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It’s a new week. Get into the swing of things with the latest from WTTW News. |
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FILE - Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie Bunch speaks at an event, Feb. 20, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo / Allison Robbert, File) |
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Lonnie Bunch knows a thing or two about history, and he’s made a fair bit of it himself.
Bunch earned a Ph.D. in African American history from American University while working as an adjunct lecturer. He went on to hold numerous teaching positions.
In 2019, Bunch was named secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, becoming the first African American and first historian in the position. As secretary, he oversees 20 museums and the National Zoo as well as several libraries and research centers.
Earlier this month, Bunch announced he’ll be stepping down from the position at the end of the year.
Bunch joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss his career and what’s next.
On his retirement:
Bunch started his career at the Smithsonian Institution at the National Air and Space Museum in 1978. He took on a new role with the institution in 2005 to lead the development of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which was completed in 2016.
“I always want to be there to help the Smithsonian, protect the Smithsonian, support the Smithsonian, so it’s really with mixed emotions that I’m leaving,” Bunch said. “But also, after almost 40 years, it’s time.”
On his work in Chicago:
Before returning to the Smithsonian to lead the development of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Bunch worked as the president and director of the Chicago Historical Society, now known as the Chicago History Museum.
“Chicago’s the best, there’s no doubt about it,” Bunch said. “Chicago taught me how to be a better fundraiser, how to be a better leader, it was my first time running a museum. So I give a lot of credit to the city of Chicago, to the way this city embraced me, taught me about history and basically said, ‘You’ve got good ideas, let’s try ‘em.’”
On what’s next:
“I want to help museums around the world tell the stories they want to tell,” Bunch said. “I’ll probably do a little teaching at some university that may wanna hire me. But the real joy is, I want to spend time with my grandkids that live in Chicago. So that’s really the key for me, spending more time in Chicago.” |
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Sponsor Message |
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Full Spectrum Education, Northeastern Illinois University’s Goodwin College of Education, and NEIU Libraries presents a distinguished lecture on the Japanese American Redress movement, Thursday, October 15th at 5:00 pm.
Hear Doctor Michael Jin examine and demonstrate how educators can develop curriculum on this significant historical topic in American history in a way that can be relevant and meaningful for today’s students.
This free event is part of the “Reckoning with Redress” exhibition, ongoing through October 31st at the Ronald Williams Library Gallery on the main campus.
To RSVP for this event, visit NEIU.edu/reckoning-redress-three-part-series |
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(HABesen / iStock) |
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Diesel surpassed $6 per gallon for the first time in U.S. history earlier this month, according to data from the American Automobile Association.
This week, diesel sat at $6.51 per gallon, an all-time high. A year ago, it was $3.69. The cost of diesel rose 42 cents last week alone. The recent rise in diesel prices represents the largest fluctuation since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, shocking global oil markets.
Mark Witte, an economics professor at Northwestern University, and Matt Wells, vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association, breaks down what’s driving the increase and how it’s impacting businesses and consumers.
WTTW News: What’s behind the increase in diesel prices?
Mark Witte: The joke is we always say supply and demand. But yes, it’s certainly supply. We’ve seen this disruption in the supply of crude oil coming out of the Middle East, and that’s the basic input into diesel.
What’s your reaction to watching diesel prices soar?
Matt Wells: It’s definitely difficult for the industry right now. We operate on a very small margin by mile, and whenever diesel fuel takes up 40% of your cost of operating your vehicle, and you see those prices increase to the levels we’ve seen today, it’s definitely making it more difficult for the transportation industry to move things...This is definitely something that’s costing our industry, and we have to pass those costs onto consumers at the end of the day.
When could we see prices come down?
Witte: At a certain level. Prices were almost this high when Russia invaded Ukraine. There was a big brief spike, and that came down fairly quickly. This one seems to be much more persistent. I think that people for a long time to come are gonna be quite concerned about whether oil will continue to flow through the various straits. That sort of puts a risk premium on everything. There will be a higher price because we don’t know when suddenly the tap will get turned off. |
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Ryann Billitteri, project manager for the office of substance use and recovery services at the Chicago Department of Public Health, speaks during a formal launch event for the city’s street psychiatry pilot program on Sept. 23, 2026, at the South Shore Cultural Center. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News) |
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Healthcare providers and community health workers gathered last week at the South Shore Cultural Center to celebrate the formal launch of a citywide street psychiatry pilot program that aims to directly reach unhoused Chicagoans living with complex mental health needs.
“As a provider, there’s no feeling more defeating than knowing someone needs help and not having the tools, resources or flexibility to meet them where they are,” said Ryann Billitteri, project manager for the office of substance use and recovery services at the Chicago Department of Public Health. “Programs like these are changing that.”
The program, which began its work about a month ago, is administered by teams of specialized healthcare workers who engage with people at shelters, parks, encampments, CTA transit areas and other community locations. The program specifically aims to engage with people who may cycle between hospitals, jails and shelters, according to program administrators.
Services are provided by two teams: the UIC Mile Square Health Center, in partnership with UIC’s Community Outreach Intervention Project, and Rush, in partnership with Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. The city’s crisis assistance response and engagement team, or CARE, is also involved in the implementation of the program.
CDPH has allocated approximately $1.05 million for the pilot program, with about $700,000 to Above and Beyond, and $350,000 to UIC, according to a spokesperson. |
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More From WTTW News:
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On Friday, what would have been Laquan McDonald’s 29th birthday, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth reintroduced legislation that would incentivize the use of independent, impartial investigations into the use of deadly force by law enforcement officials.
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Back in the Day: September 28, 1995 - Fan Attacks Cubs Pitcher
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Wrigley Field’s storied history includes its fair share of bizarre moments. The ballpark has been the home to billy goat-related curses, “spirited” seventh-inning stretches, and players sliding on rain tarps, but nothing quite compares to what happened on this day 31 years ago. During a game against the Houston Astros, pitcher Randy Myers was on the mound when he gave up a two-run homer to pinch-hitter James Mouton. After Mouton crossed the mound, a fan trespassed on the field to confront Myers. The pitcher, a pro athlete and relief pitcher who is trained to be ready when the moment requires, greeted the fan with a punch to the chin. His teammates subdued the fan, a then-27-year-old bond trader named John Murray, who was charged with assault and disorderly conduct and was given a lengthy ban from Wrigley Field. |
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This Week’s Civic Events and Meetings |
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Every Monday, WTTW News highlights the best ways to get involved with local government.
City Council
On Tuesday at 10 a.m., Chicago’s City Council will hold a regular meeting. Among the orders of business is an item to approve another sale of the city’s parking meters. For more on that potential sale, read this WTTW News story. For more information on the meeting, check the source website.
City Club of Chicago
On Thursday at noon, City Club of Chicago will host an interview and Q&A with John Kelly, “a local businessman and political newcomer running for Mayor of Chicago in 2027.” Buy tickets here. |
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What's the best bar in Chicago to watch the Bears? Tell us why. |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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