Stories by Evan Garcia
Lurie Children’s Hospital Receives Anonymous $12 Million Gift
| Evan Garcia
An anonymous donation will be used to treat child abuse, mental health issues and the direct and indirect effects of violence on Chicago’s youth.
Illinois Education Secretary Beth Purvis Stepping Down
| Matt Masterson
Just days after Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a new education funding formula into law, his handpicked education chief announced her departure.
Illinois OKs Ameren Plan to Lower Energy Savings Target
| Alex Ruppenthal
State regulators signed off Monday on an energy savings plan that consumer advocates say could cost downstate residents nearly 30 percent in savings on utility bills.
2-Toed Sloth Luigi Joins Mario, a Monkey, at Lincoln Park Zoo
| Alex Ruppenthal
Luigi, a 1-year-old Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, is getting settled alongside his new primate neighbors in a mixed-species exhibit.
Ballet and Opera Join Forces in Famed Choreographer’s Homecoming
| Eddie Arruza
Choreographer John Neumeier is in the sixth decade of a career that’s still going strong, and his latest project marks an unprecedented Chicago collaboration.
Chicago Park District Gets $900K for Big Marsh Upgrades
| Alex Ruppenthal
Grant funding will be used to restore wetlands and improve water flow at a 278-acre park that opened last year at a former industrial site on Chicago’s Southeast Side.
CPS Says Record Number of Grads Earn College, Career Credentials
| Matt Masterson
A week after announcing a record-high graduation rate among students last year, Chicago Public Schools said Monday that more of those students are ready for college than ever before.
The Week in Review: Battle Over Soda Tax Intensifies
| Alexandra Silets
The soda tax repeal vote approaches as Toni Preckwinkle faces an ad blitz and sagging polls. School starts with undocumented students fearful. And the Bears kick off the season.
Company Approved for Fracking Has Recent Violations in Illinois
| Alex Ruppenthal
A Kansas company that last week won approval of Illinois’ first horizontal fracking permit has been cited with more than two dozen violations in multiple states, records show.
Daniel Biss Replaces Ramirez-Rosa with Rep. Litesa Wallace
| Amanda Vinicky
Mere days after parting ways with his original running mate, the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful announced the Rockford lawmaker would join his ticket.
Geolocation Privacy Protection Act Awaits Action by Rauner
| Kristen Thometz
Should cellphone users be better notified when apps seek their location data? Proponents of a new bill say more transparency is needed, but opponents say the measure is bad for business.
2018 Illinois Governor’s Race: Who’s Ahead, Who’s Behind
| Amanda Vinicky
Political intrigue and high finance mark the race for governor.
Wheaton Military Museum Expands Historic Mission
| Marc Vitali
Marching through 100 years of military history in the newly expanded First Division Museum at Cantigny Park.
Chicago in Hot Pursuit of Amazon Corporate Headquarters
| Eddie Arruza
It’s being called the Olympics of corporate relocations, and Chicago is very much chomping at the bit.
CPS CEO Forrest Claypool on Chicago Schools Budget, Funding Reform
| Anne Strother
The Chicago Public Schools chief talks about the challenges facing the school system.
18-Hour Documentary Explores Human Dimensions of Vietnam War
| WTTW News
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick speak with us about their new 10-part documentary series, “The Vietnam War.”
Gov. Rauner Will Borrow $6 Billion to Pay off Illinois’ Debt
| Evan Garcia
Gov. Bruce Rauner agrees to refinance the state’s staggering backlog of unpaid bills. Illinois’ comptroller and treasurer weigh in.
SPARKfest Strives to Erase the Stigma of Mental Health Issues
| Kristen Thometz
A new theater festival takes the stage in September to share true stories about addiction, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues related to mental health.
Hurricane Irma Rips Through Caribbean, Florida Braces for Worst
| WTTW News
At least 10 people have died as a result of the Category 5 Hurricane Irma, a storm widely considered to be one of the worst on record. We speak with Univision Chicago anchor Érika Maldonado via Skype from Miami.
Board of Education Sued Over Sexual Abuse Claims Against Former Mentor
| Matt Masterson
A former CPS student says he was sexually abused by the head of a district mentoring program from 1988 until 1993. “I feel like it’s time for me to tell my story,” he said.
Attorney General Madigan Sues Trump Administration to Protect ‘Dreamers’
| Amanda Vinicky
President Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has Illinois politicians at odds.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Sept. 7-10
| Rebecca Palmore
Indie designs, beer steins, parades, global rhythms and the blues usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Daniel Biss and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Part Ways
| Eddie Arruza
It was only last week that gubernatorial candidate and Democratic state Sen. Daniel Biss named Chicago’s 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa as his running mate. On Wednesday, the two went their separate ways.
Chicago World Music Festival: Around the World in 13 Days
| WTTW News
If music is one of the best ways to get a taste of another culture, Chicago is in for a feast starting Friday. We get a preview.
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Teen CPD Employee ‘Goose-Stepped’ Across High School Stage Wearing Nazi Uniform: Watchdog
Illinois Confirms 216 Probable Cases of Cyclosporiasis as Parasitic Infection Spreads
Wildfire Smoke Blankets Chicago as Air Quality Alert Issued With ‘Hazardous’ Levels of Pollution Expected
Logan Prison Is Moving 140 Miles North. Here’s What Employees, Incarcerated Women Have to Say
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