Advertise on podcast: WBEZ News

Illinois House Democrats picked up at least six seats in Tuesday’s elections and now have amassed a record-setting supermajority. And yet, while the party was celebrating its landslide wins, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch was unceremoniously given his walking papers by his own caucus. That means a big scramble is underway to fill one of the most powerful positions in Illinois’ statehouse before the new General Assembly is seated in January. Here to break down this political fight is Chicago Sun-Times government and politics reporter Mitch Armentrout. HOST: DEGMAN

A law in Illinois requires private insurance companies cover a benefit that helps parents with newborns. But a new investigation by WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times finds this well-intentioned law is failing families. Some are having to pay thousands of dollars up front, then ask their insurance companies to pay them back. It’s a huge financial risk. HOST: LANE

Chicago now has its own brewery for Korea’s oldest alcoholic drink. Makgeolli is a rice wine that’s been around for centuries – and it’s now growing in popularity in the US. HOST: LANE

The Democratic blue wave that spread across the nation roared through Illinois. Democratic Governor J-B Pritzker easily won a third term, and his lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, breezed to a win in her U-S Senate race. The effect of President Trump’s enormous and historic unpopularity pulled down Republicans far and wide here. HOST: ALEX

Chicagoans cast votes in yesterday’s (TUES) elections to select all 21 members of the city’s school board for the first time. All eyes were on the heated citywide race for board president, and how candidates backed by the Chicago Teachers Union would fare. HOST: LANE

The blue wave that had been predicted nationally hit Illinois with a vengeance. Democrats easily won the governorship, cake-walked to a U.S. Senate win and knocked off one of the longest-tenured Republicans in the state legislature. HOST: LANE

For the first time, Chicagoans will vote for all 21 members of the city school board today (TUES). That includes a citywide race for board president. HOST: LANE

Chicago musician Sen Morimoto is one of the city’s most eclectic musical talents. Morimoto is out with a new album, “Time Is On Your Side. The artist sat down with Vocalo’s Morgan Ciocca to walk through 3 songs that use time as a theme. HOST: LANE

Election Day is here. Illinois residents are voting for candidates in major state and Congressional races. HOST: LANE

Chicago’s former FBI boss is suing several top Trump administration officials. Douglas DePodesta alleges he resigned under duress after Chicago U-S Attorney Andrew Boutros sought to blame him for the implosion of the politically charged “Broadview Six” case. Sun-Times federal courts reporter Jon Seidel is here to break it all down for us HOST: DEGMAN

10 years ago today, the curse of the Billy Goat was broken. The Cubs won Game 7 of the 2016 World Series to end their 108-year championship drought. Sun-Times sports columnist Steve Greenberg was there on that rainy night in Cleveland. And he’s with us now to reminisce. HOST: DEGMAN

Today (MON) marks the 10 year anniversary of when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series in 2016. The win ended a 108-year championship drought. HOST: LABUZ

Most low-income residents in Chicago who use housing vouchers to subsidize their rent live in high-poverty communities. That’s because there’s not enough affordable housing in low-poverty neighborhoods. And some landlords discriminate against renters using vouchers despite it being against the law. There is one tool that has helped thousands of people successfully move to higher-income neighborhoods and suburbs. They’re known as housing mobility programs. WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang takes a look. HOST: LANE

As early voting is underway in Northwest Indiana, there’s growing concern over voter intimidation by President Trump’s Department of Justice. The DOJ says it will send monitors to polling sites throughout Lake County, a traditional Democratic stronghold. WBEZ’s Michael Puente reports. HOST: LARA

The Chicago Bears made a major splash today. They’ve traded for all-pro defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. Here to break it down for us is WBEZ sports contributor Cheryl Raye-Stout. HOST: LARA