Crime overall is falling nationwide. But when it comes to homicides, Chicago’s numbers are not declining as quickly as the two largest cities in the nation — New York and Los Angeles.
Stories by andrea guthmann
As Homicides Drop Nationwide, Chicago Lags Behind Other Major Cities. Why?
Mar 11, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
State Lawmakers Debate Top Takeaways From Pritzker’s Proposed Budget
Mar 4, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
More money for migrants, increased access to preschool, a break on grocery bills and a prescription for how the state could wipe out medical debt — those are some of the spending plans in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s nearly $53 billion state budget.
Are Publicly Funded Stadiums a Good Investment? State Lawmakers Weigh in on Chicago Teams’ Plans
Feb 27, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
You’ve probably been hearing about the Chicago Bears and White Sox stadium goals. They’re not the only ones making a pitch for publicly financed stadiums.
Community Advocates on School Safety After CPS Moves Away From Resource Officers
Feb 26, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
In a unanimous vote last Thursday, they decided to eliminate uniformed police officers from the 39 public high schools that still have them.
City Council Members Weigh in on ShotSpotter Contract Extension, CPD Discipline System
Feb 20, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
Mayor Brandon Johnson continues to push forward with the progressive policing strategies he promised during his campaign to prioritize. He announced the city will be phasing out its contract with ShotSpotter, the controversial gunshot detection technology.
With Ballot Decision Looming, Chicago Homeless Advocates Push for Support and Funding
Feb 19, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless estimates more than 68,000 people in Chicago are experiencing homelessness. That higher number includes people who are doubled up, or temporarily living in someone else’s home.
Rep. Delia Ramirez on Immigration Policy, Congressional Conflict Over Bipartisan Border Deal
Jan 29, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago), herself the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, weighs in on the situation in Washington and efforts to address immigration.
Bally’s Casino Brings in Less Than a Quarter of Projected Revenue for Chicago in 2023
Jan 23, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
The temporary Bally’s casino in River North’s Medinah Temple brought in just over $3 million in tax revenue last year. That’s almost $10 million short of what former Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration projected.
Red Cross Declares Nationwide Emergency Blood Shortage
Jan 16, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
The number of people donating blood has dropped by 40% over the last two decades, according to the American Red Cross.
Illinois Joins States Considering Challenges to Donald Trump’s Candidacy on Insurrection Grounds
Jan 8, 2024 | Andrea Guthmann
A legal challenge from five voters has made Illinois the 18th state forced to grapple with whether former President Donald Trump should be disqualified from the 2024 ballot.
Chicago’s Natural Gas Pipeline Project Halted Amid Push for Cleaner Energy Investments
Dec 18, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
There is a battle over a multi-billion dollar, decades-long project to upgrade Chicago’s aging natural gas pipelines.
Meet the 17-Year-Old Chicagoan Who Just Earned Her Doctorate Degree
Dec 13, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Most 17-year-olds are excited about finishing high school and possibly thinking about college. But Bronzeville teen Dorothy Jean Tillman is in a class all by herself. A typical teen in some ways, she also happens to have just earned her doctorate degree.
Geoffrey Baer Celebrates More of the City in ‘The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago 2’
Dec 4, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Since no one program could contain every beautiful place in town, its high time for the sequel. “The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago 2” debuted Monday on WTTW.
Retailers Cheer Increased Holiday Spending This Year as Legos, Hot Wheels and Barbies Likely Big Toy Winners
Nov 27, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Much of the country was back at work Monday after the long holiday weekend. But along with whatever else they were doing at their job, there’s a good chance they were doing something else ... shopping.
Cook County on Pace to Surpass Fatal Opioid Overdose Record as Fentanyl Use Spreads
Oct 23, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
The rise in opioid deaths is largely due to the increase in synthetic opioids like fentanyl, says law enforcement officials.
From Dwindling Audiences to Increased Costs, Report Spotlights a Crisis for Chicago’s Theater Community
Oct 9, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Live theatre attendance in Chicago has dropped by 60% in the last four years, according to a recent report commissioned by Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events contains alarming data.
Former Congressman Joe Walsh on Republican Efforts to Oust House Speaker, Trump’s Hold on the Party
Oct 2, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, a Republican, says the battle over House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is an example of where the national Republican Party is right now.
As Delta-8 Cannabis Products Gain Popularity, Chicago and Illinois Officials Debate How to Best Regulate the Substance
Sep 20, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Products made from delta-8 promise to deliver a milder marijuana-like high. But unlike marijuana, which is strictly regulated and can only be sold in licensed dispensaries, delta-8 can be sold in convenience stores and cafes, and there are no age minimums for purchase.
Hopes High as Bally’s Opens Chicago’s First Casino at Medinah Temple
Sep 11, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
After three decades and several mayors pressuring Springfield, Chicago’s first casino officially opened its doors on Saturday. Hopes are high for a big economic boost.
Examining the Chicago Police Department’s Progress on the Consent Decree Almost 5 Years Into the Process
Aug 28, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
The court-mandated oversight was prompted by the 2014 murder of teenager Laquan McDonald by a Chicago police officer. Almost five years later, the department is in full compliance with just over 5% of the requirements.
With Carjackings on the Rise, Illinois Looks to Curb the Growing Crime
Aug 21, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
There’s been an increase in carjackings nationwide, but Chicago is reporting more incidents than any other city in the U.S.
Architects, Community Advocates Say Investing in Public Spaces Can Make Neighborhoods Safer
Aug 14, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Public transit and amenities like theaters, parks, libraries and grocery stores make neighborhoods more livable and appealing. But do they actually make them safer?
Anti-Violence Programs Aim to Keep the Peace By Stopping Conflicts Before They Occur
Aug 1, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
The city, state and federal governments have allocated millions in funding for anti-violence programs — ones that hire local residents at high risk of being shot or shooting others.
Media Matters When It Comes to the Public’s Perception of Crime and Violence
Jul 24, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Recent data shows that the murder rate in the U.S. is experiencing one of the largest decreases ever. Yet that good news doesn’t always make the headlines. Instead, mainstream media is often accused of furthering a narrative about rampant crime.
Teen Summer Jobs a Public Safety Priority, Johnson Administration Says
Jul 18, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Research shows a correlation between youth unemployment and crime. Mayor Brandon Johnson has made teen employment a public safety priority. He’s pledged to double the number of jobs in the city’s youth employment program.
Hidden Scars of Violence: How Exposure Impacts Mental Health
Jul 10, 2023 | Andrea Guthmann
Exposure to violence is traumatic for everyone involved and can cause both immediate and long-term psychological damage. That damage can lead to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep and substance abuse disorders and even suicide.