Two local WWII veterans associated with a deadly ship explosion off the coast of Japan met in person for the very first time last week in Evanston. Myron Petrakis is just shy of his 102nd birthday; Marvin Elman is 97.
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Johnson Taps Cristina Pacione-Zayas as Chief of Staff
Since Mayor Brandon Johnson took office, Cristina Pacione-Zayas has served as his first deputy chief of staff, charged with overseeing the city’s response to the arrival of nearly 38,500 migrants from the southern border.
The Women’s NCAA Tournament Had Center Stage. The Stars, and the Games, Delivered in a Big Way
Millions of people — 12.3 million, the most to ever watch a women’s basketball game, according to ESPN — tuned in across America to watch the opener of an NCAA Tournament doubleheader that captivated fans like never before.
MWRD Primary Results Are in: Waller Defeats Pogorzelski, Moves on to General Election
Challenger Sharon Waller has bested incumbent Daniel “Pogo” Pogorzelski in the Democratic race to claim a seat on the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s board of commissioners, according to unofficial results from the Chicago Board of Elections released Tuesday evening.
Amazon is Removing ‘Just Walk Out’ Technology From Its Fresh Grocery Stores in the US
The company’s well-known technology lets customers pay for items without standing in line and sends them receipts afterwards.
28-Year-Old Finnish Conductor Klaus Mäkelä Chosen as New Music Director of Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä has been called “perhaps the fastest-rising conductor of his generation” by The New York Times. He will be the 11th music director in the ensemble’s 133-year history.
ATF Investigating After Overnight Fire at Southwest Side Truck Yard Involving About 8 Tractor-Trailers
A spokesperson for the ATF confirmed it has responded to the scene of the fire at 6850 W. 63rd St. following a request from Chicago’s fire and police departments.
Chicago Public Schools Collecting Community Feedback on School Safety as District Prepares to Remove Resource Officers
Parents, students and community stakeholders have until this week to complete the school district’s whole school safety survey and voice their opinions as CPS prepares a new holistic approach to school safety districtwide.
The Great American Eclipse: Your Guide to the Upcoming Solar Show in Chicago, Downstate Illinois and Everywhere Else
The Great American Eclipse is almost here. Here’s how to make the most of the experience in Illinois and the Chicago area.
April 1, 2024 - Full Show
An alderman faces backlash for appearing at a rally where an American flag was burned. A look at the CTA’s reliance on overtime — and years of incorrect records. And a new book on the Lightfoot years.
Chicago Tribune Reporter’s New Book Explores Lori Lightfoot’s Tumultuous Tenure Leading the City
“The City is Up for Grabs: How Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Led and Lost a City in Crisis” by Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt offers an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into Lightfoot's tumultuous tenure in office.
Friends of the Parks Encourage Thoughtful Approach as Bears Prepare Proposal for New Lakefront Stadium
While the team hasn’t yet released plans, Bears president Kevin Warren stated they would commit over $2 billion to transform the Museum Campus and revamp the surrounding infrastructure — all of which Warren hopes could begin as soon as this year.
Defamation Case Linked to Former Michael Madigan Aide Sent Back to Illinois From Puerto Rico
Brian Hynes seeks damages after being sued in false claims case
The case involves Brian Hynes, a Chicago-based lawyer and one-time protégé of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who maintains a residence in Puerto Rico. Hynes has operated lobbying and business entities over the years that work with the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago.
City Council Votes 16-29 to Reject Effort to Punish Sigcho-Lopez for Speaking at Protest Where American Flag Was Burned
The Chicago City Council voted 16-29 Monday to reject an effort to punish Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez for speaking at a protest in front of City Hall where an American flag was burned.
Shota Imanaga Stars in Major League Debut as Cubs Beat Rockies 5-0 in Wrigley Field Opener
Working in short sleeves on a cold, gray afternoon, Imanaga struck out nine in Chicago’s home opener. The Japanese left-hander, who signed a $53 million, four-year contract with the Cubs in January, allowed two singles and walked none.
Key Chicago City Council Panel Slaps Johnson for Canceling ShotSpotter Contract
The measure now set for a final vote by the full City Council on April 17 would require the Johnson administration to provide alderpeople with a host of data generated by the ShotSpotter system before the city’s contract with SoundThinking expires on Nov. 22.
13 Days Later, O’Neill Burke Celebrates Victory in Democratic Cook County State’s Attorney Race
University of Chicago lecturer Clayton Harris conceded about an hour after Eileen O’Neill Burke declared victory Friday afternoon after the latest vote count showed her leading by 1,566 votes in a race where more than 527,000 votes were cast.
US Traffic Deaths Fell 3.6% in 2023, the 2nd Straight Yearly Drop. But Nearly 41,000 People Died
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was the second year in a row that fatalities decreased. The agency also released final numbers for 2022 on Monday, saying that 42,514 people died in crashes.
At Least 7 People Killed by Gunfire Across Chicago Over Easter Holiday Weekend: Police
According to the Chicago Police Department, at least 32 people were shot between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. That total included two separate mass shootings that involved nine total victims.
CTA Data Shows Reliance on Overtime, Chronic FOIA Delays and Years of Mischaracterized Records
The CTA issued a correction to years worth of data on worker overtime provided to WTTW News, after the transit agency discovered the records did not accurately reflect actual hours worked. The issue also highlights the agency’s slow response on public records requests.
State Spends $73M to Protect Illinois’ Only Undeveloped Lake Michigan Shoreline
Illinois Beach State Park in Zion on the state’s northern border contains about 10% of Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline, with 6.5 miles. But the undeveloped shoreline can erode up to 100 feet per year.
The Baltimore Collapse Focused Attention on Vital Bridges. Thousands Are in Poor Shape Across the US
Iowa has the most poor bridges, followed by Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri, according to an Associated Press analysis.
Week in Review: O’Neill Burke Declares Victory in State’s Attorney Race; City Council Committee Wants Transparency on Migrant Evictions
Eileen O’Neill Burke declares victory in the tight Cook County state’s attorney race. Chicago City Council wants migrant evictions oversight. And Johnson supports public money to develop a lakefront stadium.
Eileen O’Neill Burke Wins Democratic Cook County State’s Attorney Race: AP
Eileen O’Neill Burke declared victory Friday afternoon after the latest vote count showed her leading by 1,566 votes in a race where more than 527,000 votes were cast. O’Neill Burke said she had a “mathematically insurmountable lead.”
Gambling Meets Magic: Australian Magician Offers Insider’s View on Card Cheating and Casino Security
A magician who once worked in casino security is doubling down on revealing the secrets behind card tricks. And there’s a catch: Everyone must sign a confidentiality contract before the show.
Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black Man to Win Supporting Actor Oscar, Dies at 87
Louis Gossett Jr. broke through on the small screen as Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries “Roots.” He won an Oscar for his performance in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger.
