Preservation Chicago released its annual “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” list of threatened buildings, and the list reads like a trip through the city’s history.
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul appears on "Chicago Tonight" on March 4, 2025. (WTTW News)
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In the six weeks since President Donald Trump has returned to the White House, nearly 100 legal challenges have been filed against the administration’s executive orders, according to the digital law and policy journal Just Security. Illinois has joined in on the conversations that range from the federal funding freeze to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined WTTW News’ “Chicago Tonight” to talk about how his office’s priorities have shifted under a new era of American leadership.
On Mayor Brandon Johnson’s upcoming congressional hearings on Chicago’s sanctuary city status:
“We’ve been sued on this before — the 2nd Circuit has ruled on it before that the federal government cannot commandeer local governments to do the federal government’s work."
On the federal funding freeze:
“At the outset, the funding freezes from OMB were illegal. They violate the Constitution. Congress has the power of the purse, and Article 1 Section 8, sets it out in the Spending Clause."
On birthright citizenship:
“I myself was born to a mother, not yet naturalized, a Haitian immigrant. I am a birthright citizen. That’s again, clear language in our Constitution."
On DEI
"There have been studies that have supported that diversity is not only a right and moral thing to do, but it’s a good business interest thing to embrace. So, I advise those corporations to not be misled and not be intimidated into backing away from initiatives that are legal, backing away from the nomenclature even of diversity equity, inclusion. Somehow DEI or these words have been made out to be evil words, and that is nonsensical.”
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The Delaware Building, a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2025. (Eric Allix Rogers)
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Preservation Chicago has released its annual “Chicago 7 Most Endangered” list of threatened buildings and assets, and the roll call reads like a trip through Chicago history: from a bridge that witnessed the shining White City, to a clock that's measured the rise and fall of Chicago as a manufacturing center, to a church at the heart of the Great Migration.
Launched in 2003, the Chicago 7 Most Endangered is designed to raise the alarm and mobilize support for threatened buildings.
“Despite seemingly impossible odds, the public interest generated by the Chicago 7, coupled with devoted advocacy, has resulted in a remarkable number of preservation victories over the past 20 years,” Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, said in a statement.
Here are this year's Chicago 7:
Post-fire gem: Delaware Building
36 W. Randolph St., the Loop
Built: 1872-74, addition in 1889
World's Fair remnant: Clarence Darrow Memorial Bridge/Columbia Bridge
1766 Columbia Drive, Jackson Park
Built: 1880
Frank Lloyd Wright-designed: J.J. Walser House
42 N. Central Ave., Austin
Built: 1903
Great Migration hub: Olivet Baptist Church
3101 S. King Drive, Bronzeville
Built: 1876
Standing watch: Central Manufacturing District Clock Tower
2000 W. Pershing Road, McKinley Park
Built: 1917
Manufacturers' row: Western Boulevard Industrial Buildings
4200 to 4500 S. Western Blvd., Back of the Yards
Majestic overlook: St. Martin’s Church
5848 S. Princeton Ave., Englewood
Built: 1895
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(WTTW News)
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Yesterday was Chicago's 188th birthday. The city was officially founded on March 4, 1837, and it's come a long way since that date. Nowhere is this more evident than the evolution of Chicago's nicknames. Historically, we've gotten stuck with some stinkers: One of Chicago’s first nicknames was “Mud City” — accurate, if not exactly flattering. Then there’s Chicago’s best-known nickname: “The Windy City.” From "the City of Big Shoulders" to the controversial "Second City," where did these names come from? Click on the story above to watch a video peeling back the layers of our wild onion's names.
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Back in the Day: March 5, 2010 - Cicero Landlord Caught On Tape Admitting Arson That Killed 7
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On Feb. 14, 2010, a massive morning blaze enveloped an apartment complex in suburban Cicero, killing seven people, including four children. The sudden severity of the fire and its origin was suspicious, and investigators received tips that neighbors had overheard the building’s landlord and maintenance man discussing arson. On this day 15 years ago, prosecutors revealed that the landlord, Lawrence Myers, was secretly taped in conversation with the maintenance man, Marion Comier, admitting to the crime. The tapes revealed that the fire was set to collect on $250,000 worth of insurance last month, but Myers complained afterward that the fire was set at the wrong time when children
were in the building. “It was done at the wrong time,” Myers said. “I didn’t want any of this to happen.” Myers was found guilty of murder in 2014 and was sentenced to life in prison.
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This Week's Local Live Music Recommendations
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Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Friday, March 7:
James Brandon Lewis Trio at Constellation. Tickets.
The jazz musician and composer James Brandon Lewis released a new, improvised album called "Apple Cores" with drummer and mbira player Chad Taylor and bassist and guitarist Josh Werner.
Saturday, March 8:
Tobacco City, Hemlock, Powers-Rolin Duo at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The Chicago country-rock outfit will release an album of the year contender on Friday called “Horses.”
Tuesday, March 11:
Faye Webster at Salt Shed. Tickets.
The Georgia indie pop star plays the first of two shows at Salt Shed.
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve at Park West. Tickets.
Elvis Costello and his longtime collaborator Steve Nieve plan a career-spanning set in Lincoln Park.
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Tuesday was Paczki Day. What's your favorite sweet treat that you can find in Chicago?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:30 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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