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Good news: this freezing weather is almost over. Brew a pot of coffee and cozy up with these stories from WTTW News.
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President Donald Trump signs an executive order on TikTok in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States Monday.
With his opening rounds of memoranda and executive orders, Trump repealed dozens of former President Joe Biden’s actions, began his immigration crackdown, withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accords and sought to keep TikTok open in the U.S., among other actions, which included pardoning hundreds of people for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, and attempting to end constitutionally-protected birthright citizenship. To talk Trump's second term, members of the U.S. Congress from Illinois joined “Chicago Tonight.”
On Immigration
“There was a gentleman at the train station who said to me, I have papers, and then pulled out his employment authorization card to show me, because he was fearful that if he didn’t show me that, and if I was ICE, he’d get deported,” said U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, a Democrat who represents the 3rd Congressional District. “There’s a lot of fear. There’s a lot of questions, who does this apply to? Who will he deport? I think it’s really important that we’re letting people know, regardless of your legal status, you have rights.”
On the oligarchy warning
“We had a sample of it at the end of last year. We had a bipartisan, bicameral bill to fund the government for the next several months that was agreed to by everyone, and suddenly the newly formed oligarch comes in and announces that it’s dead and threatens Republicans with primaries if they support it. So I don’t know if he’s president Musk or just our most prominent of oligarchs,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democrat who represents the 5th Congressional District. |
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File photo of a student working on a laptop. (WTTW News)
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Low-income Illinoisans feeling the weight of college tuition might soon get a bit of a relief. Roosevelt University and the University of Illinois Chicago recently announced they’re easing costs for low-income Illinois families by providing free tuition for some students this fall.
Roosevelt University is starting its “Roosevelt Pledge” program for incoming students, providing free tuition to families making $50,000 per year or less. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years. Students must also be Illinois residents younger than 24 to qualify. The University of Illinois Chicago will also launch its “UIC Aspire” program in the fall. The initiative eliminates tuition costs for students living in Illinois and coming from families making $75,000 per year or less.
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he Salty Dogs jazz band plays at the Hunt Club in 1954 or 1955. (Credit: FitzGerald's)
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This year FitzGerald’s Nightclub will celebrate 45 years in business. This month, the beloved American roots music club has been honored with a spot on the National Register of Historic Places, and it’s the first Illinois music venue to be recognized by the National Park Service.
We spoke with Jess King, co-owner and marketing manager of the nightclub at 6615 West Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. King led the effort to earn the prestigious designation, and it wasn’t a slam-dunk. Despite its rustic charm and cozy Northwoods aesthetic, Fitzgerald’s isn’t exactly architecturally significant. But it is significant to the community and to music fans, and it has been for over 100 years. Over the decades it has been named the Deer Lodge and the Hunt Club and Club Ritz, but it never really changed much. King's interview with WTTW News gets into how the property's history, from Club Ritz's direct ties to Al Capone’s gang and the famous names to have graced its stage.
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Back in the Day: January 21, 2015 - Gov. Rauner’s Motorcade Involved in Crash
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File this under, “Things You Don’t See Very Often.” On this day 10 years ago, Gov. Bruce Rauner was riding in a motorcade downtown Chicago when a car accident happened in the intersection directly in front of them. According to then-Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau, Rauner's motorcade was stopped at a red light on Randolph St, getting ready to go westbound when two vehicles hit each other. One of the cars spun out of control after the crash and slid across the intersection, hitting the vehicle Rauner was riding in. Neither the governor nor any ISP officers were injured in the crash, but three others involved in the accident were transported to Northwestern Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
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Nick Blumberg’s Five Favorite Chicago Bookstores
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers recommend the things they love in town. Here’s correspondent Nick Blumberg on local booksellers.
Powell’s Books Chicago, 1501 E. 57th St., Chicago
A Hyde Park staple, it’s got general interest stuff and a huge selection of academic books for the nearby nerds at UChicago. I’m no Maroon (well, not in the university sense anyway) but if you’re like me and you enjoying geeking out over the occasional hyper-specific textbook between your ordinary reads, this is a perfect spot. (And has the added bonus of being just down the street from the also-wonderful 57th Street books. Make an afternoon of it!)
Uncharted Books, 5140 N. Clark St., Chicago
A great place to buy (and sell!) used books, they have a wide ranging selection packed into a small space. Come for the hidden room behind a bookcase that swings open, stay for the adorable shop dog named Ramona. She’s fluffy, friendly, and likely to inspect the contents of any bag you happen to be carrying.
The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
A bookstore that’s also a coffee shop AND a wine bar? Say less.
Amaranth Books, 828 Davis St., Evanston
Tucked away next to the train tracks that cut through downtown Evanston, Amaranth has an excellent selection of used books and a wealth of gorgeous rare volumes I can’t help but gawk at every time I visit — and have to work very hard not to splurge on an armload of.
Your local thrift store
Seriously! I love thrifting in general for the thrill of the hunt, and the (often somewhat disheveled) selection of used books in most thrift stores is one of my favorite spots to search. You’re just as likely to find thumbed-through airport books perfect for when you’re in the mood for a breezy read, beautiful editions of some classic novels, and the wackiest vintage stuff imaginable. My favorite find is an over-the-top 70s-era ode to hors d’oeuvres with recipes as garish as the artwork on the jacket. A treasure.
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Where's your favorite place in Chicago to get a cup of coffee in Chicago? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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