Stories by Patty Wetli

“Our work is part of the sweep of human history. It’s very humbling,” said Quilen Blackwell, co-founder of Southside Blooms.

Originally budgeted at $8.5 billion, the expansion is now reaching $12 billion. The most extensive part of the project is the 2.2 million-square-foot O’Hare Global Terminal, replacing what is now Terminal 2.

Jury deliberations begin in the landmark corruption trial of former Ald. Ed Burke. A project upgrading Chicago’s aging gas pipelines is on hold. And remembering Chicago sculptor Richard Hunt. 

Renowned sculptor Richard Hunt, whose work can be seen across his hometown of Chicago, died at age 88.

There is a battle over a multi-billion dollar, decades-long project to upgrade Chicago’s aging natural gas pipelines.

A Chicago police spokesperson said an investigation is underway, but it does not appear as though the boy’s death was criminal in nature.

The report from Lisle-based A3E Consulting recommends “additional investigation” of the 6.5 acres of land surrounding a vacant Jewel-Osco grocery store on the border between Morgan Park and West Roseland.

Deliberations began Monday afternoon after U.S. District Court Judge Virgina Kendall spent more than three hours reading more than 300 pages of jury instructions.

Nevada, Wisconsin, Arizona and Pennsylvania are among the states were Donald Trump fake electors are still involved in the 2024 election.

Presidnent Joe Biden, who pledged to restore the US immigration system during the 2020 campaign, is now considering immigration restrictions that stand to have lasting implications for migrants, a move that could backfire with his progressive base.

The submission deadline is Jan. 12. Six new names will be chosen for Chicago’s fleet of plows.

College administrators and the Columbia College Faculty Union (CFAC) — which represents nearly 600 adjunct faculty members — jointly announced the tentative deal that would put an end to the record-long strike.

This latest seismic activity was centered near the small town of Waltonville (population 432), roughly 110 miles south of Springfield.

According to Chicago Police Department data, 18 total people were shot in 17 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Ten years ago this month, a spectacular Nativity set called a crèche debuted at the Art Institute of Chicago. A gift from an Italian collector, the crèche was made in Naples and dates from the mid-1700s. It’s a traditional Nativity scene in a non-traditional setting.

About 7 million fewer adults have gotten their flu shot so far this season compared with the last virus season. Vaccination coverage for COVID-19 is also low, with just 17% of adults and about 8% of children getting the latest shot, according to CDC data through Dec. 2.

Closing arguments are wrapping up in the corruption trial of former Ald. Ed Burke. And the Chicago Public School board votes on a move away from charters and selective enrollment schools.

The final migrants to be moved into one of 27 city-run shelters was a group of approximately 100 people who had been living at the 12th District Police Station in Pilsen, city officials said.

By contrast, Burke’s attorney portrayed the former alderperson as a “good man” and a dedicated public servant who relished his ability to move the city’s bureaucracy and “thrived on connecting the right people.”

The announcement of the “tri-lateral” agreement took place at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Approximately 695,600 Illinois residents have proactively renewed their Medicaid coverage – making Illinois the top ranked state for renewals amid a federal cleanse of the government-backed health insurance rolls.

The damages verdict follows emotional testimony from Wandrea “Shaye” Moss and her mother, Ruby Freeman, who tearfully described becoming the target of a false conspiracy theory pushed by Giuliani and other Republicans. 

Illinois’ new law banning “deceptive” practices by anti-abortion ministries, passed in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, is scrapped before ever materially taking effect.

About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population. The total in the January count represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared with a year earlier.

While views on how to address public safety are divided, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his new plan Thursday, which he says will address the root causes of crime.

Tribune Publishing journalists plan to picket and rally Saturday outside Tribune Tower, accusing the hedge fund that owns the company of brutally undercutting local news in service of a relentless thirst for profits.