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It's Veterans Day. As you contemplate the holiday and thank a service member, read these stories from WTTW News. |
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A hospital hallway is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News) |
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Terminally ill people in Illinois may soon be able to end their lives with medical assistance. State lawmakers recently passed a medical-aid-in-dying bill, which now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.
What do proponents say?
Supporters say the measure gives those who are already dying a compassionate way to go. Khadine Bennet, director of advocacy and intergovernmental affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, said many terminally ill people have exhausted many other options and want the option to go peacefully.
“A lot of the things we’ve heard from folks is that fear of, at the end of their life, still being in so much pain,” Bennet said. “They want to know that there is an option that’s available to them that is safe.”
What do opponents say?
Opponents counter that the measure would worsen longstanding health care disparities — particularly for individuals with disabilities and people who live below the poverty line. Amber Smock, vice president of advocacy at Access Living, said the bill doesn’t do enough to prevent insurance companies from abusing the system.
“These insurance companies are about the bottom line; they are not about providing health care,” Smock said. “It is simply cheaper for someone to commit suicide than for them to stay alive.”
How does it work?
The bill sets eligibility requirements for life-ending treatment. Patients must be over 18 and have a terminal illness that doctors believe will give them fewer than six months to live.
Patients requesting treatment must make both oral and written requests for aid in dying. A physician would then need to evaluate the patient’s mental capacity and evaluate potential sources of coercion or undue influence and inform the patient of alternative hospice care and pain control options before writing a prescription for life-ending medication. Those who qualify must be able to self-administer the medication. |
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The Illinois State Capitol is pictured in Springfield. (Jerry Nowicki / Capitol News Illinois) |
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Republicans and Democrats are in an escalating national fight over congressional seats — and Illinois could get involved. Some members of Congress are pushing for Illinois to redraw its districts to get another Democratic seat.
As Illinois lawmakers mull the idea, California voters approved a redistricting plan that could give Democrats five more seats in the Golden State. The effort is in response to states like Texas redrawing its maps to give Republicans an advantage.
More context:
Ryan Tolley, executive director of advocacy group CHANGE Illinois, said he’s skeptical that a remap in Illinois has enough political backing.
“Illinois was so gerrymandered in 2021 with our congressional districts,” Tolley said. “From an advantage standpoint, there’s not more Democrats in the state could do to pick up more seats.”
Democrats control 14 of the 17 congressional districts in Illinois — a ratio Tolley said took aggressive gerrymandering to achieve.
The U.S. Constitution doesn’t say anything about how congressional redistricting should be done, but the Illinois Constitution requires state legislative districts to be “compact, contiguous and substantially equal in population.”
Common Cause has listed criteria for redistricting, calling for more racial equity for voters of color and public participation through ballot initiatives, among other things.
“You really do need that community input when you’re deciding what groups are going together for particular representative districts,” said Elizabeth Grossman, executive director of Common Cause Illinois.
Groups like CHANGE Illinois and Common Cause Illinois have pushed for redistricting to be done independently — an effort that has little support among politicians. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has said he doesn’t think Illinois should do it unless all states do it. |
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Pope Leo XIV on May 12, 2025. (Courtesy of Edgar Beltrán / The Pillar / Wikimedia Commons) |
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A new documentary traces the Chicago roots of Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost, to mark the six-month anniversary of his election as the first U.S.-born pope. “Leo from Chicago” chronicles his journey to becoming pontiff — from his time growing up in south suburban Dolton, to his entrance into the priesthood, his work as an Augustinian and his missionary work in Peru.
The documentary offers a personal look into how Chicago shaped him. The documentary highlights Prevost’s cheering on the White Sox during a 2005 World Series game, and includes an interview with White Sox star catcher A.J. Pierzynski. It also highlights Prevost’s time eating at Aurelio’s Pizza, which later added a “Poperoni Pizza” to its menu after he was chosen as pope. Watch the full documentary here. |
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Back in the Day: Nov. 11, 1980 - Chicago Cabbie Charged With Kidnapping Dan Rather |
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On Nov. 8, 1980, CBS News anchor Dan Rather flew into Chicago’s O’Hare airport to film an interview with the renowned writer, historian and broadcaster Studs Terkel. On the way to the author’s Uptown house near the lake, Rather’s cab driver got lost, and Rather refused to pay the $12 fare. After an argument, the driver sped off with Rather in the car, forcing the news icon to roll down the window and scream, “I’m being kidnapped!” Eventually, the cab was pulled over six miles away from Rather’s destination and the driver was arrested. The driver vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling Rather “a fat-faced liar!” On this day 40 years ago, the driver was officially charged with disorderly conduct in the incident, but by February 1981, Rather had dropped the case. |
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This Week’s Staff Recommendations |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers highlight their favorite things about Chicago. Here’s reporter Blair Paddock on their favorite grocery stores.
HarvesTime Foods, 2632 W. Lawrence Ave.: The other week I received a text from my favorite grocery store in the city: “We Roasting chestnuts 2 pm saturday. In front of the store.” Have you ever received such a text from your grocer? I don’t think so. Well-priced produce kept in seasonal rotation (orange season is imminent — expect five varieties). Succulent Greek rotisserie chicken. Exciting biscuit aisle. A perfect rotation of food to please your search for staples and the hottest new items. This grocery store is so special to me that there is a model version of it inside of my apartment.
Sahar International Supermarket, 4851 N. Kedzie Ave.: Yes, it is SUPER! Walk in, and to your right is a wall of dates in boxes like jewels and a small, but mighty, produce section. It stocks staples like carrots, onions and herbs, but also stays hyper-seasonal: tiny, tart lady apples in season now or fuzzy, green almonds in the spring. Bright red merguez at the deli counter. Best-priced pistachios in the city. They recently added an ice cream and gelato counter for you to buy a scoop on your way out. Also, if you are still in your Dubai chocolate phase, they have moved the most extensive selection of pistachio paste to the front of the store.
Joong Boo Market, 3333 N. Kimball Ave.: A promising sign for a grocery store is if you’re welcomed by a dumpling cart, which is the case at Joong Boo. Grab some kimchi dumplings on your way in, but don’t fill up. Walk alongside aisles of rice cakes, naengmyeon kits and stacks of mushrooms and chilis to the main show of the restaurant: the snack corner. Order something from the large menu of Korean classics to be served on a metal lunch tray. After that, head to their extensive seafood counter. A perk, to me, is the diagram that shows you how to have your fish prepared. Whole fish? Filleted? Butterflied with the head on? It makes understanding basic fishmonger lingo a breeze. |
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What’s your favorite place for tavern-style pizza in the Chicago area? Tell us where and 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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