News - Chicago Sun-Times

Crime

2 shot, wounded near United Center on Near West Side

The men, 18 and 20, were in the 1800 block of West Monroe Street about 9:20 p.m. when two people got out of a light-colored sedan and fired shots. They were hospitalized in fair condition.

By Sun-Times Wire

Northwestern students set up a protest camp on Deering Meadow on Thursday morning.

Israel-Hamas War

Northwestern students set up pro-Palestinian encampment, joining protesters nationwide

Students linked arms and formed a line against police after Northwestern leaders said the tent encampment violated university policy. By 9 p.m. protest leaders were told by university officials that arrests could begin later in the evening.

By Isabel Funk

Education

Facing budget criticism, CPS officials say changes are 'milestone' to be celebrated

In a surprise, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s top ally — the Chicago Teachers Union — was also critical of the district’s lack of transparency and failure to prioritize classroom aides in the budget, even though the union has long supported a shift toward needs-based funding.

By Nader Issa

Immigration

15 migrant couples to exchange wedding vows at Near North church

A big ceremony will be held Friday evening at Community Park Near North Church for 15 migrant couples. They pooled together money to help pay for the celebration, which will be witnessed by about 200 family and friends of the couples.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Crime

Boston man who fatally stabbed Chicago-area Marine gets 17 to 20 years in prison

Alvaro Larrama, a bouncer at a bar, chased and stabbed Daniel Martinez to death in 2022. Martinez, a former Marine sergeant, grew up in Gage Park.

By Violet Miller

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a news conference at state of Illinois’ offices in the West Loop last week.

Housing & development

Pritzker announces new action plan to combat homelessness and address racial disparity

The plan includes a $50 million increase to funding in next fiscal year’s proposed budget for Home Illinois, a program created by Pritzker’s administration in 2022 to prevent and end homelessness.

By Mohammad Samra

Environment

ComEd unveils 2 more EV charging stations in Bronzeville as part of 2-year pilot project

Since the pilot project launched in 2022, the Bronzeville stations have served almost 300 drivers and provided more than 2,800 charging sessions, according to ComEd officials.

By Sophie Sherry

Renderings of the proposed new Bears stadium

City Hall

Bears President Kevin Warren: 'I'm not going to think negatively' about stadium obstacles

The vision laid out by the Bears on Wednesday included detailed renderings of Museum Campus upgrades, including the conversion of Soldier Field to public parkland. But all that work would be paid for by taxpayers, not the team.

By Fran Spielman

Obituaries

Scott Craig, documentary producer who chronicled Chicago, Midwest and beyond, dies at 89

“In some ways, he helped pave the way for the rising tide of documentary production that we see today,” said colleague Thea Flaum.

By Mitch Dudek

Crime

Three years for man who helped set CTA van on fire during 2020 riots

Prosecutors say Darion Lindsey helped put “scores of people at risk” as George Floyd protests gave way to violence.

By Jon Seidel

Work

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 30 million people — roughly one in five workers — are subject to noncompetes, which bar workers from jumping to or starting competing companies.

By Christopher Rugaber | AP

Chicago

Piping plover Imani returns to Montrose Beach

Birders hope Imani, son of beloved couple Monty and Rose, will find a mate this year.

By Jessica Ma

Harvey Weinstein arrives at a Manhattan courthouse for jury deliberations in his rape trial, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020, in New York. New York's highest court has overturned Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.

Crime

Harvey Weinstein's New York rape conviction is overturned. Here's why and what happens next.

The decision by New York’s highest court to overturn the rape conviction of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein has reopened a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 and helped launch the #MeToo movement.

By Associated Press

Chicago police officers surround Dexter Reed's SUV.

Dexter Reed Shooting

Dexter Reed was shot 13 times in deadly gunfight with Chicago police, autopsy shows

The oversight agency investigating the shooting has reported that four officers fired nearly 100 rounds at Reed after he shot another officer in the wrist March 21 in the 3800 block of West Ferdinand Street.

By Tom Schuba

Commentary

Scam calls asking for money are serious business; authorities believe one was tied to an Ohio death.

The fatal shooting of an Uber driver, allegedly by an 81-year-old man, should set off alarms.

By Mary Mitchell

Messages left on a wall in Tel Aviv showing the portraits of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian Hamas gunmen. Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to a four-day cease-fire.

Israel-Hamas War

US, 17 other countries call on Hamas to release hostages

The joint statement is the latest attempt at public pressure to advance negotiations over a potential cease-fire with Israel.

By Associated Press

fathers of housemusic.jpeg. Vince Lawrence (from left), Wayne Williams, Curtis McClain, Byron Stingily, Chip E., and Marshall Jefferson (Credit Tara Lawrence).

NASCAR In Chicago

Top house music artists to perform during NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend

Powerhouse showcase is part of a weekend of music events planned for Grant Park’s Festival Field great lawn, which also features previously announced sets by Keith Urban, the Chainsmokers, the Black Keys and Lauren Alaina.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Crime

Four armed robberies in downtown Chicago in 30 minutes

A 66-year-old woman was dragged into the street in the 600 block of North Fairbanks Avenue by two armed robbers who fired shots, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Southwest Side man charged with luring 14-year-old girl walking home from school

Arley Carrillo Mendez, 39, is charged with one felony count of child abduction and luring of a minor after he followed a girl Monday afternoon in the 5000 block of South Long Avenue.

By Sun-Times Wire

image (6).Hersh Goldberg-Polin (left) is pictured with his parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin. Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage by Hamas at a music festival on Oct. 7.

Israel-Hamas War

Hamas releases video of Hersh Goldberg-Polin — hostage with Chicago roots

The video is the first proof of life of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was captured Oct. 7 in southern Israel. His parents have Chicago ties. Last week, his mother was named one of Time magazine’s most influential people of 2024.

By Associated Press

Elections

Arizona indicts 18 in case over 2020 election in Arizona, including Giuliani and Meadows

Eleven Republicans who submitted a document to Congress falsely declaring that Donald Trump won Arizona in 2020 are among those indicted. Trump is described as an unindicted co-conspirator.

By Associated Press

Northwestern hazing scandal

Northwestern hazing scandal lawsuits are consolidated

Seven lawsuits filed by former football players will be temporarily consolidated with a lawsuit filed by former head coach Pat Fitzgerald during the pretrial process.

By Kade Heather