iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The fifth annual South Side Science Festival brought thousands to the campus for hands-on science experience and a day of curiosity.

wbez.org

University of Chicago demystifies science with annual festival

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 13h

Her paintings are coveted by collectors, who have tried to get her off the streets — but she says no to everything but payment for her work.

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Watercolors by Peace Prophet hang in homes across Chicago. But the artist has no home of her own.

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 03/10/2026

Goodell has met with Illinois officials twice in as many months while Bears minority owner Pat Ryan takes a more active role in talks.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell visits Illinois again for more Bears stadium talks with Gov. JB Pritzker

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 03/10/2026

The theater is among three projects recommended for a total of $666,400 under the city's Adopt-A-Landmark program, including a North Lawndale church where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once spoke.

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Historic Avalon Regal Theater in play for $250,000 in repair funds

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

A new report by the union-backed Illinois Economic Policy Institute predicts more than 100,000 mostly temporary construction jobs and nearly $300 million more in property tax revenues from data center projects in the next decade.

wbez.org

Labor-aligned group sees boon in jobs and tax revenues with Illinois data center growth

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

On Say More the man synonymous with This American Life shares his memories from the start of the show in Chicago, and talks about how the show has evolved. The host and executive producer of This American Life takes questions from WBEZ listeners.

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Ira Glass says Chicago ‘is a city of loudmouths’

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

Did chance – or kismet – help you to meet your person?

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What’s your Chicago meet-cute?

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

August storms knocked out power for nearly 375,000 residents in Northwest Indiana, leaving people in the dark for days. But one house kept its lights on the whole time — because it’s what's known as a passive home.

wbez.org

How one house kept its lights on when Northwest Indiana lost power

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

Built by a past tobacco boom, Viroqua has become synonymous with the so-called Driftless Slow movement — or intentional living with a DIY streak.

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Living slowly in the Driftless region’s Viroqua, Wisconsin

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 02/10/2026

Deindustrialization hit major Midwestern cities, but not everyone recovered. The Curious Midwest series explores the differences.

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Why losing industrial jobs hit differently in Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

Tempers flared during Tuesday's hearing as participants grappled with the physical and psychological toll of the storm, which left thousands of Gary residents without electricity for a prolonged period.

wbez.org

NIPSCO apologizes as Gary residents take their anger to the statehouse

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

More than five million Americans have lost their health care coverage following federal cuts to Medicaid. In the Loop finds out who may be left without care and what options they might have next.

wbez.org

700,000 Illinoisans could lose their healthcare coverage this week

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

Chicago’s love-it-or-hate-it parking meter deal just got a little better. In the Loop breaks down what you need to know.

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Inside Chicago’s not-quite-as-bad-as-before parking deal

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

Doctors and advocates are pushing a plan to charge weapons manufacturers for the cost of gun crimes.

wbez.org

How would you change Illinois’ gun laws?

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

There are two hives in the center’s rain garden where Italian honeybees lay eggs, build comb and gather nectar.

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A peek inside the buzzing hives at the Obama Presidential Center

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

Our curated list, assembled with the help of local authors and booksellers, includes anticipated tomes from big names, including the Pope.

wbez.org

10 new books to read this fall with a Chicago flair

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

“Something Followed Us Home” features chilling, thought-provoking and straight-up scary tales from 17 Latin American authors writing in English and Spanish.

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New Latino anthology of horror stories, edited by Chicago's Cynthia Pelayo, draws fright from folklore

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

The team gave the Lady Phoenix a dolly full of brand new equipment: cleats, pads, helmets, sports bras and more.

wbez.org

Bears surprise North Lawndale College Prep girls flag football team with equipment, gear

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 01/10/2026

The group donned blue mariachi suits and bows with the Bears colors and logo to perform a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner," marking the first time a mariachi band played the national anthem in Chicago Bears history.

wbez.org

Move over, Case Keenum: Mariachi Herencia de Mexico is having a moment

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

In an open letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson, Arts Alliance lllinois says that even in a tough budget cycle, “The arts should be a key part of Chicago’s FY2027 economic strategy.”

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Arts group seeks $15 million boost in cultural grants from city

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

Ensemble members Ericka Ratcliff and David Catlin have been named co-artistic directors, while Schwimmer will take on a job as producing director.

wbez.org

Lookingglass Theatre announces new leadership, including permanent role for David Schwimmer

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

On 10/18, join us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of “The Selfish Gene.” Dawkins and Chicago Booth's Nicholas Epley will explore the world-famous ideas that established his name at 35 and changed the life sciences forever. Tickets at: mrf.lu/20xN9

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

On 10/14, Michael Lewis goes inside DOGE in “Blockers: Rebels in the Deep State.” Hear how seven public servants stood their ground when their jobs were and what such reform could dictate the future. Get Tickets: mrf.lu/205MC

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

The former school board vice president says he doesn’t want to try to keep up with the flood of money from special interest groups and their messaging “that’s completely unrelated to student success.”

wbez.org

CPS School Board candidate Sendhil Revuluri drops out, making it a three-way race

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

The Chicago author and artist said it took her 12 years to write “Life Out of Order,” which expands her multiverse and introduces a new cast of time-jumping protagonists.

wbez.org

Audrey Niffenegger gives ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ a second life in new, generation-spanning sequel

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

Now in its 25th year, the awards recognize excellence in categories like Restaurant of the Year, Best Hospitality and Best Counter Service.

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These Chicago chefs and restaurants are finalists for the Banchet Awards, the top local food honor

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

A $30 painting purchased at a Michigan estate sale over the summer turned out to be a historic Gertrude Abercrombie piece originally completed in 1951 for a Chicago alderman. The expected price tag at auction? Over $150,000.

wbez.org

Gertrude in a garage: A $30 Michigan estate sale find heads to major art auction Thursday

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 30/09/2026

Keenum delivered an overwhelming argument to keep the job for another week, and whether that’s fair to Bagent isn’t part of the equation. All that matters is winning, and the Bears can’t overlook a Jets team that, while still early in a rebuild, has a decent defense.

chicago.suntimes.com

Bears 3rd-string Case Keenum leaves no doubt he should start vs. Jets, even with Tyson Bagent healthy

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

New York investment firm Stonepeak Partners’ gets to acquire Chicago parking meters after Council leaders brokered a compromise to sweeten the sour deal for the city.

wbez.org

City Council signs off on $2.5B parking meter sale — after making it a little better

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

A number of high-profile injuries at the start of the 2026 NFL season have revived conversations and concerns about the danger of tackle football. Say More spoke with a sports neurologist and a representative from the Illinois High School Association about the risks and rewards of youth football.

wbez.org

Would you let your kids play tackle football?

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

University of Illinois scientist Kaiyu Guan’s research is focused on making sure the world’s food systems are resilient enough to keep pace with ever-growing demand.

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Illinois environmental scientist wins prestigious 'genius grant'

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

Vincenzo Vitelli's work focuses on a new way of thinking of collections of "agents" — such as robots — as a form of material.

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University of Chicago theoretical physicist honored as MacArthur Fellow

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

The $1.3 million project will bring a first-in-the-city pedestrian-activated "hybrid beacon" to the five-way intersection at Ridge, Wayne and Hollywood avenues in Edgewater. Other improvements include realigning the intersection and accessible pedestrian signals for the visually impaired.

wbez.org

New crosswalk beacon, other signal upgrades intended to make Ridge Avenue intersection safer

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

Steppenwolf ensemble members Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood deliver an intimate, entertaining repartee as conning brothers.

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Review: Steppenwolf’s intense “Topdog/Underdog” gives a layered look at a sibling rivalry

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 29/09/2026

Corn mazes, cider doughnuts, petting zoos and plenty of u-pick apples (as well as sunflowers, raspberries and pumpkins in some cases) await at farms in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin within driving distance of Chicago.

wbez.org

Apple-picking 2026: Your guide to 9 orchards in Illinois and beyond

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 28/09/2026

Mäkelä and the CSO stumbled a bit out of the gate Thursday during Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 but the maestro delivered when it came to the main attraction.

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Review: Klaus Mäkelä brings forth the innately raw, edgy intensity of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 4

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 28/09/2026

It's the president's first appearance in Illinois since winning reelection in 2024. He presented the Presidents Cup trophy to the winning U.S. team.

wbez.org

Trump says U.S. is doing ‘better than ever before’ at Presidents Cup golf tournament in suburban Medinah

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 28/09/2026

Climate disasters could spur mass migration to places like Illinois. How would the state handle that? WBEZ's Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco reports on what's being done now to prepare for the possibility.

wbez.org

Illinois passed the nation’s first climate migration law. The effort has languished since

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 27/09/2026

As part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill," refugees no longer will be eligible after Wednesday for Medicaid, a state-federal program that provides health insurance coverage to low-income households and people with disabilities.

wbez.org

For Syrian refugee with genetic disorder in suburban Chicago, looming Medicaid cutoff has his parents worried

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 26/09/2026

Rising fuel prices are pushing airfare skyward — meaning travelers will need to plan even earlier for holiday trips.

wbez.org

As oil prices rise, so will airfare for holiday travelers, experts say

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 26/09/2026

By filing his intent with the city clerk’s office to call for a vote on both proposed ordinances, one of them crafted by him, Ald. Gilbert Villegas is starting a clock on negotiations and signaling to his opposition that he believes his ordinance has the votes to pass without further compromise.

wbez.org

Dueling renters protection measures slated for a City Council vote Tuesday

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 26/09/2026

In a unanimous decision, the state's high court rejected Uber's argument that the woman's claims for damages in her lawsuit against the ride-share company be settled by arbitration instead of a jury.

wbez.org

Illinois Supreme Court sides with widow of killed Uber rider in wrongful death case

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 26/09/2026

Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House at Lurie Children’s Hospital have a new game room sponsored by Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey.

wbez.org

Josh Giddey, Bulls unveil new game room at Ronald McDonald House

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

The Moth Mainstage season tour is reaching new heights on 12/5 at The Auditorium! Join us and The Moth for TIGHTROPE, an evening of true stories about what happens when there's no clear path—only the courage to keep moving forward. Tickets at: mrf.lu/2mHqT

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

Enrollment had stabilized — even increasing briefly — with an influx of immigrant students in 2023 and 2024. But the trend proved short-lived. CPS enrollment has been on the decline for more than two decades.

wbez.org

CPS enrollment drops again amid low birth rates and immigrant fears

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

Asylum was historically hard to obtain but since Trump returned to office, a shake-up at immigration courts in Chicago and across the country has put judges under pressure to deny asylum petitions.

wbez.org

It’s now nearly impossible to get asylum in Chicago immigration court

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

Just over 140 miles west of Chicago, Clinton has seized on the power of outdoor exhibitions to attract visitors and instill pride in the locals.

wbez.org

Reviving a 19th-century lumber hub through art in Clinton, Iowa

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

On 10/17, we’re giving Nosferatu a second life with a live original score by Chicago local Circuit Des Yeux, feat. Alan Sparhawk. This one-night-only performance serves as the perfect sonic counterpart to Count Orlok’s shadow. Tickets: mrf.lu/2mfy7

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

A survey by My Block, My Hood, My City reveals that young people are also contending with a lack of businesses and mental health resources in their communities on the South and West sides.

wbez.org

Chicago teens want more jobs and businesses in their neighborhoods, survey shows

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WBEZ @wbez.org · 25/09/2026

The Cubs and Sox, who last made the postseason together in the 2020 COVID-shortened season, both clinched playoff berths Thursday. It's the first time that's happened on the same day.

wbez.org

What do I need to know about the Chicago Cubs and White Sox both being in the MLB playoffs?

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