Stories by Paris Schutz
Mayor Emanuel Meets with President-Elect Trump
| Paris Schutz
The mayor delivers a letter to Donald Trump, urging the president-elect to protect the status of Dreamers.
CPS Board Approves Revised Budget With $215M Gap
Charter Applications and Inspector General Investigation on the Table
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools has a budget, but it could change again before the end of the school year.
Illinois Budget Crisis Hurting Public Safety, State’s Attorneys Say
| Nick Blumberg
State lawmakers don’t appear to be any closer to passing a budget, and prosecutors warn the impasse is damaging public safety. Three county state’s attorneys weigh in.
Jimmy John’s Agrees to Pay $100K in Noncompete Lawsuit
| Reuben Unrau
Jimmy John’s has agreed to settle a lawsuit with the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan over its use of noncompete agreements, Madigan’s office announced Wednesday.
Parents, Teachers Blast Special Education Funding in Latest CPS Budget
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools teachers and parents blasted the district's plan for special education funding in its budget for the coming year, saying it pits students against each other in a "Hunger Games"-esque struggle for school resources.
Hairdressers to Help Recognize Signs of Domestic Violence
| Kristen Thometz
Starting next year, cosmetologists working in Illinois will be required to learn how to recognize signs of domestic violence and sexual assault.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Dec. 8-11
| Rebecca Palmore
Neighborhood holiday markets, outsider art, cyclocross and Jerry Seinfeld usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
As Recycling Rates Drop in Chicago, Officials Look to Reeducate Public
| Eddie Arruza
Why aren't Chicagoans getting on the recycling bandwagon? What city officials are doing to reverse dropping participation rates.
Chicago Police Department Mulling Changes to Use of Force Policy
| Paris Schutz
When is a police officer allowed to fire a weapon? The Chicago Police Department is set to release new rules on that, but they are already drawing criticism.
Rauner to Sign Controversial Energy Bill as Debate Rages On
| Paul Caine
A controversial energy bill is set to be signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner on Wednesday. We hear from both sides of the debate over the Future Energy Jobs Bill.
Documentary Project Turns the Camera on Girls in Public Housing
| Reuben Unrau
A new project aims to fill a void in a news cycle that has primarily centered on the issues young men face in the city.
Marist Students Expelled Over Racist Texts Suing School
| Matt Masterson
Parents of former Marist High School seniors claim the students are being used as “scapegoats” by the school in response to growing social media pressure and criticism over the incident.
Springfield Standoff: Lawmakers Weigh In on Budget Stalemate
| Alexandra Silets
Legislative leaders are still bickering – with no budget compromise in sight. Two lawmakers weigh in on the ongoing budget stalemate.
West Side Residents Approve Higher Taxes for Mental Health
| Paris Schutz
Why residents on the West Side of Chicago voted overwhelmingly to raise their property taxes a bit higher than the rest of the city.
‘AIDS in America’ Exhibition Responds to Cultural Climate of 1980s
| Marc Vitali
An ambitious new art exhibition looks at the cultural impact of, and creative response to, AIDS in America.
Photos: Navy Pier’s Winter WonderFest
| Mary Byrne
Chicago’s first snowfall came just in time for the beginning of the city’s annual winter celebration at Navy Pier.
CPS Helping Students Explore High School Options With New Website
| Matt Masterson
A new Chicago Public Schools website is set to help students sort through scores of local high schools to find the right one for them based on academic and extracurricular interests.
Share Your Squirrel Stories with Chicago Researchers
| Kristen Thometz
Next time you see a squirrel, take a picture. That photo, along with additional location and observation data, can help Chicago researchers better understand the local urban ecosystem.
Rauner Defends Support of Exelon Bill, Veto of CPS Funds
| Paris Schutz
Speaking before a group that opposed the recent bill to raise electric rates and bail out two failing nuclear plants, Gov. Bruce Rauner explained why he supported it.
CPS Adding $600 Million in Supplemental Capital Plans
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools says it plans to add $600 million in projects to its capital improvement budget for the upcoming year, but how much money the district will actually spend remains to be seen as it waits to gauge “market conditions and community feedback.”
Emanuel Creates Legal Fund with $1M to Protect Immigrants, Refugees
| Kristen Thometz
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Friday the creation of a legal protection fund to help thousands of immigrants and refugees threatened with deportation and pledged $1 million to start the fund.
The Week in Review: Legislative Veto Session Turns Ugly
| Alexandra Silets
The Springfield standoff turns even uglier as Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoes $215 million in CPS pension relief. Chicago’s deadly year surpasses 700 murders. And Jay Cutler is set to have season-ending surgery. These stories and more with Joel Weisman and guests.
New Hotline Deals Solely with Reports of Discrimination, Hate Crimes
| Reuben Unrau
In response to a recent surge in the number of hate crimes reported nationwide, Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart has launched a hotline for reporting incidents of discrimination.
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