Poverty and violence are part of the West Side community area’s story. But community members say there’s much more to it, and residents are making new traditions.
Stories by Amanda Vinicky
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Trauma’s Toll In East Garfield Park
Fourteen people, ten of whom from the same family, were shot in East Garfield Park on Oct. 31. The victims had been holding a vigil for a relative who’d recently passed away when a car drove by and opened fire. We visit the community dealing with the aftermath.
Chicago Tonight In Your Neighborhood: Plan for New School on Near South Side Runs Into Opposition
A new high school is slated to be built at 24th and State streets, with the recent blessing of the Chicago Board of Education. It was a tight 4-3 vote, an indication of how controversial the plan is considering that residents of Chinatown, the South Loop and surrounding communities have been asking for a new school for decades.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Bears Make First Pitch to Arlington Heights Residents
The Bears hosted a community meeting Thursday in north suburban Arlington Heights about their plans for a new stadium and entertainment district, and there’s no shortage of opinions.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Milwaukee
Chicago is waiting to see whether Democrats will choose it above Atlanta, Houston and New York as the host city for the party's 2024 convention. But Republicans have already made their selection: Milwaukee.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Lincoln Park
The Lincoln Park community area lies just west of its 1,200-acre namesake park. It’s one of the city’s most affluent and tony communities, but an uptick in crime has residents concerned, prompting some areas to hire private security.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Woodlawn
Construction of the Obama Presidential Center is underway in Jackson Park, and residents on the South Side are bracing for what it will mean for their communities — benefits or displacement.
Gov. Pritzker Signs Law Guaranteeing COVID-19 Sick Leave For Vaccinated Teachers
"It ensures that if a teacher has done their part to keep their classroom safe for their most vulnerable students, they won’t have to worry for a second about their pay or their paid time off if they get COVID,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday.
‘Chicago Tonight’ In Your Neighborhood: Revisiting West Lawn
The Southwest Side is a mostly residential community with many restaurants and some small businesses. It was hard hit by COVID-19, but today it’s among the areas with high vaccination rates. And it’s home to the now-indicted former house speaker Michael Madigan.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
As a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine looms, residents in the neighborhood are feeling the impact acutely. Many have family still living in Ukraine and feel limited in what they are able to do to help them.
J.B. Pritzker: Order Halting School Mask Mandate ‘Cultivates Chaos’
“Judge Raylene Grischow’s ruling is out of step with the vast majority of legal analysis in Illinois and across the nation,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday at an unrelated press event in Chicago.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Skokie
We go to Skokie, where some residents are upset about a potential new neighbor coming to town: a car dealer, with an untraditional model for displaying their wares.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Joliet
The southwest suburb is home to several racetracks and is the birthplace of Dairy Queen. The area also has two prisons – one of which closed in 2002 and recently opened as a haunted house.
Illinois’ House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch on Energy Bill and More
A massive energy bill became law this week and among other things, it aims to get Illinois carbon-free by 2045. Meanwhile, Illinois COVID vaccination rates slow as the delta variant surges. And the legislature’s veto session is coming up in a month.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn is a southwest suburb bordering parts of Chicago. Along with surrounding suburbs, it has a strong Muslim community. And its fire and police departments sent members to support New York firefighters after the 9/11 attack.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge
On Chicago’s Southwest Side, Garfield Ridge is home to Midway Airport. It has a significant first responder population and many senior citizens. We talked with community leaders about the pandemic’s continuing health and economic impact — and one organization using wrestling to empower youth.
ShotSpotter Alerts ‘Rarely’ Lead to Evidence of Gun Crime: City Watchdog
Fewer than 1 in 10 ShotSpotter alerts between 2020 and 2021 resulted in evidence of a gun-related criminal offense being found, according to a new report from Chicago’s independent watchdog.
CPS Says Equity, Student Supports at Center of $9.3B Budget Proposal
The school district on Tuesday released its budget proposal for the 2022 fiscal year, which includes $672 million for priority facility investments throughout the city and more than $1 billion in federal funding for student supports.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Revisiting North Lawndale
This week the area welcomed two new projects — one bringing affordable homes and the other bringing jobs. We talk with community leaders about how these initiatives will strengthen the neighborhood and help residents build wealth.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Lisle
Nestled between Wheaton and Naperville in the western suburbs, Lisle is home to the Morton Arboretum, the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy and the Bavarian Lodge. As part of our community reporting series, we check in to see how Lisle is recovering from the pandemic.
Elected Chicago School Board Bill Passes Illinois House, Now on to Pritzker’s Desk
The Illinois House on Wednesday approved legislation that will turn the current seven-member appointed board — the lone appointed school board in the state — into a 21-member body with elections beginning in 2024. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has strongly opposed the bill, calling it “very ill-constructed.”
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Logan Square
It’s been two years since Chicago got a new mayor when Lori Lightfoot was sworn into office. For the latest in our community reporting series, we visit Lightfoot’s neighborhood on the Northwest Side.
ISBE Passes Resolution Calling for In-Person Learning in Illinois Schools This Fall
The Illinois State Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution in support of an upcoming declaration that will make it a requirement that schools reopen their doors in the fall, with only limited options for remote learning.
High Schoolers Return to Classrooms Monday After CPS, CTU Reach Deal
The fourth quarter of the school year has begun for Chicago Public Schools. And on Monday, nearly 26,000 high school students were expected to return to their classrooms to resume in-person learning for the first time in more than a year.
Little Village Community Responds to ‘Excruciating’ Police Shooting Video
Feelings about Adam Toledo’s killing are particularly raw in Little Village, where Toledo’s family lives. We spent the day talking with residents and local leaders about their community, and the fatal shooting of the 13-year-old who called it home.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Bridgeport
For the first time since 2019, fans are back at Guaranteed Rate Field to watch the White Sox in person. As part of our community reporting series, we visit the area to see how fans are settling in — and how the area is faring one year into the pandemic.
