Congratulations on making it halfway through the work week. Today, WTTW News speaks to the incarcerated men at the soon-to-be-closed Stateville Correctional Center, and we have news that the city will be closing three migrant shelters.
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Stateville Correctional Center is pictured in a file photo. (Andrew Campbell / Capitol News Illinois)
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WTTW News reporters Blair Paddock and Brandis Friedman have been documenting the soon-to-be-closed Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill for a long time. They’ve covered inmates who have spoken out about its notoriously poor conditions, how a federal judge has ordered its population to be transferred by the end of the
month and its workers who oppose the shutdown.
According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, 191 individuals in custody were transferred from Stateville as of Sept. 5, leaving the population at 222. In order to hear firsthand from those not often quoted in the media, Blair and Brandis sent a list of questions to men at Stateville to hear how they feel about the shuttering of the prison and their thoughts on the state rebuilding a new facility.
Here’s some of what they had to say, unedited:
“I am excited to see that dilapidated and inhumane prison close. It should have been closed along time ago. The Governor showed great leadership by closing it down,” said Lonnie Smith.
“I'm happy to be leaving this Hell-hole of a prison!Here at stateville we have been forced to except the worst level of living conditions,health care and staff conduct of negligence and unprfessionalism than any prison in the state,” said Alonzo McCorkle.
On Stateville potentially being rebuilt:
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The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that was converted into the city’s largest shelter. (WTTW News)
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Chicago officials will move 1,200 migrants out of three shelters across the city as the crisis that has sent nearly 48,000 men, women and children to Chicago from the southern border enters a new phase, officials said Tuesday. Right now, there are fewer than 5,500 people living in 17 facilities as of Tuesday, a 2% drop in the past month, according to city data. With the expected closures, the city will have approximately 2,000 additional beds, officials said. If there's an unanticipated surge in the final eight weeks before the presidential election, the city says they can handle it.
Here's what's shutting down:
On Oct. 1, shelters in Pilsen (2241 S. Halsted Ave.) and the West Loop (344 N. Ogden Ave.) will close.
On Oct. 24, a shelter in Hyde Park (4900 S. Lake Shore Drive) will close.
All of the residents will be offered space in one of the 14 shelters the city will continue to operate.
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Tasha (Photo Credit: Alexa Viscius)
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Every Wednesday, we profile interesting Chicagoans in our series Everybody’s Got a Story.
The past couple of years for Chicago songwriter Tasha Viets-Vanlear have been an exercise in balance. An acclaimed recording artist who performs as Tasha, her third album “All This And So Much More” is the result of a transformational period for the Rogers Park native. Most notably in 2023, she accepted a role as a singer and performer in the musical “Illinoise.” The production is inspired by the music of indie folk icon Sufjan Stevens, and Tasha has been part of the ensemble from the beginning. Following runs at venues including Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater, the musical had its Broadway debut this year and was nominated for four Tony Awards — winning Best Choreography.
“It was quite a pivot to be thrust into the theater and Broadway world but I was basically doing what I do anyway: singing and playing guitar,” says Viets-Vanlear. Where her own songwriting requires her to tour or play festivals like Pitchfork Music Festival, she had to adapt to the grueling performing workload as part of a musical. “I had quite a learning curve when it came to the stamina needed to do a show like this,” she says. “We were doing eight shows a week for most of this run. It made me a better musician, having to sing and play that much.”
Where she’s split her time between New York and Chicago this year, being back in her home city gives her a sense of grounding. “This week, I went to Lula Cafe, Rootstock, and then Le Bouchon,” she says. “Whenever I'm back, I have to go to all of those places. Coming home from New York always makes this place feel beautiful, quiet and gentle.”
“All This and So Much More” is out Sept. 20 via Bayonet Records
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW.
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Also From WTTW News:
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There's yet another reason to get mad at Chicago's parking meters. It turns out, the firm that leases them failed to follow rules requiring it to hire firms owned by female, Black and Latino Chicagoans.
- Looking to see a play? Marc Vitali has an in-depth look at “The Audience,” a lively and entertaining drama that imagines private conversations between Queen Elizabeth II and the prime ministers who served during her reign.
- A federal jury ordered the city of Chicago to pay $50 million to a man who was wrongfully convicted of a 2008 murder and spent 10 years in prison. If that sounds like a lot, you're right: The total set a new city record for a wrongful conviction case.
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The Rolling Stones are pictured in a tour promotional photo. (Credit: Mark Seliger)
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This June, the Rolling Stones played two sold-out shows at Soldier Field with openers Bettye LaVette and Lainey Wilson. It’s a massive venue for a band to play 62 years into its career, and it’s been one of the group’s favorite spots in Chicago since they first headlined in 1978. On this day 30 years ago, the Rolling Stones kicked off a two-night stint at the Chicago Bears’ home. The band’s lineup featured Chicagoan Darryl Jones, who replaced longtime member Bill Wyman on bass. Jones still tours with the Rolling Stones and that Sept. 11 show three decades ago marked his first homecoming with the band.
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Thanks to our sponsors:
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW.
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With football season starting, where is your favorite place in the city to watch the Chicago Bears?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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Other News From Around Town:
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Remember the acclaimed Avondale Korean restaurant Parachute? It’s now back at the same location as Parachute Hi-Fi, a more casual spot with music, drinks and no reservations.
WBEZ reports that the Art Institute of Chicago got a $75 million gift to fund a new modern art building.
Justin Fields has been the starting QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Here’s why that’s good news for the Chicago Bears.
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Via Chicago (Concert Recommendations From WTTW News Producer Josh Terry)
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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, Sept. 11:
Goose at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Tickets.
A buzzworthy jam band from Connecticut inspired by Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver along with Phish and the Grateful Dead.
Thursday, Sept. 12:
Kacey Musgraves, Father John Misty, and Nickel Creek at Allstate Arena. Tickets.
An eclectic bill of a country star, a sardonic singer-songwriter and an influential bluegrass band.
Saintseneca, Strawberry Runners at Beat Kitchen. Tickets.
Charming folk pop from Ohio.
Goose at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Tickets.
The second night of the jam band’s Chicago residency.
JD Clayton at Carol’s Pub. Tickets.
Refreshing, heartfelt country rock at a North Side honky tonk dive bar.
Friday, Sept. 13:
Jessica Pratt, Rose City Band and Rosali at Bohemian National Cemetery. Tickets.
A great dose of indie rock and brooding pop at an unconventional venue.
Phosphorescent at Metro. Tickets.
An evening with the long-running twangy indie rockers.
Goose at Salt Shed Fairgrounds. Sold out.
The final night of the Chicago residency.
Saturday, Sept. 14:
Magdalena Bay, Valgur at Thalia Hall. Sold out.
Boundary-pushing pop.
Tuesday, Sept. 17:
Chanel Beads, Kassie Krut at Sleeping Village. Tickets.
An exciting experimental showcase at the Avondale venue.
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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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