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Tracy Letts’ wife, Carrie Coon, stars in the critically acclaimed revival of “Bug." Of her reprisal of a role she portrayed at Steppenwolf in 2021, Letts says: “She’s fearless.
Playwright Tracy Letts on reviving ‘Bug’ on Broadway and putting ‘Midwest pragmatism’ on stage
www.wbez.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Tracy Letts’ wife, Carrie Coon, stars in the critically acclaimed revival of “Bug." Of her reprisal of a role she portrayed at Steppenwolf in 2021, Letts says: “She’s fearless.
Giancarlo Guerrero, artistic director and principal conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival, in what he called a “beautiful surprise,” had nine days notice to join the top-secret musical lineup of the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured powerhouse vocalists Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
Bad Bunny taps Chicago conductor to lead surprise orchestra in Super Bowl halftime show
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February 9, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Giancarlo Guerrero, artistic director and principal conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival, in what he called a “beautiful surprise,” had nine days notice to join the top-secret musical lineup of the Super Bowl halftime show, which featured powerhouse vocalists Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
Stigma and a false sense of security have kept families from speaking publicly about immigration enforcement. The daughter of a deported man says "staying silent ... hurts you more than anything."
Chicago-area Asians were arrested in Midway Blitz. They kept quiet about it, for a while.
www.wbez.org
February 9, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Stigma and a false sense of security have kept families from speaking publicly about immigration enforcement. The daughter of a deported man says "staying silent ... hurts you more than anything."
Economy and housing experts say Chicagoans may not see much benefit from the White House’s recent executive order that aims to block institutional investors from buying single-family homes
Wall Street investors are now barred from buying single-family homes. Will that ease homebuying in Chicago?
www.wbez.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Economy and housing experts say Chicagoans may not see much benefit from the White House’s recent executive order that aims to block institutional investors from buying single-family homes
Democratic politicians and Chicagoans work to hold ICE accountable. R. Kelly survivor Reshona Landfair speaks out. Early voting starts. And more.
WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap, Feb. 6, 2026: Chicago mayor targets ICE, Chicagoan shot by Border Patrol and an R. Kelly survivor speak out
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 11:18 PM
Democratic politicians and Chicagoans work to hold ICE accountable. R. Kelly survivor Reshona Landfair speaks out. Early voting starts. And more.
After a huge drop in crime in 2025, Chicago started off 2026 with crime rates falling even further. ‘Say More’ talks about what lessons we can learn from the progress.
What’s driving the historic drop in Chicago crime and violence?
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February 6, 2026 at 11:01 PM
After a huge drop in crime in 2025, Chicago started off 2026 with crime rates falling even further. ‘Say More’ talks about what lessons we can learn from the progress.
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis is raising questions about the rights and risks of bringing a firearm to a protest or a potential interaction with federal immigration officers.
What to know about Illinois gun rights around federal immigration agents
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis is raising questions about the rights and risks of bringing a firearm to a protest or a potential interaction with federal immigration officers.
Marimar Martinez is planning to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union later this month. It’s an apparent act of defiance against an administration that’s labeled her a “domestic terrorist” — and won’t take it back.
Marimar Martinez, shot 5 times by Border Patrol in Chicago, plans to attend Trump’s State of the Union
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Marimar Martinez is planning to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union later this month. It’s an apparent act of defiance against an administration that’s labeled her a “domestic terrorist” — and won’t take it back.
Listen: If you love your neighborhood park and have ideas for what can be improved, the Chicago Park District wants to hear from you. Say More checks in with the head of the parks and takes listener calls.
How do you want to see $500,000 used to improve Chicago’s parks?
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:15 PM
Listen: If you love your neighborhood park and have ideas for what can be improved, the Chicago Park District wants to hear from you. Say More checks in with the head of the parks and takes listener calls.
The Chicago Housing Authority reversed course after moving to permanently block the daughter of longtime CHA Board Commissioner Debra Parker from continuing to do business with the agency, records show.
Chicago Housing Authority backs off ban on contracts with commissioner’s daughter
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
The Chicago Housing Authority reversed course after moving to permanently block the daughter of longtime CHA Board Commissioner Debra Parker from continuing to do business with the agency, records show.
Among the people in Chicago living in SNAP households who are 22 or older, a CPS lunchroom porter is among the 47% who are employed but still need government support to help buy groceries, according to 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by WBEZ.
Walmart, Amazon and CPS top list of employers where Illinois workers still need SNAP benefits
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Among the people in Chicago living in SNAP households who are 22 or older, a CPS lunchroom porter is among the 47% who are employed but still need government support to help buy groceries, according to 2024 U.S. Census data analyzed by WBEZ.
The Chicago-based indie rock quartet’s sixth record, “Singin’ to an Empty Chair,” comprises 11 tracks drenched in twangy folk, pop-rock and distortion, and all beating with Midwestern heart.
Chicago indie rockers Ratboys evolve from ‘country mouse’ to ‘city rat’ on latest album
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The Chicago-based indie rock quartet’s sixth record, “Singin’ to an Empty Chair,” comprises 11 tracks drenched in twangy folk, pop-rock and distortion, and all beating with Midwestern heart.
A new study examining time credit laws allowing incarcerated people to earn time off prison sentences found that Illinois isn't alone. Outdated technology and fragmented recordkeeping systems routinely keep incarcerated people across the country locked up longer than they should be.
"No good time for you": The recordkeeping snafu keeping some Illinoisans in prison longer than they should be
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:21 PM
A new study examining time credit laws allowing incarcerated people to earn time off prison sentences found that Illinois isn't alone. Outdated technology and fragmented recordkeeping systems routinely keep incarcerated people across the country locked up longer than they should be.
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited a small Christian high school on Chicago’s West Side on Thursday as part of her national tour to promote civics education and encourage students to connect with America’s founding principles.
Education Secretary visits Chicago private school as part of controversial history tour
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:46 PM
U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon visited a small Christian high school on Chicago’s West Side on Thursday as part of her national tour to promote civics education and encourage students to connect with America’s founding principles.
Skokie's diversity is partially why Vincent Yang, owner of Monkey King Jianbing, brought his business there. It's one of more than 30 Chicago-area suburbs that have shifted from majority-white communities to majority non-white ones in the last 20 years, according to a WBEZ analysis of census data.
Dozens of Chicago suburbs have shifted to majority nonwhite
www.wbez.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Skokie's diversity is partially why Vincent Yang, owner of Monkey King Jianbing, brought his business there. It's one of more than 30 Chicago-area suburbs that have shifted from majority-white communities to majority non-white ones in the last 20 years, according to a WBEZ analysis of census data.
A 96-year-old Collegiate Gothic building on the DePaul University campus is being considered Thursday for preliminary landmark status.
City to seek landmark status for a neo-Gothic hall on the DePaul University campus
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February 6, 2026 at 12:01 AM
A 96-year-old Collegiate Gothic building on the DePaul University campus is being considered Thursday for preliminary landmark status.
David Byrne took WBEZ reporter Mike Davis on a tour of “Theater of the Mind,” his forthcoming immersive theater installation. When construction is complete, the exhibition will fill 15,000 square feet of ground floor space in the Reid Murdoch building Downtown.
David Byrne took me on a mindbending tour of his ‘immersive’ new Chicago theater show
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 10:06 PM
David Byrne took WBEZ reporter Mike Davis on a tour of “Theater of the Mind,” his forthcoming immersive theater installation. When construction is complete, the exhibition will fill 15,000 square feet of ground floor space in the Reid Murdoch building Downtown.
A 40-year-old recording of then-Mayor Harold Washington leading the Refrigerettes in a rousing cheer for the NFC Champion Chicago Bears just weeks from their only Super Bowl victory is one of 800 newly digitized audio clips showcased on a web page unveiled by City Clerk Anna Valencia.
From Harold's ‘Refrigerettes’ cheer to the parking meter deal, new recordings reveal iconic Council moments
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 8:36 PM
A 40-year-old recording of then-Mayor Harold Washington leading the Refrigerettes in a rousing cheer for the NFC Champion Chicago Bears just weeks from their only Super Bowl victory is one of 800 newly digitized audio clips showcased on a web page unveiled by City Clerk Anna Valencia.
The shift of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Così fan tutte (Thus Do All Women)” to 1930s upper-crust America in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s new revival gives the opera a modern zing and just feels comfortable and fun.
Review: Lyric Opera’s ‘Così fan tutte’ is a sparkling, high-energy take on Mozart’s 1790 operatic classic
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 4:28 PM
The shift of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Così fan tutte (Thus Do All Women)” to 1930s upper-crust America in Lyric Opera of Chicago’s new revival gives the opera a modern zing and just feels comfortable and fun.
Arguing art is its own form of resistance, the Minnesota Opera forged ahead with the world premiere “My Name is Florence” amid widespread immigration enforcement actions in the area.
Chicago composer Florence Price roars back to life with new opera, premiering in a hurting Minnesota
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Arguing art is its own form of resistance, the Minnesota Opera forged ahead with the world premiere “My Name is Florence” amid widespread immigration enforcement actions in the area.
Principal Regina Latimer-Lake was chosen from a pool of 20 regional winners as the statewide Elementary Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association.
Englewood's Earle STEM principal surprised with Principal of the Year celebration
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 2:02 AM
Principal Regina Latimer-Lake was chosen from a pool of 20 regional winners as the statewide Elementary Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association.
The Illinois general primary is March 17. Here's everything you need to know to be ready to vote throughout the Chicago metro area.
How to cast your ballot in the March 2026 Illinois primary
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:02 AM
The Illinois general primary is March 17. Here's everything you need to know to be ready to vote throughout the Chicago metro area.
Chalmers Elementary School unveiled a new chicken coop this week named after a pioneering Black female scientist who studied chicken embryos. The celebration kicked off a series of Black History Month events across Chicago Public Schools.
Chicago elementary schoolers delight in new chicken coop that fuses science with Black history
www.wbez.org
February 5, 2026 at 12:21 AM
Chalmers Elementary School unveiled a new chicken coop this week named after a pioneering Black female scientist who studied chicken embryos. The celebration kicked off a series of Black History Month events across Chicago Public Schools.
As the Illinois primary election draws near, mail-in voters may need to submit their ballots earlier to ensure they are counted under a new U.S. Postal Service rule.
USPS postmark change could 'threaten' mail-in voters, Cook County officials warn
www.wbez.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM
As the Illinois primary election draws near, mail-in voters may need to submit their ballots earlier to ensure they are counted under a new U.S. Postal Service rule.
WATCH: In a wide-ranging interview with our team, Marimar Martinez discusses her shooting, the federal government’s failed attempt to prosecute her and the role she now sees for herself in a fight for accountability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCO4...
Marimar Martinez speaks with WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times reporters about getting shot 5 times by ICE.
YouTube video by Chicago Sun-Times
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:23 PM
WATCH: In a wide-ranging interview with our team, Marimar Martinez discusses her shooting, the federal government’s failed attempt to prosecute her and the role she now sees for herself in a fight for accountability. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCO4...