Stories by grace del vecchio

Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks at a press conference in Chicago’s 21st Ward on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

Lightfoot Celebrates Biden-Harris Victory, End of ‘National Nightmare’

A day after Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to become the 46th president of the United States, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other elected officials joined community members in Chatham to celebrate the victory.

Women dance outside Trump Tower on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

Photos: Celebrations in Chicago as Biden Defeats Trump

As news spread of Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump, Chicagoans took to the streets in protest and celebration, shaking off the tense energy and uncertainty that has followed in the wake of Tuesday’s election.

Shavon Coleman speaks out against a proposal to consolidate three schools in North Lawndale on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

In North Lawndale, Concerns Over Proposal to Consolidate 3 CPS Elementary Schools

Community members, parents and officials are voicing their concerns over a proposal to close three elementary schools with dwindling enrollment and replace them with a new, state-of-the-art facility.

Animal rights activists protest Sunday, Sept. 27 in Belmont Cragin. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

Protesters Call for Divestment from Animal Agriculture, Closure of Slaughterhouses

Protesters lined the corner of Austin Boulevard and Fullerton Avenue on Sunday, holding signs linking animals to viral outbreaks, like Ebola and COVID-19. One sign simply read: “We are one pandemic away from collapse.”

Community members participate in a budget game outlining their priorities Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 in Austin’s Moore Park. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

People’s Budget of Chicago Seeks to Educate, Get Community Input on City Budget

Each year, city officials define a budget for Chicago. While the city budget process includes public hearings, an event Saturday sought to get community input on their budget priorities.

Brown Sugar Bakery employees hand out free cupcakes as part of the 75th Street Boardwalk grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

75th Street Boardwalk Celebrates Grand Opening in Chatham

Plywood used to board up businesses in the wake of civil unrest this summer is now a sign of economic growth and engagement in one South Side community.

Activists in support of defunding the University of Chicago Police Department participate in a march on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

University of Chicago Students End 7-Day Occupation Outside Provost’s Home

Student activists calling for the disbandment of the University of Chicago Police Department ended their weeklong occupation of the 4900 block of South Greenwood Avenue in Kenwood on Friday.

Sam Trump performs Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 at Back Alley Jazz. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

South Shore Celebrates 3rd Annual Back Alley Jazz Series

Jazz musicians set up in driveways, front lawns and other outdoor spaces as part of this year’s Back Alley Jazz — a series of pop-up concerts inspired by performances that took place across the South Side in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Dozens of Protesters Reunited with Bicycles Confiscated by Police in July

Chicago police confiscated 76 bicycles from protesters at a July 17 demonstration in Grant Park that turned violent, leaving many without their primary mode of transportation. About two dozen were reunited with their bikes Sunday.

Tanya Lopez, activist and founder of Healthy Hood Chicago, speaks outside the Pilsen post office on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020. (Grace Del Vecchio / WTTW News)

Community Members in Pilsen Denounce Trump, DeJoy at ‘Save the Post Office’ Protest

Outside the Cesar Chavez Pilsen Post Office on Saturday, activists demanded the resignation of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and showed support for a House bill to reverse recent changes to the U.S. Postal Service as part of a nationwide day action.