Portrait.” HOST: LANE

Chicago is now home to the largest cafe IN THE WORLD dedicated to Hello Kitty. The iconic white cat with a red bow. Fans lined up around the block just to get a chance to sip and snack alongside each other. WBEZ producer Micah Yason got a chance to connect with fellow Sanrio lovers. HOST: LARA

Over the last two decades, Chicago’s Far Southeast Side has seen steep growth in same-sex households. That's according to an analysis of Census data by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times. HOST: LANE

Literature provides a space for authors and readers alike to explore different worlds and perspectives. For queer people, that space can be an important window into identity and community. Violet Miller is a reporter with the Sun-Times. For pride month she sat down with queer authors to talk about their work. HOST: LANE

The hit Chicago-set TV show “The Bear” returns tonight [THURS] for its final season. HOST: LANE

The epic family drama “Leopoldstadt” was the last script penned by legendary playwright Tom Stoppard before his death in 2025. The Broadway version of the show boasted a cast of 38 actors. Writers Theatre in Glencoe is staging a slightly slimmed down version, directed by Stoppard's frequent collaborator Carey Perloff. HOST: LANE

A tropical plant from Southeast Asia has taken root in Chicago. Pandan is the new go-to ingredient for local chefs. It adds a vibrant green color and a floral taste to things like cookies, cocktails, and coffees. HOST: LANE

Being a journalist requires conversational skills. You have to be able to talk to strangers or people who may be upset. Chicago Sun-Times arts reporter Ambar Colón is familiar with the qualifications. She’s been a journalist for a decade. But growing up, Ambar struggled to speak to anyone outside of her household. She was diagnosed with selective mutism at the age of five. Her journey is now being shared in a new documentary called "Selective Mutism: Getting The Word Out”. HOST: LANE

The Supreme Court is set to decide whether birthright citizenship will continue. That’s been the law for more than 150 years. It’s unclear how the court will rule. But the uncertainty has left many immigrant moms fearful about their baby’s future. HOST: LANE

The head of Chicago Public Schools was thrust onto the national stage this week [wed]. The U.S. House Education Committee forced her to testify. Superintendent Macquline King faced tough questions about the school district’s policies on trans students. WBEZ’s Sarah Karp was there. HOST: LARA

Securing safe and affordable housing has long been a challenge for some of Chicago’s Black residents. Since the 1980s, Lawndale Christian Community Church also known as LCDC has made strides to help local residents become homeowners and rent quality apartments without breaking the bank. In part 3 of WBEZ’s Faith in Action series, Nicole Jeanine Johnson shares how the church has maintained this commitment for nearly 40 years. HOST: LARA

The annual James Beard Awards return to Chicago on Monday. Known as “the Oscars of the food world,” the awards turn Chicago into the culinary capital each year. HOST: LANE

C-P-S C-E-O Macquline [Mack-UH-lynne] King was testifying at a contentious U-S House education committee hearing. At one point King had an exchange with Republican Congressman Tim Walberg [WALL-berg]. He pointed to a lawsuit filed by Chicago’s Moody Bible Institute alleging discrimination after Moody students were initially not allowed to train in the C-P-S system. HOST: MELBA

Four months ago, the organization behind the Obama Presidential Center held a workshop to teach South Side homeowners how to rent out their places on Airbnb. Research has shown that Airbnbs contribute to higher rents and housing shortages. Woodlawn, the neighborhood around the center, has long been considered an affordable area. But now, housing advocates say longtime residents are being priced out. HOST: LANE