Chinatown

Adults lift a colorful parachute as small children play underneath.

Chicago

Invisible struggles of lower-income Asian Americans gain spotlight

Chinese American Service League in Chicago’s Chinatown unites community groups under the coalition Change InSight to gain better data on Asian Americans, who have the city’s second-highest poverty rate.

By Amy Yee

Housing & development

Chinatown apartment complex gets $11 million federal grant for energy efficiency upgrades

Archer Courts, 2242 S. Princeton Ave., will soon get a new hot water system, ventilation system and rooftop solar panels through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

By David Struett

LUNARPARADE-021924-07.JPGA dragon is danced around during the Lunar New Year Chinatown Parade in Chinatown, Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

News

Chinatown rings in the Year of the Dragon with the 112th Lunar New Year parade: 'This year will be special'

The parade — featuring traditional dragon and lion dancing teams, decorated floats and marching bands — wove through Chinatown from 24th Street and Wentworth Avenue to Cermak Road and Archer Avenue.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Crime

'Brazen' late night robbery at Chinatown restaurant raises community concerns: 'Residents of Chinatown feel not safe'

Two men entered Ken Kee Restaurant with guns and demanded money from the register and its employees, police said.

By Mary Norkol

Kaylee Huang (center), who is in the seventh grade at Robert Healy Elementary School, performs with Janet Mei (right), a sixth grader, during a Lunar New Year celebration at Robert Healy Elementary School in the Bridgeport neighborhood, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024.

Education

Chinese traditions kept alive in CPS’ annual Lunar New Year performance

The Lunar New Year performances at Robert Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport — held annually for at least 30 years — are so popular that parents come back even after their children leave for high school.

By David Struett

Bean paste and lotus paste baby mooncakes from Chiu Quon Bakery in the Uptown neighborhood are seen in this photo, Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023.

Things To Do

‘It’s really a symbol for unity’: Chicago’s Chinatown gears up to celebrate Moon Festival Saturday

There will be an open talent show starting at 5 p.m., a showing of ‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ at 7 and a full moon viewing at 9.

By Phyllis Cha

A mural painted by the artist Ocean Muerto in August near 18th and Clark streets.

With Chinatown mural, artist Ocean Muerto says he’s playing with the idea of ‘dust to dust’

By Sun-Times staff

Creative Chicago

Yin He Dance breathes new life into Chinese tradition

Folkloric-based troupe in Bridgeport aims to unify local Chinese American artists, reflect the diversity of dance genres.

By D’onminique Boyd-Riley

A driver rear-ended a semi-trailer, causing the car to ignite into flames Tuesday night on the Dan Ryan expressway near Chinatown.

Transportation

Car rear-ends semi on Dan Ryan, bursts into flames

The unidentified driver of the car Tuesday night was listed in critical condition.

By Sun-Times Wire

Seven Treasures Cantonese Restaurant, 2312 S. Wentworth Ave., is closing.

Chinatown

Seven Treasures restaurant in Chinatown closing next week

The Cantonese restaurant is best known for creating the 554, a barbecue pork, rice and egg dish loved by late-night foodies.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Chicago’s Chinatown, unlike similar neighborhoods elsewhere, is flourishing

By Elvia Malagón

Chicago Police instructor Anthony Ciaravino (left); Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) (right) earlier this month.

Elections

Bridgeport runoff: One more round for Daleys in 11th Ward race?

With former Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson’s conviction, it may seem that the Daley family’s grip on the 11th Ward is slipping. But despite boundary and demographic changes in the ward, the Daleys and their allies are still exerting influence.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) hands a piece of paper to an election judge while voting at Long Life Apartments in the Chinatown neighborhood on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

Elections

City Council poised for big changes with multiple races up for grabs

At least 10 races for alderperson appear headed for runoffs in April — but uncounted mail-in ballots remain a wild card in many of the contests.

By Robert Herguth, Matthew Hendrickson, and 1 more

Fourth ward candidates (clockwise from top left) Prentice Butler, Ebony D. Lucas, Helen West, Tracey Bey, Lamont Robinson and Matthew “Khari” Humphries.

Elections

South Side candidates vie to succeed departing King in 4th Ward, oust appointed Lee in 11th Ward

With Ald. Sophia King running for mayor instead of reelection, six candidates are hoping to replace her in the 4th Ward. In the 11th Ward, appointed Ald. Nicole Lee faces six challengers.

By Mary Norkol

Chinatown

Chinatown Lunar New Year parade draws thousands of revelers: ‘It’s nice to see everyone celebrating’

Colorful dragons, red lanterns, splashes of gold welcome in the Year of the Rabbit as crowds fill streets, sidewalks in peace in the shadow of recent attacks in California.

By David Struett

Dragon dancers perform during a Lunar New Year celebration along West Argyle Street in the Uptown neighborhood, Saturday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2022.

News

Chicago police, organizers to strengthen planned security for Lunar New Year parades

Additional security measures will surround Lunar New Year parades this weekend in Chinatown and Uptown in the wake of two California mass shootings.

By Ilana Arougheti

A person crosses the street near the Chinatown Gate ahead of Lunar New Year in Chinatown, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Chicago

Lunar New Year starts Sunday: Here’s how Chicago celebrates

In Chinatown, preparations are being made to ring in the Year of the Rabbit — the luckiest of 12 zodiac signs — on Sunday. In Vietnamese communities, it’s the Year of the Cat.

By Bob Chiarito | Special to the Sun-Times

Michael Madigan

Developer who recorded Madigan early in fed investigation gets 16 months in prison

Long before the feds’ public corruption investigation rocked Chicago, See Y. Wong went undercover to record powerful politicians in 2014.

By Jon Seidel

Crime

Man charged with beating, carjacking of chef in Chinatown

Jin Yut Lew, 61, “is still not doing well” after he was attacked April 7, police said.

By Kade Heather

Two men were shot, one fatally, early Saturday in Chinatown, police said.

Crime

2 fatally shot near Red Line station in Chinatown

The attack happened about 2:15 a.m. on Cermak Road, steps from the Red Line station, according to police.

By Sun-Times Wire