There is new insight into the fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald and whether or not there was a large-scale cover-up of the initial incident to protect the Chicago police officer who shot him.
Stories by Paris Schutz
Land Deal Tied to Illinois Senate President Cullerton Under Scrutiny
A North Shore land deal involving Illinois Senate President John Cullerton raises questions about a powerful public official influencing a vote that could enrich him and his son.
The Impeachment Process: How It Works
Now that an official impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump has been launched, how exactly does impeachment work, and what are the next steps?
Illinois Considers Banning Flavored E-Cigarettes
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been critical of the vaping industry, and now Illinois lawmakers are considering statewide action.
City Council Looks to Restrict Vaping, Expand Marijuana
Chicago’s mayor and aldermen are vowing to take strict action on vaping while welcoming the sale of cannabis. Those two vices dominated the discussion during Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
General Iron Deal Spurs Debate About Land Use, Air Quality
A longtime scrap metal recycler reaches a deal with the city to close up shop at its location next to the Lincoln Yards site and move operations to the Southeast Side. But not everyone is happy about it.
Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis Opens Up in Chicago Speech
The four-star general who served as the country’s 26th defense secretary spoke Wednesday in Chicago to promote his new book, “Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead.”
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi: ‘We’re Leaning Into Chicago’
The CEO of Uber is in town for a major expansion of its Chicago offices. We go one-on-one with him on that and explore issues facing the industry.
Lightfoot Outlines $838M Budget Deficit in ‘State of the City’ Address
The number that had been kept under wraps for weeks is finally out in the open. “If it sounds like a large number, that’s because it is,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday during her first “State of the City” address.
Spotlight Politics: Joe Walsh Wages Primary Challenge Against Trump
A long shot presidential candidate from Illinois. Our politics team takes on the 2020 presidential election and more in our weekly roundtable.
Alderman: Budget Gap Could Be As High As $1.3 Billion
Just how big is the city’s budget deficit? And will Mayor Lori Lightfoot propose new taxes to close it? Lightfoot will likely spell out some of that in a much-anticipated “State of the City” address Thursday evening. Here’s a preview.
Federal Election Chair Sounds Alarm on 2020 Election
Federal authorities have repeatedly warned about foreign influence in U.S. elections, but a core federal agency that keeps watch on elections is suddenly without any enforcement ability. We speak with Federal Election Commission Chair Ellen Weintraub.
Mayor, Labor Groups Push for $15 Minimum Wage by 2021
Chicago has seen its minimum wage steadily rise in the last several years, from a hourly rate of $8.25 in 2014 to $13 today. But labor activists and some public officials say it’s not nearly enough.
Pritzker Upset With Harassment Report Findings, But Not With Madigan
More fallout from a report detailing a culture of harassment and abuse in the state capitol on Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan’s watch. But is the speaker getting a pass?
Report Outlines Culture of Fear, Harassment on Speaker Madigan’s Watch
A long-awaited report on sexual harassment in the Illinois House outlines a culture of fear, intimidation and bullying under House Speaker Michael Madigan’s former chief of staff Tim Mapes.
Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown Won’t Seek Re-Election
Long the subject of federal scrutiny, Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown explains why she will not seek re-election.
Chicago Casino Study: Taxes Too High to Be Profitable
An onerous tax structure would virtually kill any chance that a Chicago casino operator could make a profit, despite an ability to make massive amounts of money, according to a newly released feasibility study.
Chicago Casino Study to Be Released Tuesday
Where to put a Chicago casino? A $120,000 feasibility study may offer some insight on five potential sites proposed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Racial Tensions Boiling Over in City Water Department
Two years after a scathing report unveiled a rampant problem at the Department of Water Management, more employees are speaking out about what they call a toxic culture at the city agency.
Feds Indict Illinois Sen. Tom Cullerton
State Sen. Tom Cullerton is alleged to have fraudulently received labor and benefits from a labor union in which, according to the indictment, he did “little or no work.”
In Chicago, TIF Revenues Soaring
The city of Chicago could be in line for a giant windfall of tax revenue, just in time to face down a $700 million budget gap.
Mayor Lightfoot ‘Concerned’ About Feasibility of Chicago Casino
As part of a wide-ranging discussion on “Chicago Tonight,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she will be seeking public input on possible locations for a Chicago casino.
Lightfoot’s Ethics, Workplace Initiatives Unanimously Pass City Council
Two key initiatives of Mayor Lori Lightfoot were put to the test Wednesday, and the unanimous passage of each shows that Chicago’s new mayor has command over City Council.
Mayor, Aldermen Negotiate Fair Workweek Ordinance
Should larger Chicago companies be required to let employees know of their work schedules two weeks ahead of time?
Lightfoot Rejects Chicago Port Investment Deal
A deal to have a private operator invest up to $100 million to run the Illinois International Port District, also known as the Port of Chicago, appears to be dead.
