Stories by Amanda Vinicky
Rauner Dismisses Would-Be Opponent as ‘Pawn’
| Amanda Vinicky
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner weighs in for the first time on a new entrant to the governor’s race: state Sen. Sam McCann.
Chicago’s Last Tannery Specializes in Horse Leather, NFL Footballs
| Evan Garcia
Horween Leather has some high-profile clients. And if you’re a sports fan, chances are you’ve seen their work at play.
Chicago Launches CityKey, a New Municipal ID Program
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia tells us about the new ID card that pulls triple duty as a library and Ventra card. But it’s not without controversy.
WWCI Names Sandra Cordova Micek New President and CEO
| Matt Masterson
Sandra Cordova Micek will take over as president and CEO of WWCI, the parent company of WTTW and WFMT, beginning May 1 following the retirement last year of Dan Schmidt.
Former Lake Bluff Students Sue School District Over Sex Abuse Allegations
| Matt Masterson
Five former students filed civil suits this week against Lake Bluff School District 65, claiming it knowingly employed a sexually abusive teacher in the 1970s and ‘80s.
First Loves and Guilty Pleasures: Creating ‘The Mixtape of My Life’
| Nick Blumberg
The soundtrack to first loves, bad fights and family memories: Robert Elder’s new “music memoir” helps you create the mixtape of your life.
Porchlight Unlocks the Blazing Heart and Soul In Musical ‘Memphis’
| Hedy Weiss
A transformative evening in the theater, Porchlight Music Theatre’s production features galvanic direction, volcanic dancing, a powerhouse onstage band and a large, fiercely talented cast.
Gun-Rights Advocates Beat Back Effort to Regulate Illinois Gun Dealers
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed the Gun Dealer Licensing Act in March. Wednesday was key to determining whether that veto would stick.
Melania Trump and the Role of First Lady
| Paul Caine
First lady Melania Trump hosts her first state dinner. A look at the historical role of first lady and how Trump is approaching the job.
Countering Racism, Racial Profiling: Is Racial Bias Training Enough?
| Alexandra Silets
Starbucks’ CEO apologizes after the arrest of two black men in a Philadelphia store and pledges a nationwide racial bias training. Is it enough?
Taking Flight with 30 Years of the Illinois Butterfly Network
| Marc Vitali
We peek behind the scenes at an exotic butterfly sanctuary in Chicago, and learn how volunteers help scientists track butterfly populations.
Radio Host Delilah Returns to Chicago Airwaves
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
After a recent break from radio, the self-described “Queen of Sappy Love Songs” is back. Delilah joins us in discussion.
CPS Promises Change to ‘Unacceptable’ School Cleanliness Levels
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools officials say they’re focused on getting their school buildings cleaned after a recent round of inspections revealed “troubling and concerning” issues.
CPS Hopes to Repair Community Trust After Special Education Issues
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is asking for community support as the district attempts to fix “systemic problems” with its special education programming.
At Nearly 7 Feet, Corpse Flower Spike Sets Botanic Garden Record
| Alex Ruppenthal
Remember Spike the corpse flower? The plant made famous in 2015 for being the first of its kind to (nearly) bloom in Chicago is on the comeback trail – and climbing to new heights.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 26-29
| Kristen Thometz
A unique shopping fair, craft cocktails, irreverent improv and films about furry friends usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Ask Geoffrey: What Happened to ‘Chicago’s Most Famous Restaurant’?
| Erica Gunderson
What became of the Loop restaurant where Mayor Richard J. Daley had his power breakfasts? Geoffrey Baer has the story.
Northwestern Project to Study What Local News Readers Want
| Siobhan Neela-Stock
With local news facing staff cuts and shrinking content, can a new project at Northwestern University be the lifeline it needs?
Illinois’ Budget Impasse Leads to ‘Out of Control’ Interest Payments
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois may have a budget (for another few months anyway), but the two-year stalemate continues to put a drag on the state’s finances.
Ja’Mal Green: 22-Year-Old Activist Sets Sights on City Hall
| Paul Caine
The community organizer and entrepreneur is making history as the youngest candidate to run for mayor. A conversation with Ja’Mal Green.
State Sen. Sam McCann Challenging Primary Winners in Governor’s Race
| Alexandra Silets
There’s a new candidate in the race for governor. A conversation with state Sen. Sam McCann.
‘The Fox Hunt’ a Story of 4 Strangers, 3 Faiths and 1 Remarkable Escape
| WTTW News
A refugee’s harrowing escape from war-torn Yemen is also a remarkable story of interfaith cooperation.
Brookfield Zoo Performs CT Scan on 2,300-Pound Black Rhinoceros
| Alex Ruppenthal
Hoping to identify the source of an infection, veterinarians performed what is thought to be the first ever CT scan on a rhinoceros.
Illinois Woman’s Death Linked to Synthetic Marijuana Use
| Kristen Thometz
Synthetic cannabinoid use has now been linked to four deaths in Illinois since late March, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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