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Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam

It includes a walk along the river, writing, pancakes at Beatrix and dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe.

Things to Do

Legendary anchorman and &quot;voice of God,&quot; Bill Kurtis, 85, announced this month he&#x27;s retiring from his regular (and hilarious) gig as judge and scorekeeper on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" data-vars-content-id="a17362b5-5eb2-4681-aaaa-a0624766b879" data-vars-headline="Bill Kurtis is ready to read, write and roam" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2023/06/30/wait-wait-dont-tell-me-peter-sagal-chicago" target="_self">Wait Wait…Don&#x27;t Tell Me</a>!&quot; His last show is May 23.<ul><li>In retirement, Kurtis tells Axios, he looks forward to &quot;More writing. More reading. More time on the land.&quot;</li></ul>

Pick up an Illinois passport for America's 250th

A new Illinois passport guides visitors to 60 historic sites, from Cahokia Mounds to Pullman.

History

Illinois is putting its own stamp on the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" data-vars-content-id="7bb4c31b-b800-458a-b75b-ce75bbca4afe" data-vars-headline="Pick up an Illinois passport for America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/07/black-history-250-who-decides" target="_self">250th birthday.</a>

Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order

The Illinois ACLU says it would disenfranchise millions of voters.

Election

Illinois advocates are challenging President Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest effort to change voting laws" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/trump-elections-executive-order-citizenship-proof" target="_self">latest effort to change voting laws</a>, which would create voter lists that the Postal Service would use to identify who gets a mail-in ballot.Why it matters: The U.S. Constitution <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="places the job of election administration" data-vars-click-url="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" data-vars-content-id="1c207705-be16-4233-a92b-7e6f3a70c53f" data-vars-headline="Illinois pushes back on latest Trump voting order" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S4-C1-2/ALDE_00013577/" target="_blank">places the job of election administration</a> in the hands of the states and Congress.

Benny the Bull's birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center

The legendary mascot gives us what a perfect day in Chicago would look like.

Sports

Chicago Bulls fans may be divided about the direction of the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" team&#x27;s rebuild" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" data-vars-content-id="88556fc6-cdb9-45d0-b2e4-52ee76ab0ce4" data-vars-headline="Benny the Bull&#x27;s birthday: Chicago Bulls mascot celebrates at United Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/05/bulls-trade-vucevic-white-dosunmu-reset-franchise-michael-jordan" target="_self"> team&#x27;s rebuild</a>, but they unite around one thing: Benny the Bull.Why it matters: The beloved mascot is celebrating his 57th birthday Wednesday. The Bulls will mark the occasion at the United Center before their game against the Pacers.<ul><li>Expect a pregame, beach bash–themed party starting at 5:30pm in the atrium.</li></ul>

New UIC building softens Brutalist campus' edges

Designed to honor Walter Netsch's vision, CDRLC adds light, curves and community space to UIC.

Education

University of Illinois Chicago&#x27;s new Computer Design, Research and Learning Center (CDRLC) updates the school&#x27;s famous Brutalist campus with a design better suited for modern learning.

What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King

King has served as interim CEO, but has not previously led a school district.

Macquline King became the official <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicago Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/18/first-day-catch-up-chicago-public-schools" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/18/first-day-catch-up-chicago-public-schools" target="_self">Chicago Public Schools</a> CEO Monday as the board voted 8–1 to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approve her" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/30/chicago-board-of-education-hires-macquline-king/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/30/chicago-board-of-education-hires-macquline-king/" target="_blank">approve her</a> for a three-year contract.Why it matters: Running the nation&#x27;s fourth-largest school district is tough in the best of times.<ul><li>But the next year could bring huge leadership upheavals as CPS shifts to a fully elected board and the city could elect a new mayor, who traditionally wields great power in the district.</li></ul>Between the lines: This period will require a steady but flexible leader.<ul><li>King has served as interim CEO, but has not previously led a school district or managed a CPS department or network.</li></ul>Catch up quick: After 15 years as a CPS elementary school principal (at Dumas on the South Side and Courtenay on the North), King became an education policy adviser to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and was kept on by Mayor Brandon Johnson.<ul><li>Johnson tapped King as interim CEO last June, after the acrimonious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="departure of CEO Pedro Martinez," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/21/cps-pedro-martinez-fired" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/12/21/cps-pedro-martinez-fired" target="_self">departure of CEO Pedro Martinez,</a> who refused to accede to the mayor&#x27;s wishes for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-interest loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/02/cps-budget-deficit" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/10/02/cps-budget-deficit" target="_self">high-interest loan</a> to cover non-teacher pensions.</li><li>Facing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$734 million budget deficit," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/21/chicago-school-budget-listening-session" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/07/21/chicago-school-budget-listening-session" target="_self">$734 million budget deficit,</a> King presented a balanced FY 2026 plan, which also <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rejected the loan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/14/cps-interim-ceo-defies-johnson-budget-pensions-loan" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/08/14/cps-interim-ceo-defies-johnson-budget-pensions-loan" target="_self">rejected the loan</a> Johnson wanted.</li></ul>The search: Last fall, a search firm and the board drew up a list of permanent CEO finalists (which was later leaked) that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="did not include King" data-vars-click-url="https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2025/11/05/cps-ceo-search-macquline-king" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2025/11/05/cps-ceo-search-macquline-king" target="_blank">did not include King</a>, prompting blowback from the NAACP and Chicago Teachers Union.<ul><li>When the firm was dismissed and a new search was launched, some elected board members <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charged sabotage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/02/12/school-board-terminates-contract-with-alma-advisory-group/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/02/12/school-board-terminates-contract-with-alma-advisory-group/" target="_blank">charged sabotage</a> and called for a delay in the search until a fully elected board could be seated in January.</li><li>Instead, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King was announced as a finalist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/13/chicago-public-schools-has-three-ceo-finalists-king-porter-narcisse/" data-vars-content-id="8456b23d-bc66-404c-aef1-ae0ac3d459df" data-vars-headline="What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chalkbeat.org/chicago/2026/03/13/chicago-public-schools-has-three-ceo-finalists-king-porter-narcisse/" target="_blank">King was announced as a finalist</a> this month along with candidates from New York and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.</li></ul>What we&#x27;re watching: How King balances the demands of CPS families, the board, the mayor, and Johnson-averse Springfield lawmakers who will be asked for more funding as the district faces a projected $520 million deficit in 2027.

Study finds ChatGPT reflects stereotypes of U.S. cities and countries

Researchers found AI tools echo online stereotypes, from food praise to "not friendly" cities.

News

Researchers have found that LLMs, like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="594e16e1-3b9c-4bfe-a5f8-47052141fe69" data-vars-headline="Study finds ChatGPT reflects stereotypes of U.S. cities and countries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a>, are just as biased as the rest of the world.Why it matters: Last year, over 50% of adults in the U.S. reported using LLMs, and as more people rely on the information these platforms deliver, geographic, racial and economic stereotypes are perpetuated further.

Exhibit showcases work inspired by innovative arts program

Gallery 400 at UIC spotlights the ensemble that brought puppets, clowns and creativity to youth across Chicago.

Culture

In the late 1970s, a group of neighbors in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pilsen" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/20/a-new-york-slice-on-the-pink-line" data-vars-content-id="5255dd55-8dcb-4fb7-8e7a-87ce3077f8ef" data-vars-headline="Exhibit showcases work inspired by innovative arts program" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/01/20/a-new-york-slice-on-the-pink-line" target="_self">Pilsen</a> decided to do something radical — teach art to children across the city for free.The big picture: The collective known as the Pros Arts Studio ensemble visited schools, parks and community centers to perform plays with clowns and puppets and help young people tap into their own artistic talents. <ul><li>For some students, it was the only arts education they received. </li></ul>

Chicago photographer reveals CPS students' everyday moments

Through trusted portraits at CPS schools, Melissa Ann Pinney shows students as they really are.

<figure><img alt="Teen girl with long braided hair wearing a brown hoodie and colorful backpack looking at herself in a bathroom mirror with beige tiles and pink walls." height="1597" id="1ceb00b4-88b3-4510-b47b-e5d08e621cb7" src="https://images.axios.com/601xajea1iS27rcKTL7WIlHRtjU=/2026/01/06/1767724553345.jpeg" width="2000"/><figcaption>Jael&#x27;s portrait was included in an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2022. Jael became the face of the project when her portrait was chosen for the cover of In Their Own Light. Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Ann Pinney</figcaption></figure>Photographer Melissa Ann Pinney has had a consistent presence in Chicago Public Schools for the last several years, capturing both the mundane and memorable moments.The big picture: Pinney started photographing at Bell School in 2018 through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artists in Public Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://artistsinpublicschools.org/" data-vars-content-id="bb1b4f2f-1bf2-4a4c-8afb-9fb1a3eedd74" data-vars-headline="Chicago photographer reveals CPS students&#x27; everyday moments" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://artistsinpublicschools.org/" target="_blank">Artists in Public Schools</a> residency, which places artists in schools across the city to help tap into the creativity of students and staff and collaborate on projects.

Northwestern deal raises questions about future of transgender care and rights

A $75M settlement restores nearly $800M in funding but draws criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates.

Northwestern&#x27;s settlement with the Trump administration has led to confusion about the future of transgender students at the university and patients at Northwestern hospitals.The big picture: Transgender rights have been under attack since President Trump took office, including changes the administration has made to Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational settings.<ul><li>The Trump administration has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="taken legal action" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-department-sues-virginia-school-board-over-transgender-use-locker-2025-12-09/" data-vars-content-id="7c70ae2e-6da9-4a6d-84c9-dff4be060bef" data-vars-headline="Northwestern deal raises questions about future of transgender care and rights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-justice-department-sues-virginia-school-board-over-transgender-use-locker-2025-12-09/" target="_blank">taken legal action</a> against schools it claims violate the administration&#x27;s declaration that there are only two genders that are determined by sex defined at birth.</li></ul>

CPS college enrollment beats national average

New data shows 66% of CPS grads enrolled in college, despite economic and systemic hurdles.

Chicago Public School students are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="enrolling in college" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/25/chicago-college-student-debt-trump-save-money" data-vars-content-id="20797a80-d6a6-4ba8-83d7-b3bf6228f17a" data-vars-headline="CPS college enrollment beats national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2025/04/25/chicago-college-student-debt-trump-save-money" target="_self">enrolling in college</a> at rates higher than the national average, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new report" data-vars-click-url="https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/tool/cps/pai/2023/#" data-vars-content-id="20797a80-d6a6-4ba8-83d7-b3bf6228f17a" data-vars-headline="CPS college enrollment beats national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://toandthrough.uchicago.edu/tool/cps/pai/2023/#" target="_blank">new report</a> by UChicago&#x27;s To&amp;Through Project and Consortium for School Research.Why it matters: Higher college enrollment rates can translate into higher earnings for CPS students, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="71.8% of whom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cps.edu/about/stats-facts/#:~:text=See%20statistics%20and%20facts%20about%20CPS%20at,about%20schools%2C%20LSCs%2C%20students%2C%20staff%2C%20and%20budget." data-vars-content-id="20797a80-d6a6-4ba8-83d7-b3bf6228f17a" data-vars-headline="CPS college enrollment beats national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cps.edu/about/stats-facts/#:~:text=See%20statistics%20and%20facts%20about%20CPS%20at,about%20schools%2C%20LSCs%2C%20students%2C%20staff%2C%20and%20budget." target="_blank">71.8% of whom</a> face economic disadvantages.

Evanston/Skokie school district considers school closures

The district says it needs to cut up to $15 million.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Evanston/Skokie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/23/evanston-howard-street-plan-public-spaces" data-vars-content-id="552fec0c-f17f-436a-956c-71bd9fefd104" data-vars-headline="Evanston/Skokie school district considers school closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2024/02/23/evanston-howard-street-plan-public-spaces" target="_self">Evanston/Skokie</a> District 65 school board is scheduled to vote Monday on whether to close elementary schools as they try to close a multimillion-dollar budget hole.The big picture: The North Shore district comprising 18 schools and education centers needs to cut up to $15 million as part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Structural Deficit Reduction Plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.district65.net/about/budget-finance/structural-deficit-reduction-plan" data-vars-content-id="552fec0c-f17f-436a-956c-71bd9fefd104" data-vars-headline="Evanston/Skokie school district considers school closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.district65.net/about/budget-finance/structural-deficit-reduction-plan" target="_blank">Structural Deficit Reduction Plan</a> (SDRP) and one of the options is closing what they classify as underutilized schools.<ul><li>All the three schools being considered for closure are at less than 50% capacity, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to the district." data-vars-click-url="https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1746133740/district65net/unsdqvvbzvst0mqh6gby/D65CAPACITYUTILIZATIONCALCSUPDATE_SY25wFoster.pdf" data-vars-content-id="552fec0c-f17f-436a-956c-71bd9fefd104" data-vars-headline="Evanston/Skokie school district considers school closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1746133740/district65net/unsdqvvbzvst0mqh6gby/D65CAPACITYUTILIZATIONCALCSUPDATE_SY25wFoster.pdf" target="_blank">according to the district.</a></li></ul>

Artists push back after SAIC cuts Video Data Bank staff

Chicago's Video Data Bank, a major archive of video art, now has just two staffers after cuts.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) reduced staff at the influential Video Data Bank, raising concerns from artists about its future.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Video Data Bank" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vdb.org/" data-vars-content-id="834028fb-201b-4ac0-aca8-198275320c5a" data-vars-headline="Artists push back after SAIC cuts Video Data Bank staff" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vdb.org/" target="_blank">Video Data Bank</a> (VDB) is considered one of the premier archives of video art. It lends its collection to museum exhibitions, film festivals and universities and art schools. <ul><li>Contents of the archive have appeared at the Museum of Modern Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern and many other places.</li></ul>

Illinois and Chicago sue over public service loan forgiveness rule

Public service workers the Trump administration deems "anti-American activists" could be denied loan forgiveness.

Illinois and Chicago each joined separate lawsuits this week against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule about the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/03/trump-student-loans-education-department-letitia-james" data-vars-content-id="843954fc-18f3-48fc-992a-765caccee1ed" data-vars-headline="Illinois and Chicago sue over public service loan forgiveness rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/03/trump-student-loans-education-department-letitia-james" target="_self">Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program</a> (PSLF).Why it matters: The program forgives the remaining balance on federal student loans after 10 years for eligible public service and nonprofit workers.<ul><li>For some, it&#x27;s the only option to escape the burden of debt, and local governments and agencies say it helps them attract and retain talent for critical positions.</li></ul>

Education 📚

New UIC building softens Brutalist campus' edges

What to know about CPS CEO Macquline King

Study finds ChatGPT reflects stereotypes of U.S. cities and countries

Exhibit showcases work inspired by innovative arts program

Chicago photographer reveals CPS students' everyday moments