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As Homicides Drop Nationwide, Chicago Lags Behind Other Major Cities. Why?

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A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

Crime overall is falling nationwide. But when it comes to homicides, Chicago’s numbers are not declining as quickly as the two largest cities in the nation — New York and Los Angeles.

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/2024/03/11/homicides-drop-nationwide-chicago-lags-behind-other-major-cities-why
A file photo shows a crime scene blocked off by the Chicago Police Department. (WTTW News)

2 More Cases of Measles Confirmed in Pilsen Shelter, Bringing Total to 4: Chicago Health Officials

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The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that has been converted into the city's largest shelter. (WTTW News)

Since the first confirmed case of measles was diagnosed in a shelter resident on Friday, approximately 900 residents have been vaccinated, officials said. 

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/2024/03/11/2-more-cases-measles-confirmed-pilsen-shelter-bringing-total-4-chicago-health-officials
The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that has been converted into the city's largest shelter. (WTTW News)

Real Estate Groups Ask Illinois Supreme Court to Invalidate Ballot Measure That Would Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties

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A homeless encampment in Humboldt Park. (WTTW News)

A coalition of the real estate and development groups asked the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse an appellate court ruling that overturned a decision by Cook County Judge Kathleen Burke that blocked the Chicago Board of Elections from counting votes for and against the proposal, known as Bring Chicago Home.

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/2024/03/11/real-estate-groups-ask-illinois-supreme-court-invalidate-ballot-measure-would-hike-taxes
A homeless encampment in Humboldt Park. (WTTW News)

3 Children and 2 Adults Die After School Bus Collides With Semi in Western Illinois, Authorities Say

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In this image made from video provided by Illinois State Police Troop 6, Illinois State Police Capt. Jody Huffman, at podium, speaks during a news conference about the five people, including three children, who were killed Monday, March 11, 2024, after a school bus and semitruck collided on a highway in western Illinois. (Illinois State Police Troop 6 via AP)

Five people, including three children, were killed in western Illinois when a school bus and semitruck collided on a highway Monday, authorities said.

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/2024/03/11/3-children-and-2-adults-die-after-school-bus-collides-semi-western-illinois-authorities
In this image made from video provided by Illinois State Police Troop 6, Illinois State Police Capt. Jody Huffman, at podium, speaks during a news conference about the five people, including three children, who were killed Monday, March 11, 2024, after a school bus and semitruck collided on a highway in western Illinois. (Illinois State Police Troop 6 via AP)

With 2 Vacant Seats, Ethics Board Cancels Meeting, Leaving Case Against Conyears-Ervin in Limbo Before Election

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An online flyer posted in January that lists Melissa Conyears-Ervin as the host of a prayer group, identifies her as “Chicago City Treasurer” and uses her official city portrait. (Facebook)

The cancelation of the meeting leaves the pending probe against City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin up in the air, four months after the Ethics Board ratified the determination that she fired two city employees after they warned her she was violating the city’s government ethics ordinance by using city resources to host a prayer service.

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An online flyer posted in January that lists Melissa Conyears-Ervin as the host of a prayer group, identifies her as “Chicago City Treasurer” and uses her official city portrait. (Facebook)

The Solar Eclipse Is a Month Away, But the Time to Get Your Viewing Glasses — and Smartphone Filters — Is NOW

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(National Park Service / Flickr Creative Commons)

If you've been sleeping on the North American total solar eclipse of 2024, it's time to start paying attention. The big event — on April 8 — is fast approaching and folks who haven't prepared could find themselves left out in the dark.

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/2024/03/11/solar-eclipse-month-away-time-get-your-viewing-glasses-and-smartphone-filters-now
(National Park Service / Flickr Creative Commons)

Reports: Bears Planning to Spend $2B on New Domed Stadium in Chicago

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(WTTW News)

Several news organizations on Monday morning reported that the team has backed off possible plans to build a stadium in suburban Arlington Heights and will instead now provide private funding for a new publicly owned stadium in Chicago.

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/2024/03/11/reports-bears-planning-spend-2b-new-domed-stadium-chicago
(WTTW News)

US Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder and Rape in Attack on 2 Recent U. of I. Graduates in Germany

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A 31-year-old American man accused of murder, center, stands in the dock between his lawyers Philip M'ller, left, and Alexander Stevens at the regional court in Kempten, Germany, Monday March 11, 2024. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / dpa via AP)

An American man was convicted of murder and other charges on Monday for brutally attacking two American women near Germany’s famed Neuschwanstein castle last summer and pushing them into a ravine, fatally injuring one of them. He was sentenced to life in prison.

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/2024/03/11/us-man-sentenced-life-prison-murder-and-rape-attack-2-recent-u-i-graduates-germany
A 31-year-old American man accused of murder, center, stands in the dock between his lawyers Philip M'ller, left, and Alexander Stevens at the regional court in Kempten, Germany, Monday March 11, 2024. (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand / dpa via AP)

1 Person Killed, 12 Wounded in Weekend Shootings Across Chicago: Police

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(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

According to the Chicago Police Department, 13 people were shot in 13 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

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/2024/03/11/1-person-killed-12-wounded-weekend-shootings-across-chicago-police
(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

WTTW News Explains: Why Does Chicago Dye the River Green for St. Patrick’s Day?

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A graphic that says “Chicago’s River Dyeing.” (WTTW News)

There’s no more iconic Chicago St. Patrick’s Day tradition than dyeing the Chicago River green.

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/2024/03/11/wttw-news-explains-why-does-chicago-dye-river-green-st-patrick-s-day
A graphic that says “Chicago’s River Dyeing.” (WTTW News)

‘Oppenheimer’ Crowned Best Picture at an Academy Awards Shadowed by War

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Robert Downey Jr., winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Oppenheimer," from left, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "The Holdovers," Emma Stone, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Poor Things," and Cillian Murphy, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10

After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic, including best actor for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor for Robert Downey Jr. and best director for Nolan.

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/2024/03/10/oppenheimer-crowned-best-picture-academy-awards-shadowed-war
Robert Downey Jr., winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for "Oppenheimer," from left, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "The Holdovers," Emma Stone, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a leading role for "Poor Things," and Cillian Murphy, winner of the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role for "Oppenheimer," pose in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, March 10

2nd Case of Measles Confirmed in Pilsen Shelter, Chicago Health Officials Announce

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The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that has been converted into the city's largest shelter. (WTTW News)

A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is on its way to Chicago to assist the Chicago Department of Public Health respond to the apparent measles outbreak, Chicago health officials said.

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/2024/03/10/2nd-case-measles-confirmed-pilsen-shelter-chicago-health-officials-announce
The former industrial building at 2241 S. Halsted St. that has been converted into the city's largest shelter. (WTTW News)

Week in Review: Lawmakers Approve Hybrid Elected School Board; Measles Reported at Migrant Shelter

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State lawmakers overwhelmingly approve a hybrid elected school board for Chicago. More trouble at an embattled migrant shelter in Pilsen. And the race for Cook County state’s attorney heats up.

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/2024/03/08/week-review-lawmakers-approve-hybrid-elected-school-board-measles-reported-migrant

Illinois Man Accused of Firing Gun From Scaffolding During Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Arrested

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FILE - Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump breach the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo / AP Photo, File)

John Banuelos, 39, of Summit, Illinois, was captured on camera footage scaling the scaffolding that had been put up for the inaugural stage and waving the crowd toward him. He pulled what appeared to be a gun from his waistband and fired two shots into the air, prosecutors said.

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/2024/03/08/illinois-man-accused-firing-gun-scaffolding-during-jan-6-capitol-riot-arrested
FILE - Violent insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump breach the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. (John Minchillo / AP Photo, File)

Interim President Among 15 Chicagoans Nominated to Serve on Permanent CPD Oversight Board

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(WTTW News)

Mayor Brandon Johnson faces an April 7 deadline to pick seven members to serve on the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability.

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/2024/03/08/interim-president-among-15-chicagoans-nominated-serve-permanent-cpd-oversight-board
(WTTW News)

Sundays on State to Return This Summer; Loop Alliance Seeking Artists and Organizations for the Free Block Party

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(Courtesy of Chicago Loop Alliance)

Everyone’s favorite downtown block party is back. Chicago Loop Alliance organizes Sundays on State with the goal of cultivating community and amplifying art and culture within the Loop.

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(Courtesy of Chicago Loop Alliance)

Expect Delays: Next Phase of Kennedy Expressway Construction to Begin Monday — With Reversible Express Lanes Closing Until Fall

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(WTTW News)

The construction is part of the second phase of a three-year, $150 million project to rehab the I-90/I-94 Kennedy Expressway from the I-94 Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street.

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/2024/03/08/expect-delays-next-phase-kennedy-expressway-construction-begin-monday-reversible-express
(WTTW News)