Stories by Associated Press
Police Questioning ‘Persons of Interest’ in Smollett Case
| Associated Press
Detectives are interviewing two “persons of interest” who surveillance photos show were in the area of downtown Chicago where “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said he was attacked last month, police said Thursday.
Mayoral Candidate Forum: Fioretti, Joyce, Kozlar, Sáles-Griffin
| Nicole Cardos
In less than two weeks, 14 candidates will appear on the ballot for mayor of Chicago. The first in our series of three mayoral candidate forums kicks off with four of those candidates.
Source: Jason Van Dyke Beaten by Fellow Inmates in Prison
| Matt Masterson
Former Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was beaten by his fellow inmates shortly after being transferred to an out-of-state prison, a source close to his family confirms.
Spotlight Politics: Mayoral Money Machine Revs Up
| Paris Schutz
Bill Daley gets a major endorsement for mayor while hauling in big bucks. Carol Marin, Paris Schutz and Amanda Vinicky have details on that story and more in this week’s political roundtable.
Venezuelans in Chicago Hope for Change in Their Homeland
| Eddie Arruza
A growing number of Venezuelans fleeing the turmoil in their country are finding a new life in Chicago. But they’re keeping a close eye on their homeland, with the hopes that change is about to take place.
Behind the Curtain of the Joffrey’s Newest Production, ‘Anna Karenina’
| Brandis Friedman
For the first time in its history, the Joffrey Ballet cues up an entirely new score for its daring new production. We get a peek at the company’s creative process – and personalities.
Candidate Forum: Chicago City Treasurer Hopefuls Face Off
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago mayor’s race is getting a lot of attention, but it’s not the only contested citywide race in the Feb. 26 election. Meet the candidates running to replace outgoing Treasurer Kurt Summers.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: Feb. 14-17
| Kristen Thometz
New musicals, vintage wedding dresses, motorcycles and encased meats usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Presidential Hopeful Pete Buttigieg Talks 2020, New Memoir
| Nicole Cardos
The South Bend, Indiana, mayor tells us about his new memoir “Shortest Way Home” – and why his eyes are set on the White House.
Illinois Defies National Trend by Adding 1,300 Solar Jobs in 2018
| Alex Ruppenthal
The U.S. solar energy industry lost nearly 8,000 jobs last year, but Illinois was one of just eight states that saw a significant increase in solar jobs.
In ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2,’ a Provocative He Said/She Said Twist on an Ibsen Classic
| Hedy Weiss
This sequel to Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking play – now receiving its Chicago debut at Steppenwolf Theatre – arrives at a moment when a whole new tsunami-like wave of feminist rebellion has gathered force.
4 More Cleared in Latest Exonerations Tied to Former Chicago Police Sergeant
| Matt Masterson
Four men were exonerated of false drug convictions Wednesday, joining more than 60 others who’ve been falsely convicted and later exonerated in cases related to former Chicago Police Sgt. Ronald Watts.
Theo Epstein: Joe Ricketts Emails Don’t Reflect Cubs’ Values
| Associated Press
“The emails were upsetting to read, and especially upsetting to think that some of our fans were put into a position where they had to consider their favorite team and some of those types of views,” Theo Epstein said Tuesday.
Illinois Holocaust Museum Opens Exhibit on American Slave Trade
| Marc Vitali
Rare objects from a New Orleans historical group are now on display at the Illinois Holocaust Museum. We get an early look at the exhibition “Purchased Lives.”
FDA Assessing Risks of Vaginal Mesh Amid Thousands of Lawsuits
| Alexandra Silets
More than 100,000 women are suing manufacturers over painful complications from surgical mesh, which is implanted in the vaginal wall to treat urinary incontinence and other health issues.
Of Mice and Men in Space: Chicago Researchers Helping NASA Prepare for Mars
| Paul Caine
An ongoing NASA study aided by Northwestern researchers sent mice into orbit with the goal of learning more about the physiological effects of living in space.
Amid Blackface Scandals, 2 Black Comedians Share Their Perspectives
| Evan Garcia
As the fallout over Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s yearbook scandal continues, a look at recent examples of blackface in comedy again raises the question of whether the practice is ever permissible.
A Window Into Pritzker’s Plans for Illinois
| Amanda Vinicky
A series of transition reports unveiled last week provides a look at what new Gov. J.B. Pritzker has in store for Illinois, from potential new taxes to the creation of a statewide infrastructure czar.
Pritzker Admin Lays Out Financial Woes Ahead of Budget Address
| Nick Blumberg
As Illinoisans wait for new Gov. J.B. Pritzker to unveil his budget plan, Pritzker’s administration is delving into the perilous state of Illinois’ finances with a series of reports.
Cracked Lake Shore Drive Bridge Reopens
| Paris Schutz
A portion of northbound Lake Shore Drive reopened Tuesday after having been shut down for more than 24 hours, raising questions about the condition of Chicago’s other bridges.
Smollett Says He Redacted Phone Files to Protect Privacy
| Associated Press
Actor Jussie Smollett says he redacted some information from his phone before giving it to Chicago police investigating a reported attack on the “Empire” actor in order to protect the privacy of contacts and people who are not relevant to the attack.
Analysis: $15 Minimum Wage No Windfall for Illinois Workers
| Associated Press
Illinois is poised to join Washington, D.C., and at least four other states with a $15-an-hour minimum by 2025, an 82-percent spike in current base pay. But it may not be the momentous impact on low-wage workers that some supporters expected.
Chicago Sues 27 Online Retailers Over E-Cigarette Sales
| Kristen Thometz
A new report details a rise in the use of e-cigarettes by young people across the country as the city of Chicago files a lawsuit against online sellers it claims illegally sold tobacco products to minors.
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