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Warm up from the cold and catch up on what’s happening in Chicago today from WTTW News.
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Jesse Jackson Jr. appears on “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” on Dec. 11, 2024. (WTTW News)
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Jesse Jackson Jr., son of civil rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., served in Congress for 17 years until he resigned in 2012 amid a criminal investigation. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to defraud his reelection campaign of $750,000 over a span of 10 years. That was over a decade ago.
While he’s mostly been out of the spotlight since, Jackson Jr. is back in the public eye and drawing attention to President Joe Biden’s recent pardon of his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted of three gun-related felonies over the summer. Jackson Jr. is advocating for the same forgiveness for himself and others whose futures have been stunted because of a criminal past.
Jackson Jr. joined us to discuss the power of the pardon, what he’s up to now and what’s to come. Watch the interview here.
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. |
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(WTTW News)
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For months, state lawmakers, correctional workers and those incarcerated have been raising the alarm over the future of physical mail in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities.
At issue are concerns over drug exposures tied to physical mail and whether incarcerated people’s paper mail should be digitally scanned. That debate may be over as IDOC signed a contract in October that will give the department the ability to scan physical mail and deliver digital copies.
The contract with ICSolutions, a telecommunications company for correctional facilities across the U.S., issues tables that include digital mail-scanning capabilities. That said, how this functionality will be utilized is still under consideration by IDOC.
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. |
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Arts and Culture Events from Marc Vitali
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Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the week’s must-see cultural events.
After you’ve experienced Joffrey Ballet’s Chicago-style “Nutcracker” and the Goodman Theatre’s “Christmas Carol” multiple times… what to do? Here are three solid ideas – some reverent and timely, some not so much.
“Project a Black Planet” – Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute opens the first major exhibition dedicated to the art and culture of Pan-Africanism – the call for self-determination and global unity among people of African descent. Tons of art and objects from the 1920s to the present, with special attention paid to photography and cinema. Opens Dec. 15.
“A Mariachi Christmas” – Thalia Hall and the Old Town School
The exhilarating Chicago mariachi group, Mariachi Herencia de Mexico, returns for their annual holiday shows at two locations. They blend holiday tunes and originals with the cultural vibrancy of Mexico. If you’ve never seen them, do yourself a favor and get a ticket. Dec. 15, 20 and 21.
“Little Orphan Boy – the Musical!” – Annoyance Theater
An antidote to shows like “Annie” and “Oliver,” this parody walks the line between heartfelt and heretical. “Little Orphan Boy” tells the tale of Little English Lad, a boy who keeps losing his Mum. Always worth seeing what’s happening at the ever-cheeky Annoyance Theater. For ages 13 and up. Dec. 13–28.
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Back in the Day: December 12, 1965 - Gale Sayers Ties NFL TD Record
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During Gale Sayers' record-breaking rookie season, 59 years ago today, the Chicago Bears running back scored six touchdowns, tying a National Football League record, in a 61-20 rout of the San Francisco 49ers at Wrigley Field. Sayers racked up 336 yards — 113 from rushing, 89 on catching passes and 134 on punt returns. The previous NFL record was set by the Chicago Cardinals' Ernie Nevers in 1929. That game brought Sayers' season touchdown total to 21, which broke the previous record set by a rookie, and he'd finish out the year with 22. To date, no rookie's ever matched Sayers' standout debut year.
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Learn more about advertising & sponsorship with WTTW. |
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What's a locally made product (book, food item, piece of clothing, etc.) that would make a great holiday gift?
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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- President-elect Donald Trump's border czar visits Chicago and promises to make the city ground zero for mass deportations. What that could mean for Illinois.
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5:30 PM|10:00 PM |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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