The only weekly Chicago podcast explaining the news through approachable conversations with expert journalists. What we know, how we know it – and most importantly – why it matters. Alex Maragos sits down with the people who have a front row seat to the biggest stories in Chicago and beyond.
Less flash, more facts. Less conflict, more context. Leaving something for the audience to remember – this is The Takeaway.
🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the story.
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The only weekly Chicago podcast explaining the news through approachable conversations with expert journalists. What we know, how we know it – and most importantly – why it matters. Alex Maragos sits down with the people who have a front row seat to the biggest stories in Chicago and beyond.
Less flash, more facts. Less conflict, more context. Leaving something for the audience to remember – this is The Takeaway.
🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the story.
Taxpayers spend MILLIONS on empty Chicago lot migrants never used
The Takeaway with Alex
18 minutes 31 seconds
3 months ago
Taxpayers spend MILLIONS on empty Chicago lot migrants never used
Taxpayers have spent over $3 million on an empty lot on Chicago’s south side meant for migrants that was never used. First proposed as a winter shelter for migrants that were bused to Chicago from the southern border, tests eventually showed the lot was contaminated with heavy metals. Three years after Chicago’s migrant crisis began, NBC Chicago Investigative Reporter Bennett Haeberle sits down on The Takeaway with Alex to walk through the missteps that led to millions of dollars being spent on the land, tents and site cleanup – with no shelter to show for it. With the flow of migrants significantly slowing in 2025, Haeberle also looks ahead to what effect the influx had on city and state finances, and Chicago neighborhoods already struggling with housing. With Donald Trump promising to end federal funding for sanctuary cities like Chicago and also deport millions of people, Haeberle also looks ahead to what the future might hold for migrants.
The Takeaway with Alex
The only weekly Chicago podcast explaining the news through approachable conversations with expert journalists. What we know, how we know it – and most importantly – why it matters. Alex Maragos sits down with the people who have a front row seat to the biggest stories in Chicago and beyond.
Less flash, more facts. Less conflict, more context. Leaving something for the audience to remember – this is The Takeaway.
🎧 Subscribe now and stay ahead of the story.
