Stories by Associated Press
‘Strategic’ Well-Orchestrated Heists Seen Amid Protest Chaos
| Associated Press
Caravans of burglars have capitalized on chaos, communicating with each other via messaging apps during heists and using both the protests over the death of George Floyd and other tactics to throw police off their trail.
Want to Create Jobs and Fund Social Services on the South and West Sides? Buy Flowers
| Patty Wetli
These days, buying flowers might seem like the very definition of a nonessential luxury purchase. But dozens of struggling nonprofits are in fact relying on flower sales to fund the vital social services they provide.
Northwestern Study of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 Finds Placenta Injuries
| Kristen Thometz
The placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to a developing fetus, among other things. In a small study, researchers found the placentas from pregnant women with COVID-19 showed signs of injury.
Floyd Mourned, Celebrated as Death Used as Call to Action
| Associated Press
The mural of George Floyd projected above his golden coffin, where mourners knelt and cried, paused and prayed at his memorial service Thursday had a simple message: “I can breathe now.”
Stalled by Pandemic, Push to Create Elected Board to Oversee CPD Gets New Life Amid Protests
| Heather Cherone
Efforts to put an elected board of Chicago residents in charge of the Chicago Police Department — stalled by the coronavirus pandemic — could get new life amid a renewed nationwide push to hold police officers accountable for misconduct.
Chicago Restaurants, Retail Stores Reopen Amid Challenges
| Amanda Vinicky
We get a taste of what some restaurant industry players experienced Wednesday as Chicago moved info phase three of its reopening plan.
Communities in Conflict: Little Village Quiets After Days of Anger, Violence
| Erica Gunderson
How Chicago communities came together to push past tensions that were feeding a racial divide.
Tensions Ease as Community Leaders Work to Change Narrative on Southwest Side
| Paris Schutz
There was a message of unity Wednesday as solidarity marches replaced fears of racially motivated violence. We visited Pilsen, Little Village and the suburb of Cicero for a view from the ground.
Chicago Businesses Start to Reopen — But Not Everyone is Ready
| Nick Blumberg
Despite days of protests, some which turned destructive, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the message from business owners is clear: they want to reopen.
Chicago Cautiously Reopens. What it Could Mean for Public Health
| Dan Andries
Chicago has officially moved into phase three of its reopening plan. We discuss the public health implications of reopening with Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.
A Grieving Community Again Calls for Police Reform in Chicago
| Blair Paddock
A conversation with the Rev. Martin Hunter, the great uncle of Laquan McDonald, whose fatal shooting by a Chicago police officer in 2014 sparked widespread calls for police reform.
Lightfoot Again Defends Call to Block Off Downtown as Unrest Swept South, West Sides
| Heather Cherone
An increasing number of complaints that Chicago officials decided to protect downtown at the expense of neighborhoods on the South and West sides are “not true and illogical,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday.
Chicago Man Charged After Dozens of Windows Smashed at CPS School
| Matt Masterson
Cook County prosecutors claim Michael Mangan, 36, broke a total of 82 windows at a Northwest Side elementary school, valued at $16,400, and did so because “the school ruined his life.”
After Relatively Quiet Night, Police Superintendent Optimistic That Worst is Over
| Heather Cherone
Looting and unrest has largely subsided in Chicago as large peaceful protests against police misconduct continue, Chicago Police Supt. David Brown told reporters Wednesday.
Dance for Life’s 2020 Benefit Rechoreographed For the Times
| Hedy Weiss
Dancers, perhaps more than any other group of performing artists, have been hit hardest, both artistically and financially, by the fallout from the coronavirus. So this year’s Dance for Life 2020 event will feature a new virtual format.
Chicagoans Aren’t Waiting on Lightfoot to Begin Cleanup, Rebuilding
| Patty Wetli
Neighbors are taking care of each other, grabbing brooms, raising money and distributing food. “I’m cleaning up my community on behalf of my people,” said one volunteer.
Protests in Top 25 Virus Hot Spots Ignite Fears of Contagion
| Associated Press
The protests have come just as communities across the nation loosen restrictions on businesses and public life that have helped slow the spread of the virus, deepening concern that the two factors taken together could create a national resurgence in cases.
Photos: Peaceful George Floyd Protests Through Chicago’s North and South Sides
| Evan Garcia
Peaceful protests through the North and South sides on Tuesday marked the fifth consecutive day of protests in Chicago in response to the killing of George Floyd.
Pritzker Signs Legislation Permitting Sale of To-Go Cocktails
| Kristen Thometz
Next time you order takeout food, you can pair it with a premade to-go cocktail, thanks to legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.
Tuesday’s Heat Was One for the Record Books
| Patty Wetli
The mercury soared to 94 degrees on June 2, topping the previous record of 92 degrees set for the date back in 1944.
‘Dangerous’: Around World, Police Chokeholds Scrutinized
| Associated Press
Three days after George Floyd died with a Minneapolis police officer choking off his air, another black man writhed on the tarmac of a street in Paris as a police officer pressed a knee to his neck during an arrest.
‘Let’s Get it Done’: Lightfoot Demands More Police Reform Amid Unrest
| Matt Masterson
In an address Tuesday night, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot outlined reforms based on improving police training, officer wellness and community relations she said are “critical to resolving our crisis.”
Curfews Give Sweeping Powers to Cops, But Are Often Flouted
| Associated Press
Hundreds of cities have imposed curfews to keep the peace during a week of violent unrest across the U.S., employing a tactic that gives law enforcement sweeping arrest powers but is frequently criticized as being unconstitutional.
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