News - Chicago Sun-Times

Small Business

Astrology-themed sober bar raised $47k in Kickstarter funds, predicts late summer opening

The Kickstarter-backed mocktail bar called Solar Intentions will be joining a growing sober scene in Chicago.

By Olivia Dimmer | For the Sun-Times

South Deering

Woman dead, 2 children critical after car crash in South Deering

The woman struck a pole in the 3000 block of East 106th Street, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

From left, Frances Walker's brother Arnold Walker and sister-in-law Maggie Walker wear pink and speak into news microphones at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Crime

Tenant convicted of murdering, dismembering 69-year-old landlord in grisly Northwest Side case

After about seven and half hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Sandra Kolalou of all charges including first-degree murder, dismembering Frances Walker’s body, concealing a homicidal death and aggravated identity theft. Her attorney plans to appeal.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Sophie Sherry

Chicago

Lou Malnati's aims to honor 10 teachers with a year of free pizza

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week next month, 10 winners will be awarded a free medium cheese pizza per week for a year in addition to a $250 catering package for their school.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Police issue community warning in Greater Grand Crossing after string of arsons

All five of the fires took place within a few blocks of each other, and police said in some instances the fires have spread from the trash bins they’re started in to nearby homes and buildings.

By Sun-Times Wire

Chicago Police graduation at McCormick Place. Chicago Police shoulder patch.

Police Reform

Chicago police union files notice of appeal in case that would open serious discipline cases to the public

A judge has affirmed officers’ right to have an arbitrator decide their fate in serious cases, but has also said those hearings should be open because of the public interest in misconduct by police.

By Andy Grimm

Clouds of dust spread across the Little Village neighborhood after a smokestack was imploded April 11.

Environment

Judge OKs $12.25 million class action settlement over Hilco's Little Village dust storm

Developer Hilco and its contractors agreed to pay the money to neighborhood residents for the 2020 botched smokestack implosion. Mayor Brandon Johnson was urged to release a report on the city’s “negligent” oversight.

By Brett Chase

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle speaks at a news conference last week.

Politics

Toni Preckwinkle unanimously wins another term running Cook County Democratic Party

Preckwinkle said she expects the Democratic Party will be united behind President Joe Biden as he seeks reelection.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

Image from a video Chicago Police released of a person of interest they are seeking to identify in the investigation of the murder of Officer Luis Huesca early Sunday in the 3100 block of West 56th Street in Gage Park.

Crime

Chicago police release photos, video of person of interest sought in probe of Officer Luis Huesca slaying

A community alert asks for help in identifying the male “subject,” noting that he “should be considered armed and dangerous.” Meanwhile, those who knew Huesca have been left reeling. Rocio Lasso said she leaned on Huesca after her own son, Andres Vásquez Lasso, was killed in the line of duty last year.

By Tom Schuba and Jessica Ma

Money

Retailer Express files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, announces store closures, possible sale

The retailer operates 24 stores in Illinois, according to its website, including a site at Water Tower Place and on State Street.

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Anne D’Innocenzio | AP

News conference announcing the start of construction on renovating Terminal 3 at O’Hare Airport on Monday April 22, 2024.

Transportation

Makeover of O'Hare's Terminal 3 takes off as airlines mull deal on expansion, Global Terminal

The Terminal 3 project, made possible by $90 million in federal grants, includes wider concourses, renovated restrooms, a revamped baggage claim area, more concession space and a host of other passenger amenities.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

1 killed, 3 hurt in Oak Forest shooting

A person was detained at the scene for alleged involvement, police said. One of the victims, a 39-year-old man, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

By Sun-Times Wire

Money

Kroger, Albertsons — still hoping to merge — agree to sell more stores to satisfy regulators

The companies now plan to sell 579 Kroger and Albertsons stores in markets where they overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire grocery supplier and operator.

By Dee-Ann Durbin | AP

Environment

Here's how some Chicagoans are taking an eco-friendly approach to funerals

About 60% of people are interested in exploring green funeral options, more than ever before.

By David Struett

Officer Luis Huesca wears a light blue police uniform as he poses for a portrait in front of an American flag.

Crime

Chicago police officer is shot to death as his car is taken in Gage Park

Officer Luis Huesca, 30, was going home from work about 3 a.m. in the 3100 block of West 56th Street when a ShotSpotter alert went off, police Supt. Larry Snelling said. No one has been arrested.

By Mohammad Samra, Tom Schuba, and 1 more

FILES-US-JOURNALIST-CAPTIVE(FILES) Former US hostage Terry Anderson and his fiancee Madeleine Bassil arrive at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York on December 10, 1991. American journalist Terry Anderson, who was snatched by Islamic militants in Lebanon in 1985 and held hostage for six years, died at age 76 on April 21, 2024, his former employer the Associated Press (AP) said. Anderson, then the AP's Beirut bureau chief, was the longest-held Western hostage in Lebanon when he was finally released in 1991. (Photo by Ted HORODYNSKY / AFP) (Photo by TED HORODYNSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Obituaries

Terry Anderson, AP reporter abducted in Lebanon and held captive for years, has died at 76

Terry Anderson was chief Middle East correspondent for the AP when he was kidnapped in Beirut in 1985 by the militant group Hezbollah, who suspected he was a spy. His 1991 best-seller ‘Den of Lions’ chronicles his torture and time in captivity.

By Associated Press

Columnists

Congress backs billions in aid for Ukraine, Israel. How did Illinois members vote?

Chicago Reps. Delia Ramirez, Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia and Jonathan Jackson, all Democrats and the most pro-Palestinian members of the Illinois delegation, voted no on aid to Israel. GOP Rep. Darin LaHood split from his party to support aid to Ukraine.

By Lynn Sweet

image (3).pngHouse Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., autographs a book for Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch, D-Hillside, in the Capitol.

Washington

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch travels to Washington on fundraising trip

On Monday afternoon, Welch raises money for the People for Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch committee, with the ask ranging from $1,000 for a ticket to $68,500 from a political action committee.

By Lynn Sweet

Black and picture of a soldier standing in front of a jeep.

Nation/World

Remains of Illinois soldier who died in Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during WWII identified

Harry Jerele, 26, of Berkeley, died of pneumonia at a prison camp in the Philippines in 1942. Military scientists used DNA analysis and historical records to officially identify his remains in December. His remains will be interred in Elwood in October.

By Jessica Ma

Jennifer Tackett and her daughter, Coco Tackett-Kurth, participate in a guided discussion on racism and prejudice at Northwestern University.

Education

Talking to your kids about race can reduce bias, a Northwestern professor found

Psychologist Sylvia Perry studied conversations between white parents and their school-aged children to understand prejudice.

By Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Crime

Woman found fatally stabbed in Ashburn home

The 20-year-old was found Saturday in a bedroom of a home in the 7700 block of South Trumbull Avenue, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes first federally recognized tribal nation in Illinois

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the decision Friday, placing 130 acres into trust for the tribal nation, giving it sovereignty over the land that the U.S. auctioned off 175 years ago.

By Violet Miller