President Joe Biden said Monday that college graduates would see “life-changing” relief from his new plan to ease debt burdens for more than 30 million borrowers, the latest attempt by the Democratic president to make good on a campaign promise that could buoy his standing with young voters.
Stories by
Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough Dies at 73
Yarbrough was elected as clerk in 2018 and previously served as a state representative and Cook County’s recorder of deeds.
Watch Live: NASA Livestream of Solar Eclipse Sweeping Across the US
A total solar eclipse is set to move across the United States Monday afternoon with the path of totality sweeping from Texas up to Maine. Watch as it unfolds with NASA scientists.
2 People Killed in Shootings Across Chicago Over Weekend: Police
According to the Chicago Police Department, 23 people were shot between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Reform Groups Say CPD’s Plan to Handle Protests Around DNC Violates First Amendment, Consent Decree
A federal judge is set to decide whether to force changes to CPD’s proposed mass arrest policy as the city prepares for the Democratic National Convention from Aug. 19-24.
‘Watershed’ Moment for Chicago River System as Tougher Rules Take Effect for City’s Sewer Discharges
“Chicago owns the most outfalls that discharge into the river system, and controlling what comes out of them is essential to reach our shared vision for a fishable-swimmable river that is accessible to everyone,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River.
Illinois Supreme Court Upholds Law Limiting Where Child Sex Offenders Can Live
In a 6-0 decision, the court found the residency restriction “does not infringe upon a child sex offender’s fundamental rights” and that there was a “rational basis” for the state to restrict where a person convicted of such a crime can live.
State Republicans Killed an Indiana City’s Lawsuit to Stop Illegal Gun Sales. Why?
Gary, Indiana, was among dozens of U.S. cities to sue major gun-makers and sellers in reaction to the out-of-control homicide rates and violent crime of the 1990s.
Week in Review: Demands for Change at Prisoner Review Board; City Council Votes Against Punishment for Ald. Sigcho-Lopez
Mayor Brandon Johnson confidently reflects on one year in office. And Illinois Republicans want big changes to the state’s Prisoner Review Board after a convict is released and allegedly commits murder.
A Fictional Chicago Political Family Searches for ‘Purpose’ in Steppenwolf World Premiere: Review
“Purpose,” the new world premiere play from Branden Jacobs-Jenkins now running at Steppenwolf, is also a very specific story about a family rooted in Black American politics, featuring a Civil Rights activist, pastors and a congressman.
Traveling to Carbondale for the Eclipse? IDOT Says ‘Pack a 10-Gallon Tank of Patience’
The Illinois Department of Transportation learned a lot from the traffic jam “hangover” that followed 2017’s solar eclipse: mainly to warn motorists to expect gridlock.
An Earthquake Centered Between NYC and Philadelphia Rattles Much of the Northeast
While there were no immediate reports of serious damage, officials were checking bridges and other major infrastructure, Amtrak slowed trains throughout the busy Northeast Corridor, and a Philadelphia-area commuter rail line suspended service out of what it said was “an abundance of caution.”
Chicago Police Hosting Vehicle Safety Days to Help Prevent Thefts
CPD said it works with private partners and businesses to aid eligible vehicle owners in obtaining steering wheel locks, catalytic converter etchings and other theft prevention information.
Former Donald Trump Officials Among the Most Vocal Opponents of Returning Him to the White House
As Donald Trump seeks the presidency for a third time, he is being vigorously opposed by a vocal contingent of former officials who are stridently warning against his return to power and offering dire predictions for the country and the rule of law if his campaign succeeds.
Federal Report Finds 68,000 Guns Were Illegally Trafficked Through Unlicensed Dealers Over 5 Years
The guns were used in 368 shooting cases, which are harder to investigate because unlicensed dealers aren’t required to keep records of their sales that could allow federal agents to trace the weapon back to the original buyer.
Another Month of Robust US Job Growth Points to Continued Economic Strength
Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate dipped from 3.9% to 3.8%. The jobless rate has now remained below 4% for 26 straight months, the longest such streak since the 1960s.
Chicago Has Recorded 56 Cases of Measles This Year, More Than Half of the National Total
The Chicago Department of Public Health says they are fighting the spread through testing and vaccinations — particularly in the Pilsen migrant shelter where the majority of cases are emerging.
Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, April 4, 2024 - Full Show
What Chicago is doing to combat a spike in measles cases. Everything you need to know about the solar eclipse that’s just days away. And a Venezuelan artist captures his journey to America.
Venezuelan Migrant Depicts His Journey to Chicago in Series of Paintings
Last year, a Belmont Cragin pastor opened his church’s doors to house a group of migrants who were sleeping at a police station. One of the men has now created a series of paintings describing his journey to America. His artwork will be on display this weekend.
Chicago Police Continued to Target Black, Latino Drivers With Flood of Traffic Stops in 2023: Report
The vast majority of the more than 537,000 traffic stops made by Chicago police in 2023 were based on dubious evidence of minor violations that took direct aim at Black and Latino Chicagoans but spared White Chicagoans, according to a new report from Impact for Equity, a nonprofit advocacy and research organization that has helped lead the push to reform the Chicago Police Department.
Bill Ending Illinois’ Tipped Wage Advances, But Prospects Are Uncertain Amid Pushback
Current Illinois law allows employers to pay their tipped workers 60% of the state’s minimum wage. That amounts to $8.40 hourly, compared to the minimum wage of $14 per hour. If their wages plus tips do not equal minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Chicago, Federal Agencies Ramp Up Security Training Ahead of August’s Democratic National Convention
The Secret Service will be responsible for security at the United Center and McCormick Place and their containment areas. The Chicago Police Department is responsible for everything outside the venues, including management of protests.
Preservationist-Backed Study Finds Promontory Point Rock Wall is Good for Another 100 Years as Efforts Continue to Fight Off Demolition
An independent engineering study has concluded Promontory Point’s limestone blocks are still functioning as ample shoreline protection, which refutes a longstanding position held by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Suburban Nurse Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Stealing Morphine From Patients
Sarah Diamond, 31, of Woodstock, pleaded guilty last year to a federal charge of tampering with a consumer product and was sentenced this week during a hearing in Chicago.
When Voters Say ‘No’ to New Stadiums, What Do Professional Sports Teams Do Next?
he defeat Tuesday of a three-eighths cent sales tax to fund a new downtown Royals ballpark and renovate the Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium was almost assuredly not the end of the matter. Other teams and cities have faced similar setbacks, and that hasn’t slowed a wave of stadium construction underway across the U.S.
Powerball Jackpot Jumps to $1.23 Billion After Another Drawing Without a Big Winner
The jackpot, which now ranks as the eighth-largest in U.S. lottery history, has been growing for more than three months, reflecting the long odds of 1 in 292.2 million of winning the top prize.
