|
|
|
|
 |
|
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 20, 2024. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News) |
|
Gov. J.B. Pritzker worked hard to bring the Democratic National Convention to Chicago, and on Tuesday he got a reward: a primetime speech, putting him in the national spotlight for the biggest address of his political career. WTTW News reporter Amanda Vinicky recaps the tone and content of his marquee slot.
A choice quote: “Now, Illinois’ presidential pedigree is unmatched. And given that Vice President Kamala Harris spent some of her early life right here — I speak for the entire Illinois delegation when I say we claim her, too.”
Billionaire on "billionaire:" “Donald Trump thinks we should trust him on the economy because he claims to be very rich. But take it from an actual billionaire, Trump is rich in only one thing: stupidity.”
Read Amanda Vinicky's full story here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
A rendering of “TOWARDS.” (Credit: Samuel Stubblefield) |
|
WTTW News reporter Angel Idowu has a fascinating story highlighting a local group that’s raising awareness about civic issues through art. “Next Stop: Chicago” is offering a series of public art activations by community-based organizations that address the city’s post-pandemic infrastructure inequity.
-
Behind this event is Gertie, a civic and cultural agency with a goal of amplifying organizations working to revitalize communal spaces, also known as “third spaces.”
-
Gertie has awarded more than $400,000 in grants to seven community-led projects, which have timed activations to run during the DNC from Aug. 19-22.
More information about the events and RSVP details can be found at nextstopchicago.co/events. |
Read the story  |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton speaks to reporters at the Illinois delegation DNC breakfast on Tuesday, Aug. 20. (Heather Cherone/WTTW News) |
|
Abortion rights have been front and center throughout the DNC. On Monday night, Democrats made the overturning of Roe v. Wade a major theme, including a segment where three women told harrowing stories about how anti-choice legislation affected their lives and health.
Now, WTTW News reporter Heather Cherone documents how Illinois Democrats are touting their efforts to protect abortion rights even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
A choice quote: “Look at what we have done here in Illinois, we are on the national stage because of exactly what we have done in Illinois,” Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said. “We have protected reproductive freedom, we have become a safe haven for women all across the country. We’re going to keep pushing for this and we need Kamala Harris and Tim Walz in the office in the White House.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everybody's Got a Story: Michael James, '68 Protester |
 |
|
Michael James appearing on PBS Newshour (PBS Newshour). |
|
Every Wednesday, we profile interesting Chicagoans in our series Everybody’s Got a Story.
Michael James has made it his life’s mission to bring people together. A lifelong activist in leftist politics, he founded the Heartland Cafe, a Rogers Park mainstay for hearty and healthy food and community organizing that closed in 2018 after a 42-year-run. Now 82, James still runs the weekly radio show, "Live From The Heartland." The 2024 DNC is on his mind because he lived it in 1968.
James protested that week. “A couple of us were down in Lincoln Park and the MC5 were on a flatbed truck and getting ready to play,” says James. “The police were in full riot gear. Gas masks set off tear gas and drove people into the neighborhoods. That really set the tone for the relationship between protesters and the police.”
On Aug. 29, 1968, he was outside the Hilton Hotel when a police van dangerously careened near the crowd. James and his friends were photographed pushing the vehicle. “The myth developed for a while that we had tipped it over, which we did not,” he says. “But we rocked it." The photograph was published in the Chicago Tribune and James was arrested months later.
With the 2024 DNC returning to the city, James is optimistic. “Progress is really about organizing,” he says. “It's really about capturing people's attention and imagination and being able to convey to people what their real interests are in the long run. I believe things get better, not necessarily all the time, but I like to think that way.” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back In the Day: August 21, 1926 - Ted Lyons Throws a Quick No-Hitter For White Sox |
|
For a brief political reprieve, let's play ball.
Ninety-eight years ago today, before pitch clocks and debates about games being too long, the Chicago White Sox were playing a game against Boston at Fenway Park. There, three-year-vet right-handed pitcher Ted Lyons threw a no-hitter with the White Sox winning 6-0. The entire ballgame took just an hour and 45 minutes. The Red Sox only had two baserunners in the game. Lyons, a future Hall-of-Famer, won 260 games in a 21-year career, all with the White Sox. He’d even manage the team from 1946 to 1948. His number was retired by the club in 1987, a year after Lyons died.
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955, Lyons was one of 37 inductees to serve in the military during World War II. Though he was exempt from the draft because he was 41 years old, he still enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1943 and fought in the Pacific. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How is this week's Democratic National Convention affecting your life in Chicago? |
|
|
|
|
|
Other News From Around Town: |
-
When Chaos Came to Chicago: An Oral History of the 1968 Convention Riots (New York Times)
-
Thirty Unions Worked Behind the Scenes To Set Up for the Democratic National Convention (Chicago Sun-Times)
-
Stellantis To Delay Reopening the Shuttered Belvidere Assembly Plant (Chicago Tribune)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before newsletter producer Josh Terry worked at WTTW News, he was a music journalist for places like VICE, RedEye Chicago, and his own newsletter at No Expectations. Each Wednesday, Via Chicago presents select shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Wednesday, Aug. 21:
Macie Stewart, Jess Shoman, Brian Sulpizio at Constellation. Tickets.
Chris Coleslaw Band, Nighttime, Paul Spring at Color Club. Tickets.
Thursday, Aug. 22:
Rich Ruth, Valebol at Constellation. Tickets.
Girl K, Cece Maravilla at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
Built To Spill at Metro. Tickets.
Friday, Aug. 23:
Damager, Chapped Lips, Shoobie, Oddysseys at Gman Tavern. Tickets.
Built To Spill at Metro. Tickets.
Umphrey's McGee, Eggy, Stolen Gin at Salt Shed. Tickets.
Saturday, Aug. 24:
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project: Divination: The Dancing Souls of Black Folk (Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, The Era Footwork Collective, and more) at Millennium Park. Free.
Sunday, Aug. 25:
Dogs on Shady Lane, Morgan Powers, Harvey Waters at Schubas. Tickets.
Monday, Aug. 26:
Lollygagger, Edging, Heet Deth, Totally Cashed at Empty Bottle. Free. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
5:30 PM | 10:00 PM |
|
|
|
|
Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more. |
|
Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
|
|
|
|
