The Rundown | Chicago News

By WBEZ Chicago

In one bite-sized episode every weekday, we'll keep you informed, tickled, geeked, and pondering on Chicago's news, culture and people. Each episode starts with a quick news roundup from the WBEZ n

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FAQs about The Rundown | Chicago News:

How many episodes does The Rundown | Chicago News have?

The podcast currently has 2,015 episodes available.

The Rundown | Chicago News episodes:

June 03, 2026 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
Democratic Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is the latest prominent Illinois
political leader to call for Chicago’s top federal prosecutor to resign. Illinois
Comptroller Susana Mendoza says she is officially running for Chicago mayor in 2027.
Illinois lawmakers are propping up next year’s state budget by taxing things that
haven’t been taxed before, including social media companies and prediction markets
like Kalshi.
Plus, if you happen to be on a Red Line platform this summer, you may hear some jazz
music floating through the air. This summer, jazz bands organized by Mandala South
Asian Arts are billed to play monthly at different Red Line train stations along
your evening commute. Last week marked the first, at the Howard Red Line station.
...more
8min
June 02, 2026 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
A bill to protect patient information from states that criminalize abortion
is awaiting Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s approval. Drivers working for rideshare
apps like Uber and Lyft are closer to being able to unionize. Ground officially
breaks Wednesday for a $7 billion development around the United Center on Chicago's
Near West Side.
Many people are now distancing themselves from civil rights icon Cesar Chavez.
Chavez died in 1993. The shift follows a New York Times investigation back in March
that alleges sexual misconduct. Many Chicago communities are trying to remove his
name from public view and young advocates in the Back of the Yards neighborhood on
Chicago’s South Side are asking what all of this means for the immigrant rights
movement and its historic reliance on a single male leader.
...more
9min
June 01, 2026 Monday, June 1, 2026
Illinois lawmakers passed a state budget early Monday morning, and the
House and Senate could not agree on a tax-incentive package to entice the Chicago
Bears to build a new domed stadium in Arlington Heights. Mayor Brandon Johnson says
Chicago continues to offer “the strongest opportunity to retain the Bears.” The
Chicago White Sox try to make it six wins in a row when they open a three-game
series Monday night against the Minnesota Twins
Theater students from Northwestern University are bringing a playful, interactive
show to Chicago’s pediatric hospitals. The students performed recently at Lurie
Children's in Streeterville and brought a little joy where it is needed most.
...more
10min
May 29, 2026 Friday, May 29, 2026
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to introduce a sweeping housing
ordinance next month to protect renters from eviction and displacement. Chicago is
known as one of the world’s great jazz cities, and next week’s concert lineup helps
cement that reputation. The Chicago Sky are still looking for their first home win
of the season, and the team fell 111-104 against the Toronto Tempo on
Wednesday.
Plus, it has been a whirlwind 24 hours for Mayor Johnson in the Italian capital of
Rome and in neighboring Vatican City. After flying in yesterday morning, the mayor
raced to a meeting with one of the world’s most prominent religious leaders, the
Chicago-born Pope Leo.
...more
11min
May 28, 2026 Thursday, May 28, 2026
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has invited Pope Leo XIV to celebrate Mass in
Chicago next year. A local food bank is launching a new campaign to raise awareness
about rising food insecurity in the Chicago area. Local elected officials celebrated
Asian American leaders in public service on Thursday.
Plus, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson met with the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV on
Thursday in Rome. We get into the details about the mayor’s historic Vatican visit.
...more
9min
May 27, 2026 Wednesday, May 27, 2026
A Mather High School senior was reunited with his family and friends
Tuesday night after spending two months in immigration detention. A new event
brought more than 4,000 people with disabilities to Chicago’s Maggie Daley Park for
a day of play. A new study out of Northwestern Medicine suggests a link between a
decrease of estrogen production in brain tissue to memory decline.
The Second City has been a Chicago comedy staple for more than six decades. The
company has an illustrious history, fueled by its reputation as the training grounds
for Saturday Night Live. The list of famous alums includes Tina Fey, Steve Carell,
and Stephen Colbert. We take a peek behind the scenes of the latest production,
“Pandemonium, Please Hold,” to see how the show stays current.
...more
10min
May 26, 2026 Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Chicago’s top federal prosecutor allegedly had contact with grand jurors in
the tainted “Broadview Six” case. More than 146 million square feet of warehouse
space has been built in the Chicago metro area since 2000, but the warehouse boom
has come with a cost. For people caring for loved ones with dementia, even simple
outings or activities can start to feel complicated, which can lead to participating
in activities less and retreating more into isolating behaviors.
Plus, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will take a flight to Rome this week and ascend
to the highest stage of his political life: A one-on-one meeting with the world’s
most famous Chicagoan, “Da Pope.”
...more
8min
May 22, 2026 Friday, May 22, 2026
Both major Chicago airports are expecting an uptick in passengers this
Memorial Day weekend compared to last year’s number. Lyric Opera of Chicago has
received a 20-million-dollar gift from the Illinois-based Nagaunee Foundation.
Chicago City Council approved a rule change that will allow gardens to grow a little
taller. You can now see fossils of your favorite Pokemon alongside real fossils of
ancient life forms at the Field Museum. Plus, the Latin music and culture
celebration Sueños Music Festival is back for its fifth year in Grant Park.
...more
7min
May 21, 2026 Thursday, May 21, 2026
This weekend, three major music events will descend on Chicago. Charges
against the four remaining members of the "Broadview Six" will be permanently
dropped. The Republican candidate for Illinois Governor has apologized to the
Chicago City Council. Plus, Illinois passed a law last year that requires public
colleges and universities to establish protocols for what to do if immigration
agents come on campus. But a WBEZ and Sun-Times report finds many Illinois schools
still don’t have protocols in place.
...more
8min
May 20, 2026 Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Former federal prosecutor David Glockner has been confirmed as Chicago's
new inspector general. Residents of Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood are petitioning
for a new, larger library.
Plus, the Curious City team gets to the bottom of why the Balbo Monument is still
standing, despite its controversial history.
...more
9min

FAQs about The Rundown | Chicago News:

How many episodes does The Rundown | Chicago News have?

The podcast currently has 2,015 episodes available.

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