Stories by paris schutz

Mayor Rahm Emanuel speaks to the media on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 about Chicago’s violent weekend.

Mayor, Police Department Ask for Community Help After Deadliest Weekend of 2018

After Chicago’s most violent weekend of the year, city officials and community activists try to identify what sparked the rash of shootings and homicides.

“This is not a political situation. We’ve been doing this for the last 10, 15, 20 years,” Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson said Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 of his foundation’s giveaways of money. (Chicago Tonight)

Willie Wilson Gives Away More Cash, Comes Under New Scrutiny

A watchdog group takes action against the Chicago mayoral candidate’s campaign for behavior they believe is unethical and improper.

Former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett (Chicago Tonight file photo)

CPS Watchdog: Byrd-Bennett Helped Company Land $67M in Contracts

A for-profit company that contracts with Chicago Public Schools comes under fire in a new report for its connections to convicted former CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

Chicago Ald. Ed Burke, 14th Ward. (Chicago Tonight file photo)

Emanuel, Burke Sued Over Workers’ Compensation

Why a longtime political gadfly and a city worker are suing Mayor Rahm Emanuel and powerful Ald. Ed Burke in federal court.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson discuss steps toward oversight of the Chicago Police Department on Aug. 29, 2017.

Deal Struck for Federal Oversight of Chicago Police Department

Agreement has been reached on a draft consent decree that would allow an independent federal monitor to enact major changes within the Chicago Police Department.

“On this case, I think it’s more important to get it right, than get it fast,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Wednesday about reaching agreement on a police consent decree. (Chicago Tonight)

Consent Decree, Gang Database Front and Center at City Council

Talks on a police consent decree hit a snag as City Council moves to weaken a controversial police gang database. 

$70 Million Albany Park Floodwater Tunnel Goes Online

The latest on a major city infrastructure project that officials say was made necessary because of climate change.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson discuss steps toward oversight of the Chicago Police Department on Aug. 29, 2017.

Parties Near Agreement on Chicago Police Consent Decree

An agreement to bring federal court oversight to the Chicago Police Department is nearly finished – with one major hang-up.

Lincoln Yards artist’s rendering (Courtesy Sterling Bay)

Community Pushback to $5 Billion Lincoln Yards Proposal

Community reaction comes in for the new Lincoln Yards proposal slated to be a city-within-a-city.

Co-living facility Quarters is located in the Fulton Market district. (Chicago Tonight)

The Rise of College Dorm-Style Co-Living in Chicago

In Chicago’s Fulton Market district, a new co-living space offers shared accommodations for an all-inclusive price. And the company is looking to aggressively expand.

“I do firmly believe every moment’s a teachable moment,” Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday, July 17, 2018. (Chicago Tonight)

Emanuel Speaks Out About Augustus Shooting

Mayor Rahm Emanuel urges calm in his first public appearance since this weekend’s fatal police-involved shooting. 

A screen shot from a video filmed at a Cook County forest preserve. “This is what I’m wearing,” says the woman at the center of the video, showing a Puerto Rican flag shirt. (Mia Irizarry / Facebook)

Cook County Commissioners: Get Rid of Forest Preserve Police

More fallout in the wake of a viral video that has resulted in hate crime charges and a police officer’s resignation.

US Chamber: $3.8 Billion Worth of Illinois Goods Threatened by Trade War

Tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could impact everything from soybeans to machinery and equipment.

A screen shot from a video filmed at a Cook County forest preserve. “This is what I’m wearing,” says the woman at the center of the video, showing a Puerto Rican flag shirt. (Mia Irizarry / Facebook)

Viral Video Puts Spotlight on Cook County Forest Preserve

A video shot in a Cook County forest preserve has caught fire on social media and is prompting blowback from county officials on both sides of the aisle.

(Daderot / Wikimedia Commons)

Political Fallout of Landmark Supreme Court Decision

Reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling on an Illinois case that deals a major blow to public sector unions.

Federal Government Ends Oversight of Cook County Jail’s Medical Center

Inside the Cook County jail is a full-fledged medical center that treats every one of the 6,000-7,000 detainees housed there on a daily basis. We get an exclusive tour. 

Each pod would hold 8-16 people. (Credit: The Boring Company)

Elon Musk’s Boring Company on Track to Build O’Hare Express Train

The concept sounds like it was lifted straight out of science fiction, but billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk says he is going to make it happen.

Alaina Hampton, right, speaks to the media Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018 with her spokesperson Lorna Brett.

Former Madigan Operative Accused of Sexual Harassment Speaks Out

Accusations of sexual harassment against Kevin Quinn started the #MeToo avalanche in House Speaker Michael Madigan’s office. Now, the former Madigan operative is making public statements for the first time since he lost his job in January.

Chicago Groups Challenge Trump Administration on Immigration

Should immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. be separated from their children? That question is at the heart of a dispute between immigration groups and the Trump administration.

Sherri Garrett speaks at a press conference Wednesday, June 6, 2018. (Chicago Tonight)

Top Madigan Official Accused of Harassment Resigns

Tim Mapes, House Speaker Michael Madigan’s top aide, has resigned following allegations made by a state employee accusing Mapes of making sexually inappropriate remarks.

Obama Presidential Center rendering (Courtesy Obama Foundation)

Obama Presidential Center Sails Through City Council

The project that will transform 19.3 acres of Jackson Park into the Obama Presidential Center aced its final in a series of city votes Wednesday.

House Speaker Michael Madigan (File photo)

Speaker Madigan Denies Retaliation Claims, Calls for Investigation

A firestorm erupts over a state Democratic lawmaker’s claims that Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is retaliating against her.

Plan Commission Greenlights Obama Presidential Center

Opponents and allies alike came together for a big vote Thursday on the future of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Lori Lightfoot Launches Mayoral Campaign

She says she offers a progressive vision for the city. Lori Lightfoot formally announces her campaign to take on Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Emanuel Laps the Ever-Expanding Mayoral Field in Fundraising

To put Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s fundraising advantage into perspective: a total of $6.6 million has been raised so far in this campaign, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform – $6.1 of it by Emanuel.

Obama Presidential Center rendering (Courtesy Obama Foundation)

Key Questions Remain Ahead of Obama Center Vote

Next week, the city is poised to take the first of several votes on the Obama Presidential Center. Why some community groups want to slow down the process.