A contingent of Lake County elected officials was in Washington Wednesday as the horrific events of the July 4 parade mass shooting took center stage at a U.S. Senate hearing. The Highland Park tragedy has re-energized calls for a ban on guns like the kind the shooter used, but critics say that’s the wrong focus.
Stories by amanda vinicky
Candlelight Ceremony Honors Lives Lost in Highland Park Parade Shooting
The Highland Park community comes together to heal. Amanda Vinicky has a live report.
There’s a Placement Shortage for Youth in Illinois State Care. Here’s What That Means for Children
Illinois’ Department of Children and Family Services has been struggling to find proper placements, particularly for high-needs youth for whom the agency is having to stand in as a pseudo parent. So much so that some children and teens who have had a stint at a psychiatric hospital are there after they’ve been cleared for release because there’s nowhere for them to go.
Illinois Officials Head to DC for Federal Gun Law Signing
Illinois officials were on hand in Washington, D.C. to commemorate President Joe Biden’s recent signing of a bipartisan gun law.
Illinois Doesn’t Ban Assault Rifles. A Petition Demanding It Gains Rapid Support
Monday’s shooting in Highland Park has sparked discussions about what Illinois can and should be doing in terms of gun control, especially given the state issued a firearm owners identification card to the alleged shooter even after police filed a “clear and present danger” report on him.
Alleged Highland Park Shooter’s Online Behavior Fits Dark Pattern
The alleged Highland Park shooter left a digital trail, and it’s indicative of a pattern specialists often see among mass shooters.
National Education Association President on Plans for the Future of Schools
Thousands of educators from across the country are coming to Chicago to discuss and debate public education policies. The National Education Association is holding its annual meeting here. Amanda Vinicky spoke to the union president about her plan for the future of schools, including emotional learning, standardized testing, and addressing mass shootings in schools.
One-on-One With Gov. J.B. Pritzker as the Incumbent Shifts Focus to the General Election
The day after Illinois Republicans handily selected farmer and state Sen. Darren Bailey as his general election opponent, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled glimpses of what’s to come
Conservative State Sen. Darren Bailey Cruises to GOP Nomination, Will Face Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November
Fresh off an endorsement from former President Donald Trump, downstate farmer and state Sen. Darren Bailey appears to have coasted to a win the six-way Republican contest for Illinois governor. We take a look at the statewide election results and what they mean for November.
As Primary Polls Close, Vote Counting Ensues
Amanda Vinicky was outside 69 W. Washington, where work was being done to put together the election totals, as polls closed in today’s primary election.
Local, State Officials React to Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision
With the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade, Illinois elected officials are planning a legislative response. A special session will be called in July.
Chicago-Area Road Work Could Slow Down as Quarry Workers Strike Continues
Some 300 members of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 — those who are employed by Chicago-area quarries run by Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials Co. and Lafarge Holcim — went on strike June 7.
Pediatricians Urge Vaccinating Children Under Age Five
Within days of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control approving vaccine courses for children six-months through 4 years old, area hospitals, pediatricians and health care centers are beginning to put those doses in children’s arms.
Blood Donors Wanted as Shortage Continues
Factors out of most people’s reach have caused everything from high gas prices to shortages of products like baby formula and tampons. But there is another shortage that we can do something about: it’s the supply of blood that hospitals and their patients depend on daily.
Illinois Could Reform FOID, Ammo Purchasing Gun Safety Laws
A breakthrough bipartisan gun package got a boost — with the tentative backing of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. As members of Congress tiptoe toward taking federal action — state legislators are likewise focused on firearms measures.
After Texas School Shooting, States Debate ‘Red Flag Laws.’ Here’s How Illinois’ Version Works
As members of Congress weigh potential measures to protect against mass shootings, one often-mentioned option is a so-called red flag law. Illinois already has one. But is it working?
Inflation Overpowers City Minimum Wage Hike
Starting in July, minimum wage employees of larger businesses will see their paychecks rise by 40 cents an hour to $15.40
Elected Officials, Activists Call for More Gun Control Laws After Texas School Shooting
So far this year there have been 24 shootings in K-12 schools across the country. A sobering statistic that Illinois' Senator Durbin gave in his opening remarks of a Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senators questioned President Biden's nominee for the director of the nation's top gun enforcement agency — a position that has been vacant for seven years.
After Population Loss Reported, Revised Census Numbers Show Illinois Actually Gained 250K Residents
The story had been that people were leaving Illinois, and that the population dropped by about 18,000. But the U.S. Census Bureau came out last week with fresh numbers in its post-enumeration survey that show the reverse: The state gained some 250,000 people between 2010 and 2020.
How the Chicago Teachers Union Election Will Impact Schools
The June 28 primary is approaching. But Friday comes another election, one that’s bound to have a big political impact: The election for leadership of the Chicago Teachers Union. While only CTU members can vote, the results will have an impact beyond the union itself.
New Illinois Supreme Court Districts Bring Competition
Federal judges are appointed and confirmed, something the nation has witnessed via televised hearings as the nation’s high court has gone through turnover in recent years. But Illinois elects most judges.
Veterans Died Without Attention from Illinois’ Health Department
Thirty-six residents of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home died in November 2020 as part of a COVID-19 outbreak. A new report from the state’s auditor general finds that IDPH neglected to respond to the outbreak at the state-run facility until for many, it was too late.
Carpenters Class of All Women Is Building Walls, Breaking Barriers
Chicago Women in Trades helped organize what they say is the regional unions’ first class of all women in 140 years. The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council’s pre-apprentice program will put participants on the path to becoming a union-card-holding carpenter.
Illinois Erected a ‘Force Field’ in Anticipation of Post-Roe v. Wade Future
The draft opinion leaked to Politico and confirmed by the chief justice as genuine calls the Roe decision “egregiously wrong” and would return “the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives” – meaning to Congress and to the states.
COVID-19 Cases and Pollen Count Both Climbing, Leaving Those With the Sniffles Wondering
Patients are presenting with stuffy nose, nasal congestion, cough, post-nasal drip and sore throats. In the age of COVID, that leaves people worried.
Finger-Pointing Over Late Cook County Property Tax Bills
A reprieve from having to pay a hefty tax bill sounds like a gift, but a monthslong delay in Cook County property tax bills could instead cause headaches for taxpayers, governments and elected officials alike.
