Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: We checked in with a Chicago sports reporter about the Cubs going to the World Series. We also discussed racism and politics with a French journalist, learned about Governor Rauner's financial contributions to political campaigns and continued our weekly check-in with Politifact Illinois.

No more curses, no more goats, no more Bartman or just plain bad luck. All of those evil spirits are now done and gone thanks to the Cubs winning the National League pennant Saturday. And Cubs fans are feeling confident as the team heads into game one of the World Series Tuesday against the Cleveland Indians. On Saturday night, when the last out was made during the playoffs, the roar of the crowd was like a tsunami flowing down the streets in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.

The agency says about 30 residents attended a public meeting last week for those living in the 5th and Hill area – near the site now owned by Ameren that once held a manufactured gas plant. At least 10 homes in the neighborhood will be tested for toxic vapors early next year, but On-Scene Coordinator Andy Maguire hopes to sign up more in the next few weeks. 

Chicago Cubs fans are waking up to a new reality: Their team is headed to the World Series for the first time in 71 years. Many still-stunned fans took to social media Sunday morning to ask if they'd been dreaming and to catch up on the posts from famous Cubs fans. Those posting to social media after the pennant-clinching 5-0 win Saturday over the LA Dodgers included first lady Michelle Obama, actor Bob Newhart, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Cursed by a Billy Goat, bedeviled by Bartman and crushed by decades of disappointment, the Chicago Cubs are at long last headed back to the World Series.  Kyle Hendricks outpitched Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo and Willson Contreras homered early and the Cubs won their first pennant since 1945, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-0 Saturday night in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series.