Stories by Patty Wetli

A 34-year-old man was killed while handling a firework Thursday night, according to the Chicago Police Department.

Mounting concerns over age in the race for president. An energy revolution in Bronzeville is paving the way to a sustainable future. And south suburban mayors push back on soaring property taxes.

In Chicago’s historic Bronzeville community, a project that could ultimately lead to the transformation of our energy infrastructure is quietly taking shape. It’s a collaboration between the Illinois Institute of Technology, the Chicago Housing Authority and ComEd.

Comptroller Susana Mendoza noted the high cash balance helped Illinois generate over $558 million in interest income in FY24, a 53% increase from the previous year. 

Drury Lane Theatre’s altogether terrific revival of “Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show” — first produced on Broadway in 1978 — proves Fats Waller was far more than a masterful pianist.

The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois accuses the Chicago Police Department of making more than 1.5 million traffic stops between 2016 and 2023 based on dubious evidence of minor violations that took direct aim at Black and Latino Chicagoans but spared White Chicagoans. 

Wednesday’s meeting comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s performance during the first of two scheduled debates with former President Donald Trump last week, which raised concerns about Biden’s mental acuity.

The July 4, 2022, shooting took seven lives and wounded dozens of people. As Highland Park officials planned the first parade since the shooting, victims have been trying to make sense of what happened, many of them feeling fresh pain.

According to the Chicago Board of Elections, 42 challenges have been filed against 27 candidates — some faced multiple objections — mostly alleging the candidates didn’t meet the 1,000-signature threshold to appear on the ballot in November.

Don’t know a “spoiler” from a “splitter”? We’re here for you with a beginner’s guide to stock-car racing and what to look for during Saturday and Sunday’s events.

Adjusted for inflation, U.S. gas prices are almost exactly where they were in July 2018, according to federal data.

The Democratic president has signaled he has no intention of dropping out of the race despite the halting and uneven debate delivery that threw a spotlight on questions about Biden’s age. But as Democrats make the case the stakes of the election are momentous they’re wrestling with how to approach the 81-year-old.

The Gun Violence Archive, which tracks mass shootings involving four or more people regardless of whether they died, shows June, July, and August have had the highest total number of mass shootings over the past decade. The lowest totals were from December through March.

The Supreme Court lets Illinois’ ban on assault weapons stand — for now. What the court’s decision on presidential immunity means for the upcoming election. And a new exhibit explores life along Route 66.

The postponement sets the sentencing for Sept. 18 at the earliest — if it happens at all, since Trump’s lawyers are arguing that the Supreme Court ruling merits not only delaying the sentencing but tossing out his conviction.

In all, Chicago owes $37.2 billion to its four employee pension funds representing police officers, firefighters, municipal employees and laborers, according to the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

After months of negotiations, Illinois has finally signed onto a project partnership agreement with the state of Michigan and the Army Corps of Engineers to move forward with construction of what’s largely viewed as the last line of defense against invasive carp entering the Great Lakes.

Changes to primary election fundraising, the electoral college and the state’s voter registration database are now law after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a wide-ranging bill. The legislation, containing several unrelated election measures, passed near the end of the legislature’s spring session.

Founded in 1923, the private for-profit school at 332 S. Michigan Ave. built a reputation on preparing graduates for careers in art and illustration.

Ahead of Fourth of July celebrations, local first responders and health care workers are reminding residents to practice firework safety by leaving fireworks to the professionals.

Steppenwolf Theatre commissioned a powerful new play receiving the strongest reviews of the summer on the Chicago stage. “Little Bear Ridge Road” stars Laurie Metcalf in her return to Steppenwolf after a 14-year absence.

A Chicago educator is on a mission to take off with Chicago’s Black and Brown girls and explore the world of aviation.

Eli Lilly’s Kisunla was approved for mild or early cases of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s. It’s only the second drug that’s been convincingly shown to delay cognitive decline in patients, following last year’s approval of a similar drug from Japanese drugmaker Eisai.

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a series of challenges to Illinois’ assault weapons ban — for now — but a pair of justices indicated a willingness to take up the case in the future.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability on Tuesday released videos showing the fatal May 27 shooting of Tracey Watson, who was killed in the middle of the 300 block of South Cicero Avenue during an altercation with a second man.

A long holiday weekend is a great opportunity for Chicagoans to play tourist in their hometown, but with the NASCAR Street Race set to circle Grant Park July 6-7, what’s even open to visit?