Monday's Martin Luther King Jr. Day coincided with the first celebration of Muhammad Ali Day in Illinois on what would have been the champion boxer and civil rights activist's 80th birthday.
Stories by Alexandra Silets
Workers at Art Institute Museum, School Vote to Unionize
Employees at the School of the Art Institute voted to unionize Wednesday, one day after workers at the Art Institute also voted to form a union. It’s the first major museum union in Chicago and will represent more than 200 Art Institute employees including installers, curators, custodians, librarians and retail workers.
The Week in Review: CPS Teachers Buck In-Person Learning with Omicron Surge
Chicago schools shut down in a dispute between teachers and administrators. Arne Duncan teases a potential mayoral run. Remembering Jan. 6. And Lightfoot vows a reset on crime in 2022.
Spotlight Politics: Omicron Variant Pits CTU Against Mayor, Schools CEO
What’s the political fallout of the standoff between the teachers union and the city? The race for the 1st Congressional District heats up after Bobby Rush announces he's stepping down. And U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger decides his future on the eve of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot anniversary.
Spotlight Politics: Chicago Issues Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate Amid Surge
A look at the political and economic ramifications of the COVID-19 surge. Our politics team and guest reporters weigh in on that and more.
The Week in Review: Infections Rising, City Worker Vaccine Mandate Upheld
Omicron variant rips through Chicago and the U.S. The city gives the OK to stadium sports betting. Aurora Mayor may be a gubernatorial candidate. And downstate struggles with the aftermath of deadly storms.
The Week in Review: Jury Convicts Smollett on 5 of 6 Counts of Lying to Police
Cook County jury convicts Jussie Smollett for faking a hate crime. Business leaders blast the mayor for downtown crime. High-stakes debate over sports wagering. And omicron is here in Chicago.
Spotlight Politics: Sports Wagering Tax, Casinos Coming to Town
Sports betting, casinos, and COVID-19 bills in Springfield. Our politics team weighs in on that and more.
City Investing $1 Billion in Affordable Housing Projects
“We envision a city where every resident, no matter age, income, identity, ability, has the opportunities and the resources to lead comfortable lives in the communities they call home,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.
The Week in Review: Latino Caucus Blasts New Map, Files for Public Vote
Jussie Smollett on trial again for alleged fake hate crime attack. City ward remap deadline comes and goes as Black and Latino alderpeople still at odds. COVID-19 cases skyrocket with Omicron variant now in the U.S., and more.
The Week in Review: Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty on All Charges
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.
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.”
