Stories by Blair Paddock

Many who’ve been through restrictive housing attest to extreme isolation and confinement in small, dark, windowless cells. Phone and tablet use can be restricted. Yard or outside time is limited.

It is unclear whether Mayor Brandon Johnson has enough political muscle to convince at least 25 alderpeople to buck the tradition that calls on them to mind their own business and vote along with the alderperson whose ward includes the project.

Elected officials are pushing back over masked immigration agents. And the uncertain future of a local campus group offering contraception.

Sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies are particularly common for college-aged people. A 2023 report from the CDC found that nearly half of all reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis were among people aged 15 to 24.

Immigrant rights advocates have reported seeing some ICE agents wearing masks and refusing to identify themselves during raids. Advocates say that creates fear and hinders accountability.

The measure unanimously endorsed by the Ethics and Government Oversight Committee had the support of both Inspector General Deborah Witzburg and Corporation Counsel Mary Richardson-Lowry after negotiations stretched into the weekend.

The Supreme Court is allowing President Donald Trump to put his plan to dismantle the Education Department back on track — and to go through with laying off nearly 1,400 employees.

The rare rejection by the Chicago City Council’s Finance Committee means the proposal will not advance to the full City Council for a final vote. Its sponsor said the measure would give 17 members of the City Council the power to stop Johnson from burdening future generations with massive debt obligations.

John Hooker, one of the four former Commonwealth Edison officials convicted of conspiring to bribe ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison. The sentence is well below the recommendation from federal prosecutors of 56 months. Hooker’s defense team had asked for a sentence of probation.

Senate Republicans will test the popularity of Department of Government Efficiency spending cuts this week by aiming to pass President Donald Trump’s request to claw back $9.4 billion in public media and foreign aid spending.

Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is having private conversations with key South Carolina Democrats, including presidential primary kingmaker Rep. Jim Clyburn, in which Emanuel indicated strong interest in a presidential run.

“This year, the names represent iconic Chicago landmarks woven into the city’s fabric and known to all visitors of our beloved city and community,” Chicago Piping Plovers said.

Ald. Matt Martin (47th Ward) will ask the Ethics Committee on Monday to advance a proposal designed to prevent the city’s top lawyer from intervening in ongoing probes that risk “embarrassment or political consequences” for city leaders.

Federal agents descend on a local museum, with community leaders saying they meant to bully and intimidate. And the mayor and governor decry the president’s signature new spending bill.

Researchers studied specimens of small mammals in the Field Museum’s collection to explore the ways animals are adapting to urbanization.

Could industries like agriculture and hospitality be exempt from immigration raids? And how disaster relief groups are working to address the needs of communities.

Richard Hunt created more public sculptures and monuments in the U.S. than any other artist — over 160 by the time he died in 2023. He spent more than 70 years grinding, welding and sculpting metal. A new exhibition provides an intimate look at his work.

Nationally, construction and agriculture workforces had the highest shares of undocumented workers as of 2022, according to the American Immigration Council.

At least two dozen bills have been introduced across 15 states this year. Most of the legislation is related to insurance coverage for menopause care, awareness and education, clinician training or menopause in the workplace.

Scientists who study and treat diabetes noted that CDC officials released only a 600-word online summary of their new findings — not the raw data nor a peer-reviewed published paper describing how they arrived at the new figure.

While lauded by President Donald Trump as overdue and necessary to make the department leaner, more nimble and more efficient, the cuts have been roundly criticized by current and former diplomats who say they will weaken U.S. influence and the ability to counter existing and emerging threats abroad.

People in the country illegally are largely ineligible for federal public benefits such as food stamps, student loans and financial aid for higher education. But for decades they have been able to access some community-level programs such as Head Start and community health centers.

According to data from the city and Chicago Police Department, total violent crime is down at least 22% thus far in 2025, while there have been 90 fewer homicides and more than 400 fewer shootings compared to last year.

The National Weather Service is warning of an ongoing threat for flash flooding in the Chicago region through Saturday.

Texas and the rest of the nation are mourning as the death toll rises to 120 almost a week after catastrophic flooding devastated parts of the state over Fourth of July weekend.

Michael McClain, 77, a former Illinois representative lobbyist for Commonwealth Edison, was convicted of bribery conspiracy and willfully falsifying the utility giant’s books as part of the “ComEd Four” trial in 2023.