Stories by Heather Cherone

Cases that involved at least one officer with repeated claims of misconduct accounted for nearly 43% of the $384.2 million paid by taxpayers to resolve police misconduct cases between 2019 and 2023, according to the analysis.

The Ohio senator, in a series of taped interviews, said there was merit to Trump’s suggestion that presidents have more control of U.S. monetary policy and kept up the GOP line that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democrats’ vice presidential candidate, had exaggerated his military record.

These were common themes during the first big campaign swing for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as the new Democratic ticket barnstormed through five battleground states this past week on a get-to-know-us tour.

They’ve now been on the space station more than 60 days, however, and NASA raised the possibility this week that they may remain there through early 2025 because of ongoing issues with their Starliner capsule.

“Mass Deportation Now!” declared the signs at the Republican National Convention, giving a full embrace to Donald Trump’s pledge to expel millions of migrants in the largest deportation program in American history.

Tensions run high during former President Donald Trump’s brief Chicago visit. Kamala Harris clinches the presidential nomination — who will be her running mate? And CTU pushes for more education funding. 

Firefighters found a dead woman entangled in machinery Thursday in a non-public baggage-processing area at O’Hare International Airport.

The Perseid meteor shower is back for its annual sky show, with peak viewing Sunday night into Monday morning.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats to ramp up his efforts to send asylum-seekers to Chicago while the city is in the national spotlight. Local organizations and officials say they’re preparing for that possibility as the city approaches two years since the arrival of the first bus in Chicago.

The piping plover hatchling is prepping for their first migration south.

The federal lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. According to the complaint, the five plaintiffs claim they were unfairly targeted by off-duty police officers who work as security guards at the Home Depot store at 47th Street and Western Avenue.  

Chicago is preparing to host the major event — and most importantly — keep everyone safe. Local and federal law enforcement agencies have been organizing their security details since April 2023. 

CPD and the Secret Service on security plans for the upcoming Democratic National Convention. And how the city is preparing for a possible surge in migrants ahead of the DNC. 

City and state transportation officials showed off their recommended plan to overhaul North DuSable Lake Shore Drive on Thursday, touting its expected benefits for all modes of travel. But the “Redefine the Drive” project got a chilly reception from some transportation advocates and lawmakers.

For the Illinois agricultural community, along with craft, gardening and baking enthusiasts, the Illinois State Fair is like a combination of Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, Olympics and a carnival.

The S&P 500 jumped 2.3% for its best day since 2022 and shaved off all but 0.5% of its loss from what was a brutal start to the week. 

Coach Matt Eberflus said Thursday that the quarterback will start the team’s second preseason game, along with all other starters who are healthy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are two-and-a-half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women. A new state law aims to remedy that by expanding insurance coverage during and after pregnancy. 

Chicago began the day 28-89, on pace to finish 39-122, which would be the worst major league record since the National League's Cleveland Spiders were 20-134 in 1899.

One man has died after being rescued from Lake Michigan near the Adler Planetarium on Wednesday, according to Chicago police officials.

Why Black Lives Matter is not endorsing Kamala Harris for president. A new state law aims to lower mortality rates for mothers and their newborns. And a community space opens in Bronzeville. 

While the majority of Black voters tend to vote Democratic, not all are lining up to endorse Harris. In a recent statement, the advocacy group Black Lives Matter has called into question Harris’ candidacy and the process by which she’s been nominated.

A new community gathering space has officially opened its doors in Bronzeville. It will offer a variety of activities raging from arts and sports to business support and wellness. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed multiple bills expanding reproductive rights in Illinois on Wednesday, including codifying a federal law that allows medical professionals to perform an abortion in response to a clinical emergency.

Lincoln Park Zoo has been increasing its profile as a caretaker of plants and trees as much as animals, and it now has official accreditation as a botanic garden to show for it.

A month after a downstate sheriff’s deputy killed a woman in her home, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are calling for the resignation of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Cambell.