At a Leo Catholic High School watch party for the ‘America’s Got Talent’ semifinals, Chicagoans cheered on the choir’s cover of Fall Out Boy’s ‘Centuries.’ The choir is moving on to the finals next week.
While older generations lament the closure of their favorite malls, the younger generation may be keeping mall culture alive.
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More consumers are shifting away from alcohol, but the move has presented an opportunity for Chicago’s craft beer industry.
WBEZ Guides
Chicago fall film guide 2025: Local stories — and emerging filmmakers — dominate must-see movie list
Compelling local tales about everything from baseball to crypto to reproductive rights dominate our fall film guide. Here are 10 pictures to add to your list.
Dancemakers Micaela Taylor and Chanel DaSilva will debut new works. Plus, Joffrey opens with “Carmen” and Chicago Repertory Ballet reimagines “Romeo and Juliet.”
This fall, you can sing Handel from the shores of the river, hear new music from rising composers and sip slushies at a former 7-Eleven turned classical music outpost. Here’s our list of tickets to get now.
The theme of this theater season? Brand-new Chicago productions. Theater reporter Mike Davis picked 11 shows to get tickets to now.
Jazz festival season is here, with a diversity of styles and Chicago milestones: What to see in 2025
The city will honor one of its most treasured art forms with the Chicago Jazz Festival, Englewood Jazz Festival and Hyde Park Jazz Festival from the end of August through the end of September.
Despite a late spring and hot summer, this year’s season promises a “bumper crop” of apples. Find out where to pick the freshest fruit.
From newcomers to icons, these nine destinations are a cut above.
This easy northbound journey from Chicago explores the Midwest’s creative legacy.
Our up-to-date list of 56 markets across suburban Chicago.
Discover regional artists at affordable prices, historical gems and quirky delights on this visual art-inspired road trip through the region.
These eight destinations — from Lake Michigan to the banks of the DuPage River — will introduce young beginners to the magic of the catch.
Rare books, museums galore and award-winning chefs: Take an art-filled road trip to the Detroit area
Take a journey from Chicago to Michigan for a trip full of great art and amazing eats.
Take our ice cream challenge: From plant-based pops to affogato with tortilla ice cream, how many can you try before Labor Day?
More News
Low-flying helicopters, bright lights and smoke bombs were used in a raid Tuesday. Joe Botello, 37, and five roommates were led out of a home in the 900 block of Chippewa Drive. Kristi Noem was among the ICE agents who wore camouflage and used military trucks.
The cuts, detailed in a letter from Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor, would total $5.8 million — about half a percent of the district’s nearly $10 billion budget.
Parents were informed Friday that Epic Charter School is likely to close in June, and maybe before that. This could be the first-ever mid-year closure of a charter school.
Neighbors and activists remember Silverio Villegas González as a friendly dad. They are grappling with questions, anger and fear about his killing and ICE’s presence in Chicago. “May Silverio’s memory live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him,” a Gofundme page says.
Illinois Republicans have pointed the finger back at the Democratic governor for stoking political divisions.
Philadelphia’s experience could serve as a warning for lawmakers in Illinois who need to figure out a funding solution to cover a multi-million budget hole and potential 40% cut to bus and rail service to the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail and Pace Bus.
Chicago directors are leaning into film’s favorite new genre: the tech bubble-inspired horror comedy
Locally set movies about crypto ("$Positions”) and a kombucha startup (“Kombucha”) will screen at the Chicago Underground Film Festival this week.
The city plans to seek proposals to reuse or raze the 44-year-old convention center. Our architecture critic says reuse.
Tony “Chicago” Russell was awarded a Creative Arts Emmy Award for outstanding music direction at the ceremony, airing Saturday on FXX. The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards will be broadcast live Sunday on CBS.
Federal judges temporarily blocked Trump administration proposed changes limiting who can access the government programs for babies and small children.
A day after activist and Illinois native Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at a Utah campus event, students say they want a climate where people can talk through their differences.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were conducting “targeted law enforcement activity” in Franklin Park when they stopped the vehicle, according to a statement from the agency.
Trump says he’ll send the National Guard to Memphis to address crime, ‘would have preferred’ Chicago
Mayor Brandon Johnson says united local opposition to a federal intervention led the president to “back down.”
In 2024, Chicago’s immigrant population climbed to nearly 600,000, its highest level since 2006, according to a WBEZ analysis of census data released this month.
The federal government stopped publishing comprehensive data in January after President Donald Trump took office, but watchdogs are compiling the numbers.
Curious City
What's That Building?
In Case You Missed It
- Chicago’s invisible property owners
- Yoko Ono, Theaster Gates, Bob Faust and more dominate Chicago’s busy must-see art calendar for fall
- City Hall spending $90 million to settle lawsuits tied to corrupt Chicago police Sgt. Ronald Watts
- COVID-19 vaccines arrive at Chicago pharmacies as pediatricians wait for doses, guidance
- On Chicago’s first full day of ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ fear, tension and a ‘reality show’
- Next on ‘The Office’ star Jenna Fischer’s bucket list: Chicago theater
- What parents should know about sending kids to school as feds scale up immigration enforcement
Sept. 15
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