WBEZ

09/30/2025

Court Theatre took home the most awards at Chicago’s top theater honors Monday night, leading the 2025 Equity Jeff honors with nine awards. The prestigious awards also recognized Goodman Theatre’s centennial season and four local theater companies.

The Equity Jeff Awards also recognized Goodman Theatre’s centennial season and four local theater companies celebrating their big 50: Marriott Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theatre and Steppenwolf.

09/30/2025

In Chicago, you'll soon be able to have your food delivered by robots in neighborhoods including Austin, Belmont Cragin, Dunning, East Garfield Park, Lake View, Logan Square, and more. Less than a year after a competitor's pilot program, Serve Robotics plans to roll out “dozens” of its own version.

Serve Robotics, out of Los Angeles, is set to launch its fleet of bots in the city on Sept. 30.

09/29/2025

Over the course of a month, the Ear Taxi encompasses 44 concerts or affiliated events and features some 430 artists. The festival will present more than 70 pieces of music for the very first time, most by Illinois composers.

A critic unpacks the month long program featuring 430 artists and presenting more than 70 pieces of music for the very first time, most by Illinois composers.

09/29/2025

President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign is forcing some immigrants to isolate at home. But relatives, friends and strangers are stepping up to try to keep them connected.

09/29/2025

BREAKING: Gov. JB Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard has received word that the Department of Homeland Security is seeking the deployment of 100 military troops to Illinois.

Pritzker said the Illinois National Guard obtained a memo that DHS sent to the Defense Department which sought to request 100 military personnel for Illinois.

09/29/2025

Though the drums are his home base, Chicago musician Makaya McCraven's website bears a different title first: “Beat Scientist.” His four new EPs are musical time capsules.

The records, out physically Oct. 10 and via streaming Oct. 31, capture musical vignettes over the course of McCraven’s last decade.

09/29/2025

Elizabeth McGovern, the “Downton Abbey” actress, not only plays sultry Hollywood star Ava Gardner, but she also wrote the script. What began as a pragmatic decision has proven to be empowering.

The “Downton Abbey” actress is picking up the pen and writing the roles she wants to play. First up: the sultry star from Hollywood’s Golden era.

09/29/2025

The People’s Patrol is one of many volunteer rapid-response networks countering a Trump administration deportation blitz in the Chicago area. The idea is to locate immigration enforcement activity, record it, document abuses and, right on the spot, voice community opposition.

Cristóbal Cavazos leads a rapid-response effort to document ICE activity. Meet the man confronting Trump’s deportation blitz.

09/29/2025

U.S. Border Patrol agents wearing tactical gear and carrying long guns made arrests in downtown Chicago and the River North neighborhood Sunday. “This is not making anybody safer — it’s a show of intimidation,” Gov. JB Pritzker said.

U.S. Border Patrol agents wearing tactical gear and carrying long guns made arrests in downtown Chicago and the River North neighborhood Sunday. “This is not making anybody safer — it’s a show of intimidation," Gov. JB Pritzker said.

09/29/2025

In 2022, Hope Chicago promised four classes of graduates at five high schools full college scholarships, with hopes of doing it for a decade. The group is now offering just one more year.

09/29/2025

A new federal court filing argue that ICE in the Chicago area arrested 27 people, and detained at least three U.S. citizens, without warrants or probable cause and in violation of an existing consent decree.

Civil rights groups say dozens were arrested without warrants or probable cause in Chicago-area raids since May.

09/29/2025

A politically connected prison company that’s been the target of lawsuits and a federal investigation is hiring staff to support President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign in the Chicago area.

CoreCivic is looking for administrative workers to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Chicago and at ICE's Broadview processing facility.