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We hope you had an excellent holiday, Chicago. Take a minute from your morning to catch up with these stories from WTTW News.
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A monarch butterfly rests on the hand of Claudia Galeno-Sanchez. (WTTW News)
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is pushing for monarch butterflies to gain a federally protected status that would move them to the endangered species list. For local advocates, that change is a long time coming as they work to help conserve the beloved species. Population assessments show monarch populations have declined by 59% from 2023 to 2024. The unique pollinators are an important part of the ecosystem, but also have deep cultural connections.
“They are insect pollinators. Most people think about pollination in conjunction with honeybees and bumblebees because they are so very important to our food crops, however, butterflies can be very important for our wildflower populations,” said André Copeland, manager of interpretive programs at Brookfield Zoo Chicago.
The zoo collaborates with the Illinois Monarch Project to help increase the insect’s population through educational services, conservation efforts and meeting statewide goals to plant native milkweed for the butterflies to eat and lay eggs on.
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Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Oct. 9, 2024. (WTTW News)
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The Chicago Board of Education unanimously voted to terminate Chicago Public Schools CEO Pedro Martinez without cause Dec. 20 in an unprecedented move that puts the cash-strapped school district on a path toward new leadership and a likely lengthy legal battle.
That decision didn't come out of nowhere, but instead came after months of contentious contract negotiations, difficult budgeting decisions and tensions between Martinez, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union.
From contentious bargaining sessions, "Chicago Tonight" appearances, and mayoral discord, we pulled together the timeline.
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Arts and Culture Events From Marc Vitali
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Each Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s can’t-miss cultural events.
Kukla, Fran and Ollie Days - Chicago History Museum
Retro fun for families as the museum hosts episodes of the pioneering TV puppet show on the big screen. The original show ended in 1957 and made a comeback in 1970 at WTTW. One of Burr Tillstrom’s puppets, Madame Ooglepuss, will be on display. Dec. 26-30
Lira Ensemble Carols Concert – Lemont/Lombard/Harwood Heights
Chicago’s celebrated Lira Ensemble sings Polish and American carols. Founded in 1965, the group blends the festive with the spiritual, and singers wear authentic folk clothing from Northern Poland. (Will there be any “North Pole” puns?) Three locations. Dec. 27-Jan. 5
“Belonging” – Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture
This mighty little exhibition explores the work of Lithuanian artists who immigrated to Chicago from 1900 to today. Cityscapes, photography and textiles represent the cost of leaving one’s home and finding a place in a new culture. Through May 17.
“When Clouds Roll Away” – Stony Island Arts Bank
Theaster Gates’ latest work is a call to preserve cultural treasures. Here, the artist occupies three floors of the Arts Bank. The installation is sourced from the 12,000 volumes in the Johnson Publishing Company archive, which is housed in the Bank. Through March 16.
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Back in the Day: December 26, 1944 - “The Glass Menagerie” Premieres in Chicago
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Marc Vitali: Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” had its world premiere in Chicago on Dec. 26, 1944 – 80 years ago today and three months before it opened on Broadway. “The Glass Menagerie” is a memory play about a Southern belle whose husband left her and two children with little money and few prospects. (Williams, in fact, coined the term “memory play” – in production notes, he wrote: “Being a memory play, The Glass Menagerie can be presented with unusual freedom of convention.”) It opened at the 878-seat Civic Theatre, which used to be behind the back wall of the Lyric Opera House. Tennessee Williams credited Chicago critics who, by praising the show, helped it get to Broadway in March 1945. Chicago Tribune critic Claudia Cassidy called it “vividly written… a tough little play that knows people and how they tick.” It was the first of Tennessee Williams’ major successes, followed two years later by “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
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Where's your favorite place in the city or local neighborhood to go to look at holiday lights and decorations?
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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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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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