Stories by Amanda Vinicky
Chicago Pastor on Mass Shooting: ‘I Haven’t Seen a Scene Like This’
| Amanda Vinicky
Chicago police say Tuesday’s mass shooting is a chilling example of gang revenge and retaliation — a cycle that needs to end. They are pleading with witnesses for help, while residents deal with the trauma.
Spotlight Politics: Trump Weighs in on Chicago’s Violence
| Alexandra Silets
Gun violence in Chicago is again taking the national spotlight. Our politics team weighs in on President Donald Trump’s plans to send 100 federal agents to the city and more.
‘It’s Affecting Everyday Life’: Community Leaders Respond to Gun Violence
| Marissa Nelson
A mass shooting injures at least 15 people outside a funeral home in the city’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood. How community leaders are responding to the gun violence crisis.
Attorney to Sheriff Dart: Protect Jail Detainees, Not Your Reputation
| Nick Blumberg
The Cook County sheriff says an advocate for detainees is lying about what the jail has done to curb the coronavirus. She responds on “Chicago Tonight.”
Park District Board Says of Douglas Park Name Change: ‘It Will Be Done’
| Patty Wetli
Students leading the movement to change the name of Douglas Park said they were frustrated to have been left out of the board’s meeting Wednesday, and for their broader campaign to have been ignored.
Trump Sends More Than 100 Federal Agents to Chicago to Fight Violence
| Heather Cherone
President Donald Trump will send “more than 100” federal agents to crack down on surging crime in Chicago — but will not order a Portland-style paramilitary strike force to patrol the city.
A Tour of the ‘Notorious RBG’ Exhibition With Son James Ginsburg
| Marc Vitali
A look at the life and legal work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with family stories from her son.
Some Tenants to Get More Notice Before Evictions Under New Law
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has repeatedly said 30 days’ notice is not nearly enough time for a single person, let alone a family, to find a new place to live and move. Now, long-term renters will get more notice of an eviction without cause.
City Council Tightens Rules That Allow CPD to Impound Cars
| Heather Cherone
The Chicago Police Department can no longer impound cars that may have been used to commit a crime following a unanimous vote Wednesday to rein in the program in an effort to ease the debt burden imposed on low-income residents.
Illinois Officials Warn of Fraud Linked to Federal Pandemic Unemployment Program
| Kristen Thometz
State officials announced Wednesday they are investigating a widespread nationwide fraud schemed linked to each state’s federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
1,598 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois as Officials Again Implore Residents to Wear Masks
| Kristen Thometz
State officials on Wednesday reported the highest single-day increase in COVID-19 cases for the month of July, prompting a stern warning from Illinois’ top doctor: Wear a mask or we’ll move backwards.
Aldermen Reject Lightfoot’s Push to Settle Case That Sought 48 Years’ Worth of Misconduct Files
| Heather Cherone
An effort by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration to settle a lawsuit that sought to force the Chicago Police Department to turn over nearly five decades’ worth of secret files stalled Wednesday amid opposition from progressive aldermen.
Silent Spread of Virus Keeps Scientists Grasping for Clues
| Associated Press
As workers return to offices, children prepare to return to schools and those desperate for normalcy again visit malls and restaurants, the emerging science points to a menacing reality: If people who appear healthy can transmit the illness, it may be impossible to contain.
‘Put Your Guns Down,’ Lightfoot, Police Implore After Tuesday’s Mass Shooting
| Matt Masterson
The morning after a shooting injured at least 15 people, police Superintendent David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot pleaded with community members to come forward with information and help break the ongoing cycle of gang violence in Chicago.
Chicago Police: 15 People Shot Outside Funeral Home Tuesday Evening
| Matt Masterson
More than a dozen people were shot in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood in what has become one of the city’s largest mass shootings in years — at a time when President Donald Trump is planning to send federal agents to Chicago.
Who Speaks for Chicago’s Trees? Aldermen to Propose New Urban Forest Advisory Board
| Patty Wetli
It’s time to be strategic, rather than reactive, when it comes to managing a vital piece of Chicago’s infrastructure — it’s trees.
New Solar Orbiter Snaps Closest Pictures Ever Taken of the Sun
| Paul Caine
We journey to the sun’s surface and explore more from the world of science with University of Chicago paleontologist Neil Shubin.
What Does ComEd Bribery Deal Mean for Your Electricity Bill?
| Amanda Vinicky
ComEd is set to pay a $200 million fine as it seeks to get a bribery charge dismissed. Where will the money come from?
How Will CPS Improve Remote Learning? Track Attendance? Schools Chief Talks Reopening Plan
| Matt Masterson
It’s become one of the most pressing questions of the summer: Will schools reopen this fall, and if so, how will they do it safely? We speak with Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson.
Chicago Tap Theatre’s Virtual Show Goes the (Social) Distance
| Angel Idowu
When the pandemic hit, the Chicago Tap Theatre adapted to the new virtual reality. This weekend, they’re taking it a “tap” further with their virtual show “30 Feet Together, 6 Feet Apart.”
Black Restaurant Week: A Look at What’s on the Menu
| Erica Gunderson
Friday marks the start of Black Restaurant Week, a nationwide showcase of Black-owned restaurants now in its fifth year. Here’s a look at what to expect.
Grant Park Infrastructure is Crumbling, Advisory Council Warns
| Nick Blumberg
With more than 300 acres in a prime downtown location, it’s no wonder Grant Park is sometimes referred to as Chicago’s front yard. But if you ask the leaders of the Grant Park Advisory Council, some yard work is in order.
Trump, Congress Square Off Over Virus Aid as Crisis Worsens
| Associated Press
Divisions between the White House and Senate Republicans and differences with Democrats posed fresh challenges for a new federal aid package with the U.S. crisis worsening and emergency relief about to expire.
COVID-19 Restrictions Could Return to Metro East Region of Illinois, Pritzker Warns
| Kristen Thometz
Illinois has a plan in place to roll back restrictions if COVID-19 positivity rates spike. Now, one of the state’s 11 regions is “dangerously close to that threshold,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday.
Trio Allegedly Defrauded Victims Out of $750K Through Romance, Inheritance Scams
| Matt Masterson
Two men and a woman with Chicago-area ties could face decades in federal prison after they allegedly swindled dozens of victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars through inheritance and romance fraud schemes.
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