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Stories by Associated Press

An Increase in Harassment Against Jewish and Muslim Americans Has Been Reported Since Hamas Attacks

The Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations saw increases in reported instances, many involving violence or threats against protesters at rallies in support of Israel or in support of Palestinians over the last two weeks as war broke out between Israel and Hamas.

Ex-NFL Player Sergio Brown, Charged With Killing Mother, Has Been Denied Release

Former NFL player Sergio Brown, charged with killing his mother, bought a one-way ticket to Cancun, Mexico, after being the last person seen with the woman before her slaying last month, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

Chicago Residents Detail Their Priorities for City’s Next Police Budget

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Police Department say they’re moving into a “new age of policing” while rebuilding the department. They are also asking for more money, patience and time.

Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Rates Persist for Black Women. Here’s How Chicagoans Are Breaking Down Access Barriers

The death rate for breast cancer in the United States dropped 43% between 1989 and 2020, according to the American Cancer Society. Despite this hopeful news, breast cancer mortality rates still remain 40% higher for Black women than White women. 

Illinois House Approves Proposal Clearing the Path for Legislative Staff to Unionize But Future in Senate Is Unclear

A group of individuals working for the office of Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been exploring forming a union. Welch is now the sponsor of a bill creating the Legislative Employee Labor Relations Act.

With a Comprehensive Overhaul for Chicago’s Pension Woes Elusive, Small Fixes on Tap for Veto Session

The working group formed by Mayor Brandon Johnson in June to tackle Chicago’s acutely underfunded pensions has yet to craft a comprehensive plan to address one of the major fiscal challenges facing the city.

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Oct. 25, 2023 - Full Show

The U.S. House has a new speaker after three weeks. Why Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. And reaction to the mayor’s proposed police budget.

How a Chicago Police Officer Transformed His Backyard Into an Award-Winning Oasis

Deronis Cooper said getting his hands in the dirt helps him cope with the challenges of being a police officer. What started with four planters has grown into more than 50 plant species in his backyard.

Brandon Johnson Taps Chicago Native, Real Estate Executive to Lead Planning Department

Mayor Brandon Johnson praised Ciere Boatright in a statement as a “tremendously talented and respected executive” who has proven she can get deals done.

More Than 90% of Pregnancy-Related Deaths Are Potentially Preventable; Black Women Face the Highest Risk, State Report Finds

The state still has a long way to go toward ensuring that all Illinois residents can have a safe and healthy pregnancy, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a press release.

Mike Johnson, a Staunch Conservative From Louisiana, Elected House Speaker With Broad GOP Support

Mike Johnson of Louisiana, a lower-ranked member of the House GOP leadership team, becomes the fourth Republican nominee in what has become an almost absurd cycle of political infighting since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster. 

USPS Touts Crackdown on Postal Crime and Carrier Robberies, With Hundreds of Arrests

Criminals are both stealing mail and targeting carriers’ so-called “arrow keys” to get access to mailboxes.

Chicago Man Charged After Wave of Arsons Targeting Halloween Decorations in Lincoln Square, North Center

Chicago police on Wednesday announced Mario Munoz, 34, has been arrested and charged with a felony count of arson and a misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.

Recovering From Attack That Killed Her 6-Year-Old Son, Suburban Palestinian American Mother Urges Prayers for Peace

Hanaan Shahin, who works as a caregiver to seniors, lost her son, Wadea Al-Fayoume, in the attack that has contributed to fears about rising hostility against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S.

Man Facing Hate Crime Charges After Allegedly Discharging Pepper Spray at Skokie Rally

Skokie police announced Zevulen Ebert has been charged with two felony battery counts and two felony hate crime counts stemming from an incident at a rally Sunday. 

Lawmakers Push for Compensation for Chicago’s Elected School Board

State Sen. Robert Martwick, a Democrat who represents parts of the city’s Northwest Side, said if Chicago wants a diverse school board, it needs to remove barriers that would prevent some residents from running for board seats.

Oct. 24, 2023 - Full Show

Brighton Park residents protest a “winterized base camp” for migrants in their community. Controversy over the mayor’s deal with the police union. And if you’re hoping to get a CityKey ID card, you may have to wait a bit longer.

At Heated Community Meeting, Officials Detail Plan to Transform Vacant Brighton Park Lot Into ‘Winterized Base Camp’ for Migrants

Many furious residents urged Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration to scrap the proposal, while others vowed to protect and care for Chicago’s newest residents.

Top Cop Vows to Rid Chicago Police Department of Officers Tied to Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

The Oath Keepers organization is considered by the FBI to be a “large but loosely organized collection of individuals, some who are associated with militias” who have vowed to “not obey unconstitutional (and thus illegal) and immoral orders.”

City Clerk Cancels Mobile City Hall Events Amid Crush of Demand for Municipal IDs from Migrants

More than 1,000 people – mostly migrants – lined up hours before the city clerk’s event on Oct. 12 at Gill Park in Wrigleyville was scheduled to start, overwhelming the 15-person staff, City Clerk Anna Valencia told WTTW News.

Pritzker Proposes Creation of New Standalone Early Childhood Agency

New entity would coordinate child care, preschool, early interventions

Vowing to make Illinois the top state in the nation for child care accessibility, Gov. J.B. Pritzker unveiled a plan to consolidate all the state’s early childhood programs and funding into one new state agency. Currently, early childhood services are spread across three agencies.

Cook County Residents See Over $280M in Medical Debt Erased as Part of Medical Debt Relief Program

Neighborhoods on the South and West Sides of Chicago have seen the highest amount of medical debt erased so far, according to officials.

Tom Emmer Withdraws Bid for House Speaker Hours After Winning GOP Nomination, Sources Say

It’s been three weeks since Republicans ousted Kevin McCarthy as House speaker. Rep. Tom Emmer won a simple majority of his colleagues behind closed doors, but he will need the support of most all Republicans during a House floor vote ahead.

33 States, Including Illinois, Sue Meta Claiming Its Social Platforms Are Addictive and Harm Children’s Mental Health

A lawsuit filed by 33 states in federal court in California, claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law.

Ta-Nehisi Coates Picked as Commencement Speaker for Northwestern’s Unique Prison Education Program Graduation

The first cohort of students in Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program are set to graduate next month, and when they do they’ll be joined by one of the most renowned writers and journalists in the country.

FDA Takes ‘Momentous’ Step Toward Banning Menthol Cigarettes and Flavored Cigars

The FDA has been officially exploring the possibility of a menthol ban for more than a decade. In July 2013, the FDA requested comments on preliminary research, data and evaluations with regard to the regulation of menthol.
 

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