Live in Kenosha as Kyle Rittenhouse is found not guilty on all charges. A controversial police union leader retires from the Chicago Police Department. And city council tussles over new ward maps.
Stories by alexandra silets
Spotlight Politics: COPA Nominee Controversy; Ward Map Battle Continues
The mayor’s choice to lead the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has caused some controversy with City Council members.
The Week in Review: No School for CPS Kids; City Workers Get Two Hours Off
Chicago school kids get a day off to get COVID vaccines. Kyle Rittenhouse gives emotional testimony in his Kenosha murder trial. Illinois’ richest resident vows to take down Pritzker. And more.
The Week in Review: Kyle Rittenhouse Case, Heather Mack Arrested After Return
The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse gets underway in Kenosha. CPS cancels classes for Nov. 12 as CDC OKs vaccine for kids. More fallout from the Chicago Park District sex abuse scandal. And Rahm Emanuel is one step closer to becoming Ambassador to Japan.
Spotlight Politics: New Map Pits Republicans, Democrats Against Themselves
The state’s political landscape is shuffling with the new congressional map and the political fallout of the Chicago Park District sex abuse scandal. Our Spotlight Politics team on that and more.
The Week in Review: Kinzinger Not Running; Newman vs. Casten
Rep. Adam Kinzinger plans to call it quits after the remap. Springfield lawmakers take on abortion. Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s big spending budget gets approved. And the Chicago Blackhawks are reeling from a sexual misconduct investigation.
The Week in Review: Police Union Fights City; Governor Floats Lifting Masks
The police union is in a standoff with the mayor over vaccine mandates. Remap proposals are drawing ire from all sides. Rahm Emanuel, at his confirmation hearing, apologizes for Laquan McDonald. And the city celebrates the Sky.
Remap Battle: New Congressional Map Upsets GOP, Some Democrats
Despite holding all the power, Democratic state lawmakers are getting pushback from both sides of the aisle for the newly drawn congressional map which shrinks the number Republican House members from five to three.
The Week in Review: FOP Threatens Short Staff in Battle Over Vaccine Mandate
The president of the police union urges a walk off over the mayor's vaccine mandate. Illinois' Democrats move against Republicans in drawing new congressional maps. The embattled park district CEO steps down. And the Chicago Sky soar in the WNBA finals.
City Council Members on Chicago’s Homicide Numbers, Upheaval at the Park District
Four City Council members share their thoughts on the mayor’s budget proposal, the embattled park district, and more.
The Week in Review: Two Leaders Meet to Settle Heated Public Battle
Mayor Lightfoot and State’s Attorney Kim Foxx have been at odds. President Biden completed his previously postponed visit to Chicago tout vaccine mandates. And the White Sox struggle as playoffs get underway.
The Week in Review: City Braces for Possible Bears Move to the Burbs
Are the Chicago Bears bound for Arlington Heights? The Obamas finally break ground in Jackson Park. Chicago R&B singer R. Kelly is convicted for sex trafficking. And two local media giants plan to merge.
CPS Parents Demand More COVID Testing, Remote Learning Option
Most Chicago Public Schools students have now been back in the classroom for over a week, but some parents, teachers and students say they don’t feel safe from COVID-19 in school buildings — and they’re demanding access to remote learning.
Cook County Kicks Off 3rd Annual Racial Equity Week
“We've committed to strategies and measurable outcomes that hold us accountable to the public. It's not enough just to talk about equity. We must act,” Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle said.
Chicago Bears Season Preview With James ‘Big Cat’ Williams
The NFL season officially kicks off Thursday, but the Bears have to wait until Sunday for their prime-time matchup with the Rams. James “Big Cat” Williams, former offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears from 1991 to 2002, offers his take on the season.
Survivor of ‘Gay Conversion Therapy’ Writes Book About Experiences
A one-on-one discussion with Julie Rodgers, the first openly gay chaplain at Wheaton College who is featured in the Netflix documentary, “Pray Away.” She’s also the author of the new book “Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story.”
The Week in Review: Indoor Masking Returns
A surge in COVID-19 infections prompts indoor mask mandates. Democrats and Republicans campaign at the Illinois State Fair. Officer Ella French is laid to rest. And a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan has President Joe Biden on the defensive.
Spotlight Politics: Intrigue at the Illinois State Fair
Democrats have their day at the Illinois State Fair. Our politics team weighs in on that story and others — and crunches some City Council committee spending numbers — in this week’s roundtable.
The Week in Review: Ella French and Her Partner Shot During Traffic Stop
The killing of a Chicago police officer highlights tension between police and the mayor. Chicago’s budget deficit shrinks. Census numbers show population growth. CPS announces a vaccine mandate.
How Straw Purchasers Contribute to the Flow of Illegal Guns
Many guns involved in Chicago crimes are bought by straw purchasers. Just who are they — and can the flow of illegal guns be stopped?
The Week in Review: Delta Variant Surge Brings Vaccine, Masking Mandates
The governor institutes a full pre-K through 12 mask mandate. The city’s casino process gets delayed. The governor’s race could get a new entrant. And fire sale Cubs take on the surging Sox.
The Week in Review: Delta Variant More Transmissible, Masking Returns
Fears spike that Lollapalooza will be a super-spreader event, with thousands of locals and tourists attending amid surging delta variant cases. Meanwhile, masking mandates make a comeback. Illinois Republicans battle each other over the Jan. 6 committee hearings. And the Cubs shed their World Series stars.
The Week in Review: Merrick Garland Visits Chicago to Tout Gun Trafficking Strike Force
The U.S. attorney general targets illegal guns. City Council approves civilian police oversight as shootings soar. Lollapalooza goes on despite rising COVID-19 cases. Gov. Pritzker makes it official.
The Week in Review: Buttigieg in Chicago to Boost Infrastructure Plan
A possible compromise on civilian police oversight. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg takes a Chicago infrastructure tour. And legislators whiff on ethics.
The Week in Review: Summer Violence Persists with More Law Enforcement Shot
A war of words ensues as the mayor and police chief blame the courts for the city’s violence. Joe Biden’s first stop in Illinois as president. The list of alderpeople under indictment grows. And the city pension debt swells.
Is a Move to Arlington Heights in the Bears’ Future?
The Chicago Bears are seriously bidding to buy the plot where Arlington Park has been for decades. What the sale could mean for the Chicago area.
