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Investigator heads north to Chicago in search of answers about her son's murder

She’ll go door to door in the Back of the Yards neighborhood, hoping to find out what happened to her son, who was shot to death there in March.

By Stefano Esposito

Trending in Chicago

City Hall

#NoCopAcademy coalition files lawsuit to block Friday’s City Council meeting

Brendan Shiller accused the mayor and his allies of using “the most Trumpian of government thuggery to tamp down debate and avoid true discussion.”

By Fran Spielman

Judge who helped start 'Operation Greylord' investigation dies

In other news

Featured Story

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel talks about the new Ford Interceptors being dispatched to police districts citywide this week at the Department of Fleet and Facility Management, 5219 S. Wentworth Ave. Tuesday, December 19, 2012. I Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Emanuel's private emails filled with complaints about crime

For the most part, political heavy-hitters and campaign donors no longer pitch ideas to Emanuel on the mayor’s private email accounts.

By Fran Spielman

In other news

Original: Patrick Arbor (Photo courtesy Patrick Arbor) Published: Patrick Arbor

Arbor Day? Deserting divorcee’s life on the lam to end in Chicago courtroom

By Mark Brown

Patrick Arbor was arrested for the second time this week on a warrant stemming from his divorce case.

Former Chicago Board of Trade Chairman Patrick Arbor is expected to be returned Friday to a Chicago courtroom in the custody of Cook County sheriff’s deputies after five years as a fugitive — from a divorce judgment.

Arbor Day? Deserting divorcee’s life on the lam to end in Chicago courtroom

Muhammad Ali's grandson carries on his legacy of service in and out of the ring

By Annie Costabile

Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh is carrying on his grandfather’s legacy inside and out of the ring.

Muhammad Ali's grandson carries on his legacy of service in and out of the ring

Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh is carrying on his grandfather’s legacy inside and out of the ring.

Chicago Sports

Is tanking trend to blame for the Cubs' stomach-churning, roller-coaster start?

By Gordon Wittenmyer

Nearly two months into the season, baseball looks like a society of haves and extreme have-nots.

Is tanking trend to blame for the Cubs' stomach-churning, roller-coaster start?

By Gordon Wittenmyer

Nearly two months into the season, baseball looks like a society of haves and extreme have-nots.

Talking Points: Five things learned from five Bears offensive assistant coaches

By Adam L. Jahns

With months spent learning Matt Nagy’s offense and weeks spent coaching new players, members of Nagy’s overhauled offensive staff had plenty to say.

Talking Points: Five things learned from five Bears offensive assistant coaches

By Adam L. Jahns

Chicago White Sox catcher Welington Castillo blows a bubble as he waits in the on-deck circle during the sixth inning of the team's baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) ORG XMIT: CXS117

White Sox react to Welington Castillo's 80-game suspension

By Daryl Van Schouwen

Welington Castillo’s suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy was met by his bosses and teammates with disappointment and surprise.

White Sox react to Welington Castillo's 80-game suspension

By Daryl Van Schouwen

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 31: Tarik Cohen #29 of the Chicago Bears breaks a tackle by Harrison Smith #22 of the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter of the game on December 31, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775000690

New Bears coaching staff plans to expand Tarik Cohen's role — if he can block

By Patrick Finley

As the Bears begin to sort through exactly how to use Tarik Cohen, it’s clear nothing is off the table

New Bears coaching staff plans to expand Tarik Cohen's role — if he can block

By Patrick Finley

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2016, file photo, from left, San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick, center, and safety Eric Reid kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif. What started as a protest against police brutality has mushroomed a year later into a divisive debate over the future of Kaepernick who refused to stand for the national anthem and now faces what his fans see as blackballing for speaking out in a country roiled by racial strife. The once-rising star and Super Bowl quarterback has been unemployed since March, when he opted out of his contract and became a free agent who could sign with any team. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) ORG XMIT: FX401

NFL announces new national anthem policy requiring players to stand

By Madeline Kenney

However, the policy, which was released Wednesday, also allows players and team personnel to choose to stay in the locker room until after the anthem

NFL announces new national anthem policy requiring players to stand

By Madeline Kenney

Crime

Ex-pastor charged with sexual assault in Evanston hit with 2 counts of sex abuse

By Mitchell Armentrout

Kenneth Lewis, a 56-year-old former pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested earlier this month after he got off an airplane in Atlanta.

Ex-pastor charged with sexual assault in Evanston hit with 2 counts of sex abuse

By Mitchell Armentrout

Kenneth Lewis, a 56-year-old former pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested earlier this month after he got off an airplane in Atlanta.

Johnson College Prep on Thursday, October 3rd, 2013.
Photos by Jasmin Shah.

Guilty verdict for trio in Demario Bailey murder

By Andy Grimm

Tarik Brakes sat impassive beside his attorney as the clerk read off the string of guilty verdicts, including for for first-degree murder.

Guilty verdict for trio in Demario Bailey murder

By Andy Grimm

Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke attends a hearing for the shooting death of Laquan McDonald at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, Friday, May 4, 2018. The media was later ordered to leave the courtroom. | Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune/Pool

State Supreme Court rules against Cook County judge's secrecy in Van Dyke case

By Andy Grimm

The Illinois Supreme Court ordered that legal filings in the Van Dyke case should be filed in the clerk’s office, as is common with other cases.

State Supreme Court rules against Cook County judge's secrecy in Van Dyke case

By Andy Grimm

Mother charged in abduction of 3-month-old girl

By Luke Wilusz and Matthew Hendrickson and Taylor Hartz

A 3-month-old girl who was reported missing last week from the Lawndale neighborhood on the Southwest Side was found Wednesday afternoon.

Mother charged in abduction of 3-month-old girl

By Luke Wilusz and Matthew Hendrickson and Taylor Hartz

4 Cook County Jail detainees charged with robbing another detainee: video

By Matthew Hendrickson

The robbery happened about 9 p.m. April 28 as a group of detainees were being taken to Cook County from downstate Jefferson County.

4 Cook County Jail detainees charged with robbing another detainee: video

By Matthew Hendrickson

Politics

Gov. Bruce Rauner speaks during a press conference at McCormick Place, Thursday afternoon, April 26, 2018. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

NAACP official asks Rauner’s environmental agency to help black communities

By Brett Chase | Better Government Association

A leader of a prominent African-American group in Illinois says too much Volkswagen settlement money is going toward the wrong projects.

NAACP official asks Rauner’s environmental agency to help black communities

By Brett Chase | Better Government Association

A leader of a prominent African-American group in Illinois says too much Volkswagen settlement money is going toward the wrong projects.

Duckworth on Trump axing N. Korea summit: Not 'results of a skilled negotiator'

By Lynn Sweet

Sen. Duckworth on Trump cancelling North Korea summit: “These are not the results of a skilled negotiator.”

Sen. Duckworth: “His administration’s erratic behavior, rhetorical missteps and strategic naiveté in recent weeks once again lay bare that the President’s self-proclaimed negotiation skills are just a mirage.”

Duckworth on Trump axing N. Korea summit: Not 'results of a skilled negotiator'

By Lynn Sweet

In this May 3, 2018 photo, Denia Perez, a student at Quinnipiac University School of Law, poses for a photo on the school's North Haven, Conn., campus. Connecticut's Judicial Branch is in the process of changing its rules to allow law students who don't have legal residency in the U.S to become practicing lawyers in the state. Perez, who was brought illegally to the United States from Mexico when she was 11 months old and who graduated this month, proposed the change. (Lauren Takores/Record-Journal via AP)

'Dreamers' take on the system, earn law degrees

By Pat Eaton-Robb | AP

The problem: Most states require that practicing lawyers be U.S. citizens or have legal residency status.

'Dreamers' take on the system, earn law degrees

By Pat Eaton-Robb | AP

FILE - This Nov. 1, 2017, file photo shows some of the Facebook and Instagram ads linked to a Russian effort to disrupt the American political process and stir up tensions around divisive social issues, released by members of the U.S. House Intelligence committee, are photographed in Washington. Facebook says it will require political advertisers in the U.S. to label “issue ads” that disclose who paid for them, part of its ongoing efforts to prevent elections-related misuse of its platform. Such ads played prominently in Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. elections. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

Facebook to label election-related 'issue ads' in US

By Associated Press

Facebook is expanding its advertising disclosure requirements to cover all U.S. ads on polarized issues such as gun control and abortion rights.

Facebook to label election-related 'issue ads' in US

By Associated Press

Debate debate: J.B. Pritzker announces three face-offs, Gov. Rauner won’t commit

By Tina Sfondeles

Rauner campaign spokesman Will Allison said the Pritzker camp did not reach out to the Republican incumbent’s campaign beforehand.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker have been ripping on each other for more than a year, but they’ll soon have to meet face to face in debates ahead of the November election. And they’re already feuding about what those may be.

Debate debate: J.B. Pritzker announces three face-offs, Gov. Rauner won’t commit

By Tina Sfondeles

Obituaries

Anita Doty, whose delicious gumbo begat 2 Chicago-area restaurants, dead at 78

By Maureen O'Donnell

When Anita Doty ladled out gumbo, “You would have people come in, and they would have $20 in their hands, waving it, ‘Can I get a bowl?’ ’’

Anita Doty, whose delicious gumbo begat 2 Chicago-area restaurants, dead at 78

By Maureen O'Donnell

When Anita Doty ladled out gumbo, “You would have people come in, and they would have $20 in their hands, waving it, ‘Can I get a bowl?’ ’’

Former Chicago City Council member Marion Volini has died at 83

By Fran Spielman and Maureen O'Donnell

Former Ald. Marion Volini represented the 48th Ward on the Chicago City Council and also served on the McCormick Place board.

Former Chicago City Council member Marion Volini has died at 83

By Fran Spielman and Maureen O'Donnell

Teacher Jacqueline Rudman dies; helped kids with learning differences

By Maureen O'Donnell

“She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” said Jackie Rudman’s former student David Lieber, now a lawyer for Google.

Teacher Jacqueline Rudman dies; helped kids with learning differences

By Maureen O'Donnell

Remembering Barbara Kensey, publicist, black heritage, art and culture guru

By Maudlyne Ihejirika

“My mother was a strong, caring, independent, hard-working and artistic professional, who exposed me to culture from a very young age,” her son said.

“Barbara was an accomplished communicator and public relations maven, who rode the crest of the wave of cultural activism among black professionals in the late ’70s and early ’80s, borne out of the civil rights struggles of the ’60s,” Chicago publicist Don Rashid said.

Remembering Barbara Kensey, publicist, black heritage, art and culture guru

By Maudlyne Ihejirika

Raffe Simonian, dead at 85, sold vintage vinyl, rarities at Raffe’s Record Riot

By Maureen O'Donnell

Used-records dealer Raffe Simonian knew so much about jazz that Billy Strayhorn once asked, “What do you play, Raffe.” His reply: “I play records.”

Mr. Simonian, a standout athlete at Schurz High School who went to have a 35-year career as an English teacher and coach at Taft High School, died last week at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.