About 20 people on board an American Airlines flight bound for Miami suffered minor injuries, fire officials said, after the plane caught fire Friday afternoon on a runway at O'Hare International Airport.
Stories by Reuben Unrau
Plane Catches Fire During Takeoff at O’Hare Airport, Minor Injuries Reported
Reuben Unrau | Oct 28, 2016
CTA to Roll Out Vintage Train Cars for Cubs World Series Games
Reuben Unrau | Oct 28, 2016
Taking the CTA Red Line will be a blast from the past for some Cubs fans heading to the their team’s first World Series appearance in more than half a century.
Number of Registered Voters in Illinois Exceeds 8 Million
Reuben Unrau | Oct 27, 2016
With less than two weeks until Election Day, more Illinoisans are registered to vote since record keeping began in 1970.
The High Cost of the World Series in Chicago
Reuben Unrau | Oct 26, 2016
For Chicago’s long-suffering fans to get in on the action of the Cubs’ historic championship run, they’ll have to pony up the big bucks.
New Mixed-Use Development Plan to Combine Libraries With Housing
Reuben Unrau | Oct 25, 2016
A new partnership between the Chicago Housing Authority and Chicago Public Libraries will put affordable housing and learning centers under the same roof in three city neighborhoods.
EPA to Shut Down 2 Chicago Vehicle Emissions Test Facilities
Reuben Unrau | Oct 21, 2016
Motorists will be without a single testing center within Chicago city limits starting Nov. 1.
Final Section of Chicago Riverwalk to Open This Weekend
Reuben Unrau | Oct 20, 2016
The completion of the three-block stretch marks the end of construction on the 1.25-mile promenade, providing pedestrian and bike access along the south bank of the river.
Chicago Ranked No. 2 Travel Destination in U.S. by Conde Nast
Reuben Unrau | Oct 19, 2016
Chicago bumped San Francisco from its number two spot in this year’s ranking of U.S. travel destinations by Conde Nast Traveler.
Field Museum Turns to Public to Help Digitize Collection
Reuben Unrau | Oct 19, 2016
It's home to an estimated 30 million objects from across the globe, but only about 25 percent of the Field Museum's collection has been cataloged in a digital database. Starting Thursday, volunteers can help grow that percentage.
City Sets Aside $1 Million for Municipal ID Program
Reuben Unrau | Oct 14, 2016
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced on Wednesday a new program that will provide city municipal photo ID cards to Chicago residents.
Plan to Merge Ventra App With Divvy Receives Federal Grant
Reuben Unrau | Oct 12, 2016
Just weeks after Chicago was named the best U.S. city for biking, plans are underway to make the bicycle sharing program Divvy more convenient for CTA riders.
Federal Grant Helps Fund New Illinois Sexual Assault Law
Reuben Unrau | Oct 11, 2016
The Illinois Attorney General’s office announced last week a $750,000, three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Justice that will help fund a new program that aims to improve the state's response to sexual assault crimes.
New Program Aims to Employ, Provide Services to Chicago’s Homeless
Reuben Unrau | Oct 10, 2016
A pilot program announced last week by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Family and Support Services aims to provide temporary employment opportunities and assistance to 100 homeless individuals.
West Side Woman Planning Soldier Field Prayer Vigil
Reuben Unrau | Oct 5, 2016
Shelisa Jones is on a mission from God. Her plan? Rent out Soldier Field next Monday for a citywide interfaith prayer vigil for peace during one of Chicago’s most violent years in decades.
Northwestern Announces Record Voter Registration for Incoming Freshman
Reuben Unrau | Sep 30, 2016
This week, the university announced that 96 percent of incoming freshman have registered to vote, thanks in part to a new website launched this fall.
Oak Park Church to Sell Iconic Billiards Tables
Reuben Unrau | Sep 28, 2016
When Oak Park Billiards closed 10 years ago, the vintage Brunswick pool tables remained. But with a new tenant moving in, those iconic tables, along with hundreds of other items, are up for sale to the general public this weekend.
Report: Chicago Companies Struggle with Diversity in Top Positions
Reuben Unrau | Sep 27, 2016
A recent survey of the top 50 Chicago public companies reveals a lack of minority representation among senior leadership positions, with 19 showing no ethnic diversity within their executive ranks.
Banned Books Week Puts Spotlight on Diversity in Literature
Reuben Unrau | Sep 23, 2016
Readings and discussions with a focus on this year’s theme of diversity will take place in libraries and bookstores across Chicago.
‘Not Forgotten’ Tells Stories Behind Chicago’s Roadside Memorials
Reuben Unrau | Sep 20, 2016
An upcoming photography exhibition at the Gage Gallery at Roosevelt University shines a light on these organic works of art and the stories behind them.
Chicago Ideas Week Announces 2016 Lineup
Reuben Unrau | Sep 19, 2016
The annual Chicago Ideas Week festival returns next month with more than more than 250 presenters, including U.S. soccer star Abby Wambach, talent agent Ari Emanuel and former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell.
Report: Park Forest 3rd Most Affordable Housing Market in US
Survey shows renters 'relatively satisfied' with Chicago

According to a report released last week from real estate company Coldwell Banker, Park Forest is the most affordable market in Illinois and the third most affordable nationwide.
Report: Chicago’s West Side is ‘Epicenter’ of Heroin Crisis in Illinois
Reuben Unrau | Sep 12, 2016
A study from Roosevelt University titled, “Hidden in Plain Sight,” analyzes the state’s heroin crisis. One of the report’s co-authors pinpoints Chicago’s West Side as the “epicenter” of the state’s crisis.
New Law Requires Student Drivers to Learn How to Interact With Police
Reuben Unrau | Sep 9, 2016
A new Illinois law mandates that driver’s education instructors teach students how to behave if pulled over by law enforcement.
Englewood Peace Festival Shines a Light on Neighborhood’s Resiliency
Reuben Unrau | Sep 7, 2016
As homicide rates in Chicago soar, a new street festival looks to highlight the positive side of a South Side community that often makes headlines for crime.
Independent Bookstores Wary of Amazon’s Arrival to Chicago
Reuben Unrau | Sep 6, 2016
Online behemoth Amazon will open a brick-and-mortar bookstore in Lakeview next year. What this could mean for independent bookstores and publishers.
New Union Station Transit Center Opens Sunday
Reuben Unrau | Sep 2, 2016
A new transit facility aimed at improving connections between trains and buses at Union Station is set to open Sunday, city officials announced this week.