Chicago Sun-Times: Chicago news, sports, politics, entertainment

The Oberweis Dairy at an Aurora location on Randall Rd, just north of I-88

Money

Oberweis Dairy plans to close plant, lay off 127 workers

The company, known for its ice cream stores and milk packaged in glass bottles, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

By Amy Yee

OCHOALOPEZ-041724_7.jpgYovanny Lopez, husband of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez and father of Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, stands beside a photo of him, his wife, his son and Yovanny Jadiel Lopez (pictured at the bottom) while speaking to the media after a hearing at the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Little Village, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Clarisa Figueroa entered a plea deal Tuesday for the murder of Ochoa-Lopez and cutting her baby, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, from the womb in 2019. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Crime

Clarisa Figueroa pleads guilty to strangling Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, cutting baby from womb

Figueroa was sentenced to 50 years in prison. The infant, Yovanny Jadiel Lopez, died several weeks later.

By Matthew Hendrickson

TAYLORMURAL-041724-5.jpeg. Painters work on a Taylor Swift QR code mural in Chicago on Tuesday.

Entertainment and Culture

Taylor Swift Chicago QR code mural drawing crowds in anticipation of 'Tortured Poets' release

FBI agent James Rudisill takes down a flag at sunset at his home. The Army veteran and his Chicago lawyer are asking the Supreme Court to take his case, which could help other long-serving vets tap college educational benefits for themselves and their families that they earned under more than one version of the GI Bill.

GI Bill

GI Bill case sees Supreme Court rule against VA, giving decorated Army vet James Rudisill full benefits

The Catherine Cook School in the 49th ChicagoPride Parade. | Rick Majewski/For the Sun-Times.

LGBTQIA+

Chicago Pride Parade denies all previous year's school participants

Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg speaks at a City Club of Chicago luncheon at Maggiano’s Banquets last November.

City Hall

Chicago's watchdog moves to fire police supervisor who lied about sex assault probe of fellow cop

Commentary

The opinions in and around Chicago that inform, analyze, hold power accountable and entertain.

CST Editorial Board

Anthony Robinson spent 11 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Too often, justice misses the mark.

Rick Telander

Sports columnist

Chicago stadiums, arenas and real estate make for a playground for the wealthy

Lynn Sweet

Washington bureau chief

Democratic Party leaders meet in Chicago this week for pre-convention talks

Ismael Pérez

Columnist, audience specialist

Someone in Chicago is struggling with the ‘Sunday scaries’

Politics

Ukrainian PM visits Chicago. His asks? Urgent military aid from Congress, and Illinois investment

Ukrainian Prime Minster Denys Shmyhal joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden special representative Penny Pritzker to tout the importance of American investment in Ukraine — while also stressing the dire need for Congress to approve more U.S. aid.

By Tina Sfondeles

Carl Wolf, executive director of Respond Now, a non-profit in the south suburbs, says if more municipalities don’t want to use $20 million in Cook County grants to help migrants, they can pass the money through to organizations like his.

Immigration

Cook County is offering $20 million for suburbs to help migrants — but finding few takers

Religion

Antisemitic acts in Illinois and nation at worst levels ever, Anti-Defamation League says

Suburban Chicago

Dolton official accused of bankruptcy fraud

Money

World Business Chicago names new CEO

Bears

Bears president Kevin Warren has seen team transform in Year 1, but biggest challenge remains

George McCaskey knew Warren would have a different management style than retiring Bears president/CEO Ted Phillips. Exactly a year into Warren’s tenure — the former Big Ten commissioner started at Halas Hall last April 17 — the chairman has adjusted to it. He considered it his duty to.

By Patrick Finley

Bulls

One question about the Bulls and Hawks meeting in a play-in game: Do they have to?

Bulls

Alex Caruso and his Bulls teammates are all set to try to lock down Hawks

Blackhawks

Blackhawks' draft-lottery odds locked in with top-four pick guaranteed

White Sox

Offensive help on way? Tommy Pham could join White Sox by end of month

Harry Milas, a magician who is performing “The Unfair Advantage,” sits at the table, surrounded by chairs, where he does his tricks for the audience at Steppenwolf Theatre in Lincoln Park, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Entertainment and Culture

Sleight-of-hand magician Harry Milas will show you how to cheat at cards, but don't try this at a casino

Milas is performing thorugh May 5 at Steppenwolf Theatre’s Merle Ruskin Garage Space.

By Stefano Esposito

Movies and TV

'Under the Bridge': Heartbreaking Hulu series shows how bullies took the life of an unhappy teen

Entertainment and Culture

Taylor Swift Chicago QR code mural drawing crowds in anticipation of 'Tortured Poets' release

Theater

To be or not to be Hamlet (and everybody else)? Eddie Izzard answers the question in solo show

Movies and TV

‘Rust’ armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed sentenced to 18 months in prison for fatal shooting by Alec Baldwin on set

All latest stories

Editorials

Lawmakers, pass a bill that protects Chicago's selective schools and programs

A proposed bill would prohibit the Board of Education from closing, changing admissions standards or drastically altering funding for selective schools at both the elementary and high school level.

By CST Editorial Board

Letters to the Editor

Sen. Durbin can help stop the country from becoming a 'surveillance state'

The government will not use new, unchecked surveillance powers responsibly. It already habitually abuses Section 702, intended for surveillance of foreigners, to search Americans’ communications.

By Letters to the Editor

Education

CTU seeking most ‘ambitious’ demands ever in new contract, wants bargaining done in public

The current contract expires this summer. On top of raises for staff, the union wants help for unhoused students and more dual-language education.

By Sarah Karp | WBEZ

Religion

'Mitzvah Mobiles' circle Daley Plaza for 27th annual pre-Passover parade

Passover, which begins April 22, commemorates the emancipation of Jews from slavery in Egypt.

By Mohammad Samra

Person on left points down to family photos displayed on table while two people on right look down at them as well.

La Voz Chicago

A new Chicago travel show promotes neighborhood-led tourism

The program by Choose Chicago re-imagines neighborhoods as prime travel destinations beyond downtown.

By Andrea Flores

U.S. Supreme Court associate justices, from left, Ketanji Brown Jackson in 2022; Neil Gorsuch in 2021 and Brett Kavanaugh in 2022.

Chicago corruption trials

Supreme Court puzzles over corruption definition in bribery law at center of Madigan trial: 'Is it a sin?'

The case before the nation’s high court Monday was actually the corruption case against James Snyder, a former mayor of Portage, Indiana. The justices acknowledged their decision in the case will have implications for prosecutions across the country.

By Jon Seidel and Dave McKinney | WBEZ

Dear Abby

Dear Abby: My mom accepts my generous gift then asks for more

When daughter offers her parents a dream vacation and free care for their child, her mother requests additional babysitting to extend the trip.

By Abigail Van Buren

Crime

Chicago police, community partners open emergency assistance center following Back of Yards mass shooting

The center will be open Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Richard J. Daley Academy, 5024 S. Wolcott Ave.

By Sophie Sherry

Chicago

Brookfield Zoo to welcome its first koalas -- 'one of the cutest animals on the planet’

Brumby and Willum, two 2-year-old koalas, will make their debut at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, starting Memorial Day weekend. The zoo is one of 11 accredited zoological facilities in North America to host the marsupials for the public.

By Jessica Ma

MLB

Carl Erskine, Dodgers pitcher and last member of 'Boys of Summer,' dies at 97

Among the last survivors from the celebrated Brooklyn teams of the 1950s, Erskine spent his entire major-league career with the Dodgers from 1948 to 1959, helping them win five National League pennants. He threw a no-hitter against the Cubs in 1952.

By Associated Press

College Sports

Michigan gets probation, fine for football recruiting violations

The NCAA said it had reached a negotiated resolution with the school involving five former and current coaches and staffers, but it did not include allegations that Jim Harbaugh failed to cooperate with investigators. That is now a separate case.

By Associated Press

Outdoors

Chicago fishing: Spring spawns its usual variety and options

Truly spring-like weather over the weekend showed the variety of fishing options available around Chicago and leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

By Dale Bowman

MLB

Whitey Herzog, Cardinals' Hall of Fame manager who led team to World Series title, dies at 92

Herzog guided St. Louis to three pennants and a World Series title in the 1980s and perfected an intricate, nail-biting strategy known as “Whiteyball.”

By Associated Press

Columnists

Joffrey production of "Midsummer Night's Dream" includes humble dried plant in a starring role

The play uses “hay” — actually raffia, derived from palm leaves — to cover the stage for each performance.

By Neil Steinberg

Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) pictured at an October City Council meeting.

Chicago

Mayor hosts forum to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, but some invitees skip meeting

About 20 elected officials and community organizers discussed ways the city can combat antisemitism, though attendees said it was just the start of the conversation. Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th) said the gesture was ‘hollow.’

By Violet Miller

Suburban Chicago

2 dead, 1 hurt in wreck on inbound I-57 near Posen

A man and woman were both ejected from the car, and a third passenger was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

By Mary Norkol

Crime

Man's body pulled from Lake Michigan at North Avenue

The remains, of a man possibly in his 40s, were recovered about 6:40 a.m.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman shot in Humboldt Park drive-thru

The woman, 18, was driving a car with three passengers at a restaurant when a man on a bike approached and began arguing with them before shooting, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man fatally shot in Roseland

A 34-year-old man was found on the sidewalk in the 200 block of East 111th Street at about 10 p.m., police said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he died.

By Sun-Times Wire

Columnists

Making a strong commitment to clean energy is good for American business and the environment

On Earth Day 2024, companies have a chance to show genuine support for the transition to an economy based on green energy. Federal tax credits and other incentives for manufacturing are helping to fuel the transition — and create thousands of new jobs.

By Ben Jealous

Other Views

Many Chicago Public Schools students struggle with illiteracy. The consequences are devastating.

When a child is reeling from stress, trauma or hardship, the thinking part of their brain shuts down. Our money should be spent on high-dosage tutoring and other individualized approaches that are effective against illiteracy.

By Taal Hasak-Lowy

Recipes

Menu Planner: Mediterranean braised green beans make an excellent side dish

Thinking ahead to your next few meals? Here are some main dishes and sides to try.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Cubs

Cubs' Nico Hoerner finds creative ways to drive in, score runs in 3-2 win against Diamondbacks

The Cubs beat the Diamondbacks in 11 innings.

By Maddie Lee

Horoscopes

Horoscope for Tuesday, April 16, 2024

By Georgia Nicols

LSU forward Angel Reese, right, and South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso battle over the ball during an NCAA women's college basketball game.

Chicago Sky and WNBA

Sky get what they wanted, selecting Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese with No. 3 and No. 7 picks

In a draft class touted as the one that will change the trajectory of the WNBA, arguably only the Fever procured more star power than the Sky, with No. 1 overall pick Caitlin Clark.

By Annie Costabile

Blackhawks

Blackhawks' Seth Jones much better in second half of season, just like in '22-23

The veteran defenseman isn’t sure why, but his play and production improved significantly after Jan. 13 the last two seasons.

By Ben Pope

White Sox

White Sox righty Nick Nastrini's debut an 'out of body experience'

Nastrini pitched five innings of two-run ball in the loss to the Royals.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

A large group of family members and supporters hold balloons outside in front of homes, as more balloons are clustered in bunches and priests wearing black and white vestments are on hand to lead prayers.

News

Back of the Yards mass shooting victims Ariana Molina, others mourned at vigil

Eleven people were shot in an attack Saturday at a family celebration and 9-year-old Ariana was killed. Relatives pushed back on online reports that they were involved in gangs.

By Cindy Hernandez

Obituaries

Robert Grossman, Hyde Park lawyer and writer, dies at 89

Mr. Grossman was the principal writer of the 1967 Illinois Housing Development Act, which established the Illinois Housing Development Authority to finance affordable housing across Illinois. He also hosted an early coffee at his Hyde Park home for Barack Obama when he was running for state Senate.

By Emmanuel Camarillo