News - Chicago Sun-Times

Health

Measles case count reaches 63 in Chicago, but pace of new cases is subsiding

Another exposure location was reported at the Sam’s Club at 9400 S. Western Ave. in Evergreen Park, Cook County health officials said Thursday.

By Kade Heather

A woman shields herself from the rain as she crosses North Wabash Avenue near East Washington Street, in The Loop, as rain falls across the Chicagoland area, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

News

Showers and gusty winds moving through Chicago on Thursday

Rain will begin to pick up about 6 p.m. and is expected to last until midnight, according to meteorologist Zachary Wack with the National Weather Service. The Cubs game was postponed, and Swifties are donning rain gear.

By Sun-Times Wire

20240418_112911.jpgCherry trees sprout green leaves but no blossoms Thursday in Jackson Park.

News

Cherry trees in Chicago skip bloom for second consecutive year

The Chicago Park District said April’s cold and wet weather has kept the buds of 190 cherry blossom trees at Jackson Park from fully opening.

By Cindy Hernandez

Health

Howard Brown, union reach tentative agreement after 17 months of negotiations

The contract would include raises across the union body — including annual wage increases — a new minimum wage of $19.23, insurance for part-time employees, two weeks of paid leave for gender-affirming care, a union rights clause and protections against layoffs, among other things.

By Violet Miller

Transportation

Uber launches rider verification program in Chicago, 11 other cities

Chicago riders may now find a blue check mark under their name, as part of Uber’s rider verification process.

By Jessica Ma

Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III sits with Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH Convention on July 18, 2023.

Politics

Rainbow PUSH leader’s quick exit underscores challenge following Rev. Jackson: ‘It’s the most difficult job in Black America’

It’s still not clear why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III, a Texas megachurch pastor, suddenly resigned Tuesday as president of the legendary South Side social justice organization. But longtime observers say an out-of-towner was doomed from the start.

By Mitchell Armentrout

News

Top dogs: Here are Chicago's most popular breeds

The most common dog breed in Chicago — making up about 14% of all registered dogs — is a mixed-breed dog, followed by pit bulls, Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.

By Amy Qin and Matt Kiefer

2024 Democratic National Convention

No cracks in Blue Wall? Top Democrats vow Chicago is ready for convention, despite party divisions

Democrats are deeply focused on Wisconsin and Michigan to help bolster President Joe Biden’s re-election chances — and officials, in town for meetings hosted by the Democratic National Convention Committee, say they plan on showing voters a deep party contrast.

By Tina Sfondeles

Marijuana

4/20 is Saturday: What you need to know for weed's 'high' holiday

Read on to find out about how 4/20 came about, some frequently asked questions about Delta-8 weed alternative and a weed syndrome that causes vomiting, and some events that fall on the high holiday.

By David Struett

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates

City Hall

Chicago Teachers Union demanding 9% annual raises, won't rule out a strike

Having former CTU organizer Brandon Johnson in the mayor’s office won’t keep the union from walking out if needed, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates told the Sun-Times, adding that, “We’re a labor union that understands the power of solidarity and the power of work stoppage.”

By Fran Spielman

Politics

Watchdog group asks feds to probe Trump over $50 million 'nonexistent' loan to his Chicago company

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a letter to the FBI and Justice Department that it’s possible the loan, connected to the development of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, may be “nonexistent.”

By Lynn Sweet

Obituaries

Jun Mhoon, music producer and adolescent drummer for The Staple Singers, dies at 69

As a sixth-grader, he toured with the gospel group and was ‘just as cute as he could be,’ says singer Mavis Staples. The experience paved the way for his success in the music industry.

By Mitch Dudek

Screen Shot 2024-04-18 at 3.01.24 PM.png

LGBTQIA+

Pride Parade will now allow participants from schools, organizers say

A teacher says Nettelhorst School will help “coordinate” a group of schools into one entry after six schools had been denied participation when organizers scaled back the popular parade.

By Mariah Rush

Politics

Cook County approves sending up to $70 million to Chicago to feed migrants

Commissioners widely supported sending cash to the city, but raised concerns about making sure the city uses the money for its intended use.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

The Shedd Aquarium will undergo a $500 million transformation beginning this summer and culminating with the Shedd’s 100th anniversary in 2030.

Work

Shedd Aquarium workers form union

In an open letter, staff cited work-life imbalance, financial struggles and lack of communication from management, among other grievances, as reasons for unionizing.

By Amy Yee

Chicago’s Next Voices

What's your Chicago story? We want to hear it.

We want to hear from diverse voices from across the city to be part of our Chicago’s Next Voices and tell stories of their personal experiences.

By Mary Mitchell

Dexter Reed Shooting

In case of Dexter Reed, killed by cops in traffic stop, court filings, family detail struggle with mental health

Court documents and police records offer more details about the man killed last month in a shootout with police in Humboldt Park.

By Tom Schuba and Rosemary Sobol

Citibank’s South Michigan Avenue branch in downtown Chicago, where former Citi wealth adviser Helen Grace Caldwell worked.

The Watchdogs

Ex-Citi VP in Chicago ripped by judge for bilking elderly clients of $1.5 million, gets 30 months in prison

Before sentencing Helen G. Caldwell, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly said, “The only difference between Ms. Caldwell and a bank robber is that she didn’t have a mask and a gun.”

By Eva Putnam | Injustice Watch

One person was hurt in a shooting August 18, 2021, on the Dan Ryan Expressway.

Suburban Chicago

1 dead in fiery I-90 crash when car plows into toll booth near Hoffman Estates

The vehicle crashed into the toll booth near Barrington Road and burst into flames, according to police.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man charged in slaying of 74-year-old man in Greater Grand Crossing

Shermain Sargent, 41, is accused of beating Timothy Ash, 74, on Jan. 7 in the 6400 block of South King Drive. Ash died Jan. 12 of injuries suffered from the assault, the medical examiner reported.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

3 University of Chicago students held up near campus

The students were approached by people with guns Wednesday afternoon and robbed. No one was hurt. University police will ‘maintain an increased presence’ following the incidents.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man charged with trafficking stolen Masters golf memorabilia

Richard Brendan Globensky allegedly transported stolen Masters golf tournament merchandise and memorabilia from the Augusta National Gold Club in Georgia between 2009 and 2022.

By Sun-Times Wire