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A participant of the Restorative Justice Community Court shares his experiences in the program. His is one of 44 cases seen by the court since last August. (Sebastián Hidalgo/City Bureau)

WBEZ News

This Chicago Court Uses Peace Circles To Dole Out Justice

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans says the experimental court focuses on healing instead of punishment.

June 19, 2018

Residential homes line the 606 trail in Chicago in 2015.

WBEZ News

Chicago Mayor Pitches Affordable Housing Plan For Priciest Neighborhoods

Amid criticism about rising costs, Rahm Emanuel hopes a new loan program will spur more affordable housing in gentrifying neighborhoods.

June 20, 2018

WBEZ News

Young Women Detail Sexual Abuse In Chicago Schools

Two young women described experiences with sexual abuse by Chicago school staff to outraged state lawmakers at a hearing on Wednesday.

June 20, 2018

John Ellis stayed in prison a year longer than his sentence said he had to because his disability made it hard to find housing. Gov. Rauner says he is open to changing the laws surrounding mandatory supervised release.

WBEZ News

Gov. Rauner Open To Changes So Disabled Prisoners Get Released On Time

Rauner says IDOC followed the law when it kept prisoners with disabilities in prison after release dates but is open to discussing changes.

June 20, 2018

NPR

Trump Signs Order To End Family Separations

The order says while the administration will "rigorously" enforce immigration laws, it will "maintain family unity ...."

June 20, 2018

Seniors march out of the Chicago Housing Authority headquarters

WBEZ News

Seniors Express Frustrations With Broken Elevators At CHA Meeting

Protesters disrupted a Chicago Housing Authority board meeting, calling for fixes to chronic problems with elevators in public housing.

June 19, 2018

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Morning Shift

8-Year-Old Science Lover Hosts Popular Podcast

Nate Butkus, 8, host of 'The Show About Science,' talks about biology, evolution, and how his interview style has changed since he was 5.

June 20, 2018

An image of Rahm Emanuel, Garry McCarthy and Dean Angelo's signatures on the city of Chicago's contract with the Fraternal Order of Police

WBEZ News

Why Chicago Police Reform Could Hinge On This Expired Contract

An expired contract with Chicago’s police union could affect efforts to increase oversight of CPD after Laquan McDonald.

June 18, 2018

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at a news conference in Chicago on Jan. 26, 2012.

WBEZ News

Preckwinkle: $82M Budget Hole Means ‘Difficult Choices’ For Cook County

Cook County leaders might have to brace for more painful cuts, less than a year after hundreds of layoffs.

June 19, 2018

Curious City

How Pollution Seeped Into The Lives Of East Chicago Residents

When pollution invaded Ezell Foster’s East Chicago neighborhood, he found himself stuck between industry and a bureaucracy.

June 16, 2018

A sign at Humboldt Park Beach tells swimmers about the yellow flag atop the lifeguard stand on May 28, 2018.

WBEZ News

Why Don’t Chicago Beaches Have A Poop Threshold?

Fecal bacteria at 12th Street Beach skyrocketed Sunday — exceeding federal warning levels by nearly 100 times — but the beach wasn’t closed.

June 15, 2018

WBEZ News

Retired Homicide Detective Builds A Family Of Foster Kids

Over 70 foster children have found a home — and a father — at this retired homicide detective’s Chicago home.

June 15, 2018

Dame Stephanie Shirley changed her name to Steve Shirley shortly after starting her software business in the early 1960s. "It was my first bit of strategic marketing," she says. (Photo courtesy of Dame Steve Shirley / Illustration by Paula Friedrich)

Nerdette

Breaking The Tech Industry’s Glass Ceiling … In 1962

“We were memorable,” says Dame Steve Shirley of her female-majority software company that broke into the tech boys club.

June 15, 2018

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