Stories by Nick Blumberg
Alderman, Restaurant Owner React After Unrest Turned to Theft and Violence
| Nick Blumberg
The unrest that followed a police-involved shooting Sunday in Englewood was a blow to many areas of the city that were still recovering from protests earlier this summer and the economic fallout from the pandemic.
$10M Chicago Prize Awarded to Auburn Gresham Team to Build Health Hub, Urban Farm
| Patty Wetli
The inaugural $10 million Chicago Prize grant was awarded last week to a team from Auburn Gresham, which has ambitious plans to bring transformational change to the community.
Chicago Aldermen, Activists Reflect on Police Shooting, Unrest
| Marissa Nelson
After a police officer shot and wounded a 20-year-old man in Englewood, Chicago police officials say social media posts led to widespread, coordinated looting across the city. We get reaction from local activists and aldermen.
After Night of Looting, Lightfoot Blocks Off Downtown
| Heather Cherone
City officials will “temporarily restrict” access to downtown Chicago beginning at 8 p.m. Monday and ending at 6 a.m. Tuesday, officials said. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has not issued an official city curfew order.
Crain’s Headlines: Former McDonald’s CEO Takes Another Hit
| WTTW News
McDonald’s files a lawsuit against its former CEO, who was ousted last fall. That story and more with Crain’s Chicago Business Editor Ann Dwyer.
Foxx Pushes Back on Criticism From Lightfoot, Brown After Looting
| Heather Cherone
Decrying “blame games” in the wake of widespread destruction, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx says her office would prosecute people accused of looting — but not those arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights.
Tough Mom Lightfoot Scolds Rogue Beachgoers: ‘It’s Called a Pandemic, People’
| Patty Wetli
A large crowd gathered over the weekend along the lakefront, prompting the city to install fencing at Montrose Beach — and the mayor to issue a stern message.
McDonald’s Sues Ousted CEO, Alleging Employee Relationships
| Associated Press
McDonald’s says it’s suing Stephen Easterbrook, the CEO it ousted last year over an inappropriate relationship with an employee, alleging Monday that he covered up relationships with three other employees and destroyed evidence.
‘An Improvement Over Target.’ Congressman Lauds New Health Center Built on Site Abandoned by Retailer
| Patty Wetli
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois opened a new health and wellness center in Morgan Park on Monday after renovating a building abandoned by Target.
Pritzker Anticipates ‘Tremendous Need’ as Application Period Opens for Rental Assistance
Governor says he will lobby federal government for additional funds
| Kristen Thometz
The state is providing $300 million in assistance to renters and homeowners struggling to meet ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic, but those funds won’t reach everyone who deserves help, Gov. J.B. Pritzker acknowledged.
CPS to Slash Spending on Officers in Schools By $18M
| Heather Cherone
Amid a continuing outcry over the decision to allow Chicago police officers to patrol schools, Chicago Public Schools officials announced Monday they would slash spending on the program at the center of the debate over defunding the police department by more than half.
Widespread Looting Triggered By Police Shooting in Englewood: Lightfoot
| Heather Cherone
Caravans of cars headed to the Loop and North Side to loot stores after a police officer shot and wounded a 20-year-old man in Englewood, causing widespread destruction and mayhem, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.
Shots Fired as Crowds Clash With Police in Downtown Chicago
| Associated Press
Hundreds of people smashed windows, stole from stores and clashed with police early Monday in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile shopping district and other parts of the city’s downtown.
Postal Service Emerges as Flash Point Heading Into Election
| Associated Press
The success of the 2020 presidential election could hinge on a most unlikely government agency: the U.S. Postal Service. Current signs are not promising.
Trump End Run Around Congress Raises Questions on His Claims
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s end run around Congress on coronavirus relief is raising questions about whether it would give Americans the economic lifeline he claims and appears certain to face legal challenges.
1,382 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 8 Additional Deaths
| Matt Masterson
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced a woman in her 20s was among the eight Illinoisans who died of COVID-19 on Sunday.
Amid Pandemic, Future of Many Catholic Schools is in Doubt
| Associated Press
Already this year, financial and enrollment problems aggravated by the pandemic have forced the permanent closure of more than 140 Catholic schools nationwide, according to officials who oversee Catholic education in the country.
Native Mascots Still a Sticking Point in High School Sports
| Associated Press
While advocates have made strides in getting Native American symbols and names changed in sports, they say there’s still work to do mainly at the high school level, where mascots like Braves, Indians, Warriors, Chiefs and Redskins persist.
US Response to the Virus is Met With Incredulity Abroad
| Associated Press
The United States’ failure to contain the spread of the coronavirus has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe, as the world’s most powerful country edges closer to a global record of 5 million confirmed infections.
Trump Orders More Unemployment Pay, a Payroll Tax Deferral
| Associated Press
The president on Saturday moved to bypass lawmakers as he claimed the authority to defer payroll taxes and extend an expired unemployment benefit after negotiations with Congress on a new coronavirus rescue package collapsed.
States Race to Pass Policing Reforms After George Floyd’s Death
| Associated Press
The death of George Floyd and widespread protests over racial injustice have prompted several states to move at a lightning pace to pass significant policing reform proposals that in some cases have languished for years.
Trump Seems Ready, Willing to Bypass Lawmakers on Virus Aid
| Associated Press
The White House signaled Saturday that the president was soon expected to sign four executive orders, contending Washington’s gridlock had compelled him to act as the pandemic undermined the country’s economy.
Biden Risks Alienating Young Black Voters After Race Remarks
| Associated Press
Joe Biden’s controversial remarks about race this week risk alienating young Black voters who despise President Donald Trump but are not inspired by his Democratic rival.
Schools Face Big Virus Test as Students Return to Classroom
| Associated Press
As educators prepare to welcome students back to class, schools’ ability to quickly identify and contain coronavirus outbreaks before they get out of hand will be put to the test in thousands of districts around the country.
Entire Cubs-Cards Series Postponed After More Positive Tests
| Associated Press
The entire three-game series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis at Busch Stadium was postponed Friday night after two more Cardinals players and a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus.
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