Stories by Eunice Alpasan
Chicago Architect Unveils Design for National Memorial in DC Dedicated to Fallen Journalists
| Eunice Alpasan
Chicago architect John Ronan, who leads the local design firm John Ronan Architects, was chosen earlier this year to design the memorial in Washington, D.C.
Jussie Smollett’s Lawyers Make Argument for Overturning His Conviction to the Illinois Supreme Court
| Jerry Nowicki — Capitol News Illinois
In early 2019, Smollett made what turned out to be a false police report alleging that he’d been violently attacked by two men in downtown Chicago. The men allegedly punched him and yelled homophobic slurs, put a noose around his neck and told Smollett, “This is MAGA country,” a reference to then-President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Sensitive Illinois Voter Data Exposed by Contractor’s Unsecured Databases
| Andrew Adams — Capitol News Illinois
The documents were available through an unsecured cloud storage platform. They included Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses and voter registration history.
Prosecutors Rest Case Against Former AT&T Illinois Boss Accused of Bribing Madigan
| Hannah Meisel — Capitol News Illinois
Former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza is accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for the passage of legislation that was important to AT&T.
Sept. 16, 2024 - Full Show
| WTTW News
Chicago’s plan on attacking a billion-dollar budget deficit. And last-ditch efforts at City Hall to keep a controversial police tool.
Chicago Budget Director on Anticipated Shortfall, Hiring Freeze and City Services
| Abena Bediako
Chicago is facing a $223 million budget gap this year, and the city is projecting a nearly $1 billion shortfall in the 2025 fiscal year.
As ShotSpotter Contract Enters Final Days, Supporters Will Try Again to Stop Mayor Brandon Johnson From Scrapping It
| Heather Cherone
The showdown set for Wednesday is the latest inflection point in the monthslong debate over whether ShotSpotter is an irreplaceable tool in the fight against gun violence or a waste of taxpayer funds.
Illinois GOP Chair Calls for End to ‘Dangerous Rhetoric’ After Apparent Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump
| Amanda Vinicky
Surrounded by Republican candidates running for office in Cook County, Kathy Salvi on Monday invited voters to give down-ballot Republicans “a chance,” even if it meant ignoring the party’s figurehead and nominee for president. “If you don’t like Trump, turn off the TV for four years for heaven’s sake.”
New West Garfield Park Wellness Center Aims to Improve Health Outcomes, Close Life Expectancy Gap for West Side Residents
| Eunice Alpasan
Elected officials, community members and partners gathered Monday morning for a groundbreaking ceremony for Sankofa Wellness Center, at the corner of West Madison Street and South Kildare Avenue.
Trial Begins in Challenge to Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban
| Peter Hancock — Capitol News Illinois
Illinois lawmakers passed the ban in 2023 following a mass shooting the prior year at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park that left seven people dead and dozens more injured.
Tito Jackson, Member of Beloved Pop Group The Jackson 5, Dies at 70
| Associated Press
Tito Jackson was the third of nine children, including global superstars Michael and Janet, and was part of a music-making family whose songs have sold hundreds of millions of copies.
‘What’s the Plan?’ Alderpeople Demand Answers as Cost of Police Misconduct Soars
| Heather Cherone
During the first six months of 2024, Chicago taxpayers paid $40.5 million to resolve lawsuits alleging police officers committed misconduct, records show.
Partial Lunar Eclipse of Tuesday’s Supermoon is Perfectly Timed for People Who Aren’t Night Owls
| Patty Wetli
The partial eclipse will hit its maximum before 10 p.m. Tuesday, which is downright considerate of the moon on a school night.
Committed a Non-Violent Crime? Feds in Chicago Promise No Jail Time in Some Circumstances If You Come Forward
| Heather Cherone
The pilot program launched by federal proscecutors Chicago appears to be the latest attempt to root out the deeply entrenched culture of corruption that has long defined local and state politics.
From New COVID-19 Boosters to RSV, What to Know About Vaccines This Respiratory Virus Season
| CNN
Last year was the first year that the U.S. had vaccines available to protect against all three major respiratory viruses — COVID-19, flu and RSV — but vaccine uptake was low for the season. Here is what you need to know this year.
Suspect in Apparent Assassination Attempt of Donald Trump at Golf Course Charged in Federal Court
| CNN
Ryan Routh was charged with possession of a firearm while a convicted felon and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number during an initial appearance in federal court Monday morning. The investigation into Sunday’s apparent attempt on Trump’s life is continuing, and additional charges could be brought.
Will the Federal Reserve Cut Interest Rates Fast Enough to Deliver a ‘Soft Landing’?
| Associated Press
American consumers and home buyers, business people and political leaders have been waiting for months for what the Federal Reserve is poised to announce this week: That it’s cutting its key interest rate from a two-decade peak.
Fight in Humboldt Park Results in Fatal Shooting, 2 People Stabbed, as 4 People Killed by Gun Violence in Chicago This Weekend: Police
| Patty Wetli
Thirty people were shot in 27 separate incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Donald Trump Was the Subject of an Apparent Assassination Attempt at His Florida Golf Club, the FBI Says
| Associated Press
The FBI said Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Attention Student Photographers: The National Portrait Gallery Wants Your Picture on the Walls of the Museum
| Marc Vitali
Every picture tells a story, and now there’s a chance for young photographers in Chicago (and elsewhere) to tell their own stories and amplify them to the nation.
CDC Says Mpox Vaccine Boosters Aren’t Needed in the US as Questions Emerge Around Waning Immunity
| CNN
Last month, the World Health Organization declared an mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to be a public health emergency of international concern, and the outbreak has spread to a growing number of countries in Africa.
United Airlines Will Offer Free Internet on Flights Using Service From SpaceX
| Associated Press
United said it will begin testing the service early next year and begin offering it on some flights by later in 2025.
Nearly Half of US Renters Spend More Than 30% of Their Income on Housing Costs
| CNN
The data underscores the gravity of America’s home-affordability crisis: Not only has buying a home become prohibitively expensive for many Americans, but so too has renting one.
In Bribery Trial, AT&T Lobbyists Detail Contentious Meeting With Madigan Ally
| Hannah Meisel — Capitol News Illinois
Former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza is accused of bribing former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan in exchange for the passage of legislation that was important to AT&T.
Some Little Village Residents Are Pushing Back Against New Neighborhood Starbucks
| Emily Soto
A Starbucks is set to open at the Little Village Plaza — an area once filled with local vendors and businesses before it was sold to developers. Some residents said this is just the beginning of what will lead to gentrification, while others said the community should embrace the investment.
Week in Review: Trump and Harris Face Off in Presidential Debate; Chicago Announces Hiring Freeze
| Paul Caine
Millions watched Harris and Trump face off in the presidential debate — but will it move the needle? And efforts to curb a looming Chicago budget deficit.
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