Stories by Brandis Friedman
Retired Judge Patricia Banks to Serve as Interim COPA Chief
| Brandis Friedman
Just weeks after its relaunch as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the agency is officially looking for a new chief administrator.
Chicago Police Data Shows Reductions in Homicides, Shootings
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Police Department says that for the second month in a row, homicides in Chicago were lower than they were during the same month the year before.
What’s Cooking with Christopher Kimball? New Milk Street Book, TV Show
| Brandis Friedman
Foodies who may be missing the bow-tied former host of “America’s Test Kitchen” don’t have to wait any longer to find out what he’s been cooking.
Despite Dip in Enrollment, No Budget Cut for Some CPS Schools
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago Public Schools principals learned this week that they won’t lose money if enrollment figures following the first two weeks of school were below projections made when budgets were estimated in July.
Chief COPA Administrator Considers Run for Attorney General
| Brandis Friedman
Is the head of a new Chicago police watchdog group about to jump ship just weeks into the job?
Use-of-Force Training Begins for Chicago Police Officers
| Brandis Friedman
Mental health awareness, cultural competency and human rights are just a handful of the new training requirements for Chicago police officers as part of the city’s efforts at police reform.
With Amazon in Sight, Rauner and Emanuel Political Foes No More
| Brandis Friedman
After being political foes for months, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner are back to working together for a common cause: convincing Amazon to build its second headquarters in Chicago.
Governor’s Race: Chris Kennedy Selects Ra Joy as Running Mate
| Brandis Friedman
Addressing violence is at the top of the ticket for a newly minted Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor.
How Arrupe College is Reinventing Higher Education
| Brandis Friedman
In 2015, Loyola University Chicago started a two-year college to provide high-quality education to low-income students. Now the school has graduated its first class of students.
Chicago Takes on the Feds Over Plans to Withhold Grant Money
| Brandis Friedman
Attorneys for the city of Chicago on Monday hoped to convince a federal judge that plans by the U.S. Department of Justice to withhold federal grant money over immigration enforcement is unconstitutional.
Karen Lewis on School Funding Reform, Scholarships and Budgeting
| Brandis Friedman
The head of the Chicago Teachers Union joins us with a report on the first day of school.
Eddie Johnson Recovering Well After Kidney Transplant, Doctors Say
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago’s top cop, 57, was already feeling well enough to check a few emails just hours after his surgery, doctors Rush University Medical Center said.
With Education Funding Reform Comes a Squeeze for Chicago Taxpayers
| Brandis Friedman
Exactly how much more money can Chicago homeowners expect to pay to fund Chicago teacher pensions?
Developments in Court Oversight for the Chicago Police Department
| Brandis Friedman
Chicago has taken its first step toward having judicial oversight of its efforts to reform the Police Department, but not with the federal government. It’s doing it with the state of Illinois.
Rauner Signs Immigration, Voter Registration Bills
| Brandis Friedman
Immigrants and refugees in Illinois can now breathe a sigh of relief, and people eager to vote will find it easier to register. The changes come as Gov. Bruce Rauner signed two pieces of legislation Monday.
Barbara Byrd-Bennett Headed to ‘Camp Cupcake’ for 4.5-Year Sentence
| Brandis Friedman
The disgraced former Chicago Public Schools CEO reports to prison in just a few days.
Rauner Spokeswoman Confirms Governor to Sign Immigration Bill
| Brandis Friedman
Gov. Bruce Rauner may be set to sign legislation limiting cooperation between officials in Illinois and federal immigration authorities.
Crain’s: Cook County Union Lauds Preckwinkle for New Contract
| Brandis Friedman
As the fight over the Cook County sweetened beverage tax enters yet another round, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is getting some praise from one of the county's biggest unions.
Gwendolyn Brooks: Still ‘Real Cool’ at 100
| Brandis Friedman
The Pulitzer Prize-winning poet also served as the state's poet laureate from 1968 until her death in 2000. Today's poets are finding creative ways to remember her.
Chicago’s Summer Jobs Program Provides More Than a Paycheck
| Brandis Friedman
Each summer, thousands hired through One Summer Chicago earn work experience and a paycheck. But the city may be earning something, too.
Efforts to Simplify CPS High School Application Process Draw Concern
| Brandis Friedman
An attempt to make the high school application process easier is raising some questions.
Memo Finds Cook County Bail System Unconstitutional
| Brandis Friedman
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder is criticizing Cook County’s bail bond system.
Mayor Declines to Say Whether He’ll Reappoint Police Board President
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Police Board could be without a president Tuesday. The term of current President Lori Lightfoot expired Monday.
Center Aims to Provide ‘Softer Landing’ for Some Released Inmates
| Brandis Friedman
Some Cook County jail detainees will be getting a little extra help when leaving the jail.
Rauner Calls Lawmakers Back to Capitol for Education Funding Battle
| Brandis Friedman
Lawmakers will have much to discuss during yet another special session, this time on education spending. Three Illinois teachers weigh in.
Enrollment Down, Per-Pupil Spending Inches Up in New CPS Budgets
| Brandis Friedman
Despite the fight in Springfield over education funding, Chicago Public Schools leaders say they will open to students in the fall—but with fewer students.
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