Author: WBEZ Chicago

Former Illinois House speaker Michael Madigan was found guilty on 10 counts and not guilty on 7 counts. The jury did not reach a unanimous decision on 12 other counts, leading to a partial verdict. Reset gets the details from WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Kevin Fee is the permanent replacement for the previous legal director who was appointed to the federal bench in 2023. Fee formerly worked at the Chicago office of Sidley Austin LLP focusing on white collar government investigations and consumer class actions while maintaining a pro bono practice. Reset talks to Fee about the ACLU’s plans to hold the Trump administration accountable and protect people’s civil rights and liberties. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is one of the latest people to receive a pardon from President Donald Trump. This comes five years after Trump commuted the governor’s 14-year sentence in 2020. Reset checks in with WBEZ state politics reporter Dave McKinney. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

More than 100 people have been arrested in immigration raids in the city since President Donald Trump took office, according to Chicago officials. So, what do those raids look like? And what are community organizations doing to help immigrants know their rights? Reset checks in with WBEZ immigration reporter, Chicago Sun-Times social justice, immigration and income inequality reporter Elvia Malagón, volunteer with 25th Ward IPO and Pilsen Rapid Response Team Mimi Guiracocha and volunteer with Paso West Suburban Action Project Betty Alzamora. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

How is the U.S. economy doing? And what can we expect in 2025 when it comes to tariffs, jobs, inflation, interest rates and more? Reset checks in with KPMG chief economist Diane Swonk. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

As Chicagoans hunker down for what feels like the coldest stretch of a long Midwest winter, local indoor gardens are providing an escape and a taste of warmer days to come. Reset checks in with the Chicago Botanic Garden’s associate vice president Jodi Zombolo and their orchid flori-culturist Johanna Hutchins for what’s on the docket for February. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Ian Maksin is one musician with a cello, but he can sound like an entire band. The cellist has toured the world, performing on his instruments and singing in nearly 40 languages. He has perfected bringing a fuller sound to audiences even when he’s playing solo. Reset sits down with Maksin ahead of a slew of shows in the Chicago area. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

The Department of Justice sues Illinois and Chicago over immigration laws after Brandon Johnson agrees to testify on Capitol Hill with other sanctuary city mayors. Alder is ousted from City Council meeting and 102-year-old Chicago Bears matriarch, Virginia McCaskey, dies. Reset dives into these and other top local stories in our Weekly News Recap with Chicago reporter for Axios Carrie Shepherd, WBEZ city politics reporter Mariah Woelfel and president of Better Government Association David Greising. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained more than 100 people in the Chicago area in an effort to carry out President Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations. But on Monday, dozens of stores and restaurants closed as part of Day Without Immigrants in protest and to honor the contributions of immigrants. Reset checks in with Héctor Aguirre, co-owner of La Malinche Coffee and Tea House, a business in Pilsen that participated. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.