Stories by Heather Cherone

City Clerk Anna Valencia acknowledged her office had erred, delaying a triumphant moment for Mayor Brandon Johnson and the progressive political movement that elected him to office earlier this year.

The 39-page report from the independent monitoring team, led by attorney Maggie Hickey, compiled the results of the feedback gathered from more than 400 Chicagoans at 17 community engagement sessions in February, March and April.

More than a year after the State of Illinois sold off the abandoned 23-acre Damen Silos property to MAT Limited Partnership, the fate of the silos — a favorite of urban explorers — is still up in the air.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability will launch its second People’s Academy — a six-week training course that’s open to the public and gives an in-depth look at some of the office’s operations, such as complaint investigations, body-worn camera video analysis and disciplinary recommendations.

Without naming GOP figures like Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Pritzker blamed political leaders who “have shipped people to our state like cargo in a dehumanizing attempt to score political points.”

Ford said it laid off 330 workers at its Chicago Stamping Plant and Lima Engine Plant following the union’s decision Friday to strike its Chicago Assembly plant, which made the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs.

Filmed at the Willis Tower, on the lakeshore at the Promontory Point with the city’s skyline in the background and other locations, “Skywalkers” is set to play on a permanent loop as art of a large public commission to Chicago artists. 

On Monday, the far-right Republican from Florida announced he was using a procedural tool — called a motion to vacate — to try to strip Kevin McCarthy of his office.

Registration begins for Illinois residents who want to keep their so-called assault weapons. Abortion pills, guns and what to expect from the U.S. Supreme Court this term. 

Former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, a Republican, says the battle over House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is an example of where the national Republican Party is right now.    

The docket already includes major cases concerning the intersection between the First Amendment and social media, gun rights, racial gerrymandering and the power of the executive branch when it comes to regulation.

The civil case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses the business-mogul-turned-politician and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by habitually misstating his wealth in financial statements.

The sequence of events that led to the accident appears to have started when someone tried to pass the truck, the NTSB said at a Sunday media briefing.

But fear not lovers of all things fall, more seasonal weather is on the way.

Dorothy Hoffner first skydived when she was 100. On Sunday, she left her walker behind just short of the Skyvan plane at the Ottawa airport and was helped up the steps to join the others waiting inside to skydive.

According to Chicago Police Department figures, there were 37 people shot in 30 separate shooting incidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

DishRoulette Kitchen offers free classes and support to restaurant entrepreneurs. The mission is to share information about how to start, run and scale up restaurant businesses in ways that make sense for entrepreneurs.

The CDC said suicide rates increased by 37% for Black people 10 to 24 years old, the highest rise of any category, from 2018 to 2020. A National Institutes of Health study found among children ages 5 to 12, Black children were twice as likely to die by suicide as their White counterparts.

A semitruck carrying caustic anhydrous ammonia toppled in Teutopolis, spilling more than half of its 7,500-gallon load, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Prostate cancer can be a touchy subject for men to talk about, but discussing it with a doctor can be a literal lifesaver.

For members of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, riding along the Major Taylor Trail is a big part of staying healthy in mind and body.

It’s getting to the time of year when people in Chicago start thinking about spending time someplace a little warmer — a tropical island, perhaps? If that’s where your head is, music journalist Sandra Treviño is right there with you.

If you’re looking for delicious ways to enjoy Latin American culture this Hispanic Heritage Month, you’ve got two weeks coming up that will fit the bill. From Oct. 6-20, participating Latino-owned restaurants throughout Chicago are offering special menus to celebrate the cuisines of Latin America.

About 20% of Chicagoans claim Mexican heritage, according to U.S. census data. That’s a distinction that makes itself especially evident every September when people celebrate Mexican Independence Day.

Two major health issues in the Black community: treating prostate cancer and preventing suicide. The city’s new top cop on accountability. And taking the Major Taylor Trail to wellness.

We explore how the city approaches its cultural celebrations. A nonprofit organization helping local businesses. And a taste of Latin Restaurant Weeks.