What is and isn’t allowed by Illinois’ gun laws

Assault rifles, including the infamous AR-15 used in this week’s Texas school shooting, may be purchased in the state – but not in Cook County or Chicago.

Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

How I’m helping my fifth graders cope with the Texas school massacre

Fifth-grade teacher Rebecca Gamboa writes about how she addressed the Texas shooting with her students at Madison Elementary in west suburban Lombard. “We talked about just being kind of gentle, more gentle with each other and with adults.”

Brittany Sowacke for WBEZ

A relic of pre-Internet boom times, Water Tower Place desperately needs a makeover

The iconic vertical mall — the psychological anchor of Chicago’s Mag Mile — was once a beacon of retail innovation. Can the “saddest place on earth” be saved?

Maggie Sivit / WBEZ

Help us investigate Chicago’s air quality

WBEZ is collaborating with the data teams in two other newsrooms to measure air pollution in Chicago and nearby suburbs. And we need your help.

Maggie Sivit / WBEZ

Grow tomatoes, not carrots and other tips for keeping lead out of your garden produce

Chicago soil can contain high levels of lead and other heavy metals. Check out this guide to making gardening safer.

Freshness at your Fingertips

From doubly delicious meat deals to our “Fresh to the 9’s” produce sale, your local Jewel-Osco has everything you need to kick off summer fun.

Whether you’re picking up fried chicken, summery salads, or stopping in for tasty baked goods, you’ll find “freshness at your fingertips” with every trip. Get set for the best Memorial Day yet with help from your friends at Jewel-Osco!

UPCOMING EVENTS

WBEZ

Those Who Did Not Die: An evening with survivors of Chicago gun violence

Date: Thursday, June 2
Price: Free
Location: Virtual

Join us on Thursday, June 2 for a virtual storytelling experience featuring four survivors of gun violence, whose stories illuminate the long-term damage of Chicago’s epidemic. The event will be moderated by Patrick Smith and will feature a live performance from local dream pop band Mia Joy.

WBEZ

WBEZ Presents: Mindmeld - A Mindworks Takeover

Date: Saturday, June 4
Price: Free
Location: Mindworks - 224 S Michigan Ave, Suite 102

Join WBEZ for a day of scientific studies and activities. Visitors can engage with eight highly interactive exhibits that reveal known concepts from behavioral science. And by participating in research experiments, visitors can test scientific hypotheses that examine new frontiers in the understanding of judgment and decision-making. Participants will be awarded prizes for their participation in this research.

WBEZ

Chicago, do you have water debt? We can help.

Date: Saturday, June 11
Price: Free
Location: Universidad Popular - 2801 S. Hamlin Ave.

To help residents affected by this crisis, WBEZ, Elevate and Universidad Popular are partnering to host a FREE community workshop. The workshop will give you the information and resources you need and provide a step-by-step breakdown of the water billing and collections process and more.