Jurors hear secret recordings in former Ald. Ed Burke’s corruption trial. And construction is underway for a new controversial migrant base camp.
Stories by paul caine
New Report Raises Questions Over CPD’s Approach to Missing Persons Cases
Black people comprise about two-thirds of all reported missing persons cases in Chicago over the past two decades.
Week in Review: Rahm Emanuel Talks Chicago Politics, Ambassadorship and Gaza in Exclusive Interview
An exclusive one-on-one with U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. We talk with Chicago’s former mayor about his new role, the conflict in Gaza and much more.
Week in Review: City to Limit Migrant Stays at Shelters; Ed Burke Trial Resumes
Chicago gets more money from the state to care for migrants. City Council rubber-stamps Johnson’s $16.6 billion budget. And former Ald. Ed Burke’s trial resumes after a COVID-19 delay.
Despite Northwestern’s Sweetened Deal for Ryan Field Renovation, Opposition Remains
The $800 million proposal to revamp Ryan Field has been controversial from the very beginning. The plans call for a new state-of-the-art stadium that will be smaller in size than the nearly century-old structure it would replace, moving from a capacity of 47,000 to 35,000 for football games.
In Chicago, Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko Talks Putin, Poisoning and the Need to Combat Russian Aggression
In an interview with WTTW News, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko gave an assessment of the challenges Ukraine faces as the war with Russia continues.
Former First Lady of Ukraine With Deep Chicago Ties Confident of Victory Over Russia
Kateryna Yushchenko, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants, was born in Chicago and lived much of her early life in Humboldt Park before moving to Mount Prospect. After earning an MBA in international economics from the University of Chicago, Yushchenko had an impressive career in public service.
Week in Review: Snelling’s First Public Test; Chicago Casino Finally Set to Open
The mayor’s pick for police superintendent meets the public. CPS employees ousted over charges of loan fraud. City officials eye new housing for migrants. And Bally’s gears up to open its temporary casino.
Week in Review: Anniversary of Migrant Arrivals; Questions Still Swirl Over White Sox Shooting
Local officials call for federal aid one year after asylum seekers first arrived in Chicago. Renewed calls for ethics reform. And still no answers on the shooting at Sox Park.
FAA Investigating Thousands of Pilots for Failing to Report Health Issues
Nearly 4,800 pilots are being investigated by the Federal Aviation Authority for potentially concealing major health issues that could have them grounded. The FAA has already ordered 60 pilots who “posed a clear danger to aviation safety” to stop flying immediately.
Retail Theft Costing Illinois Businesses Billions as Efforts to Steal Become More Organized
In Illinois, the chamber estimates more than $2 billion worth of goods were stolen from retailers in 2021, but it says the cost to Illinois businesses was more than double that when other factors are taken into account.
Rise in Attacks on Mail Carriers Has Union Demanding Action
Robberies targeting mail carriers increased 78% in 2022, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Community Leaders Who Chose Top Cop Finalist Weigh in on Snelling Selection and What’s Next
Pending City Council approval, Larry Snelling faces leading the Chicago Police Department at a time when residents are demanding answers to the city’s perennial problem of violent crime. He will also have to lead the department through the transformational change demanded by a court-ordered consent decree.
More Than 47,000 Illinois Residents Lose Medicaid Coverage as Proof of Eligibility Requirements Resume
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicaid recipients are being asked to provide proof of their eligibility.
Lack of Diversity in Clinical Trials a Problem — But Change May Be Coming
According to Walgreens, which announced last year it was entering the clinical trials business, only about 5% of people in the U.S. participate in clinical trials and almost three-quarters of those participants are White.
Bus Driver Shortage Leaves Many CPS Parents, Students in Limbo
Chicago Public Schools students return to class in less than three weeks. The school district said it currently has only about half the bus drivers it needs to transport the more than 17,000 students who are eligible to be bused to school.
US Attorney’s Office in Chicago Aims to be ‘Force Multiplier’ in Anti-Gang Effort
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Illinois has scored some significant recent successes as part of its anti-gang efforts.
As ‘Oppenheimer’ Opens, Here’s How Chicago Gave Birth to the Nuclear Age
“Oppenheimer,” the much-anticipated blockbuster from Batman director Christopher Nolan, hits movie theaters this week. The story has deep connections to Chicago and the Manhattan Project that led to the development of the first atomic bomb.
How a Group of Community Leaders Worked to Choose 3 Finalists for Chicago’s Next Police Superintendent
The three finalists for the city’s top cop were selected from a total of 54 applicants by the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA) after unprecedented community and police input. Here’s how they did it.
Despite Recent Rain, Farmers Face Major Challenges as Much of Illinois Remains in Severe Drought
June is expected to go down as one of the 10 driest months in the state’s history. Farmers are already seeing an impact on their crops and consumers are likely to see an impact soon.
Recently Returned From Ukraine, CEO of Rotary International Sees Wagner Mutiny as Sign of Russian Disarray
John Hewko, a Ukrainian-American, recently returned from a trip to Ukraine. As a lawyer working in Ukraine in the early 1990s, he helped the working group drafting the country’s first post-Soviet constitution.
Week in Review: Chicago Summer Violence Surge; State Cuts to Health Care for Undocumented Residents
The search for a new police superintendent hits a snag as Chicago suffers a violent holiday weekend. NASCAR racecourse taking shape with the race one week away. And new ethics questions dog the U.S. Supreme Court.
Argonne Scientists Partner with Chicago Community Organizations to Track Climate Change Impacts
The impact of climate change is being felt across the planet in ways large and small. But it is increasingly clear that the impact of climate change is not felt equally.
UChicago Survey Finds Millions of Americans Support Violence to Achieve Political Goals
More than two and a half years after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a new study estimates some 12 million Americans would support violence to restore former President Donald Trump to power.
Illinois Ranks First in the Nation in Units of Local Government. How Much Is Too Much?
Illinois has more units of local government than any other state. That fact has some critics asking the question: how much is too much?
Week in Review: Trump Becomes First Ex-President to Face Federal Charges; Bears Restart Stadium Dialogue with City
Donald Trump makes history as he becomes the first former U.S. president to face federal charges. That story and the other biggest news items of the week.
