Stories by Heather Cherone

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, 46, launched his campaign in Cabrini Green’s Seward Park, near Jenner Academy Elementary School where he began his teaching career.

The candidates for Illinois secretary of state square off. The fate of a private towing ordinance. The controversy over transgender athletes in school sports. And a photography club that has their lens way in the past.

Some of the earliest snapshots of American history will be on display this weekend at the Daguerrian Society's annual symposium. 

In a rare move, City Council members rejected the mayor's attempt to name an ally as a committee chair. Our politics team weighs in on that story and more.

It’s the first time since 1998 that Jesse White won’t be on the ballot for Illinois secretary of state. Running to fill the office is Republican Dan Brady and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. 

The Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday voted to revoke the charters for Urban Prep Academies campuses in Englewood and Bronzeville, with CPS itself set to step in and begin managing those schools.

The last time the salary paid to Chicago’s mayor changed was in 2006, under former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Former Mayor Rahm Emanuel was paid $216,210 in each of the eight years he served as mayor, and Lightfoot will be paid the same through her first term in office.

Ald. Sophia King serves as the Education Committee’s vice chair, and was set to become chair under the City Council’s rules before Mayor Lori Lightfoot attempted to replace her with an ally.

A new report offers the first comprehensive update on the state of birds since a 2019 study announced the loss of 3 billion birds. The news remains nearly as sobering, though there are some wins for conservationists to celebrate. 

Of the three main types of heat-trapping greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide — the biggest jump from 2020 to 2021 was in methane, whose concentrations in the air came in with the biggest year-on-year increase since regular measurements began four decades ago, WMO said.

Cesar Ramirez, 44, was ordered held without bail Wednesday following his arrest on numerous felony charges stemming from an incident Saturday.

The jury found Darrell Brooks guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide. He faces a mandatory life sentence on each count.

The unionization announcement comes one day after Lakeview Starbucks employees voted 11-to-1 in favor of representation, according to voting results shared by organizers. On Monday, Glenview Starbucks workers announced they plan to organize as well.

Both Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Police Supt. David Brown have defended the decision to not to terminate the officer. The officer was “thoroughly investigated” and “given a lengthy period of suspension,” Lightfoot said.

Meet the candidates running for Illinois attorney general in the first of our candidate forums. Plus, a rise in Jewish hate crimes. And the impact of the pandemic on students with disabilities.

While a large part of the job for Illinois’ attorney general involves consumer protections, the election comes at a time when there are pivotal legal issues are playing out within the state and nationwide.

While many students fell behind academically during COVID, students with disabilities saw that regression amplified.

Chicago’s Commission on Human Relations says hate crimes are up in the city by 71%. The most frequent targets being Jewish and Black residents.

Workers at a Lakeview Starbucks voted 11-1 on Tuesday to form a union, according to vote results shared by organizers.

Joel Brodsky represented Drew Peterson, a former Bolingbrook police sergeant, when he was convicted in 2012 of killing his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in 2004. Peterson also was a suspect in the 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson, who has never been found.

Philips initially estimated it could repair or replace the units within a year. But with the recall expanding to more than 5 million devices worldwide, the Dutch company now says the effort will stretch into 2023.

The shooter left behind a hand-written note offering his explanation for the shooting Monday at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Tenth-grader Alexandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died and seven students were wounded.

Keshia Golden, 33, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder after she allegedly killed a 30-year-old man inside the home they shared in the 5100 block of West Augusta Boulevard.

The sneaker giant became the latest company to cut ties with Chicago native Ye, who was suspended from Twitter and Instagram this month over antisemitic posts that the social networks said violated their policies.

The Cook County College Teachers Union said its contract expired in July, but negotiations on a new deal began last October, with teachers pushing for smaller class sizes, greater access to remote learning and student support, increased wraparound services and fair salary increases.

Crunching the numbers in the CTA’s latest budget proposal. The impact of a major grocery store merger. A hiccup in plans for student loan debt relief. And WTTW News Explains where your ballot goes after it’s cast.