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It’s a new week and a new month, start strong with these stories from WTTW News. |
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U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi appears on "Chicago Tonight" on May 29, 2025. (WTTW News) |
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A heated race is already unfolding to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Since the 80-year-old senator announced his retirement last month, three Democratic candidates have launched campaigns. That includes Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and two members of congress: south suburban U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and northwest suburban U.S. Rep Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has represented the 8th District since 2017.
Krishnamoorthi represents portions of DuPage, Kane and Cook counties, including the 41st Ward in Chicago, and he joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss his candidacy for the U.S. Senate.
On his background:
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“I have been privileged to live the American dream. I was born in India. I came here when I was 3 months old, and things were going well until suddenly my father lost his income. But thanks to the generosity of the American people and public housing and food stamps, we were able to get back on our feet and then ultimately make it into the middle class in Peoria, Illinois."
On the economy and issues driving the Senate race:
On what it would mean to become only the second Indian American U.S. senator:
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“It’s a big deal. There’s an old saying in Washington, D.C., ‘If you don’t have a seat at the table, you’re on the menu.’ And I think that this community, the South Asian community, feels like they need to pull up the proverbial seat to the proverbial table now, especially with rising sentiment against minorities of all kinds."
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(Images_by_Lisa / iStock) |
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As Illinois lawmakers consider a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical assistance, opponents warn the measure could worsen longstanding disparities in health care, especially for people who live below the poverty line, are disabled or are incarcerated.
The bill would legalize the use of prescription drugs that aid in dying, what’s commonly referred to as physician-assisted suicide. The Illinois House of Representatives voted 63-42 on Thursday to pass the bill. It now needs approval from the Senate and governor to become law, but the session ended this weekend without further action.
The bill could be called back in a future session.
Disability rights advocates, including Access Living policy analyst Sebastian Nalls, are urging lawmakers to halt the bill. Nalls argues that legalizing medical-assisted death in a state with deep health care inequities puts already vulnerable populations at greater risk.
“We want to prioritize increasing the amount of independent living support that folks have, increasing the access to end-of-life care and improving the quality of that end-of-life care,” said Nalls.
Access Living has long opposed measures like the End-of-Life Options Act, warning that the bill could function less as an act of compassion and more as a de facto death sentence for Illinoisans who lack access to hospice, palliative care or mental health services.
Supporters say the measure offers compassion and autonomy to individuals who are already facing the end of their lives. Supporters point to similar laws in 11 other states and the District of Columbia, where medical aid in dying is already permitted.
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The cast of “She Who Dared” rehearses ahead of the opera’s June 2025 run at the Chicago Opera Theater. (Michael Brosilow) |
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Lesser-known Black female heroes are taking center stage in a new opera aptly called “She Who Dared” at the Chicago Opera Theater. The opera spotlights the women who challenged segregation in Montgomery, using classical music infused with sounds of gospel, jazz and the blues to tell the story centered around seven women.
Rosa Parks is one of the most recognizable figures in the Civil Rights Movement, known for refusing to give up her bus seat to a White man, which led to her high-profile arrest. There were, however, others alongside and before Parks that exercised that same brand of disobedience.
The other trailblazing women in the show are: Claudette Colvin, Aurelia Browder, Susie McDonald, Mary Louise Smith and Jeanetta Reese. Colvin, Browder, McDonald and Smith all went on to be plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the federal court case that challenged the constitutionality of segregated public transportation.
Jasmine Habersham, who plays the 15-year-old Colvin, found the preparation for the role both illuminating and personal. “I like to do a lot of research, but this was kind of hard because there wasn’t much research about her in general, which is why we’re doing this opera in the first place,” Habersham said. |
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Back in the Day: June 2, 1925 - White Sox Score 15 Runs and Lose |
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Baseball is a weird game and anything can happen. Take the Chicago White Sox, who, on this date 100 years ago, managed to score 15 runs yet somehow lost a game versus the Detroit Tigers. As the great blog South Side Sox points out, the game was an exciting one: "Chicago trailed 7-1 and 15-5 in the game before rallying to tie the game at 15 in the top of the ninth on a two-run [Willie] Kamm double." But in the bottom of the ninth inning with a full pitch count and who else but Tigers legend Ty Cobb at the plate, Cobb smacked a line drive and won the game in a walk-off. The loss ties the Sox's franchise record for "most runs in a loss" in 1911 and 1934. |
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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.
Chicago City Council's Committee on Finance
At 10 a.m. Tuesday the Chicago City Council's Committee on Finance will hold a subject matter hearing to discuss a new resolution, introduced by Ald. Anthony Beale (9th Ward) and others, "regarding the impacts of the recent Credit Rating Agency downgrades" and another introduced by Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th Ward), "calling on U.S. Congress to preserve tax-exempt status of municipal bonds." The agenda can be found here.
City Club of Chicago
On Thursday at 5 p.m., City Club of Chicago will host an exclusive conversation with Jeff Gordon, NASCAR Hall of Famer and Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. They'll talk about his storied racing career, the Chicago Street Race and more. Tickets and details can be found here.
News Night
Come hear local news people! A group of reporters will discuss recent stories with the audience, taking questions, comments and concerns. Picture old pub gatherings where citizens would go to hear the town crier read the news aloud. Thursday at 7 p.m., South Side Hackerspace, 1048 W. 37th St.
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Chicago's beaches opened for swimming last Friday. What's your favorite lakefront beach? What’s the most overrated thing about summer 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 | 10:00 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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