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Fran Spielman
Fran Spielman has been covering and analyzing Chicago mayors and city government since Richard J. Daley. Her City Hall beats have included Mayors Michael Bilandic, Jane Byrne, Harold Washington, Eugene Sawyer, Richard M. Daley and Rahm Emanuel.
Spielman joined the Sun-Times in 1985 after ten years at Chicago radio station WIND. When owner Westinghouse Broadcasting sold the station, she saw the opportunity to pursue her primary journalistic goal to work for a major newspaper.
She had started at WIND right out of Northwestern University--as a sports reporter, morning news producer, then full-time reporter--after covering football, basketball and tennis for the Daily Northwestern.
During her decade in radio, Spielman freelanced for the Chicago Daily News, at Crain’s Chicago Business, for “The Chicago Bear Report” and as a principle anchor and reporter of Channel 11’s Emmy Award winning sports show, “Time Out”.
Spielman is a member of the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame. In 2009, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Headline Club. A decade earlier, Spielman received the Dante Award from the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans.
Emanuel to lay out third-term agenda in specific terms
Emanuel is hoping to contrast himself with his opponents, most of whom have talked in generalities.
Union president wants meeting with Johnson to talk about use of force
Kevin Graham is arguing that last week’s decision placed officers and citizens in danger.
Emanuel cautions fellow Democrats to drop impeachment talk
Anger aside, Emanuel noted that impeachment “is a legal, constitutional standard. When we get to it, we collectively as a country will know it.”
Emanuel finally breaks silence about Madigan, Quinn sexual harassment scandal
“They’ve got to get to the bottom of it and then, the chips will fall where they may and people will make a decision,” the mayor said.
Emanuel, Schwimmer try to raise public awareness of sexual harassment
Public service announcements created and produced by actor David Schwimmer and his team will appear on billboards and taxicabs across the city.
With caps lifted, Emanuel flexes fundraising muscle to tune of $1.6M
The contributions came from business and labor in, what the mayor hopes will be viewed as a strong show of confidence in his leadership.
Bridget Gainer mulls 2019 race for mayor to save Chicago neighborhoods ‘at risk’
The Cook County commissioner said she will decide soon whether to enter a 2019 race for mayor that’s already crowded with candidates.
Court upholds ruling, blocks Trump administration in sanctuary cities case
“Our role in this case is not to assess the optimal immigration policies for our country,” the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cautioned.
Rialmo to face full Police Board after Johnson rebuked
Rialmo’s adherence to department policy and his future as a Chicago Police officer will now be determined by the board’s eight other members.
‘Flabbergasted’: Some can’t understand Dorothy Brown’s decision to run for mayor
With a federal investigation hanging over her head, some pundits can’t figure out why Dorothy Brown is running for mayor — and not running for cover.
Emanuel not fazed by opponents’ mutual nonaggression pact
The mayor was asked if he feels “ganged up on.” “Not like I feel right about now about being ganged up on,” the mayor joked about the interrogation.
City Council confirms new chief of Civilian Office of Police Accountability
Some aren’t thrilled that someone entrenched in Illinois law enforcement now runs the lead agency charged with investigating police wrongdoing.
What about kids trapped in cars? Aldermen want to protect them by fining parents
Before trying to break into the car, Good Samaritans would be required to call 911 and make what is called a “reasonable effort” to find the owner.
New tactic on strays: Microchipped animals could be returned directly to owners
Animal Control crews in four vans would get microchip readers; if they locate the owners, strays will be returned immediately if shots are up to date.
City Council approves $2.3M settlement to Jaquise Evans
A questionable police shooting made worse by the Law Department’s failure to produce evidence has created a $2.3 million bill for Chicago taxpayers.
