Loop - Chicago Sun-Times

Environmental activists chant outside First American Bank during the Global Climate Strike in the Loop, Friday, April 19, 2024. Led by Fridays For Future, hundreds of environmental activists took to the streets to urge Pres. Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency and call for investment in clean energy, sustainable transportation, resilient infrastructure, quality healthcare, clean air, safe water and nutritious food, according to youth speakers. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Hundreds protest in Global Climate Strike, demand that U.S. declare a climate emergency

Led by Fridays For Future, hundreds of environmental activists took to the streets to urge President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency and call for environmental investments, according to youth speakers.

By Sun-Times staff

Citibank’s South Michigan Avenue branch in downtown Chicago, where former Citi wealth adviser Helen Grace Caldwell worked.

The Watchdogs

Ex-Citi VP in Chicago ripped by judge for bilking elderly clients of $1.5 million, gets 30 months in prison

Before sentencing Helen G. Caldwell, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly said, “The only difference between Ms. Caldwell and a bank robber is that she didn’t have a mask and a gun.”

By Eva Putnam | Injustice Watch

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

Crime

Man stabbed during fight in the Loop

The man, 23, suffered a laceration to the stomach and was hospitalized in good condition.

By Sun-Times Wire

Chicago

Giant sculpture to be moved from Thompson Center by end of April

‘Monument with Standing Beast’ — nicknamed “Snoopy in a Blender” — has stood in front of the former state office building for decades. But Google, the building’s new owner, has begun an extensive renovation.

By Jessica Ma

NASCAR In Chicago

City officials and NASCAR unveil traffic plans for July 2024 street race

The setup and breakdown of the race course was reduced from 25 days in 2023 to 19 days this year, officials said.

By Mary Norkol

Chicago

Open-water swim in Chicago River to be held in September, the first in more than 100 years

Five hundred swimmers will participate in the first organized swim event, which will raise funds for ALS research and swim programs for at-risk youth.

By Jessica Ma

Transportation

Chicago Water Taxi resumes 7-day service for commuters, tourists

For the first time since 2019, the water taxi is back to offering daily service between Ogilvie/Union station, Michigan Avenue and Chinatown.

By Erica Thompson

Chicago's Vietnam War Memorial, along the Riverwalk, photographed on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

City Hall

Vietnam Veterans Memorial restored after years of neglect caused more than 100 names to fade

The memorial with the names of 2,936 Illinois soldiers killed in Vietnam that serves as the centerpiece of Chicago’s Riverwalk has been restored, and regular inspections and maintenance are scheduled.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

Man stabbed during robbery attempt on Loop CTA platform

The man was in good condition with lacerations on his face and chest after the attack early Monday, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

A sea of green, a sense of community as Shamrock Shuffle returns to Grant Park

The 43rd annual 8K run kicked off Sunday at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street. ‘It’s just a great experience, especially the feeling of running with a big group of people,’ said one runner about racing.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle | FACEBOOK

Transportation

Shamrock Shuffle to close some downtown streets

The yearly race through downtown Chicago takes place Sunday.

By Mary Norkol

Split image shows, at right, former President Barack Obama wearing a dark grey suit while gesturing and laughing; and at left, a photo of cars driving on busy Columbus Drive with Chicago skyscrapers in the background.

Transportation

Columbus Drive could become Barack Obama Drive under proposed ordinance

An Italian American leader says that although the former president is worthy of the honor, it shouldn’t come at the expense of Italian heritage and culture.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Crime

Intruder vandalizes Loop mosque, is accused of blurting offensive statements during prayers

A man broke through a glass door to the Downtown Islamic Center before the nightly prayers for Ramadan Sunday night. “It really ties into — from our side of the looking glass — to the situation in Gaza,” Abdullah Mitchell, executive director of the Council Of Islamic Organizations Of Greater Chicago said Monday.

By Mary Norkol and Sophie Sherry

Crime

Argument leads to shooting near Art Institute in the Loop

Two men were arguing when one of them, a licensed gun owner, shot the other, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Loop

Mayor Brandon Johnson outlines vision for downtown revitalization

The mayor touts efforts to bolster sports and cultural events like NASCAR and Sundays on State and creating a panel to advise on growth. The developers converting the Thompson Center for Google’s Chicago headquarters also shared that work on the building will begin in about a week.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Crime

Man stabbed during fight at Starbucks in the Loop

The man, 52, was hospitalized in good condition. Another man, 42, was taken into custody.

By Sun-Times Wire

Columnists

Letting go of department stores

Macy’s, the former Marshall Field’s, is still open, for now. But the place you remember is already long gone.

By Neil Steinberg

City Hall

Downtown video surveillance crackdown championed by Lightfoot slow to launch

The plan called for Chicago motorists who block bus lanes, bike lanes, crosswalks or loading zones to be nailed by surveillance cameras on CTA buses, light poles and other locations. But nearly a year after they were approved, the crackdowns haven’ t started — and won’t, until summer at the earliest.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

String of armed robberies reported between Lincoln Park, Loop and Austin

A string of 10 armed robberies began in Lincoln Park and moved west before hitting the Loop and ending in Austin.

By Sun-Times Wire