Stories by Erica Demarest
2025 Chicago Summer Festival Guide
| Erica Demarest
Get ready for fun with this Chicago festival guide to neighborhood street fests, art shows, outdoor concerts, cultural celebrations and summer events of all sizes across Chicago and the suburbs.
Chicago Warming Centers: 190 Places to Escape the Cold This Winter
| Erica Demarest
From public libraries to community centers, the city of Chicago offers more than 190 public facilities where anyone can go to keep warm this winter.
2024 Chicago Holiday Events Guide
| Erica Demarest
From light shows to theater, themed bars and dance spectacles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.
‘Heinous and Inexplicable’: Chicago Man Charged, Detained in CTA Blue Line Shooting That Killed 4 Passengers
| Erica Demarest
A 30-year-old Chicago man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder following a fatal Labor Day shooting on a CTA Blue Line train in suburban Forest Park. At a bond hearing Wednesday, Rhanni Davis was ordered detained pending trial.
Murder, Arson, Fraud Charges Filed in Connection to 2023 Blaze That Killed Chicago Firefighter
| Erica Demarest
Firefighter Jermaine Pelt was killed battling a West Pullman blaze in April 2023. Two men have been charged with murder and arson, while a third faces fraud and forgery charges.
Illinois Republicans Select Kathy Salvi as New State Party Chair
| Erica Demarest
Attorney Kathy Salvi ran unsuccessfully against incumbent U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth in 2022. Salvi assumes the post July 19, the day after the Republican National Convention wraps in Milwaukee.
16-Year-Old Boy Charged in Chatham Triple Homicide
| Erica Demarest
Police said three people were fatally shot following a Feb. 25 altercation inside a Chatham home: two men, ages 20 and 36, and a 14-year-old boy. A 16-year-old boy was also shot and seriously wounded.
Here’s When You Can Visit Chicago-Area Museums and Zoos for Free in 2024
| Erica Demarest
If you’re seeking activities that don’t break the bank this winter, look no further than local museums, zoos and gardens. A number have announced free admission days in 2024.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Holiday Singalongs, Winter Markets, Drag Queen Storytime
| Erica Demarest
A magic show, menorah lighting and Pocket Con usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Winter Flower Shows, Neighborhood Holiday Festivities
| Erica Demarest
A winter walk, art exhibit and community lighting event usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
15-Year-Old Charged With 11 Counts of Armed Robbery in Early Morning Spree
| Erica Demarest
Police said the 15-year-old boy was identified as one of the individuals who participated in numerous armed robberies in the early morning hours of Aug. 20.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Viking Pub Crawl, Ice Skating, ‘Downton Abbey’ Pop-Up
| Erica Demarest
A tree lighting, makers markets and Italian food usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
2023 Chicago Holiday Events Guide
| Erica Demarest
Whether you’re interested in theater or light shows, ice skating or shopping, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Pilsen Gourmet, Local Markets, Lightscape Begins
| Erica Demarest
Comedy shows, a French market and dazzling lights usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Fall Night Market, Ringling Returns
| Erica Demarest
A dance series, film festival and Native American art usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
Looking to Help Migrants and Unhoused Chicagoans This Winter? Here’s What the City Recommends
| Erica Demarest
With winter fast approaching, the city of Chicago is reminding people that asylum seekers and homeless residents are in need of clothing, toiletries and other items.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Halloween Happenings, 312 Comedy Festival and Celebrating Jewish Delis
| Erica Demarest
Spooky music, pet costume contests and a deli exhibit usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Halloween Parade, Tarot Readings, Pinball Expo
| Erica Demarest
A musical showcase, aura portraits and a clothing swap usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Open House Chicago, Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing Events
| Erica Demarest
A film festival, arts celebration and Reuse-a-Palooza usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Latina Comedy Festival, Haunted Chicago River Cruises
| Erica Demarest
River tours, home tours and fall festivals usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Long List of Citywide Arts Events, Massive Jack-O’-Lanterns
| Erica Demarest
Art walks, a charity run and a 12-foot puppet usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Apple Fest, Shedd Aquarium House Party
| Erica Demarest
An art walk, film festival and house music party usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Ravenswood ArtWalk, Mexican Independence Day Parade
| Erica Demarest
Oktoberfest, Oksoberfest and a pair of arts festivals usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Field Museum’s ID Day, Printers Row Lit Fest
| Erica Demarest
Dumplings, fossils and a 5K usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in Chicago.
5 Things to Do This Weekend: Bike the Drive, Chicago Labor Day Parade
| Erica Demarest
Irish days, African arts and a Labor Day parade usher in the weekend. Here are five things to do in and around Chicago.
Chicago Files Lawsuit Against Kia and Hyundai, Which Account for More Than Half of City’s 2023 Car Thefts
| Erica Demarest
Kia and Hyundai vehicles made up 41% of all Chicago car thefts in 2022 — despite the fact Kias and Hyundais account for just 7% of vehicles in the city, according to the lawsuit.
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