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We’re getting closer and closer to the weekend (and the 2026 midterms). Let’s keep the morning going strong with these stories from WTTW News. |
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(Locus Stock LLC / iStock) |
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A homelessness organization working with residents facing eviction. A food bank seeing families forced to choose between paying for food, healthcare or housing. An employment agency assisting clients working multiple jobs or facing significant employment barriers.
As social service organizations like these aim to meet Chicagoans’ needs, a new poll released Wednesday sheds light on what residents are facing.
The ChicagoSpeaks Poll of 1,108 adults commissioned by NORC at the University of Chicago and first reported by WTTW News offers insight into Chicagoans’ financial pressures, concerns of job loss and the inability to pay bills, along with the role of federal safety-net programs like SNAP and Medicaid.
“Most Chicagoans are managing, but they have almost no financial margin,” said Vince Welch, associate director at NORC at University of Chicago. “There’s not a lot of room for error, and there’s not a lot of room for the other things that might contribute to the greater sense of well-being or thriving, (like) savings and other non-essentials.”
The survey found:
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43% of participants said they are just getting by, 13% said they’re finding it hard to get by, and 39% said they are living comfortably. Only 5% considered themselves to be thriving financially.
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Of those interviewed, 29% said they cannot pay some bills or can only make partial payments on some.
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Federal safety-net programs reach a sizable share of the city, with about 3 in 10 Chicagoans receiving health coverage through Medicaid in the past year, and about a quarter receiving SNAP benefits.
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19% of employed residents thought it very or fairly likely that they will lose their job in the next 12 months.
Some perspective:
“We want these data to get into the hands of folks who are in a position to make the lives of Chicagoans better,” Welch said.
“People’s incomes simply are not keeping pace with the cost of living, and rent, in particular, which has climbed so much in the last several years,” Peter Toepfer, president and CEO of All Chicago Making Homelessness History, said. “Housing is typically people’s largest single expense, and so as the prices in the housing market go up, that puts greater pressures on every other aspect of people’s livelihood.” |
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Families protest the proposed closures of two Evanston elementary schools, Oct. 26, 2026. (WTTW News) |
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Evanston parents are fighting back against the school district’s plan to close two elementary schools at the end of the academic year.
Evanston/Skokie School District 65 announced the potential closures earlier this month as a result of an ongoing financial crisis in the district. Since then, parents and families have rallied together to try to persuade board members to change their minds and slow down the process.
The school closure recommendation was especially surprising to students and families at Dewey Elementary School. When the board began conversations about closing schools last year, Dewey was rarely mentioned as facing possible closure.
In an email to families at Dewey obtained by WTTW News, District 65 interim Supt. Eric Witherspoon wrote, “While the work from last year remained an important foundation for this process, we knew we needed to go one step further by considering not only our current realities but also a longer-term vision for District 65 and the cumulative impact of these decisions on our community.”
What parents are saying:
Parents said they were disappointed by both the school closure recommendation and the lack of transparency from the district.
“We had no idea that this would happen,” said Peter Rios, a Dewey Elementary School parent. “The fact that the teachers and administrators got the information at the same time the parents did is just absolutely disrespectful to them, too.”
Lincolnwood Elementary School was part of discussions about school closures last year, but the board ultimately decided the school should remain open. The district instead decided to close Kingsley Elementary School and the Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies — but did not rule out future closures.
The board’s latest proposal includes approximately $20 million in reductions.
In addition to closing schools, District 65 has also proposed eliminating the School Aged Child Care program, which provides care for students before and after school. According to the Financial Sustainability Plan, the district will also look to relinquish federal grants for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, effective July 1, 2028. |
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Maria Bocanegra appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 27, 2026. (WTTW News) |
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A rate hike proposed by Peoples Gas is sparking debate over affordable energy and the necessity of replacing century-old iron pipes in Chicago.
The utility company’s current $144 million proposed hike has received pushback by consumer advocates who claim that number could go far lower to achieve the same goal. Administrative law judges with the Illinois Commerce Commission recommended the proposal be brought down to $66 million — a 54% decrease.
“It is about safety, reliability, but importantly, responsibility,” said Maria Bocanegra, president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, discussing the 1,000 miles of cast iron and ductile iron that needs to be retired on or before Jan. 1, 2035, per the ICC’s directive.
The directive prompted Peoples Gas to file for a $202 million rate increase earlier this year. The utility company then reduced the hike to $144 million, saying project costs were lower than expected.
Some debate:
During an Oct. 8 appearance on “Chicago Tonight,” Jim Chilsen of the Citizens Utility Board criticized the rate hike.
“Peoples Gas, this year, is going for their record profit for the eighth time in 10 years,” Chilsen said. “This company has plenty of resources. By the way, the company always says this is about maintaining their system. They conveniently leave out the fact they’re asking for a 10.1% profit rate for their shareholders and they’re rolling in profits.”
Bocanegra challenged that criticism, saying: “The costs that we have proposed forth are the cost of the investments mandated under the ICC and include a rate of return that is ultimately reviewed and set by the commission. Any suggestion that this is nothing more than profit mongering is completely false.”
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More From WTTW News:
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Dolores Huerta, who co-founded the United Farm Workers union to improve working conditions in the nation’s fruit and vegetable fields and coined the phrase “Sí, se puede!” that became a widespread rallying cry, has died. She was 96. She most recently appeared on “Chicago Tonight” in 2023: Watch that interview here.
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Back in the Day: October 29, 2018 - Warriors’ Klay Thompson Breaks Single-Game 3PT Record at United Center
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Eight years ago today, the Chicago Bulls and their fans at the United Center had a rough night. They faced then-NBA champions the Golden State Warriors, who had started the season 7-1, compared with the Bulls’ lackluster 2-5. It was already set to be a tough match, but Warriors guard and three-point specialist Klay Thompson made it impossible. With five minutes left in the third quarter, Thompson broke the all-time NBA record for most three-pointers in a single game with 14, surpassing his teammate Stephen Curry’s record of 13. The Warriors finished the game 149-125, with Thompson notching 52 points in just 27 minutes. To date, Thompson’s feat has yet to be matched or beaten. |
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This Week’s Arts and Culture Events
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Every Thursday, WTTW News newsletter producer Josh Terry highlights his picks for the week’s must-see cultural events.
Tuesday brings the 2026 midterm elections. If you read WTTW News, you already know this. No matter what, you’ve likely been bombarded with partisan mailers in your mailbox, attack ads during your television time and lawn signs occupying your neighborhoods. Don’t fret: You can spend time this weekend with art and culture instead. Below, enjoy the season with these non-holiday, non-election-themed events.
Performance: “Brahms Requiem” — Chicago Symphony Center
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Chorus will be performing Mozart’s “Symphony No. 36 (Linz)” and Brahms’ “A German Requiem” over three concerts on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Join conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and chorus director Donald Palumbo for three unforgettable concerts of classical music. Note: While the Thursday and Saturday shows take place in the evening, Friday’s is a matinee. Buy tickets here.
Art: “MARÍA: ¿Qué es un huracán?” — The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture (NMPRAC)
Hurricane Maria, the severe and catastrophic Category 4 cyclone that ravaged Puerto Rico in September 2017 and killed thousands, is the subject of a new gallery opening in Humboldt Park. “MARÍA: ¿Qué es un huracán?” explores the storm’s destruction, devastation and the resilience of the community “through the archive and lived experience of Puerto Rican chef, producer, and cultural organizer Manolo López.” There’s an opening reception Friday evening that’s free with an RSVP and the exhibition will be on display until September 2027.
Theater: “Don Giovanni” — Lyric Opera of Chicago
Mozart’s 1787 opera “Don Giovanni” ends its run this weekend at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. It’s one of the most well-reviewed Chicago productions in 2026 so far, with the Sun-Times writing, “‘Don Giovanni’ was the first opera that Lyric Opera ever presented in February 1954, and the company has reprised it 10 more times before this latest outing and it’s not hard to understand why.” Buy tickets here. |
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What's the most underrated Chicago suburb? Tell us why. |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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5:30 PM | 10:00 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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