Stories by Associated Press
Free-Agent Closer Craig Kimbrel, Cubs Agree to 3-Year Deal
| Associated Press
Free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel has agreed to a three-year contract with the Cubs in a big move to strengthen Chicago’s bullpen.
Web Extra, The Week in Review: Lightfoot Names New CPS School Board
| Nick Blumberg
Paris Schutz and guests discuss more of the week’s news: Mayor Lori Lightfoot appoints a new board to oversee Chicago Public Schools, and a dramatic “Jeopardy!” run draws to a close.
The Week in Review: Burke Pleads Not Guilty, Pritzker Signs Budget
| Nick Blumberg
Ald. Ed Burke gets his day in court. Gov. J.B. Pritzker gets his budget priorities passed. Chicago grapples with a spike in violence. And the Cubs get some much-needed pitching help.
Deep Frydays’ Maiden Voyage: Giardiniera Mix
| Erica Gunderson
How do you deep-fry giardiniera? We find out in the first installment of our weekly summer series Deep Frydays, where we go deep on an iconic Chicago food and then sacrifice it to sizzling oil.
2-Year Anniversary of Chinese Scholar’s Disappearance as Death-Penalty Case Begins
| Matt Masterson
Sunday marks the two-year anniversary of Yingying Zhang’s disappearance. Her kidnapping has left a mark on the University of Illinois campus as the trial of the man accused of her killing gets underway.
How Many Chicago Aldermen Have Side Hustles?
| Amanda Vinicky
Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to set some restrictions on outside employment for aldermen. We analyze the latest batch of financial disclosure forms to find out who could be impacted.
Rarely Produced British Play a Bitter Reminder of Veterans’ Fates
| Hedy Weiss
In some ways, “For Services Rendered” is an old-fashioned play, but it is a beauty. And coming at a moment when Britain is undergoing a different sort of social and economic upheaval, it seems ideally timed for a revival.
City Council Cleanup: Aldermen Discuss Mayor’s Plan for Ethics Reforms
| Nicole Cardos
In light of the charges against Ald. Ed Burke, what can Mayor Lori Lightfoot and aldermen do to clean up City Hall?
Legislative Leaders in the Dark on Gaming Bill Specifics
| Paris Schutz
Recently passed legislation to expand gambling in Illinois is so massive, not many people know everything that’s in it. That includes at least two of the state’s legislative leaders who helped negotiate the bill.
Chicago Has the Largest Life Expectancy Gap in the Country. Why?
| Kristen Thometz
An analysis of 500 U.S. cities by NYU School of Medicine offers a startling view of Chicago, but a local physician says the city’s health inequities have been known for years. What’s causing that gap, and how can it be addressed?
Bicyclist Struck by CTA Bus in River North
| Nick Blumberg
A bicyclist was struck by a CTA bus in the 400 block of North Wells Street on Thursday morning, according to the Chicago Police Department.
R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty to New Sexual Abuse Charges
| Matt Masterson
The R&B superstar pleaded not guilty to several new criminal charges relating to a 16-year-old victim he allegedly sexually abused between 2009 and 2010.
Ebony Photo Archive to be Auctioned to Pay Creditors
| Associated Press
The auction would recover money owed secured creditors filmmaker George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, whose Capital V Holdings loaned $12 million to Johnson Publishing.
Chicago Releases 911 Calls from Smollett Incident in January
| Associated Press
The city of Chicago has released two 911 calls made after “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett claimed he was the victim of a racist, homophobic attack.
D-Day 75: Nations Honor Veterans, Memory of Fallen Troops
| Associated Press
“You are the pride of our nation, you are the glory of our republic and we thank you from the bottom of our heart,” President Trump said, of the “warriors” of an “epic battle” engaged in the ultimate fight of good against evil.
Why Marijuana is a Messy Business for Banks
| WTTW News
Medical marijuana is legal in Arizona, but dispensaries are struggling with banking systems. Arizona PBS producer Allysa Adams has this report as part of our series on legalization.
Police Investigate Alleged Animal Abuse at Popular Farm
| Associated Press
Animal Recovery Mission says an investigator for the animal rights group secretly recorded footage that shows the “daily mistreatment of the resident farm animals” at Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farms.
Illinois Has a New State Budget. Will It Help Fix Fiscal Woes?
| Amanda Vinicky
Passing and managing a budget is one of government’s most basic functions, but as he signed a new $40 billion spending plan into law Wednesday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called it a “watershed moment.”
Spotlight Politics: Lightfoot Proposes New Ethics Plan in Wake of Burke Plea
| Paris Schutz
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is out with a new round of ethics proposals. Our politics team tackles that and more in our weekly roundtable.
In ‘Ms. Blakk,’ a Raucous Campaign for a Queer Nation Candidate
| Hedy Weiss
This unabashedly flamboyant fantasia by Tina Landau and Tarell Alvin McCraney spins the true story of Joan Jett Blakk, who helped found the Chicago branch of the Queer Nation Party and ran for Chicago mayor in 1991.
At Nearly 34 Feet Tall, Garfield Park’s Agave Plant is Through the Roof
| Alex Ruppenthal
In the midst of a massive growth spurt that began in late winter, the century plant at Garfield Park Conservatory now hovers above the glass dome. We last visited the plant in March, when it stood a mere 17 feet tall.
Take it Outside: 10 Summer Activities In and Around Chicago
| Alex Ruppenthal
Chicago summers are nature’s way of rewarding your winter survival skills. And now that warm weather is here, it’s time to get off the couch and actively embrace the season. Here are 10 fun, easy ways to do just that.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: June 6-9
| Kristen Thometz
Food trucks, street festivals, the Chicago blues and green gooey slime usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Rahm Emanuel Bikes Around Lake Michigan
| Kristen Thometz
The former Chicago mayor completed the more than 900-mile trip Tuesday, according to a post on Facebook.
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