News - Chicago Sun-Times

Crime

Services set for Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca as off-duty killing ruled line-of-duty death

Funeral services for Huesca will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Rita of Cascia Catholic Church at 7740 S. Western Ave. in Chicago, according to the Fraternal Order of Police.

By Tom Schuba

Back in 2020, the Castaways Bar and Grill located on North Avenue Beach was one of the few restaurants to reopen amid the COVID-19 shutdown.

Food and Restaurants

Castaways Beach Club, formerly Castaways Bar & Grill, closed for renovations last summer. A refresh features an updated menu and renovations, costing more than $3 million.

By Jessica Ma

Crime

39-year-old man slain in Oak Forest shooting remembered as 'loving father who loved to help anyone in need'

Three others, including a 12-year-old girl, were wounded in the shooting, Oak Forest police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Small Business

Dom's Kitchen and Foxtrot abruptly shutter stores, months after specialty grocers merged

The store closings started Tuesday morning and include two Dom’s Kitchen sites and 33 Foxtrot locations.

By Abby Miller and Isabel Funk

Education

$5 million fund to aid Chicago students with disabilities

The Diverse Learners Recovery Fund, launched through a partnership with the city and Ada S. McKinley Community Services, will provide up to 8,000 families with one-time grants of $500.

By Sophie Sherry

Loop

Loop's weekend foot traffic exceeds level before pandemic, but retail vacancies still at record high

The Chicago Loop Alliance released its latest report on the Loop, finding that it offered some signs of a revival.

By Amy Yee

Crime

14-year-old boy charged with murder in South Loop shooting

Jeremy Smith, 17, was killed and another boy was wounded in the shooting in March, according to police.

By Mary Norkol

Crime

2 attempted sexual assaults reported in Lake View

Chicago police said they believe the same man attacked both women Monday night.

By Sun-Times Wire

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 on Northwest Side

After about 7½ 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