Chicago
On-duty Illinois State trooper killed in downstate crash
An Illinois State trooper was killed in a crash on Interstate 74 while on patrol Wednesday about 25 miles northwest of Champaign, authorities said.<p>Trooper Ryan Albin died five and a half hours after he was injured in the crash, said Illinois State Police Director Leo P. Schmitz.<p>The crash happened …
PolicingWhat to Do in Chicago This July: SummerDance & Craft Beer Festival
It’s a festival-heavy month in Chicago, celebrating everything from hot-air balloons to ribs to books. The best deal in town is Taste of Chicago, …
Beer FestivalsChicago mayor proposes city ordinance to boost pension funding
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Wednesday proposed an ordinance that would lock in higher city payments to two pension funds after state legislation to do so became mired in Illinois' political stalemate.<p>The ordinance would put payments for the city's municipal and laborers' …
Rahm EmanuelWill Tiger Woods golf course displace South Shore Nature Sanctuary?
South Shore residents and park advocates are concerned that a nature area along Chicago's South Side lakefront could be partially displaced to make room for the new Tiger Woods golf course.<p>The 4.27-acre South Shore Nature Sanctuary, created in 2002, is a respite from bustling city living. Located …
GolfA pre-renovation glimpse inside Chicago’s abandoned Consumer & Century buildings
The vintage high-rises at 220 S. State Street and 202 S. State Street will see new life as 429 apartments<p>A pair of empty Loop office buildings that have long been in the hands of the federal government’s General Services Administration (GSA) are poised for a major renovation. Located at 220 S. …
ArchitectureMemo to GOP: It’s too late for full-scale ObamaCare repeal
Right now the Republican program to repeal and replace ObamaCare looks as though it will be effectively thwarted by dissent with the party’s own …
University of ChicagoCalm Down, Internet! Chicago Cubs’ Albert Almora Isn’t Giving President Trump the Middle Finger in This Photo
The Twitterverse is buzzing about a photo of the Chicago Cubs’ White House meet-and-greet with President Donald Trump on Wednesday in which …
Donald TrumpThis Pic Of Ted Cruz And Tom Ricketts Is Freaking Everyone The Heck Out
Separated at birth?<p>Does Sen. Ted Cruz have a secret twin?<p>The Texas Republican shared an image of himself and Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, but something stood out to viewers more than the team’s first World Series trophy in 108 years.<p>It was how similar the two men look:<p>Here’s some of the …
RepublicansCTU President Lewis criticizes district's 'usurious' borrowing deal
Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis said Wednesday that school district officials are "borrowing money at usurious rates" instead of directing scarce resources toward classrooms, criticisms that come as another education budget cycle draws to a close and school communities again look ahead …
Chicago Public SchoolsRejected by Chicago, George Lucas museum gets OK from Los Angeles city council
The filmmaker claims he and spouse Mellody Hobson were “heartbroken” after Chicagoans “said no”<p>After striking out in Chicago, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is officially headed to Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The privately-funded project had Chicagoans fiercely divided when it broke cover in …
Los AngelesSteve Carell remembers ‘eating my way through’ Taste of Chicago
LOS ANGELES — It’s been more than 20 years since Second City alum <b>Steve Carell</b> left Chicago, but this time of year still takes him back to the sights, …
Steve CarellNavy Pier will host new works by Jeanne Gang and Nick Cave this fall
Public art is popping up everywhere in Chicago this summer, thanks in part to the city's Year of Public Art initiative. This fall, we can expect even …
Woodlawn Shooting Kills Man, 28, Standing Outside
The shooting happened in the 6500 block of South University Avenue.
University of ChicagoShake Shack burgers coming to Willis Tower
Shake Shack plans to open a restaurant in Willis Tower in 2019, in retail space the 110-story skyscraper's owner is adding to the base of the building.<p>The burger chain is the first restaurant announced for the new space by property owner Blackstone Group, which is extending the lower floors of the …
Shake ShackAmerica's Latest Drug Epidemic Is Weirdly Nonviolent
The 70s heroin wave and 80s crack crisis each saw major gun violence, including huge numbers of murders. Not so much with the current opioid epidemic.<p>During the prime crack years of the 1980s and early 90s, crime, and especially media coverage of crime, was almost inescapable in America. After all, …
University of ChicagoWednesday morning 'soft lockdown' lifted after nearly 2 hours at OPRF High School
Oak Park and River Forest High School was placed on a "soft lockdown" for nearly two hours Wednesday morning as officials investigated threatening messages received by some administrators.<p>According to OPRF spokeswoman Karin Sullivan, the school was placed on a soft lockdown at approximately 9:45 …
Chicago Cubs: Is there a problem behind the plate? - RealSport
• 0shares<p>Strange things happened on June 27, 2017 in the MLB. Two teams who scored a combined 24 runs the night before, played a 2-1 contest that was …
BaseballBrooke Henderson welcomes Windy City conditions for her Women’s PGA Championship defence
<b>By Chris Stevenson</b><p>OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — As Brooke Henderson finished off her last nine holes of preparation for the defence of her KPMG Women’s PGA …
GolfRunning on empty: How Detroit's bankruptcy judges see Illinois
The federal judges who pulled Detroit from the bowels of the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history learned some lessons that they believe …
Bruce RaunerRauner, Madigan talk 'compromise' while doing little of it
During a special session that's costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day without any results, both Democrats and Republicans are talking up the idea of compromise without publicly doing much to reach one.<p>Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner has blanketed his social media accounts with calls for …
Bruce RaunerFamily of baby dropped off at Roseland Hospital located
Chicago police said the family an infant that was dropped off at a hospital on Chicago's South Side has been located.<p>Police said the 9-month-old was …
BabiesEnterprise CarShare is officially pulling out of most Chicago locations
Enterprise CarShare is ending its regular service in Chicago — and five other cities. But if you’re a college student or professor, you might still be in luck.<p>The company that bought Chicago’s first car-sharing operation told members Wednesday it is officially closing its “retail” business in …
UberMorning Spin: Democrats governor candidates campaign as Rauner threatens more special sessions
<i>Welcome</i> <i>to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield. Subscribe here.</i><p><b>Topspin</b><p>As Gov. Bruce Rauner tries to keep the pressure on Democrats by threatening more special session days in Springfield, his …
Bruce RaunerClaypool accuses Rauner of reverse Robin Hood, NTA accuses him of same
Two days before a massive payment is due for teacher pensions, Chicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool again likened Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner …
Bruce RaunerUltra Foods closing in Calumet Park leaves void
The only traditional grocery store in south suburban Calumet Park is closed, half the shopping center sits vacant and prospects for any quick solutions appear bleak.<p>A handwritten sign on the door of the recently shuttered Ultra Foods directs would-be shoppers to Strack & Van Til stores in Indiana, …
Driver reports his BMW hit by bullets in Hinsdale
Hinsdale police are investigating a report that someone fired gun shots following a road rage incident Saturday night near 55th Street and Route 83.<p>An 18-year-old from Riverside reported Monday that he was involved in a road rage incident about 10 p.m. the previous Saturday with the driver of a …
CrimeThe Obama Presidential Center: A deal made the Chicago Way
Thanks to the Tribune's Blair Kamin, serious questions are thankfully being raised about the wisdom of all the changes planned for converting Jackson Park to the Obama Presidential Center.<p>The public hearings touting the plan are billed as welcoming public input before breaking ground, yet input …
Disco Demolition is now a museum show
Almost four decades ago, a struggling major league baseball team, a young deejay and a musical genre collided to create a small burst of anarchy in center field at Comiskey Park.<p>Originally billed as "Teen Night," the events of July 12, 1979, have entered Chicago lore as Disco Demolition, and they …
Chicago White Sox13 Best Things to Do in Chicago
There’s no place quite like Chicago -- and it’s not just because it gives new meaning to the word cold. While it has big city offerings, it feels …
Music Festivals4 killed, at least 6 hurt in Wednesday shootings
Four people, including a 17-year-old boy, were killed and at least six other people, including a 14-year-old girl, were wounded in separate attacks during 13 hours Wednesday.<p>In the most recent fatal attack, two women, ages 41 and 32, were shot dead about 10:30 p.m. while they driving through the …
Policing