WBEZ
@wbez.org
We are Chicago's NPR station and your local news source. Find us on air at 91.5FM. Support public media and local journalism: donate.wbez.org
Tickets for a spring 2026 run of “Hamilton” will go on sale Wednesday, Broadway in Chicago announced today. And if the Tony-award winning musical’s previous, three-year Chicago run is any indication of demand, a local ticket will be a popular cultural get for 2026.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday for 2026 run of “Hamilton” in Chicago
www.wbez.org
November 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Tickets for a spring 2026 run of “Hamilton” will go on sale Wednesday, Broadway in Chicago announced today. And if the Tony-award winning musical’s previous, three-year Chicago run is any indication of demand, a local ticket will be a popular cultural get for 2026.
The end of federal COVID money could mean a 43% reduction in city spending for domestic violence aid as fatal attacks jump. Mayor Brandon Johnson has tied future funding for programs to his proposed corporate head tax, which faces City Council opposition.
City Hall mulls deep cuts to domestic violence programs as funding dries up
www.wbez.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The end of federal COVID money could mean a 43% reduction in city spending for domestic violence aid as fatal attacks jump. Mayor Brandon Johnson has tied future funding for programs to his proposed corporate head tax, which faces City Council opposition.
The Chicago-rooted quintet, which features some of the city’s most adventuresome players, will appear with the Chicago Philharmonic on Tuesday at the Auditorium Theatre.
Experimental post-rockers Tortoise return to Chicago stage after releasing first new album in nine years
www.wbez.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The Chicago-rooted quintet, which features some of the city’s most adventuresome players, will appear with the Chicago Philharmonic on Tuesday at the Auditorium Theatre.
The renovation to the iconic skylight and atrium is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The theater will remain open throughout the project for shows and events.
Chicago’s historic Auditorium Theatre will restore original Sullivan and Adler elements, including stained glass atrium
www.wbez.org
November 10, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The renovation to the iconic skylight and atrium is expected to be completed by fall 2027. The theater will remain open throughout the project for shows and events.
The Alsip cemetery is the final resting place of Mamie and Emmett Till, rapper King Von, singer Dinah Washington and generations of other prominent figures.
trib.al/U16aekV
trib.al/U16aekV
Black-owned Burr Oak Cemetery, resting place of Emmett Till, heads toward National Register listing
The Alsip cemetery is the final resting place of Mamie and Emmett Till, rapper King Von, singer Dinah Washington and generations of other prominent figures.
trib.al
November 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
The Alsip cemetery is the final resting place of Mamie and Emmett Till, rapper King Von, singer Dinah Washington and generations of other prominent figures.
trib.al/U16aekV
trib.al/U16aekV
Mavis Staples' latest album "Sad and Beautiful World" features her interpreting songs by Tom Waits, Curtis Mayfield, and Leonard Cohen with help from collaborators like Sam Beam and Justin Vernon.
Mavis Staples provides solace for our “Sad and Beautiful World” in new album
www.wbez.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Mavis Staples' latest album "Sad and Beautiful World" features her interpreting songs by Tom Waits, Curtis Mayfield, and Leonard Cohen with help from collaborators like Sam Beam and Justin Vernon.
One person said they received only about 40% of the SNAP benefits they typically get each month. “The unpredictability really hurts people,” said Holly Yacoumakis, lead community food source specialist at Marillac St. Vincent Harvest Hub food pantry.
Some Illinois residents receive partial SNAP benefits due to them this month
www.wbez.org
November 8, 2025 at 1:09 AM
One person said they received only about 40% of the SNAP benefits they typically get each month. “The unpredictability really hurts people,” said Holly Yacoumakis, lead community food source specialist at Marillac St. Vincent Harvest Hub food pantry.
Alex Marrero, who has served as head of Denver Public Schools for four years, and Meisha Ross Porter, who led public schools in New York City in 2021, will interview with the board next week.
School leaders from New York City and Denver are finalists for CPS top job
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Alex Marrero, who has served as head of Denver Public Schools for four years, and Meisha Ross Porter, who led public schools in New York City in 2021, will interview with the board next week.
The immersive interactive exhibit features items recovered from the Israeli trance music festival, a major site of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that launched the war in Gaza. Yet the Nova Exhibition is determined not to sink into tragedy alone.
Survivors and artifacts from Nova Music Festival bring Chicago face-to-face with Hamas attack
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The immersive interactive exhibit features items recovered from the Israeli trance music festival, a major site of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that launched the war in Gaza. Yet the Nova Exhibition is determined not to sink into tragedy alone.
As Chicago’s partially elected school board nears the finish line in its first search for a new Chicago Public Schools leader, it’s coming under fire for a lack of transparency.
CPS school board signs NDAs, faces criticism about transparency in CEO search
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 7:47 PM
As Chicago’s partially elected school board nears the finish line in its first search for a new Chicago Public Schools leader, it’s coming under fire for a lack of transparency.
As federal immigration agents carry out the president’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Democrat-led Illinois — a “blue state” — a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis shows “red states” have higher rates of murder and violent crime. They also have faster-growing populations of undocumented immigrants.
Trump's claims about murder rates and illegal immigration fit red states more than blue states
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:51 PM
As federal immigration agents carry out the president’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Democrat-led Illinois — a “blue state” — a WBEZ and Sun-Times analysis shows “red states” have higher rates of murder and violent crime. They also have faster-growing populations of undocumented immigrants.
Partial SNAP benefits for those who were supposed to receive them Nov. 1 through 6 will be sent out starting Friday, the Illinois Department of Human Services told the Sun-Times in a statement.
Partial SNAP benefits expected to reach Illinois residents starting Friday
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Partial SNAP benefits for those who were supposed to receive them Nov. 1 through 6 will be sent out starting Friday, the Illinois Department of Human Services told the Sun-Times in a statement.
Five years ago, a prominent letter rippled through the theater community, sparked by outrage at the murder of George Floyd. It put an industry in the spotlight, but did it make a difference?
Did the ‘We See You, White American Theater’ movement spark change in Chicago?
www.wbez.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Five years ago, a prominent letter rippled through the theater community, sparked by outrage at the murder of George Floyd. It put an industry in the spotlight, but did it make a difference?
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called Frequent Bus Network that provides service “every 10 minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al/rti55lI
trib.al/rti55lI
CTA plans 24-hour service on Orange Line to Midway, thanks to mass transit bailout
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called Frequent Bus Network that provides service “every 10 minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called Frequent Bus Network that provides service “every 10 minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al/rti55lI
trib.al/rti55lI
The Chicago minister, whom federal agents pelted with pepperballs outside the immigration processing center in Broadview, praised a court ruling Thursday that restricted the use of such force in peaceful protests.
trib.al/eTOhWWV
trib.al/eTOhWWV
Minister whom feds hit with pepperballs at Broadview protest praises court restrictions on use of force
The Rev. David Black says U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis' limits on tactics the Trump administration can use to quiet protests against federal immigration enforcement are a positive step, but worries the feds may now turn to using live ammunition.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The Chicago minister, whom federal agents pelted with pepperballs outside the immigration processing center in Broadview, praised a court ruling Thursday that restricted the use of such force in peaceful protests.
trib.al/eTOhWWV
trib.al/eTOhWWV
A group of parents and advocates call for transparency from the federal government and an end to immigration operations in educational settings.
trib.al/4Z6In6I
trib.al/4Z6In6I
Parents want answers after feds arrest day care teacher — ‘It has destroyed us’
A group of parents and advocates call for transparency from the federal government and an end to immigration operations in educational settings.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 2:08 AM
A group of parents and advocates call for transparency from the federal government and an end to immigration operations in educational settings.
trib.al/4Z6In6I
trib.al/4Z6In6I
Before Thursday’s ruling limiting the feds’ use of force, the Homeland Security secretary encouraged the Border Patrol chief to go hard at protesters opposing Chicago’s deportation blitz.
trib.al/vZAZnXy
trib.al/vZAZnXy
Transcript: How Kristi Noem and Gregory Bovino defend effort to ‘hammer’ protesters
Before Thursday's ruling limiting the feds’ use of force, the Homeland Security secretary encouraged the Border Patrol chief to go hard at protesters opposing Chicago’s deportation blitz.
trib.al
November 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Before Thursday’s ruling limiting the feds’ use of force, the Homeland Security secretary encouraged the Border Patrol chief to go hard at protesters opposing Chicago’s deportation blitz.
trib.al/vZAZnXy
trib.al/vZAZnXy
The Midwest’s largest art fair has a new director. Kate Sierzputowski will take over as head of EXPO Chicago, the fair’s parent company Frieze announced Thursday.
trib.al/3srwKza
trib.al/3srwKza
EXPO Chicago taps current deputy to lead Midwest’s largest art fair
Kate Sierzputowski will take over as the show’s director, the fair’s parent company Frieze announced Thursday.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 8:28 PM
The Midwest’s largest art fair has a new director. Kate Sierzputowski will take over as head of EXPO Chicago, the fair’s parent company Frieze announced Thursday.
trib.al/3srwKza
trib.al/3srwKza
Killed by an off-duty police officer in 2012, Boyd’s death became a rallying cry for the #SayHerName movement. Thirteen years later, the design process for her monument could be ‘model’ for public art creation.
Finalists unveil designs for new Douglass Park monument on what would have been Rekia Boyd’s 36th birthday
Killed by an off-duty police officer in 2012, Boyd’s death became a rallying cry for the #SayHerName movement. Thirteen years later, the design process for her monument could be ‘model’ for public art creation.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Killed by an off-duty police officer in 2012, Boyd’s death became a rallying cry for the #SayHerName movement. Thirteen years later, the design process for her monument could be ‘model’ for public art creation.
The judge previously forbade federal agents from using tear gas or other “riot control” weapons against people who pose no immediate threat and without two warnings during the immigration campaign. However, that order was set to expire at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Federal judge enters broader order governing feds' use of force during immigration blitz
www.wbez.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The judge previously forbade federal agents from using tear gas or other “riot control” weapons against people who pose no immediate threat and without two warnings during the immigration campaign. However, that order was set to expire at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Join WBEZ on Nov. 11 as Chicago’s own Tortoise performs with the Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium Theatre
All ticket holders are entered to win a swag pack with Touch on vinyl, a limited-edition poster, WBEZ + Auditorium goodies & more.
🎟️ wbez.org/event/tortoise-with-the-chicago-philharmonic
All ticket holders are entered to win a swag pack with Touch on vinyl, a limited-edition poster, WBEZ + Auditorium goodies & more.
🎟️ wbez.org/event/tortoise-with-the-chicago-philharmonic
November 6, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Join WBEZ on Nov. 11 as Chicago’s own Tortoise performs with the Chicago Philharmonic at the Auditorium Theatre
All ticket holders are entered to win a swag pack with Touch on vinyl, a limited-edition poster, WBEZ + Auditorium goodies & more.
🎟️ wbez.org/event/tortoise-with-the-chicago-philharmonic
All ticket holders are entered to win a swag pack with Touch on vinyl, a limited-edition poster, WBEZ + Auditorium goodies & more.
🎟️ wbez.org/event/tortoise-with-the-chicago-philharmonic
At a City Hall budget hearing Tuesday night, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events acting commissioner Kenya Merritt said the department is “entering a new chapter focused on collaboration and accountability.”
In a precarious moment for the arts, Chicago’s cultural department could see funding decline
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed budget decreases the department by 15%. DCASE is under new leadership after the previous commissioner resigned.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
At a City Hall budget hearing Tuesday night, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events acting commissioner Kenya Merritt said the department is “entering a new chapter focused on collaboration and accountability.”
Five years ago, the murder of George Floyd sparked a rallying cry for change, with arts groups vowing to diversify their staffs and boards. A recent WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times survey takes measure of progress.
Have Chicago’s top arts organizations fulfilled their diversity pledges? Many won’t say.
Five years ago, the murder of George Floyd sparked a rallying cry for change, with arts groups vowing to diversify their staffs and boards. A recent WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times survey takes measure of progress.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Five years ago, the murder of George Floyd sparked a rallying cry for change, with arts groups vowing to diversify their staffs and boards. A recent WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times survey takes measure of progress.
Reposted by WBEZ
The government shutdown is taking a growing toll on air traffic controllers who are working without pay. Staffing shortages led to big delays over the weekend, raising concerns about travel chaos. n.pr/3JGPkWR
Air traffic controllers warn of 'tipping point' as U.S. government shutdown drags on
The government shutdown is taking a growing toll on air traffic controllers who are working without pay. Staffing shortages led to big delays over the weekend, raising concerns about travel chaos.
n.pr
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 AM
The government shutdown is taking a growing toll on air traffic controllers who are working without pay. Staffing shortages led to big delays over the weekend, raising concerns about travel chaos. n.pr/3JGPkWR
Merit School of Music diversified its board and staff significantly since 2020, with people of color now representing 44% of board members and 61% of employees at the tuition-free nonprofit.
How Merit School of Music built a culture of inclusion for Chicago music students
In a survey of local arts nonprofits, the music conservatory and education program reported the highest percentage of people of color on its board and full-time staff.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Merit School of Music diversified its board and staff significantly since 2020, with people of color now representing 44% of board members and 61% of employees at the tuition-free nonprofit.