In a class action wage theft lawsuit filed Wednesday in Cook County court, plaintiffs say instead of contesting the tickets, which were incurred during emergency calls while running with lights and sirens, the company charged the cost of the moving violations against employees’ pay without their consent.
Stories by Nick Blumberg
Art Institute, School of the Art Institute Workers Ratify Union Contract in a First for a Chicago Cultural Institution
Art Institute of Chicago Workers United was the first in a unionization wave that’s swept across local museums and cultural institutions.
Renovations Underway at Garfield Park Community Plaza, an ‘Oasis’ For Neighbors
Renovations are underway at the Garfield Park Community Plaza to create more play areas for kids, a stage, a covered roller rink and a sculpture designed by young people from the community.
New Measure Aims to Protect Illinois Temp Workers, Move Them Into Permanent Jobs
Some 800,000 Illinoisans are working in temporary jobs, according to industry estimates. That number has more than doubled over the last two decades.
Chicago-Based Photographer Documents ‘Enduring Ties’ With Cuba in Show at New Photojournalism Center
Alex Garcia’s pictures allow the humanity of his subjects to shine, free of preconceived notions. The show has celebratory moments as big as a fireworks show and as small as the back of a car. And it doesn’t shy away from the harsh conditions many Cubans face.
First Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Female Northwestern University Athlete; Former Quarterback Also Files Suit
The hazing scandal at Northwestern University has widened to include a volleyball player who on Monday became the first female athlete to sue the university over allegations she was retaliated against by the coach for reporting her mistreatment.
Dawn Dumpster Din: Two More Trash Haulers Caught Flouting City Noise Ordinance
Under the city’s noise ordinance, private waste haulers can’t make pickups before 7 a.m. But WTTW News spotted trucks making multiple early-morning stops.
‘You’re Overpowered’: Former Northwestern Players Allege Culture of Hazing, Abuse in Football Program and Beyond
A group of 15 ex-Northwestern athletes represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and Chicago-based colleagues say they plan to file suit against the university in the near future.
‘Light in the Night’ Events Aim to Reclaim Safe Public Space for Chicagoans
Public safety isn’t just about addressing the root causes of crime or stopping people from picking up a gun. Sometimes, making a neighborhood safer is as simple as a water balloon or a bounce house.
CTA Board Approves More Amazon Delivery Lockers at Stations; Transit Leader Outlines Hopes for ‘World-Class’ System
The CTA touted the lockers as a convenience for customers and a way to reduce congestion and pollution from Amazon’s ubiquitous delivery trucks and vans. The program is a three-year deal, with two options to extend it by a year.
Company With Ties to Aurora Mayor, High-Level Employee Eyeing City-Owned Property
A company with ties to Mayor Richard Irvin and a high-level city official is interested in developing three city-owned properties in west suburban Aurora, information obtained by WTTW News shows.
Ex-Employees of Aurora Mayor’s Girlfriend Claim She Stiffed Them Out of Weeks of Pay
Furniture Store Owner Laura Ayala-Clarke Denies Charges, Says Attorney is Handling Claims
Two former employees of Laura Ayala-Clarke, the girlfriend of Mayor Richard Irvin of west suburban Aurora, claim she failed to pay them for several weeks of work and isn’t running her business on the up-and-up. She recently was approved for a city grant.
Environmental Activists Rally in Chicago for Tighter Rules on Coal Ash Byproduct
Right now, coal combustion residuals – commonly known as coal ash – aren’t subject to EPA regulation at many offline power plants.
Museum of Science and Industry Workers Vote to Unionize Part of a Recent Wave in Chicago
This past weekend, many workers at the Museum of Science and Industry voted to unionize. According to unofficial results released by AFSCME, nearly three quarters of employees who voted cast a ballot in favor of representation.
Developer Touts ‘Very Balanced’ Plan to Remake Hundreds of Acres of West Suburban Land, But Some Residents Still Skeptical
Hundreds of acres of vacant land in Sugar Grove has a developer looking to build housing, civic space, retail – and distribution warehouses. Some residents are uneasy the project would change the village’s small town feel.
WTTW News Explains: Why Are There So Many Units of Local Government?
Illinios ranks first in the nation in the number of individual units of local government. WTTW News Explains what is going on with all of those property tax line items.
Aurora Mayor’s Girlfriend Didn’t Disclose Previous State COVID Relief Funding When Asking for Local Taxpayer Cash
A review of the grant application for Laura’s Furniture shows the company misrepresented whether it had previously received COVID-related government funding.
Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Ruth Carter on Spike Lee, ‘Black Panther’ and Feeling ‘Grown Up’
Ruth Carter is a groundbreaking costume designer known for her long collaboration with Spike Lee and her work on the “Black Panther” movies. She is the only Black woman to have two Academy Awards.
Rude Awakening: Tracking Illegal, Early Morning Trash Pickups
WTTW News saw private garbage hauler Groot making four separate pickups before 7 a.m. last week. It’s not just a nuisance — it’s illegal. Under Chicago’s noise ordinance, trash haulers are banned from work between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s Girlfriend, Ex-Business Partners and City Employee’s Husband Awarded Thousands in Taxpayer-Funded Grants
The owners of two Aurora companies — a furniture store and an office building — are in personal relationships with top city officials, WTTW News has found. An analysis of campaign finance records also uncovered that a majority of recent donations to Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin’s campaign fund are from people doing business with or getting incentives from the city.
Despite Uber’s Campaign Against Tougher Safety Standards, ‘Common Carrier’ Bill Moves Ahead in Springfield
Uber has been pushing back hard against the common carrier proposal: emails and push notifications to customers, a reported six-figure ad buy on popular radio stations, web banners on news sites covering the General Assembly and plenty of lobbying.
DuPage County, Coalition of Suburbs Ask Court to Reconsider Massive Freight Rail Merger
Federal regulators approved the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in March, which would create a new route linking Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The company plans to run an additional seven to eight trains each day along tracks shared by Metra’s Milwaukee District West line.
Performers, Drag Artists Pay Tribute to the Late, Great Selena With Joyous Live Show
This weekend, the Queen of Tejano Music is being celebrated with “Bidi Bidi Boom Boom: The Selena Tribute Dance Party” at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen, where a group of performers and drag artists are bringing some of Selena’s legendary music to life for Chicago audiences.
City Unveils Honorary Street Sign for Sam Bell, Cyclist Struck and Killed by Driver
Sam Bell, 44, was struck and killed by a driver while biking along Milwaukee Avenue in River West last September. He was remembered as a dedicated mentor and organizer for the Midtown Educational Foundation, which works with low-income, underserved students in Chicago.
CTA Adding Bus and Rail Workers, Touting Service Improvements; Mayor-Elect Mum on Keeping Transit Agency Leader
The CTA is still short more than 600 full-time bus and rail operators. As the transit agency tries to reverse service and staffing losses, it’s been putting a big focus on hiring.
Residents Sound Off on Priorities, Search Process for New CPD Superintendent
Backing from the rank and file. Removing racist officers. Protecting marginalized communities. Those are just some of the priorities Chicagoans said they have for the next police superintendent during a virtual forum held Tuesday.
