WBEZ-FM (Chicago, IL)

WBEZ is a public radio station that operates without commercial funding, serving the Chicago, Illinois area. It relies mainly on donations from its listeners and has partnerships with National Public Radio (NPR), Public Radio International (PRI), and American Public Media. Formerly called Chicago Public Radio, the station and its parent organization rebranded to Chicago Public Media in 2010. Content produced under this organization is available under both the WBEZ and Chicago Public Media names. Additionally, WBEZ offers broadcasts in HD quality.

Local

English

Radio

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#108046

United States

#22045

News and Media

#1037

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Pacers fans in Bulls country gear up for the NBA Finals - 'They better win!'

3 days ago | wbez.org | Michael Puente |Mike Puente

Despite it being in Indiana, Crown Point is Bulls country. That’s thanks to its being in the Chicago TV market and, in no small part, to Michael Jordan leading the team to six NBA titles in the ‘90s. But despite the history, a few diehard Pacers fans in the region will be rooting for their Indiana team in the NBA Finals, which kick off Thursday night. “I pay taxes in Indiana. I paid for the Pacers stadium. So why shouldn’t I root for the Pacers?
The Rundown: An Illinois nuclear plant to help power AI

3 days ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Wednesday, and Wicker Park Fest has announced this year’s music headliners: Hotline TNT, Letters to Cleo and Deep Sea Diver. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1. Meta struck a deal with an Illinois nuclear plant to power AIThe Instagram and Facebook parent company has a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to buy electricity from its operation in the Central Illinois town of Clinton, Brett Chase reports for the Chicago Sun-Times.
University of Illinois braces for visa revocations for Chinese students

4 days ago | wbez.org | Violet Miller |Pat Nabong |Kade Heather

URBANA, Ill. — Agus came to the U.S. from Indonesia in August to study computer science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The 20-year-old, who is one of more than 100 Indonesian students enrolled at UIUC, chose the central Illinois school for its highly rated programs and connections to companies for which he dreams of working. He chose to remain downstate between semesters to live in the area’s welcoming community.
Prejudice ‘follows us to the grave’: The segregated past of Chicago cemeteries

4 days ago | wbez.org | Robert Loerzel

WBEZ’s Curious City answers questions from listeners about Chicago and the region. We include the public in our storytelling, making journalism more transparent and interconnected. In May 1963, an estimated 2,000 people marched to Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side. These protesters included Black undertakers and ministers, as well as NAACP officials. They carried signs: “No Jim Crow in Heaven.” “Discrimination in Life.
The Rundown: The Chicago Fire’s new $650 million stadium

4 days ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Good afternoon! It’s Tuesday, and several ramps on the Kennedy Expressway will be closing over the next two weeks. Here’s what else you need to know today. 1.
Illinois bill to push renewable energy dies after businesses balk

5 days ago | wbez.org | Brett Chase

A plan aimed at generating new power in Illinois died in the final days of the legislative session in Springfield after business groups argued that the proposal was too expensive and would be a burden to electricity customers. Lawmakers spent months crafting legislation that they hoped would spur development of new wind and solar power as well as large batteries to store the energy.
The Rundown: Chicago’s first new med school in 100 years

5 days ago | wbez.org | Bianca Cseke

Hey there, happy Monday — and happy Pride Month! Here’s what you need to know today. 1. The first medical school to open in Chicago in nearly 100 years will strive to curb a physician shortageThe Chicago School is currently accepting applications for the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine, set to begin classes in Fall 2026, Shannon Tyler reports for the Chicago Sun-Times.
State budget but no transit deal: What results of Illinois’s legislative session mean for you

5 days ago | wbez.org | Micah Yason

Illinois lawmakers passed a $55.2 billion state budget Saturday night, successfully filling a $1 billion gap by levying tax hikes on tobacco users, sports gamblers and out-of-state corporations with a footprint in Illinois. Reset spoke with a couple reporters to get the details. GUESTS: Alex Degman, WBEZ statehouse reporterMitchell Armentrout, Chicago Sun-Times reporter covering government and politics
Illinois Democrats pass budget in final minutes with sports betting hike

1 week ago | wbez.org | Mitchell Armentrout |George Wiebe

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers approved a $55.2 billion state budget package minutes ahead of a key constitutional deadline Saturday night, relying on tax hikes that would hit smokers, gamblers and big out-of-state companies to help seal an estimated $1 billion shortfall. Democratic leaders cut it down to the final seven minutes on the clock of May, but avoided the public intra-party squabbling that marked the chaotic conclusion of last spring’s legislative session.
Toll hike, rideshare fees, other new taxes threatening mass transit overhaul

1 week ago | wbez.org | Mitchell Armentrout |George Wiebe

SPRINGFIELD — State lawmakers are on track toward overhauling the governance of mass transit across the Chicago area, but a lengthy list of proposed new taxes could derail efforts to stave off the fiscal cliff facing the CTA, Metra and Pace.