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This Tuesday, we have an interview with Senate candidate U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly. Plus, an update on Chicago’s piping plovers and snacks to buy from local Asian grocers. And yes, if you felt something in central Illinois last night, that was in fact an earthquake. |
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U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly appears on the May 12, 2025, episode of "Chicago Tonight." (WTTW News) |
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The race to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin is heating up. Two weeks after the 80-year-old announced he would not seek a sixth term in office, three serious candidates have already launched campaigns. The growing field includes Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and two U.S. Congress members, south suburban U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and northwest suburban U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. Two other congressmen, Democrat Lauren Underwood and Republican Darin LaHood, are also seriously considering entering the race.
The moving chairs means big changes for Illinois politics, as those campaigning for Senate would have to give up their congressional seats. Adding to the seismic shift in Illinois’ political landscape was longtime U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s announcement last week that she’ll also be stepping down.
Kelly joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the changes coming to Illinois politics and her candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
What she said:
Kelly has been in Congress since 2013 and highlighted what she views as her major accomplishments.
“I’ve worked on health care issues,” Kelly said. “It was our work that led Medicaid coverage going from sixty days to a year, and that will definitely save lives. I’ve done a lot of work on gun violence prevention. And I’ve done consumer protection bills.”
Besides continuing her work on health care and combatting gun violence, Kelly says if she wins, she will prioritize fighting the Trump administration and Vice President JD Vance.
Kelly’s election opponents have formidable resources – Krishnamoorthi has some $20 million in his campaign fund, and Stratton has the support of Illinois’ billionaire governor.
“I would not have gotten in the race if I didn’t feel that I could win,” said Kelly. |
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A newly hatched piping plover chick snuggles up to its parent at Montrose Beach, June 30, 2024. (Courtesy Chicago Piping Plover Watch) |
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The moment Illinois piping plover watchers have been waiting for finally arrived: The ladies are back.
Sea Rocket, the female plover who mated with Monty-and-Rose scion Imani in 2024, landed at Montrose Beach over the weekend, identified by her telltale leg bands, according to Chicago Piping Plovers. She joins Imani and Pippin, in a repeat of last year's love triangle.
Plover monitors will be keeping a close eye on mating and nesting behavior, with Sea Rocket and Imani having hatched four chicks in 2024. Only one, Nagamo, survived to full fledge. With Nagamo's sex unknown, hopes have been high that the chick might be a female and a potential partner for Pippin. The size of the protected beach at Montrose could likely support two nesting pairs of plovers, according to wildlife experts.
Further north, the Lake County Audubon Society celebrated the return of piping plovers Blaze and Pepper in Waukegan, where the first-time parents raised three chicks in 2024. The couple are already reportedly mating and choosing a nesting site. Monitors are keeping an eye out for the pair's chicks — Juniper, Sage and Willow. While Imani and Sea Rocket's wintering sites are unknown, Blaze spends her off-season in North Carolina and Pepper winters in southern Florida. |
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Green City Market Lincoln Park, pictured in 2024. (Kathleen Hinkel / WTTW) |
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The 2025 farmers market season begins in May, with neighborhood markets across Chicago and the suburbs offering fresh produce and a variety of other goods. We’ve broken it down by markets located in Chicago and markets located in the suburbs. Click this link to explore the map to find a market near you. Are we missing your favorite farmers market? Let us know by emailing food@wttw.com and we may add it to the list.
Here are some that have already started:
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Back in the Day: May 13, 1995 - Jeff Buckley Plays Cabaret Metro, Records Concert Film |
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Jeff Buckley was one of music’s rising stars with his soaring falsetto and gently commanding voice. In August 1994, he released a new album called “Grace,” which featured his signature take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” the jazz standard “Lilac Wine” and original songs like “Last Goodbye.” He toured relentlessly off the heels of that LP and ended up at Chicago’s Cabaret Metro on May 13, 1995 — this day 30 years ago. Buckley’s 13-song set was recorded, filmed and released on VHS and DVD in 2000 as “Jeff Buckley: Live in Chicago.” It was originally broadcast on the local music TV program JBTV. Buckley went on to influence scores of artists from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke to Adele and Coldplay. He died at age 30 in 1997, following an accidental drowning in the Mississippi River. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations: Go-To Asian Snacks |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. Here’s WTTW News reporter Eunice Alpasan on the best snacks you can find at some of the city's Asian grocery stores.
Eunice Alpasan: May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Having immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines at a super young age, I placed a lot of pressure on myself to culturally assimilate. That’s why, to me, Asian grocery stores felt like a safe haven. Fast forward to now, having a Seafood City in Chicago truly feels like a manifested dream; a home away from home. Below are some of my favorite snacks that you might find at your local Asian grocery store.
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Philippine Brand Dried Mangoes: These dried mangos set the bar so high for dried fruit that everything else just tastes like disappointment. Try these and never look back.
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Buldak Samyang Original Ramen: These are the Korean spicy noodles that you might have seen going viral on social media. Sure, this might be doing damage to my digestive tract, but I eat it to feel something. The flavor and spiciness are pretty addictive when you get past the initial pain.
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Mogu Mogu Yogurt Flavored Drink: Growing up, I was obsessed with those cute-lookin’ probiotic milk Yakult drinks. Since I went vegan, I can finally experience the taste again through this drink. It also has nata de coco, or coconut jelly, which is fun to chew on while sipping.
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Jack 'n Jill Chicharron Ni Mang Juan: This pork-free chicharron (yup) is vegetarian/vegan friendly. For fans of salt and vinegar chips and Filipino beer-snack pairings. Pair this with a San Miguel or Red Horse beer and you’ve reached Tito, or uncle, status.
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My/Mochi Oat Milk Frozen Dessert Strawberry: The chewiness of the mochi paired with the cold, rich ice cream is the best of both worlds. This American product (“Born in Japan. Reimagined in LA,” according to its website) can be found at major grocery stores.
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Scallion Pancakes: I ate these a lot when I was in college. I’m not wedded to a particular brand, but you can find these in the freezer section. Fry them up and dip ‘em in soy sauce!
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What was your reaction when you heard the new pope is from Chicago? |
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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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