Stories by paris schutz

Top Cop Moves to Fire 7 Officers Involved in Laquan McDonald Case

Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson moves to fire seven police officers who, according to a report, were complicit in covering up the police shooting of Laquan McDonald.

Eddie Johnson, Chicago's top cop.

Pressure Mounts on CPD to Release Scathing Laquan McDonald Report

Did the Chicago Police Department knowingly cover up the shooting of Laquan McDonald, and if so, how many officers, lieutenants and detectives will be fired?

State Sen. Matt Murphy Explains Resignation

A high-profile Republican state lawmaker and top ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks out on why he abruptly decided to resign.

“IPRA employees are capable and educated people,” said IPRA investigator Lakenya White. “We go beyond scope to find evidence, to find witnesses.”

IPRA Workers Fight to Keep the Agency Intact

Investigators at the Independent Police Review Authority and the union that represents them are pushing back against the mayor's call to scrap and replace the agency.

Mayor Proposes More Tax Hikes to Fix City Pensions

After the big property tax hit, another new tax may be on the way for weary Chicagoans. Find out how much it might cost and why the mayor says it's necessary.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the Democratic National Convention on July 28, 2016. (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Mayor Emanuel Makes 1st Appearance Before Illinois Delegation at DNC

Largely absent from proceedings at the Democratic National Convention so far, Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Thursday appeared before the Illinois delegation at a breakfast event on the convention’s final day.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Dick Durbin to Decide on Gubernatorial Bid in November

Once again, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin gave an impassioned speech Thursday morning before the Illinois delegation at the Democratic National Convention, sounding more like a candidate for governor than ever.

Japanese garden in Jackson Park (Steven Kevil / Creative Commons)

Obama Library to be Built in Jackson Park

Jackson Park beat out Washington Park as the site for the future Obama Presidential Center. Reaction from Illinois delegates at the Democratic National Convention.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Labor Unions Flex Muscle with Illinois Democrats at DNC

The year-and-a-half fight that Democrats have waged against Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “turnaround” agenda has coalesced nearly all of Illinois’ labor movement behind the Democratic Party, and nowhere is that more evident than in Philadelphia this week.

Chris Kennedy (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Talk of Chris Kennedy for Illinois Governor Heats Up on Day 2 of DNC

Once again, the buzz among the Illinois Democratic delegation at breakfast Tuesday was the 2018 race for governor–and finding a challenger to take on Gov. Bruce Rauner.

A Bernie Sanders supporter protests outside Philadelphia City Hall on the first day of the Democratic National Convention. (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Sanders Supporters Vocal on Day 1 of DNC

The Illinois delegation is divided among Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters, and the latter are divided on whether or not to get behind the party's presumptive nominee. 

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Illinois Democrats Urge Dick Durbin to Run for Governor

Gov. Bruce Rauner's agenda and finding a Democratic challenger to take him on in 2018 were the focus of the opening breakfast of the Illinois delegation on Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia City Hall (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

DNC: Powerful, Disjointed Illinois Democrats Arrive in Philadelphia

Dozens of high-level Illinois Democratic officials are arriving Sunday in Philadelphia for the Democratic National Convention. It's a stark contrast to the delegation at the Republican National Convention, where hardly an elected official was to be found. Though the Illinois delegates may be united by party title, they represent a cross section of differing philosophies that in some cases are bitterly at odds with each other.

Former IL Trump Campaign Manager on GOP Nominee

While some may find Donald Trump’s style brash, Kent Gray says people like him because “he’s an authentic truth teller.”

Rudy Giuliani (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Rudy Giuliani: Chicago a ‘Shooting Gallery’

Republican former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Thursday didn't hold back his criticism of Chicago's ballooning murder rate and the handling of it by his counterpart, Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Delegates cheer during Donald Trump's speech at the RNC. (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Can Trump Speech Heal Republican Divisions?

The Republican National Convention has had its share of snafus and circus-like moments in its first three days. Representatives from the Illinois delegation say they hope Thursday is the night that changes all that.

Illinois Delegate Thrown Out of RNC for Racist Post

An Illinois delegate for Donald Trump had her credentials revoked after Illinois Republican officials determined she was behind a racist Facebook post.

Ted Cruz speaks at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, July 20.

Illinois Delegates Erupt in Anger Over Cruz Speech

First there was warm applause, then restlessness, then all-out anger and rage. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz began his speech Wednesday by congratulating Donald Trump, but he did not mention the GOP presidential nominee's name again.

 (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

A Look Ahead at the Illinois Delegation’s Final Day at Convention

Thursday is the final day of the Republican National Convention. Find out what’s in store for the state’s delegation.  

Carl Miller, 17, is the youngest delegate from Illinois at the 2016 Republican National Convention. (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Downers Grove Teen is Illinois’ Youngest Delegate

An interest in politics was a way for 17-year-old Carl Miller and his grandfather, Arthur Siml, to bond. Then it grew into an obsession. Now it has taken them all the way to Cleveland for the Republican National Convention.

California U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Congressman: Trump Probably Won't Build Actual Wall

It is one of the cornerstones of Donald Trump’s campaign platform, but a high-ranking Republican congressman on Wednesday told the Illinois delegation that Trump's promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border amounts to little more than a metaphor.

Illinois Delegation Faces Full Schedule on Wednesday

After a packed night two at the convention that featured keynote speeches from Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the Illinois delegation will be at it again bright and early on Wednesday morning.

Illinois Delegates Cast Nominating Votes for Trump

It’s official: Donald Trump is the Republican nominee for president. Illinois delegates officially cast their ballots for Trump on Tuesday.

Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Jim Durkin: Trump Could Help Illinois Budget Impasse

Republican Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin says he is not in Cleveland to attend the Republican National Convention. Instead, he's here to raise money–gobs of it–with the goal of pouring it into contested House races and chipping away at House Speaker Michael Madigan's Democratic supermajority.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Evan Garcia)

Illinois GOP Congressmen Try to Toe the Line on Trump

If Illinois' Republican congressmen have anything in common, it's that they do not support Hillary Clinton. But when asked who they are going to support instead, there seem to be as many answers as there are seats in Congress.

Melania Trump delivers a speech Monday at the Republican National Convention. (Evan Garcia / Chicago Tonight)

Trump Campaign Feels Heat Over Melania Trump Speech

The controversy over would-be first lady Melania Trump's keynote speech on Monday night at the Republican National Convention was a hot topic at breakfast on Tuesday for the Illinois delegation.