Stories by Evan Garcia
During Lent, Chicago Architect Turns Lens to Neighborhood Churches
| Evan Garcia
Dan O’Brien has embarked on what he calls his “Lenten architectural pilgrimage” for about 10 years. “The artistic effort that was put into designing these spaces ... were all meant to tell a story,” he says.
2018 Race for Governor Heats Up, But Still No Budget from Springfield
| Nick Blumberg
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle weigh in on the latest developments in Springfield.
AJ Mendez Brooks’ Memoir Tackles Mental Illness, Family Dysfunction
| Nicole Cardos
Since her retirement from the ring a couple of years ago, World Wresting Entertainment champion April Jeanette “AJ” Mendez Brooks has been working on another story line – for a new book.
Pinball Meets Paschke in ‘Kings and Queens’ Exhibition
| Marc Vitali
Pinball machines and Ed Paschke paintings go side by side as a suburban museum becomes an artful arcade.
New Card Helps Disabled Communicate with Police in Stressful Situations
| Kristen Thometz
Inspired by a mother’s concern for her son, new disability awareness cards outline behaviors exhibited by people with disabilities in order to better inform police and first responders.
Report: Chicago’s Health At Risk with 151 Dirty Air Days
| Alex Ruppenthal
In 2015, Chicago air pollution reached elevated levels for a total of 151 days, a new report shows, increasing the risk of premature death, asthma attacks and other negative health effects for city residents.
Northwestern Crew Team Student Dies After Falling Overboard
| Maya Miller
The body of 19-year-old Mohammed Ramzan, a member of the Northwestern University men’s crew team, has been recovered from the North Shore Channel in Lincolnwood. Authorities say he fell into the water early Monday morning during a rowing practice.
Gorsuch Sworn in as Supreme Court Justice 14 Months After Scalia’s Death
| Paul Caine
After a hyper-partisan confirmation process and a change to the filibuster rule in the Senate, Judge Neil Gorsuch was sworn in Monday by Justice Anthony Kennedy – the judge for whom he once served as a clerk.
Passenger Dragged From Flight, Security Officer Put on Leave
| Eddie Arruza
An aviation security officer is put on leave after a passenger is dragged from an overbooked United Airlines flight at O’Hare.
Cook County Judge Fatally Shot Outside South Side Home
| Amanda Vinicky
It is a new and disturbing mark against the city of Chicago: Early Monday morning a local judge was shot and killed.
Cubs Open Park at Wrigley
Top Brass Throws Shade at Local Politicians
| Paris Schutz
The Cubs unveil the new Park at Wrigley as the team plays at home for the first time as World Series Champs.
Viewer Feedback: ‘Shame on All You Illinois Legislators’
| WTTW News
Viewers weigh in on the complicated system of selling tax liens in Cook County.
Exploring ‘The Great War’ on PBS
| Marc Vitali
Meet one of the filmmakers behind a new “American Experience” series about the United States’ entry into World War I.
Betsy DeVos, Mayor Emanuel Scheduled to Meet Wednesday
| Matt Masterson
Chicago's mayor and the U.S. education secretary have a 10:30 a.m. meeting scheduled Wednesday morning. But the location and content of their talk is not yet known.
Chicago Creates Office to Address, Prevent Chronic Diseases
| Kristen Thometz
The new Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control will “streamline” the city’s current efforts and look for new ways to help prevent and improve the management of chronic conditions and diseases.
Chicago Commits to Renewable Energy for 900-Plus Government Buildings
| Alex Ruppenthal
Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday a commitment to transition the city’s municipal buildings and operations to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2025.
Bald Eagles Spotted Near O’Hare Signal a Comeback
| Jay Shefsky
In the early 1960s, bald eagles were nearly extinct in the lower 48 states. But government protections and conservation measures have had a huge impact on their numbers. “I think it’s an incredible success story,” said biologist Chris Anchor.
Study: Electric Fields Skull Cap Improves Brain Cancer Survival
| Kristen Thometz
A new treatment for a deadly form of brain cancer is seeing dramatic study results. “When I first started, less than 10 percent of patients with glioblastoma were alive at five years. Now we’re at 12 to 15 percent,” said Roger Stupp, a neuro-oncologist at Northwestern University.
Armed Robbery Case Exposes Flaw in Chicago Park District Hiring
Organization plans to expand background checks following OIG report, Chicago Tonight inquiry
| Alex Ruppenthal
After unknowingly hiring a man convicted of armed robbery, battery and other felonies and misdemeanors, the Chicago Park District is changing its policy on background checks.
Cook County Sheriff: ICE Agents Shouldn’t Identify as Police
| Maya Miller
A recent wave of videos on social media show Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents arriving at Chicago residences in unmarked cars, knocking on doors while donning vests and jackets that say “police.”
Barbara Byrd-Bennett Attorneys Ask for 3.5-Year Sentence in Fraud Case
| Matt Masterson
In a sentencing memo filed Friday, Barbara Byrd-Bennett’s attorneys admit she “harbored a very real and greedy sense of entitlement” that she was earning something she deserved by steering millions of dollars in CPS contracts to her former employer.
Noble Charter Teachers File Charges Against Network Administration
Educators say management interfering in unionization process
| Matt Masterson
Noble teachers announced Friday they have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board, citing administration's “use of surveillance” to interfere with their rights granted by the National Labor Relations Act.
The Week in Review: Pritzker Enters Race for Governor
| Nick Blumberg
J.B. Pritzker launches his bid for Illinois governor. The U.S. Senate uses the “nuclear option” to confirm Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. And baseball season gets underway. These stories and more with Paris Schutz and guests.
Global Affairs Take Center Stage as Trump Welcomes Chinese President
| Paul Caine
Some major policy decisions for the Trump administration as global events heat up.
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