Mariah Woelfel

A plan to provide nearly $55 million in tax rebates for the $7 billion project that's meant to be “transformative” for the West Side sailed through the council's economic development committee.

A moratorium on school closings expires at the end of the 2026-27 school year, but Mayor Brandon Johnson said he won't consider the possibility — even though scores of public schools are operating with more empty seats than students. “Didn't we do that already?” the mayor said.

The ordinance prohibits officers from engaging in “extremist activities,” defined as any attempt to overthrow the U.S. government through violence or “unconstitutional means.” It also bans actively participating in extremist groups, such as by fundraising, recruiting or displaying tattoos supportive of extremist groups.

Brandon Johnson will be the latest Illinoisan to get the otherwise rare chance to meet the pope, who has given private audiences to locals from his hometown, including Gov. JB Pritzker, since beginning his papal ministry a year ago.

WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel is at the Vatican to cover this historic but largely symbolic meeting. She speaks from Rome with WBEZ's Lisa Labuz.

Has Chicago's beloved deep dish delight made any mark in the pizza capital of the world, Italy, where mouth-watering, world-renowned pie with a perfect crunch is plentiful?

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson met with the Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV Thursday in Rome. WBEZ City Hall reporter Mariah Woelfel is in Rome covering the mayor's historic Vatican visit.

The progressive Chicago mayor can finally count some wins in the Capitol after the latest session, and not just because the Bears left Springfield without any help moving to Arlington Heights.

A group of Chicago teens testified at City Hall Wednesday about so-called “teen takeovers,” imploring City Council members to think beyond curfew ordinances when trying to stop the large gatherings of kids from turning violent.

Prosecutors say Austin and her top aide, Chester Wilson Jr., accepted home improvement materials such as sump pumps, a dehumidifier and kitchen