What’s in a new city budget proposal. Chicago Public Schools’ CEO rejects a buyout. And a pivotal week in the Michael Madigan trial.
Stories by paul caine
Week in Review: Assessing the Potential Local Impact of Trump’s 2nd Term
Is he playing turkey — or serious? The potential local impact of Trump’s gambit on tariffs. And what has to happen before the year ends.
Week in Review: Trump’s Cabinet Nominees Spark Democratic Concerns; City Council Rejects Property Tax Hike
President-elect Trump starts planning his return to Washington — and picking his Cabinet. And the City Council unanimously votes down Mayor Johnson’s proposed property tax hike.
Week in Review: Trump Heading Back to the White House; Pritzker Promises Resistance
President-elect Donald Trump prepares for a second term. Meanwhile, Democrats are left to digest and come to terms with a crushing defeat.
Week in Review: Trump Amps Up Violent Rhetoric; Johnson Proposes Property Tax Hike
What’s on the line as Election Day approaches. And Mayor Brandon Johnson’s budget pitch includes property tax hike.
James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on the Bears After Team’s Embarrassing Last-Second Loss to Commanders
The Chicago Bears snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on Sunday in Washington, D.C. Now instead of the playoffs, the talk is of a heartbreaking and improbable loss that some Bears players are calling the worst they’ve ever experienced.
Week in Review: Presidential Race Deadlocked; Opening Statements in the Madigan Trial
Inside the courtroom where former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is on trial. And Chicago gets an entirely new school board.
United Nations Calls Out ‘Racialized Police Violence’ in Chicago
United Nations human rights investigators said in a statement: “These heinous alleged human rights violations appear to a significant extent to be rooted in systemic racism and have disproportionately affected people of African and Latin American descent.”
Week in Review: Trump Touts Economic Plan in Chicago; Reinsdorf and the Future of the White Sox
What a possible White Sox sale could mean for Chicago. And CPS board members skip out on the City Council.
New Northeastern Illinois President Talks Challenges and Opportunities of Leading the Public University
Northeastern Illinois University has certainly seen its fair share of turmoil in recent years, including a narrowly averted strike and the departure of the former university president following a vote of no-confidence by faculty. Now, Katrina Bell-Jordan is officially taking the reins of leadership at NEIU .
Week in Review: Battle Over CPS; Madigan Jury Selection Begins
The mayor brings in a new school board while the district faces a budget crunch. And alderpeople jam up City Council, angry over the CPS board and the end of ShotSpotter.
Week in Review: CPS Board Set to Resign; Presidential Candidates Battle for Votes in Swing States
The entire CPS board calls it quits. Early voting gets underway in Chicago. And the presidential contest comes to the Midwest.
Assessing the White Sox’s Record-Breaking Season for Losses
The Chicago White Sox may have won five of their last six games, but it was all too little, too late. The 2024 White Sox officially set a new record for Major League Baseball futility Friday in their 4-1 loss to Detroit, which became their 121st loss of the season.
Week in Review: CPS Chief Refuses to Resign; Poll Shows Chicagoans Wary of New Taxes
A new front in the battle for control of Chicago Public Schools. And the high stakes of corruption in City Hall.
Week in Review: Trump and Harris Face Off in Presidential Debate; Chicago Announces Hiring Freeze
Millions watched Harris and Trump face off in the presidential debate — but will it move the needle? And efforts to curb a looming Chicago budget deficit.
Week in Review: Mass Shootings Put Focus on Gun Laws Ahead of Presidential Debate
Safety and the prospect of guns for self-defense on the CTA. Chicago’s deal with a grocer that’s saddled with debt. And the latest in the presidential race.
Excitement Brewing at Soldier Field as Bears Fans Anticipate Caleb Williams’ NFL Debut
For football fans, the wait is nearly over. The NFL regular season is set to kick off this week. And after a disappointing last few seasons — arguably decades — there’s excitement brewing once again at Soldier Field.
Week in Review: City Projects Near $1B Budget Shortfall for 2025; CPS Students Return to School
The school year starts, and already CPS leaders are buried in homework. Work begins on Chicago’s permanent casino. And the city stares down a nearly billion-dollar deficit.
Week in Review: Harris Accepts Historic Nomination; Kinzinger Torches Trump
Kamala Harris makes history as she becomes the Democratic nominee for president. Meanwhile, former GOP congressman Adam Kinzinger torches Donald Trump.
Week in Review: Thousands Converge on Chicago for DNC; Riot Fest Staying at Douglass Park
Final touches at the United Center before next week’s Democratic National Convention. And reports that Mayor Johnson is trying to oust the leader of Chicago Public Schools days before classes start.
Black Businesses Hoping to Get a Boost From the DNC
Next week’s Democratic National Convention is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to Chicago. Looking to get a slice of the economic action, as well as network with folks from across the country, are many Black business owners.
Week in Review: Democrats Unite Behind Kamala Harris; Outrage Over the Killing of Sonya Massey
As Democrats rally behind a new candidate for president, could Illinois’ governor be on the ticket? And Chicago Public Schools budget math.
Week in Review: RNC Projects Unity as Trump Accepts Nomination; Pressure Grows on Biden to Exit the Race
On the heels of the RNC, Republicans are revved up about Donald Trump’s chances in November. Meanwhile, more Illinois leaders call for Joe Biden to step aside as the Democratic candidate.
Proposed Ordinance Aims to Preserve Affordable Housing, Stem Displacement on Chicago’s Northwest Side
The ordinance would expand a pilot program around the area of the 606 Trail that has successfully helped stabilize that neighborhood after it began to experience rapid gentrification.
Bronzeville Renaissance Mural Depicts Community’s Innovative Past and a Hopeful Future
The mural was created by two Chicago artists — Rahmaan “Statik” Barnes and Shawn Michael Warren — with help from high school students. It helps conceal a ComEd battery storage facility that is part of the Bronzeville Community Microgrid.
Week in Review: Biden Campaign Tries Damage Control; Chicago’s Pension Debt Tops $37B
Biden says he’s not going anywhere amid calls for him to step aside. The Supreme Court rules on presidential immunity. And hearings are set for plans to merge the CTA, Metra and Pace.
