Chicago Sun-Times: All posts by Jennifer Kho2023-12-28T12:47:32.771-06:00https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/jennifer-kho/rss2023-12-28T12:47:32.771-06:002024-01-05T19:21:43-06:00Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho on Chicago’s top stories of 2023 and what’s next for 2024
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-960001" name="image-960001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/04b9230/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a6eaa64/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6ed602d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho in the Chicago Public Media newsroom shared with WBEZ and Vocalo at Navy Pier" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6ed602d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/05e0421/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6ed602d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7443x4177+0+393/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fod3kxD3XREinUBXq1BRB8d7UnQ8%3D%2F0x0%3A7443x4964%2F7443x4964%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283722x2482%3A3723x2483%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160453%2FJennKho_06.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho in the Chicago Public Media newsroom shared with WBEZ and Vocalo at Navy Pier </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>I can’t believe it’s been more than a year — 15 months — since Chicago became my home. A whirlwind 2023 brought <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2023/2/28/23619711/chicago-mayor-lori-lightfoot-vallas-johnson-april-4-runoff" target="_blank" >city elections</a> and <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/live/chicago-election-runoff-2023-results-live-updates" target="_blank" >runoffs</a> that rang in <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/brandonjohnson" target="_blank" >a new mayor</a>, the<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/9/18/23878427/illinois-becomes-first-state-in-nation-today-to-eliminate-cash-bail-heres-how-it-will-work" target="_blank" > end of cash bail</a> and an <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2023/1/10/23548867/illinois-assault-weapons-ban-house-approves-pritzker-vows-sign-it" target="_blank" >assault weapons ban</a> in Illinois, the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/immigration" target="_blank" >arrival of busloads of Venezuelan migrants</a>,<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/nascar-in-chicago" target="_blank" > NASCAR’s first street race</a>,<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/taylorswift" target="_blank" > Swift</a> mania and four big <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-corruption-trials" target="_blank" >corruption trials</a>. </p><p>The Sun-Times celebrated its <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/sun-times-75th-anniversary" target="_blank" >75th anniversary</a>. <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz" target="_blank" >La Voz</a>, a bilingual section serving Chicago’s Latino communities, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2023/5/2/23701829/la-voz-chicago-sun-times-spanish-language-newspaper-latino" target="_blank" >turned 3</a>. </p><p>For us, it’s been a big year of change. The <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2022/1/31/22911173/chicago-public-media-sun-times-sale-wbez-parent-donations-donors-philanthropy" target="_blank" >Sun-Times joined Chicago Public Media</a> last year and became a nonprofit, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/10/6/23389729/paywall-sun-times-dropping-news-journalism-nykia-wright-jennifer-kho-celeste-lecompte" target="_blank" >dropping our paywall</a> and<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" > launching membership</a>. In May, Chicago Public Media <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2023/5/17/23727131/sun-times-union-contract-labor-deal-chicago-public-media" target="_blank" >signed a three-year contract</a> with the Chicago News Guild, another important milestone.</p><p>Throughout the year, we deepened our partnership with WBEZ. You can see the results of that collaboration in our comprehensive <a class="Link" href="https://elections.suntimes.com/" target="_blank" >municipal elections coverage</a>, our investigation into <a class="Link" href="https://graphics.suntimes.com/extremism-ranks/2023/oathkeepers-investigation-chicago-police-extremism-insurrection/" target="_blank" >extremism among police</a>, our examination of the community impact of <a class="Link" href="https://graphics.suntimes.com/education/2023/chicagos-50-closed-schools/" target="_blank" >50 school closures</a> and more.</p><p>We also welcomed a dozen new hires into the Sun-Times newsroom, growing our diversity and coverage. We held <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/1/23488872/meet-the-sun-times-newsroom-staff-listening-sessions" target="_blank" >listening sessions</a> in different neighborhoods to meet more of our neighbors and hear what’s important to you. And in August, we reorganized our newsroom based on what you told us. </p><p>Early results are promising: We’ve grown our digital audiences and deepened our engagement with readers at a time when many news organizations have seen declines. Our newsletter subscribers have nearly quadrupled. And we're just getting started.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<bsp-carousel class="Carousel Enhancement" data-align-center>
<a class="AnchorLink" id="gallery-1c0001" name="gallery-1c0001"></a>
<div>
<div class="Carousel-slides">
<div class="Carousel-slide">
<div class="CarouselSlide" >
<div class="CarouselSlide-media">
<picture data-crop="large">
<source type="image/webp" width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5fb46ba/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/840x555!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c7b5e31/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/1680x1110!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 2x"/>
<source width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a5365db/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg"/>
<img class="Image" alt="Brandon Johnson hugs Mayor Lori Lightfoot before he is sworn in as mayor of Chicago on Monday, May 15, 2023." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a5365db/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f8881bf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/1680x1110!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 2x" width="840" height="555"
src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a5365db/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5186x3426+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg">
</picture>
</div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-info">
<div class="CarouselSlide-infoTitle"><span class="CarouselSlide-infoDescription">Brandon Johnson hugs Mayor Lori Lightfoot before he is <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2023/5/15/23724346/brandon-johnson-inauguration-takes-oath-mayor-chicago-speech" target="_blank" >sworn in as mayor</a> of Chicago during the city of Chicago’s inauguration ceremony at Credit Union 1 Arena, Monday, May 15, 2023.</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-pipe">|</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-infoAttribution">Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times</span></div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-pagination">
<span class="CarouselSlide-currentSlide">1</span> of <span class="CarouselSlide-slidesLength">4</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Carousel-slide">
<div class="CarouselSlide" >
<div class="CarouselSlide-media">
<picture data-crop="large">
<source type="image/webp" width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fbac7f2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/840x555!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/36a5955/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/1680x1110!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 2x"/>
<source width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/562b104/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg"/>
<img class="Image" alt="Woman hugs children in school hallway on the last day of school." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/562b104/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d250e03/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/1680x1110!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 2x" width="840" height="555"
src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/562b104/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5760x3806+0+17/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg">
</picture>
</div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-info">
<div class="CarouselSlide-infoTitle"><span class="CarouselSlide-infoDescription">In our <a class="Link" href="https://graphics.suntimes.com/education/2023/chicagos-50-closed-schools/kids/" target="_blank" >50 closed schools series</a>, we looked at how the massive closure ten years ago impacted our city. | Security officer Carol Williams hugs students as school was being let out on the final day of school ever at Alexander von Humboldt Elementary School in Humboldt Park, Monday June 24, 2013.</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-pipe">|</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-infoAttribution">Jessica Koscielniak, Sun-Times Media</span></div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-pagination">
<span class="CarouselSlide-currentSlide">2</span> of <span class="CarouselSlide-slidesLength">4</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Carousel-slide">
<div class="CarouselSlide" >
<div class="CarouselSlide-media">
<picture data-crop="large">
<source type="image/webp" width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c16731d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/840x555!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/24b00d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/1680x1110!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 2x"/>
<source width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b71b39e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg"/>
<img class="Image" alt="Ava Preziosi, 12, wears matching crew neck Taylor Swift ‘The Eras Tour’ sweatshirts with her mom Jaime Preziosi, 45, a day before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour outside Soldier Field, Thursday, June 1, 2023" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b71b39e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/706d356/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/1680x1110!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 2x" width="840" height="555"
src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b71b39e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6459x4268+0+19/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg">
</picture>
</div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-info">
<div class="CarouselSlide-infoTitle"><span class="CarouselSlide-infoDescription">Ava Preziosi, 12, wears matching crew neck sweatshirts with her mom Jaime Preziosi, 45, who got her daughter into Taylor Swift’s music. <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/6/1/23744359/swifties-chicago-prepare-for-taylor-swifts-soldier-field-dates" target="_blank" >‘Swifties’ flocked to Chicago</a> to full Soldier Field for three sold out shows.</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-pipe">|</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-infoAttribution">Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</span></div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-pagination">
<span class="CarouselSlide-currentSlide">3</span> of <span class="CarouselSlide-slidesLength">4</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Carousel-slide">
<div class="CarouselSlide" >
<div class="CarouselSlide-media">
<picture data-crop="large">
<source type="image/webp" width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/da3b292/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/840x555!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8ee6b97/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/1680x1110!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 2x"/>
<source width="840"
height="555"
srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/693ec70/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg"/>
<img class="Image" alt="Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling speaks to WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos inside his office at the Chicago Police Department headquarters in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/693ec70/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9ca9d4c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/1680x1110!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 2x" width="840" height="555"
src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/693ec70/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6517x4306+0+20/resize/840x555!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg">
</picture>
</div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-info">
<div class="CarouselSlide-infoTitle"><span class="CarouselSlide-infoDescription"> Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling speaks to WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos on police with ties to extremist organizations in the series ‘<a class="Link" href="https://graphics.suntimes.com/extremism-ranks/2023/oathkeepers-investigation-chicago-police-extremism-insurrection/" target="_blank" >Extremism In The Ranks.</a>’ | Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-pipe">|</span>
<span class="CarouselSlide-infoAttribution">Pat Nabong/Sun-Times</span></div>
<div class="CarouselSlide-pagination">
<span class="CarouselSlide-currentSlide">4</span> of <span class="CarouselSlide-slidesLength">4</span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="FlickityCustomNavigation-wrapper">
<div class="FlickityCustomNavigation main">
<button class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-prev" type="button" aria-label="Previous">
<svg class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-icon"><use xlink:href="#icon-left"></use></svg>
</button>
<button class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-next" type="button" aria-label="Next">
<svg class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-icon"><use xlink:href="#icon-right"></use></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div></div>
<div class="Carousel-nav">
<div class="Carousel-nav-items"><div class="Carousel-nav-items-item">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem-media">
<span class="Link"><picture data-crop="medium-square">
<source type="image/webp" width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ae68e03/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/300x300!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e206c9d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/600x600!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7616813/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Brandon Johnson hugs Mayor Lori Lightfoot before he is sworn in as mayor of Chicago on Monday, May 15, 2023." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7616813/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1b9f5ed/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/600x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg 2x" width="300" height="300"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7616813/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3459x3459+864+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FTWqjiW-wyGuhgNkNhuDrkFJ_pfU%3D%2F0x0%3A5186x3459%2F5186x3459%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282593x1730%3A2594x1731%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24659002%2Fmerlin_113376462.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="Carousel-nav-items-item">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem-media">
<span class="Link"><picture data-crop="medium-square">
<source type="image/webp" width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/97778a1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/300x300!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2ee4bb5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/600x600!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/14c9a8f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Woman hugs children in school hallway on the last day of school." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/14c9a8f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0a41f2e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/600x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg 2x" width="300" height="300"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/14c9a8f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3840x3840+960+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FnTnxNyJ8Ru8lcvv1vqV7Mz7BFdE%3D%2F0x0%3A5760x3840%2F5760x3840%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282880x1920%3A2881x1921%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25186989%2Fmerlin_39906921.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="Carousel-nav-items-item">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem-media">
<span class="Link"><picture data-crop="medium-square">
<source type="image/webp" width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/875d7fb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/300x300!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bedf6cb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/600x600!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1511ffa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Ava Preziosi, 12, wears matching crew neck Taylor Swift ‘The Eras Tour’ sweatshirts with her mom Jaime Preziosi, 45, a day before Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour outside Soldier Field, Thursday, June 1, 2023" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1511ffa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a65f9a1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/600x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg 2x" width="300" height="300"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1511ffa/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4306x4306+1077+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F4Vw1DseehsDUYAVN2XMMcp-gOG8%3D%2F0x0%3A6459x4306%2F6459x4306%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283230x2153%3A3231x2154%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24698709%2Fmerlin_113774828.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div><div class="Carousel-nav-items-item">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem">
<div class="Carousel-mediaItem-media">
<span class="Link"><picture data-crop="medium-square">
<source type="image/webp" width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/66b1d44/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/300x300!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e98556c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/600x600!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="300"
height="300"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2959edf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling speaks to WBEZ investigative reporter Dan Mihalopoulos inside his office at the Chicago Police Department headquarters in the Bronzeville neighborhood, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2959edf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e549165/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/600x600!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg 2x" width="300" height="300"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2959edf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4345x4345+1087+0/resize/300x300!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fj4ve31bb7FzYHpoly57GsAwQ38Q%3D%2F0x0%3A6517x4345%2F6517x4345%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283259x2173%3A3260x2174%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25019327%2Fmerlin_116719952.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzMDBweCIgd2lkdGg9IjMwMHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</span>
</div>
</div>
</div></div><div class="FlickityCustomNavigation-wrapper">
<div class="FlickityCustomNavigation below">
<button class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-prev" type="button" aria-label="Previous">
<svg class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-icon"><use xlink:href="#icon-left"></use></svg>
</button>
<button class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-next" type="button" aria-label="Next">
<svg class="FlickityCustomNavigation-button-icon"><use xlink:href="#icon-right"></use></svg>
</button>
</div>
</div></div>
</bsp-carousel>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Our editorial strategy is all about you</h3><p>When I arrived in Chicago, my first priority was to get to know the community. As a <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/business/2022/1/31/22911173/chicago-public-media-sun-times-sale-wbez-parent-donations-donors-philanthropy" target="_blank" >nonprofit</a>, the Sun-Times’ future depends on our value to our community — our ability to help it thrive. </p><p>For me, this has been an incredibly enjoyable task. I experienced: my first Bears game, which was the team’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2022/12/24/23525349/bears-bills-brrr-down-saturday-fifth-coldest-game-played-at-soldier-field-justin-fields-9-degrees" target="_blank" >fifth-coldest in Soldier Field history</a>; my first <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/white-sox/2023/8/15/23833845/luis-robert-jr-delivers-game-winning-homer-as-white-sox-beat-cubs" target="_blank" >Crosstown Classic</a>; my first visit to a comedy club (Second City); my first <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/17/23554403/chicago-international-puppet-theater-festival-frankenstein-moby-dick-hamlet-basil-twist" target="_blank" >puppet festival</a>; and my first depression dog. I’ve explored museums and galleries, attended concerts and shows, enjoyed unique community festivals, markets and events, and eaten my way through the city and suburbs. </p><p>My favorite part has been meeting so many amazing people who have inspired me with their empathy, passion for helping others, knowledge, creativity, resilience, understated humor and hard work. It’s Chicagoans who make me proud to call Chicago home. </p><p>Thank you to everyone who attended our <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/1/23488872/meet-the-sun-times-newsroom-staff-listening-sessions" target="_blank" >listening sessions</a>. Hearing what you care about led us to create an editorial strategy to provide the coverage you asked for.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-280001" name="image-variant-280001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c89de85/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/817ed2d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dfa42ef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="The Sun-Times newspaper cover for Oct. 26, 2023" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dfa42ef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8714d5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/dfa42ef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/792x444+0+179/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQLXoB-tAe8YSx_Do3E_iyL_XVfo%3D%2F0x0%3A792x801%2F792x801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28396x401%3A397x402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F25160534%2FOct_26_2023_cover_copy.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Community members who attended the Sun-Times and WBEZ’s “We Hear You” listening session at El Valor in Cicero on Oct. 25 helped us select the stories for the next day’s Sun-Times newspaper cover.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p>We’ve focused on making our coverage more reflective of everyday people and life in Chicago. We wrote more about unsung Chicagoans like <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/1/6/23538847/madagascar-field-museum-steve-goodman-biodiversity-biologist-biology" target="_blank" >Field Museum scientist Steve Goodman</a> and the De La Cruz family, who <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2023/11/3/23940652/millennium-park-christmas-tree-2023-donate-darien" target="_blank" >donated their beloved tree to the city for Christmas</a>. We covered young people <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/11/27/23480400/teenage-homelessness-donation-lincoln-park-community-services-charity" target="_blank" >helping the homeless</a> and <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/6/24/23772772/fighting-negativity-englewood-dance-and-music-showcase-puts-youth-talents-front-and-center" target="_blank" >sharing their talents</a>. And we documented what it’s like to live in Chicago’s <a class="Link" href="https://graphics.suntimes.com/2023/chicago-most-violent-neighborhood-garfield-park-residents-stories/" target="_blank" >most violent neighborhood</a>.</p><p>We’re reporting more on solutions, not only problems, starting with our <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/democracy" target="_blank" >Democracy Solutions Project</a> in partnership with WBEZ and the Center for Effective Government.</p><p>We’re also amplifying community voices, including our <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2023/7/14/23792652/chicago-next-voices-contest-guest-columnists-winners" target="_blank" >12 new guest columnists</a> who won our “Chicago’s Next Voices” contest, and 11-year-old Lucy Holloway, whose artwork became a <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/murals-mosaics/2023/3/17/23642169/chicago-murals-salt-shed-lucy-holloway-student-art-contest-buffalo-grove-twin-groves-middle-school" target="_blank" >100-foot mural on the Salt Shed</a>. You can find reader responses to our questions of the day in our newsletters and read multiple community <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views" target="_blank" >opinion pieces</a> every week.</p><h3>Growing information equity to help Chicago thrive</h3><p>We’re doing all of this because we believe that local news, available to everyone (not only those who can afford to pay), is essential to improving our neighborhoods and building healthy, equitable communities. </p><p>At a recent event in Springfield, Texas Tribune co-founder Evan Smith said we’re living in two Americas — one informed, one not. </p><p>That divide keeps growing. Since 2005, <a class="Link" href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/2023/report/#introduction" target="_blank" >almost a third of U.S. newspapers have closed</a>, with two more <a class="Link" href="https://wapo.st/3RdCrVr" target="_blank" >closing every week</a>, leaving half of U.S. counties as news deserts, according to research by Northwestern University’s Medill School. Places without news sources tend to experience <a class="Link" href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/2023/report/#introduction" target="_blank" >more poverty</a>,<a class="Link" href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/projects/state-of-local-news/2023/report/#possibilities" target="_blank" > lower voter participation and more corruption</a>.</p><p>I feel optimistic, motivated and privileged to live, work and serve in a news town as robust as Chicago, where we have an opportunity to help close the growing divide. </p><p>The Sun-Times has exciting plans for 2024: more listening sessions; compelling coverage of the election and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago; a new Money desk launching in January; and expanded <a class="Link" href="https://www.wbez.org/pressroom/a-commitment-to-expanding-arts-and-culture-coverage" target="_blank" >arts and culture coverage</a> in partnership with WBEZ and Vocalo.</p><p>There are so many more stories to tell, so many more Chicagoans to connect with and so many more lives to touch. We hope you’ll join us for the journey.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/12/28/24000102/sun-times-top-stories-2023-community-listening-readers-plans-2024Jennifer Kho2023-08-24T10:00:00-05:002023-08-25T09:57:59-05:00Chicago is bursting with creativity in unexpected places
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-9c0002" name="image-9c0002"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a96be58/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f4a337c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3ffcff2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="creative_chicago_cover_pages.png" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3ffcff2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/73a14ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3ffcff2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3723x2089+0+2379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FynsFz622BgUwau3xnHl_6eTXX5Q%3D%2F0x0%3A3723x6726%2F3723x6726%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281803x3424%3A1804x3425%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24873063%2Fcreative_chicago_cover_pages.png" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
<p>Creativity is a universal, innate resource. It transcends race, class, age, abilities, geography — creativity can’t be redlined. And it’s inspired as much by hardship as beauty, by scarcity as abundance, by community as individuality. So perhaps it’s no wonder that it abounds in the Chicago area, across all 77 neighborhoods and all 100 suburbs, manifesting in our homes, businesses, community organizations and schools; festivals and events; parks and gardens. </p><p>Chicago is known for its blues and for Second City comedy, for groundbreaking architecture and sculpture, for eateries from street-cart casual to Michelin-starred fine dining. We’ve also got Broadway shows, the Lyric Opera and the Art Institute; Lollapalooza, Pitchfork, Summer Smash; the Chicago International Film Festival, Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival and the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo; street art, murals and mosaics in every neighborhood; festivals, markets and block clubs every weekend; active arts organizations such as the Arts Alliance, Arts Encounter Illinois and the Chicago Public Art Group; and countless more. </p><p>Our artists, makers and creatives are always experimenting with something new and unique, whether it’s in pottery or knitting; jewelry or fashion; music or dance; graphic design or puppetry; acting or improv; writing, drawing, painting, photography, illustration, street art, tattoos, baking or content creation.</p><p>And not just for fun, either. Chicagoans use creative pursuits to solve problems, build community, help others, improve their neighborhoods, preserve their cultural heritage, make personal and political statements, learn or educate, relax, find joy, recover from trauma or loss, express themselves, connect with friends, support themselves and their families, and much more. </p><p>So in this edition, we wanted to showcase a few of the exciting, innovative people and organizations shaping and propelling the Chicago area’s vibrant creative scene. We’ve gone looking for creative expressions in unexpected spaces, celebrating the amateurs, craftspeople, teachers and performers who are populating — and transforming — the city into something unique and wonderful through their personal vision.</p><p>This includes a drag competition that focuses on mentorship, community fixtures who teach folk art to keep cultural traditions alive, a community of artists with disabilities, art as emotional healing, dance troupes updating traditional forms, political art in prison, street art in Little Village, the latest in trash art and much more.</p><p>We hope you enjoy this exploration of creative Chicago! Please let us know what you think and what you’d like to read about next by emailing me at <a class="Link" href="mailto:jkho@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >jkho@suntimes.com</a>.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="HtmlModule"><a class="AnchorLink" id="html-embed-module-e80001" name="html-embed-module-e80001"></a><div class="piano-after-image"></div>
</div>
</div><p></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/8/24/23817955/chicago-creatives-neighborhoodsJennifer Kho2023-07-14T16:00:00-05:002023-07-14T16:06:58-05:00Chicago’s Next Voices gives guest columnists a platform in the Sun-Times
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-7e0002" name="image-7e0002"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/610a371/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ac3bbc4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/815dc5b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="The Sun-Times’ Chicago’s Next Voices guest columnists: (top, from left) John F. Wasik, Lashaunta Moore, Chris Bigelow and Maham Khan; (middle, from left) Lucy Biederman, Thom Cicchelli, Valery Pineda and Emily Dagostino; and (bottom, from left) Derek Helling, Effie Koliopoulos, Randi Forrest and Nancy Osness." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/815dc5b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1ffbc0b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/815dc5b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6220x3491+0+330/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVqK9Zsg7_1daUWNkWu42TOXBF3E%3D%2F0x0%3A6220x4149%2F6220x4149%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283110x2075%3A3111x2076%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24788507%2FVOICES_1_.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>The Sun-Times’ Chicago’s Next Voices guest columnists: (top, from left) John F. Wasik, Lashaunta Moore, Chris Bigelow and Maham Khan; (middle, from left) Lucy Biederman, Thom Cicchelli, Valery Pineda and Emily Dagostino; and (bottom, from left) Derek Helling, Effie Koliopoulos, Randi Forrest and Nancy Osness.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Provided</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>Chicago is a city rich in experiences, with a population of 2.7 million — and 8.9 million in the metro area. So even with a newsroom of about 100 journalists working to tell its stories every day, we inevitably miss many. And some of those are most compellingly told directly through the voices of the community members experiencing them. </p><p>If we want to do a better job of telling the truth about what life is like here, of providing a fuller, clearer, more inclusive picture, we need to share the mic. </p><p>That’s why we launched our Chicago’s Next Voices contest in February — to hear more of the diverse experiences and perspectives that make up our community. Our aim is to elevate more voices from our community so that we all have the opportunity to better understand each other, to support and inspire each other, to grow ever more aware of the mix of experiences that connect us. </p><p>So we were thrilled to receive hundreds of entries from a truly diverse range of community members. They included teenagers, young adults, middle-agers and seniors from across the city and the suburbs — of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities and abilities — writing from very different backgrounds and points of view. </p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2023/7/14/23792652/chicago-next-voices-contest-guest-columnists-winners" target="_blank" >Meet the guest columnists who’ll shed light on Chicago communities as winners of the Sun-Times’ Chicago’s Next Voices contest </a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>It was challenging to narrow the entries to 12 winners because so many left our judges delighted, frightened, surprised, inspired, heartbroken or angry. The writers who ultimately were selected brought a fresh, compelling perspective to the theme of “Moving Forward” that made our judges think — and left them wanting more. </p><p>We hope you will enjoy these voices as much as we did. We’ll be publishing pieces from the winners every month, and we need your feedback to make decisions about what’s next. Whose voices do you want to hear more from? Which topics do you want to read more about? Please let us know by emailing me at <a class="Link" href="mailto:jkho@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >jkho@suntimes.com</a>. </p><p>And if you didn’t enter or didn’t win but still have something to say to our readers, this contest is only one of many ways we’re working to bring our newsroom closer to our community, and there are plenty of other opportunities to make your voice heard. You can <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/pages/submitting-op-eds-and-letters" target="_blank" >submit op-eds and letters</a> to <a class="Link" href="mailto:opinions@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >opinions@suntimes.com</a> or <a class="Link" href="mailto:letters@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >letters@suntimes.com</a>. And we encourage you to come to one of our monthly <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/1/23488872/meet-the-sun-times-newsroom-staff-listening-sessions" target="_blank" >community listening sessions</a> to speak one-on-one with a journalist. We will be announcing our next one soon.</p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2023/7/14/23793055/us-steel-southeast-side-south-chicago-garden-city-growth-enviroment-urbs-horto" target="_blank" >Chicago’s Next Voices guest columnist John F. Wasik: Old U.S. Steel site could seed Chicago’s rebirth as ‘Garden City’</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/opinion/2023/7/14/23795379/chicagos-next-voices-sun-timesJennifer Kho2023-06-02T19:15:45.327-05:002023-06-03T18:41:39-05:00Sun-Times’ new policy on a right to be forgotten is explained by Executive Editor Jennifer Kho
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-300001" name="image-300001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/70e6820/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/97f2b26/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b430d78/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Illustration of a collage of news stories and an eraser." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b430d78/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4022e40/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b430d78/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3544x1989+0+806/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fs_egGmx7tDy3Agot5E7JGIPVClU%3D%2F0x0%3A3544x2816%2F3544x2816%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282489x1800%3A2490x1801%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24699765%2FRightToBeForgotten.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Bryan Barker / Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>The woman whose arrest was dismissed years ago but who still gets questioned about it regularly at work and in her community. The man who was acquitted but suspects the article about his arrest is keeping him from getting a job. The person whose childhood misstep still haunts their reputation today as an adult. </p><p>These are a few of the community members who have asked us to de-index, or remove, past Chicago Sun-Times news stories from search engines such as Google so the articles no longer appear in internet searches for their names. </p><p>With social media and the internet, it’s so much easier to quickly find years- or even decades-old articles. That means some of the people we’ve covered continue to live with the negative impact of being arrested or accused of a crime, even if they didn’t do it. </p><p>We also know Chicago has a history of unjust arrests. Those arrests are often tossed out in court, but articles about them remain available to the public. Some of these stories can have a lasting negative impact on one’s ability to move forward in life — sometimes leading to unsteady employment, a lack of housing access or other issues that can impede these individuals’ ability to thrive — and they disproportionately affect communities of color. From <a class="Link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/12/13/news-media-offers-consistently-warped-portrayals-of-black-families-study-finds/" target="_blank" >studies about crime coverage nationally</a>, we know that Black people are overrepresented in these stories compared to their proportion of arrests.</p><p>At the Sun-Times, we don’t think it’s fair for stories about arrests to follow people around forever if they were never convicted or if charges were dropped or expunged. In recognition of the unintended harm that some of our work has caused, we want to be intentional about reviewing these articles and considering whether they should remain part of the searchable internet record.</p><p>So today we are launching a new “right to be forgotten” policy to make it easier for people we’ve written about to request a review. In the past, the Chicago Sun-Times’ executive editor has handled these requests on a case-by-case basis. Moving forward, our goal is to partner with the community to help solve equity problems we are part of, rather than only reporting on them. To do this well, there needs to be a simple, clear and fair process that allows anyone to submit a request and receive a response in a timely manner. </p><p>In launching the new policy, we’re proud to join the growing ranks of other newspapers — including the Boston Globe, the Plain Dealer in Cleveland and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — that provide opportunities for people to appeal to de-index past stories published online. </p><p>If you are the subject of a past article about an arrest or accusation that later was disproved, dismissed or expunged, you can <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/RightToBeForgotten" target="_blank" ><b>fill out this form</b></a>. You must include contact information, a link or other information identifying the article, a reason for your request and documentation about what happened with any charges or allegations. Requests should be made directly by the person affected by our coverage.</p><p>We will review these requests monthly and convene a quarterly panel to review more complicated requests that might fall outside the defined policy. We will consider whether the harm to the requester outweighs the public benefit of keeping the coverage on search engines.</p><h3>Who’s eligible to apply?</h3><ul><li id="PHwGtx">Juvenile offenders</li><li id="mUwZCg">Nonviolent criminal offenders</li><li id="ELmnhv">People named in stories about crimes for which charges were dropped, dismissed, reversed or expunged</li><li id="l1s9bw">Those named in stories about arrests that did not lead to conviction</li><li id="cEjseF">Domestic violence victims</li></ul><h3>Who’s ineligible to apply?</h3><ul><li id="6p8bUX">Current or past elected or public officials</li><li id="4wkohv">People seeking public office</li><li id="TVppAf">People convicted of most felonies or violent crimes</li></ul><p>If you have questions about our new policy, you can email Sun-Times Deputy Managing Editor Norm Parish at <a class="Link" href="mailto:nparish@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >nparish@suntimes.com</a>.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2023/6/2/23747263/right-to-be-forgotten-policy-sun-times-crime-storiesJennifer Kho2023-05-02T13:30:00-05:002023-05-02T13:22:58-05:00On our 3rd anniversary, we are reimagining La Voz Chicago
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-2f0002" name="image-2f0002"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/37d5bff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8444150/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="La editora de La Voz Chicago, Jackie Serrato, izquierda, escucha a los residentes durante una sesión comunitaria en la Taqueria Los Comales en diciembre en La Villita." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5916b10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>La Voz Chicago Editor Jackie Serrato (left) sits with residents during a community listening session, “We Hear You: Meet the Sun-Times Newsroom,” at Taqueria Los Comales in Little Village in December.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Kamil Krzaczynski/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>In late 2019, the Sun-Times debuted La Voz Chicago as an experimental section in the newspaper to better serve Spanish-speaking readers. </p><p>After that test run, we made it official: On May 10, 2020, we launched <a class="Link" href="http://www.suntimes.com/la-voz" target="_blank" >suntimes.com/lavoz</a> — which provided Spanish-first coverage of COVID-19 and relevant issues disproportionately impacting the Chicago area’s growing Latino communities. </p><p>Latinos, who now make up the second-largest demographic in the city per the latest Census, span the majority of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, with roots in Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia and other Latin American countries.</p><div class="RichTextSidebarModule Enhancement" data-module data-align-floatRight><a class="AnchorLink" id="module-200000" name="module-200000"></a>
<div class="RichTextSidebarModule-title">La Voz Sidebar</div>
<div class="RichTextModule-items RichTextBody"><br><i>Lea este artículo en español en </i><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/" target="_blank" ><i>La Voz Chicago</i></a>, <i>la sección bilingüe del Sun-Times.</i><br><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-4d0001" name="image-variant-4d0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/41658d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c1d1fef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="la-voz-cover-photo-2.png" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9394520/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div></div>
</div><p>In the past three years, editor Jackie Serrato has overseen La Voz Chicago’s expansion online and the production of seven print editions inserted into the Sun-Times newspaper. Some of those sections were also distributed for free in ZIP codes with large Spanish-speaking populations. </p><p>Our coverage has included reporting on <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2022/12/20/23519284/inmigrantes-sudamericanos-celebran-primera-navidad-chicago-bears-salvation-army-venezuela-colombia" target="_blank" >South American migrants</a>, a look at <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2021/12/30/22860685/chicagos-latino-population-spreads-out-census-shows" target="_blank" >demographic changes</a> in Latino neighborhoods, an interview with Chicana author <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2022/11/18/23466681/el-renacimiento-de-sandra-cisneros-chicago-field-musuem-escritora-poeta-mujer-sin-verguenza-espanol" target="_blank" >Sandra Cisneros</a>, a review of the Netflix series <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2022/11/23/23475715/las-cronicas-del-taco-netflix-una-homenaje-a-los-taqueros-de-chicago-entretrenimiento-espanol" target="_blank" >“Taco Chronicles”</a> and updates on developments at the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2022/12/16/23513210/los-comerciantes-del-discount-mall-siguen-vendiendo-a-pesar-de-la-incertidumbre-la-villita-novak" target="_blank" >Little Village Discount Mall</a>.</p><p>La Voz Chicago continues to gain readership through our popular daily <a class="Link" href="https://newsletter-hub.suntimes.com/" target="_blank" >newsletter</a>, managed by audience engagement editor and reporter Ambar Colón. In 2022, encouraged by incoming Sun-Times executive editor Jennifer Kho, La Voz launched its first side-by-side bilingual print edition in order to make its stories more accessible and inclusive.</p><p>Now, on our third anniversary, we’re reimagining La Voz Chicago to better serve the local Latino communities. With a focus on culture and lifestyle stories, the improved La Voz aims to showcase and celebrate the breadth and intersectionality of the diverse Latino communities in the Chicago area.</p><p>The Sun-Times held reader listening sessions across the city in recent months, including in Little Village and Pilsen with the support of La Voz, to find out about the issues and stories Chicagoans want more of. </p><p>Our future coverage will include service journalism to help Latinos participate in — and get the most out of — our community, stories about triumphs and solutions, and articles that feature diverse voices and experiences.</p><p>Please join us by reading this section and <a class="Link" href="http://suntimes.com/la-voz" target="_blank" >signing up for our newsletter</a> at suntimes.com/lavoz. Let us know what you think by emailing lavoz@suntimes.com. </p><p>You can also support the Sun-Times by <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" >donating or becoming a member</a> at <a class="Link" href="http://suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" >suntimes.com/become-a-member</a> or <a class="Link" href="https://suntimesdeal.com/Offers.aspx?Zip=60607&PriceType=1" target="_blank" >subscribing to the paper</a> at suntimes.deal.com. Thanks for reading!<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2023/5/2/23701829/la-voz-chicago-sun-times-spanish-language-newspaper-latinoJackie SerratoJennifer Kho2023-05-02T13:30:00-05:002023-05-02T13:23:01-05:00En nuestro 3er aniversario, estamos mejorando La Voz Chicago
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-bf0001" name="image-bf0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/37d5bff/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8444150/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="La editora de La Voz Chicago, Jackie Serrato, izquierda, escucha a los residentes durante una sesión comunitaria en la Taqueria Los Comales en diciembre en La Villita." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5916b10/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c40e1d0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3500x1964+0+185/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FC6Lsk4l1tnumNl10RAwywlqhEI8%3D%2F0x0%3A3500x2333%2F3500x2333%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281750x1167%3A1751x1168%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24616629%2FWEHEARYOU_20.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Kamil Krzaczynski/For the Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p></p><p>A finales del 2019, el Sun-Times debutó a La Voz Chicago como una sección experimental del periódico para mejor servir a lectores cuyo español es su primer idioma.</p><p>Después lo hicimos oficial: el 10 de mayo de 2020 lanzamos la página suntimes.com/lavoz, con cobertura en español sobre el COVID-19 en la comunidad latina y temas relevantes que afectan desproporcionadamente a las comunidades latinas del área de Chicago.</p><p>Ahora constituyendo el segundo grupo demográfico más grande de la ciudad, según el último censo, los latinos viven en la mayoría de los 77 vecindarios de Chicago, con raíces en México, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia y otros países latinoamericanos.</p><p>En tres años, la editora Jacqueline Serrato ha supervisado la expansión en internet de La Voz Chicago y la producción de siete ediciones impresas dentro del periódico Sun-Times. Algunas de esas secciones también se distribuyeron de forma gratuita en códigos postales con poblaciones grandes que hablan español.</p><p>Nuestra cobertura ha incluido reportajes sobre los migrantes sudamericanos, una mirada a los cambios demográficos en los vecindarios latinos, una entrevista con la autora chicana Sandra Cisneros, una reseña de la serie de Netflix “Taco Chronicles” y actualizaciones sobre los desarrollos en el Discount Mall de La Villita.</p><p>La Voz Chicago continúa atrayendo lectores a través de nuestro popular boletín diario, enviado por la editora de audiencia y reportera Ambar Colón. En 2022, Jennifer Kho, la editora ejecutiva entrante del Sun-Times, animó a La Voz a lanzar su primera edición impresa de forma bilingüe para hacer que sus historias fueran más accesibles e inclusivas.</p><p>Ahora, en nuestro tercer aniversario, estamos reinventando La Voz Chicago para servir mejor a las comunidades latinas locales. Con un enfoque en la cultura y su forma de vivir, La Voz tiene como objetivo mostrar y celebrar la diversidad y la intersección de las varias comunidades latinas en el área de Chicago.</p><p>En meses recientes, el Sun-Times realizó sesiones comunitarias en toda la ciudad, incluyendo en La Villita y Pilsen con el apoyo de La Voz, para saber qué temas e historias los residentes de Chicago quieren ver de nosotros.</p><p>Nuestra cobertura futura incluirá periodismo que asista a los latinos a participar en y aprovechar al máximo la ciudad; notas sobre sus triunfos y soluciones a sus desafíos; y artículos que presenten voces y experiencias diversas.</p><p>Únase a nosotros leyendo esta sección y suscribiéndose a nuestro boletín digital en <a class="Link" href="http://suntimes.com/lavoz" target="_blank" >suntimes.com/lavoz</a>. Háganos saber lo que piensa enviando un correo electrónico a <a class="Link" href="http://lavoz@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >lavoz@suntimes.com</a>.</p><p>También puede apoyar al Sun-Times haciendo una donación o haciéndose miembro en <a class="Link" href="http://suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" >suntimes.com/become-a-member</a> o suscribiéndose al periódico en <a class="Link" href="http://suntimes.deal.com" target="_blank" >suntimes.deal.com</a>. ¡Gracias por leernos!<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/2023/5/2/23702469/en-nuestro-3er-aniversario-estamos-mejorando-la-voz-chicagoJackie SerratoJennifer Kho2023-04-01T19:00:13.876-05:002023-04-03T16:51:22-05:00C2E2 in Chicago: 22 of best costumes we saw
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-800002" name="image-800002"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b1aeb92/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ad1f37c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/835431d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="(From left) Riane Taday, 28, of Logan Square; and Romelle O’Shea, 30, of Lockport, dress as Rufio and Captain Hook, respectively, from the movie “Hook” at C2E2 at McCormick Place on Saturday." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/835431d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eaa0002/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/835431d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6194x3476+0+327/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FqwsgI3sCKqhbFnoWY0N-O6SSGwc%3D%2F0x0%3A6194x4129%2F6194x4129%2Ffilters%3Afocal%283097x2065%3A3098x2066%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553748%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_18.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>(From left) Riane Taday, 28, of Logan Square; and Romelle O’Shea, 30, of Lockport, dress as Rufio and Captain Hook, respectively, from the movie “Hook” at C2E2 at McCormick Place on Saturday.</p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>A stormtrooper casually drops his blaster on the security table and walks through the gate while Captain America hands over his shield. In the next line over, a security guard waves another man through. “C’mon, Gandalf!”</p><p>This was the scene at the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2023/3/31/23665058/cosplay-fans-c2e2-convention-mccormick-place" target="_blank" >Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, or C2E2</a>, at McCormick Place on Saturday. </p><p>Heroes, anti-heroes and villains — from comics, graphic novels and manga, video games, toys, movies, television, anime and other forms of pop culture — gathered at the annual fan convention this weekend. We spoke to the people behind some of the best costumes we saw while we were there. </p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2023/3/31/23665058/cosplay-fans-c2e2-convention-mccormick-place" target="_blank" >Dressed to impress: Cosplayers and fans celebrate C2E2 convention on opening day</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-090001" name="image-variant-090001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f67358c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8d7ae53/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/88e1b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/88e1b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7ad12cb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/88e1b68/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5614x3151+0+297/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FszB8Qcw3qSXwW7KKfmuXxjo_LRo%3D%2F0x0%3A5614x3743%2F5614x3743%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282807x1872%3A2808x1873%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553784%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_14.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Daniel Reynoso, 47, Chicago, as Pennywise from the movie “It”</h3><p>Reynoso said he picked Pennywise because he’s a misunderstood, complex villain. </p><p>“From my standpoint, when I think about ecology, a lot of people would say a great white shark is evil but actually it is just trying to survive,” he said. “Pennywise is like that — and unfortunately, his main sustenance is fear from children. It’s an outsider trying to survive.”</p><p>As an immigrant from Mexico City, he can relate to feeling vilified, Reynoso said, and always picks certain types of villains for his cosplay. “They are villainous from a certain point of view,” he said, “but they are trying to be a survivor or a freedom fighter from another point of view. It’s what’s going on in the world today. Certain groups are vilified and people don’t always take the time to see things from their point of view.”</p><p>Reynoso pointed to recent anti-drag laws enacted by Republican lawmakers that target the LGBTQ community. </p><p></p><p>“Everyone here is playing dress up, pretend, but based on draconian laws being proposed in some places, would this even be allowed — or, if I was a female character, would I be considered to be in drag?</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“At the end of the day, people want to be able to really express themselves as they are. For a lot of my friends who are introverted, this is the one week a year when they can come out of their shell with a community they trust and feel completely comfortable. People can let their freak flag fly.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-120001" name="image-variant-120001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9860378/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cb9adf9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5d04db3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5d04db3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/98d3d5b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5d04db3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3831x2150+0+1798/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNEHSQqf-dPBh66y6qXUjqK7N6jQ%3D%2F0x0%3A3831x5746%2F3831x5746%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281916x2873%3A1917x2874%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553775%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_07.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Fred Zhu, 29, Logan Square, as Smoker from the manga series “One Piece”</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I love Smoker as a character. He is the kindest character, who also looks kind of scary.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-1c0001" name="image-variant-1c0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e6e827d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c824313/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9685874/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9685874/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cfedfa6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9685874/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2598x1458+0+1220/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FEydbIdZu0z3kZM55vYv8AKoicQ0%3D%2F0x0%3A2598x3897%2F2598x3897%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281299x1949%3A1300x1950%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553786%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_16.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Alex Reynolds, 36, Chicago, as Paine from the video game “Final Fantasy X-2”</h3><p>Reynolds was previously involved in live theater, both onstage and backstage, and loved the different arts and crafts that go into fabricating for theater. Reynolds’ schedule no longer permits them to spend the time needed to work on a full theater production, but cosplay is something they can still do on a smaller scale.</p><p>Reynolds was attracted to the idea of doing a more challenging build when looking for a character to dress up as for C2E2. They made the sword from scratch from foam and a wooden dowel. The clothes, belts and boots (“They’re from Forever 21 and came in my size!”) were all store-bought and altered.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“When I first saw Paine, I thought, ‘This is who I am inside.’ I love her character and the look. … A lot of it came down to the costume and the attitude — there’s punk rock and a little goth about her. And all her dialogue is a quip or a snarky comment, and I appreciate that.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-250001" name="image-variant-250001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c219706/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/176dddc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa3a78c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa3a78c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1f73b60/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fa3a78c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3411x1914+0+1602/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FVuD3iJjuLqz-1Jro7NjyQqnqOUI%3D%2F0x0%3A3411x5117%2F3411x5117%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281706x2559%3A1707x2560%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553771%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_03.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Glenn Reyes, Mount Prospect, as Beetlejuice</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I built this myself, sewed the stripes and everything. It took me about 200 hours.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-2e0001" name="image-variant-2e0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5633fe2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/925fb5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1fdc949/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1fdc949/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2c7c66a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1fdc949/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5158x2895+0+273/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FjPseQwUjectLv9kloJfAH0TIr40%3D%2F0x0%3A5158x3439%2F5158x3439%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282579x1720%3A2580x1721%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553769%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_01.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Derek Ferguson, 30, Rogers Park, as Predator</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“It gets really hot in here, but it’s worth it to scare everyone at the con.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-380001" name="image-variant-380001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/65a36c0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ea6bff3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/625690a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/625690a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3628ee8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/625690a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3425x1922+0+1608/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FyPywumtS8jAtgaOimMaEeDD0hNs%3D%2F0x0%3A3425x5138%2F3425x5138%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281713x2569%3A1714x2570%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553785%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_15.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Ralph Ramirez, Chicago, as Jason Voorhees from the movie “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood”</h3><p>Part VII was the first “Friday the 13th” movie Ramirez saw in the theater and he loved it right away. “The movies are fun to watch. It’s escapism — they are over the top with good effects — and a lot of work goes into them. That’s what I love about them.”</p><p>He especially loved the character Jason Voorhees’ look in the film. “He looked cool with the hockey mask, and I like Kane Hodder, the actor — I’m a huge fan of his work.” </p><p>Ramirez’ costume is based on a zombie costume, and he assembled the other items, including the gloves, masks, chain and machete, to create the full effect. “It’s fun; I love doing it.”</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“He’s quiet,” Ramirez said of Vorhees. “He’s all about action, not words.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-420001" name="image-variant-420001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eb91aaf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4aec160/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f094c5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f094c5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c02d139/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/f094c5a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5052x2835+0+266/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FJwV-vdj0hUPMsyBXpmWbvZoPpHQ%3D%2F0x0%3A5052x3368%2F5052x3368%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282526x1684%3A2527x1685%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553776%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_08.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Rose Amiastra, Cat Manning and Orvix Cosplay as Harley Quinn, Two-Face and the Riddler</h3><p>Rose Amiastra, 23, of the Southwest Side, left, appeared as Harley Quinn from the comic book “Batman” at C2E2. She posed with Cait Manning, 34, of Milwaukee, as Two-Face and a friend identifying as Orvix Cosplay, 28, of the Chicago area, as Riddler.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“Villains have more fun,” Amiastra said.
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-4b0001" name="image-variant-4b0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7576f6f/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d913ae4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e1565/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e1565/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c5e2d9a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/33e1565/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2515x1411+0+1180/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FkeO0BXbHCUqjpXPz6cVk-8MSFeg%3D%2F0x0%3A2515x3772%2F2515x3772%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281258x1886%3A1259x1887%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553782%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_12.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Jamauria Flores, 45, and David Flores, 40, both of Berwyn, as Wonder Woman and Superman</h3><p>Wonder Woman has been Jamauria Flores’ favorite character since she was a little girl. </p><p>“She’s powerful, smart and courageous,” she said. “She’s been a symbol for young girls throughout the years because she’s such an empowering figure.” </p><p>She attended C2E2 with her husband and their two daughters, and loves that when she reads comics today, they still give her the same feeling she had reading them as a child — and an opportunity to escape a little. </p><p>“It’s nostalgic,” she added, “and something that all generations can appreciate.” </p><p>For David Flores, what he loves about comics is the reminder that “anyone can be a hero at a moment in time.” </p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“You don’t need a superpower — it doesn’t take much. It can be a small gesture or a big act but could change someone’s life,” David Flores said. “Everyone needs to realize that.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-560001" name="image-variant-560001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/973a916/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d65df89/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b0eab4b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b0eab4b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4f1699e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b0eab4b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2783x1562+0+1307/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FNPmrVQcomulYB-CfwqmCgUB5rF4%3D%2F0x0%3A2783x4175%2F2783x4175%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281392x2088%3A1393x2089%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553774%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_06.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Megan Kohere, 29, Logan Square, as Olivia Voldaren from the game “Magic: The Gathering”</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“My husband plays ‘Magic’ and as soon as I saw her, I knew I had to make her. But he hasn’t gotten me to play the game yet.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-600001" name="image-variant-600001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c50c088/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9b7d7cb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c89c7cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c89c7cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c61ef2a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c89c7cf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3201x1796+0+1503/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FFFbo0olNq6NWxNCniTOc9goVX84%3D%2F0x0%3A3201x4801%2F3201x4801%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281601x2401%3A1602x2402%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553787%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_17.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Lore Faits, 37, Chicago, as Haru Okkumura from the video game “Persona 5”</h3><p>Faits spent 150 hours playing the anime-inspired “Persona 5” game last year. “I ate it up,” she said. </p><p>She also worked on her costume, on and off, for about two months. The character she picked, Haru, has an abusive fiance and a mean father. She gets revenge with a big axe. </p><p>“Haru is a wealthy young woman, the daughter of the CEO. I have a white-collar job in real life. I love that you can be that stuffy and grown up and still be a hero.” </p><p>She’s been into cosplay for decades, she said, adding, “There are not many opportunities to do that as adults, the opportunity to bring that part of you to life.”</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“No matter where I’m at in life, no matter what I’m going through with relationships or jobs, I can come to a community like this and wear something as outrageous and unique as I want and know I will be accepted.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-6a0001" name="image-variant-6a0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4c102e8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2bad94/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c2057e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c2057e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/03bdab5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c2057e2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3080x1729+0+1446/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Ffqiw-F0cgzYP1ZCjb9qXH7bs1Fo%3D%2F0x0%3A3080x4620%2F3080x4620%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281540x2310%3A1541x2311%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553781%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_11.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Helen Xia, 21, Hyde Park, as Xiao from the video game “Genshin Impact”</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I like this character because he’s handsome, but he’s also got a lot of responsibility for his country.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-730001" name="image-variant-730001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/21baa45/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/670b777/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f13be7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f13be7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d97f27d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7f13be7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2810x1577+0+1319/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fc18Wrl1Ji2V-TTwCbya0RlqYSxg%3D%2F0x0%3A2810x4215%2F2810x4215%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281405x2108%3A1406x2109%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553773%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_05.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Riane Taday, 28, Logan Square, as Rufio and Romelle O’Shea, Lockport, as Captain Hook.</h3><p>Riane Taday, 28, dressed as the character Rufio in the movie “Hook” for C2E2 — where actor Dante Basco, who played Rufio in the movie, was appearing. Romelle O’Shea, 30, came as Captain Hook. </p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“Dante Basco is here today and he was our Filipino representation growing up — and my first teen crush,” Taday said.
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-7c0001" name="image-variant-7c0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5597b62/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fcddceb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0e38ee0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0e38ee0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/59ffd79/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0e38ee0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2937x1648+0+1379/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FQmizGYUYg47yqTBV_r1Yc8IRWek%3D%2F0x0%3A2937x4405%2F2937x4405%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281469x2203%3A1470x2204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553783%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_13.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Shannon Obendorf, 52, Libertyville, as Jillian Holtzmann from the 2016 movie ‘Ghostbusters’</h3><p>Obendorf has put 300 hours into creating her costume over the last two months, including seriously modifying her base Hasbro proton pack. She has loved “Ghostbusters” since she was a child, and her Holtzmann character was inspired by the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot with an all-women cast including Kate McKinnon. </p><p>“I love Kate McKinnon — I think she is a national treasure! I’m a queer woman and loved her representation in the movie.” </p><p>But Obendorf wanted to stick with the gear from the 1984 film. “The gear from [2016] is harder to find or make — it’s much more complicated,” she said. “What I like about [the original 1984 version] is it was approachable garage tech, something that any genius with a garage could make. It was reckless, off the cuff.” </p><p>Obendorf is also part of <a class="Link" href="https://www.facebook.com/WindyCityGB/" target="_blank" >Windy City Ghostbusters</a>, a nonprofit group of Chicago area “Ghostbusters” fans who make and wear movie-accurate costumes and raise money for charities. </p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I love how [cosplay] touches other people. We have a common experience and love for it and that’s why we’re doing it.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-860001" name="image-variant-860001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ce57c32/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d4a64f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c48d98d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c48d98d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/81f39ac/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c48d98d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3385x1900+0+1589/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Flc2sQ1lNk8byBeT7d-SqIl-LvTA%3D%2F0x0%3A3385x5078%2F3385x5078%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281693x2539%3A1694x2540%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553772%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_04.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Jerry Brown, 34, Englewood, as Heimdall from the ‘Thor’ movies</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“There are not that many Black characters in the Marvel Universe and Heimdall is my favorite.”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-900001" name="image-variant-900001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/fd20032/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/0e6edd0/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e78087/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e78087/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4946966/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1e78087/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2861x1606+0+1343/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fh5NrKm4PH4lfSdiQvEdjKQ8yLi0%3D%2F0x0%3A2861x4292%2F2861x4292%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281431x2146%3A1432x2147%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553777%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_09.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Amber Cerpa, 30, Chicago, as a member of The Court of Owls from the ‘Batman’ comic books</h3><p>Cerpa first got into comic books in 2013, and fell in love with the characters, the stories and the artwork. “I’m inspired by all the characters,” she said. </p><p>She wanted to be something different this year — not a character that many other people would choose — and described the Court of Owls as “unique” and “mysterious.” She loves anti-heroes, especially female anti-heroes such as Harley Quinn, Spider-Gwen and Batgirl (specifically Cassandra Cain) because she feels they’re a reflection of what it’s like to be part of society today.</p><p>Cerpa likes that these anti-heroes may want to be good but also don’t care how people see them. </p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“It’s how society is now,” Cerpa said. “Especially with what’s going on in the city of Chicago: There are a lot of shootings and you want to help but a lot of people also don’t want your help. Sometimes that hurts. So I like that [anti-hero attitude] of ‘I’ll help you, but whatever. … I want to help but I’m not stupid.’”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-990001" name="image-variant-990001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a3af707/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/db801fd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9d3adf4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9d3adf4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/620a550/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9d3adf4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3244x1821+0+1523/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FfuqmcBTGr5nDv00-IL9X68LuHxE%3D%2F0x0%3A3244x4866%2F3244x4866%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281622x2433%3A1623x2434%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553779%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_10.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Jacob Southworth, 24, left, and Jennifer Toth, 22, both of Indiana, as Nook and Isabelle from ‘Animal Crossing’</h3><p>During the pandemic, Toth really got into “Animal Crossing,” the Nintendo video game. She loved the nostalgia from having played as a child on her GameCube, and — over the last few years — when times got stressful for her as an adult, she would relax and play. </p><p>Isabelle, the morning announcer in the new version of the game, is Toth’s favorite character. Isabelle is a non-playable character with more costumes than the other villagers, and Toth loves her ability to showcase different personas. Many other people got into the cosplay scene during the pandemic, she added. “It’s really the ability to be whoever you want.”</p><p>Meanwhile, Southworth picked Nook, the island’s head honcho — and “bells” (money) lender — in “Animal Crossing.” He doesn’t play the game but frequently watches Toth play, and — as a reserved person himself — finds Nook’s quiet, soft-spoken personality relatable. </p><p>Toth spent 50-60 hours hand-making her costume and 15-16 hours adding the custom knitting to Southworth’s. Toth, who has been coming to C2E2 for 10 years, says every year she arrives nervous. The community is what makes it worth it for her.</p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I have something in common with every person here, which is crazy to think about,” Toth said.
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p></p><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-a30001" name="image-variant-a30001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/071bd99/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/bc30683/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c902eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="COMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c902eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/476d272/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c902eb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3149x1767+0+1478/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2Fv7_EXI6UAy3uVUKufsRO1QAIT_A%3D%2F0x0%3A3149x4723%2F3149x4723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281575x2362%3A1576x2363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24553770%2FCOMICPORTRAITS_040323_02.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><p></p><h3>Judy Demers, 44, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, as Ursula from the movie ‘The Little Mermaid’</h3><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item">
<div class="Quote dsfvdd" style="--color-quote-background: #fff;--pull-quote-icon: url()">
<div class="Quote-content">
<blockquote>
“I love Disney!”
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><i>Correction: A previous version of this story misspelled Shannon Obendorf’s name.</i><br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment-and-culture/2023/4/1/23666305/c2e2-chicago-costumes-cosplay-best-2023Jennifer KhoAshlee Rezin2022-12-16T15:00:00-06:002023-04-09T11:51:25-05:00The Sun-Times wants to reflect the voices of all Chicagoans. Here’s how you can help
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-340001" name="image-340001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6d47dce/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c893abe/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2ed4e6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho " srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2ed4e6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a7b5df7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d2ed4e6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5205x2921+0+274/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FCgc4pO6z7snNZZRPt__Mw1zn1oE%3D%2F0x0%3A5205x3470%2F5205x3470%2Ffilters%3Afocal%282603x1735%3A2604x1736%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24266701%2FJENNKHO_03.JPG" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>Since moving to Chicago in September, I’ve fallen in love with the city. In just a few months, I’ve witnessed so much creativity, resourcefulness and resilience. And kindness: People I’ve met have been warm and welcoming, from strangers offering to help when I’m wandering around lost (which happens a lot) to new acquaintances providing me with great tips and restaurant recommendations — and calling to check in on me when I had COVID-19.</p><p>It’s also, undoubtedly, a great news town. I’ve been simply amazed at how much interest and opinion I hear from people about city politics or their wards. The number of passionate comments I’ve seen on social media or community forums when an alderperson misses an important meeting is like nothing I’ve experienced elsewhere. Chicagoans really care about their city and making it better.</p><p>It has its problems, to be sure — crime, corruption, pollution, poverty and homelessness, segregation and inequity, to name just a few. But I’ve also been inspired by all the people and organizations working to make progress and improve their city. And I want the Sun-Times to be part of that. I’m obsessed with the question of what the Sun-Times can do, as a news organization, to help our readers and our community thrive.</p><div class="RichTextSidebarModule Enhancement" data-module data-align-center><a class="AnchorLink" id="module-fc0002" name="module-fc0002"></a>
<div class="RichTextSidebarModule-title">Year-End Premium Guide 2022</div>
<div class="RichTextModule-items RichTextBody"><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-fc0001" name="image-variant-fc0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/38372d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ff7a015/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6da60dc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="sect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6da60dc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/d911b71/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6da60dc/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1288x723+815+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2F2dTDfwd-X1LnWSBUeJlhLY9SSKc%3D%2F0x0%3A2917x723%2F2917x723%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281459x362%3A1460x363%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24288867%2Fsect_n_12_18_year_in_review_1.jpeg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div><br><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/year-in-review-2022" target="_blank" ><i><b>Check out the rest of our Year in Review stories, and see how we’re approaching coverage in 2023.</b></i></a><br></div>
</div><p>The truth is that news has, for too long, left many people out. The Sun-Times has done better than many: The majority of our readers are people of color (more than 53%), according to a third-party survey conducted last year. Nearly 40% of our readers earn less than $50,000 per year, and about half earn less than $75,000 per year. We dropped our paywall in October to make our content available to everyone, not only those who can afford to pay. (Thank you, founding members, for <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" >supporting the Sun-Times</a> and keeping local news free for the rest of our community.) But we know we can and must do better. </p><p>There are still so many worthy stories that nobody is telling, so many people whose voices we aren’t hearing. To find out which stories and whose stories you want to hear and learn how we can do a better job of serving the Chicago area, we’ve kicked off a series of community interviews and listening sessions. </p><p>Among the themes we’ve already heard from you include: <br></p><ul><li id="tNE5xA">A desire for more stories that include the voices of regular people, not only people and institutions in power, and more stories about everyday life, not only the extreme highs and lows that are usually considered newsworthy;</li><li id="We2yZ2">More context and analysis about what the news we report means for our readers;</li><li id="jrpjJk">More information about the underlying root causes of the societal issues we write about, including more historical context;</li><li id="tzMsZC">Coverage of more neighborhoods, and a broader range of stories within each one — along with a more reflective balance of positive and negative news;</li><li id="bT3xWz">More service-focused stories, including guides and resources, to help people understand how the city works and make informed decisions in their own lives, for their families and communities; and</li><li id="dS3YA5">More stories about solutions — the different efforts to improve the societal problems we write about and whether they are working — and what readers can do to help.</li></ul><p>My vision for the Sun-Times is all about connecting with and serving our community, especially among marginalized groups that have historically been left out or underserved by the news; working to bring diverse community voices to all of our journalism; and expanding our stories about everyday life and people in the Chicago area.</p><p>This has translated into centering voters in our election coverage, with our <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/10/17/23405150/poll-suntimes-wbez-pritzker-biden-trump-bailey-2024-presidential-election-november-white-house" target="_blank" >Sun-Times/WBEZ poll</a>, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2022/illinois-primary-voting-guide" target="_blank" >voter guide</a> and <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2022/10/20/23404472/peoria-illinois-voters-issues-pulse-heartland-election-2022-pritzker-bailey-democrat-republican" target="_blank" >Pulse of the Heartland</a> series, in which we spoke with voters around the state about the issues they care about most. It was embodied in our holiday guide, chock full of <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/holiday-guide-2022" target="_blank" >things to do</a> throughout the season — and prominent Chicago chefs’ personal <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/16/23462602/chicago-chefs-share-holiday-dishes-recipes" target="_blank" >go-to holiday recipes</a>.</p><p>It has included writing more stories about Chicago life, including <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2022/6/17/23149999/neenah-foundry-manhole-covers-sewer-grates-catch-basins-cast-iron-chicago-wisconsin-infrastructure" target="_blank" >manhole covers</a>, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/10/16/23393276/cta-chicago-transit-authority-ghost-buses-trains-service-problems" target="_blank" >ghost trains</a>, the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/21/23466269/rosehill-cemetery-deer-herd-wildlife-coyote" target="_blank" >deer herd at Rosehill cemetery</a>, the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/10/20/23390842/robot-food-delivery-uic-university-illinois-chicago-starship-doordash-grubhub-ubereats" target="_blank" >robots now rolling all over the UIC campus</a>, the city and county’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/23/23458130/chicago-illinois-resilient-communities-guaranteed-income-profiles-cash-assistance-500-month-poverty" target="_blank" >guaranteed income pilot programs</a>, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/8/27/23324646/chicago-street-takeovers-drifters-far-south-downtown-underground-stunts" target="_blank" >illegal street takeovers</a>, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2022/7/18/23201078/cps-public-schools-librarians-misinformation-budget-cuts-pandemic-literacy-reading-books" target="_blank" >the lack of libraries at CPS schools</a>, a <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/11/11/23451699/outlaws-motorcycle-club-mongol-nation-biker-gang-war-david-santillan-tony-os-studio-31-lounge" target="_blank" >biker war</a> brewing between Mongol Nation and the Outlaws, the Chicago twins who helped <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/el-chapo" target="_blank" >bring down El Chapo</a> and <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/soccer/2022/11/18/23464798/where-watch-world-cup-in-chicago-2022-bars" target="_blank" >watching the World Cup in Chicago</a>, especially the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/2022/11/22/23473110/world-cup-chicago-mexico-poland" target="_blank" >Mexico-Poland match</a>.</p><p>We’ve continued to watch out for Chicagoans — and hold power accountable — with stories about a <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/2022/10/12/23343310/check-fraud-washing-mail-postal-service-usps-bank-fraud" target="_blank" >“check washing”</a> scam impacting thousands of Chicago-area residents, Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/6/23196579/patrick-daley-thompson-sentenced-tax-charges-lying-regulators-washington-federal-bank" target="_blank" >criminal trial and sentencing</a>, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/9/23/23352921/chicago-police-department-violence-crackdowns-summary-closures-bars-downtown-liqrbox-carmen-russo" target="_blank" >inequitable police shutdowns of bars</a> due to crime, <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/2/23191977/pandemic-profits-allstate-state-farm-progressive-geico-auto-insurance-coronavirus-covid-refunds" target="_blank" >car insurance companies reaping windfalls</a> during the pandemic but returning very little money to consumers, among just a few examples. </p><p>We’ve also been showcasing more voices from the community via op-eds and <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-the-editor" target="_blank" >letters to the editor</a> (<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/13/23486422/sun-times-opinion-letters-editorial-board-reader-feedback" target="_blank" >read more about this from Lorraine Forte</a>, the editorial page editor), as well as our question of the day on <a class="Link" href="https://twitter.com/suntimes" target="_blank" >Twitter</a> and <a class="Link" href="https://www.facebook.com/thechicagosuntimes/" target="_blank" >Facebook</a>. </p><p>But we’re just getting started. I would love to hear from more of you, more often. You can email me directly at <a class="Link" href="mailto:jkho@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >jkho@suntimes.com</a>, and I’ve been answering at least one reader email every day. I’m also here to help answer your general questions about news. If you include “Ask the Editor” in the subject line, your email could be selected to appear in the Sun-Times.</p><p>I’m looking forward to experiencing my first full year in Chicago, which I hope will include meeting many of you. Thanks for reading! </p><p></p><p></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/12/16/23495779/jennifer-kho-2022-year-review-journalismJennifer Kho2022-10-06T04:01:00-05:002022-10-07T12:59:58-05:00The Sun-Times’ new chapter: Our digital content is now free for everyone
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-ab0002" name="image-ab0002"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4413366/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/e2372ab/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/39e8897/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="Chicagoans gather at Cloud Gate, better known as the Bean." srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/39e8897/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/20fbeeb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/39e8897/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x1684+0+316/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FIuVrKEstnc8VifanunxTB-sLQr4%3D%2F0x0%3A3000x2000%2F3000x2000%2Ffilters%3Afocal%281394x1203%3A1395x1204%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F24085567%2FPARKCURFEW_052022_7.jpg" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
<div class="Figure-content"><figcaption class="Figure-caption"><p>If you love Chicago and believe everyone deserves access to information about our community, from our community, you can help us tell Chicago’s stories. </p></figcaption><span class="line"></span><div class="Figure-credit"><p>Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times</p></div></div>
</figure>
<p>In recent years, Chicago has proven its reputation as an exceptional news town — one in which residents care passionately about its future and invest in its success. Our city has become known as a <a class="Link" href="https://localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu/posts/2022/01/10/chicago-news/" target="_blank" >hub of innovation for local news</a>. This year alone we’ve seen a number of great examples: <a class="Link" href="https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/07/city-bureau-gets-10-million-to-make-public-meetings-more-public/" target="_blank" >City Bureau’s Documenters</a> program, which trains people to document public meetings, is expanding nationally. <a class="Link" href="https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/09/27/block-club-chicago-awarded-1-6-million-grant-from-mccormick-foundation-to-launch-investigative-team/" target="_blank" >Block Club Chicago is building an investigative reporting team</a>. South Side Weekly and the Hyde Park Herald merged to form a South Side–focused nonprofit newsroom. </p><p>And in January, the Chicago Sun-Times became a nonprofit newsroom as part of Chicago Public Media. </p><p>The nation is watching what happens here to see whether Chicago can be a model for how to defend and rebuild local news. And it’s all thanks to you, the people of Chicago. </p><div class="RichTextSidebarModule Enhancement" data-module data-align-floatRight><a class="AnchorLink" id="module-080000" name="module-080000"></a>
<div class="RichTextSidebarModule-title">La Voz Sidebar</div>
<div class="RichTextModule-items RichTextBody"><br><i>Lea este artículo en español en </i><a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/la-voz/" target="_blank" ><i>La Voz Chicago</i></a>, <i>la sección bilingüe del Sun-Times.</i><br><div class="Enhancement" data-align-center>
<div class="Enhancement-item" data-crop="">
<figure class="Figure"><a class="AnchorLink" id="image-variant-4d0001" name="image-variant-4d0001"></a>
<picture data-crop="medium">
<source type="image/webp" width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/41658d2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c1d1fef/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 2x" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<source width="490"
height="275"
data-srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png" data-lazy-load="true" srcset="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
/>
<img class="Image" alt="la-voz-cover-photo-2.png" srcset="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9394520/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png 2x" width="490" height="275"
data-src="https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9358d2b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/827x464+450+0/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fdb%2F5b%2F6253c4875f0d5c83b00d803fc377%2Fla-voz-cover-photo-2.png" data-lazy-load="true" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4="
>
</picture>
</figure>
</div>
</div></div>
</div><p>Because of you, our great city has a real chance to buck the alarming trend of local news shrinking nationwide. Between late 2019 and May 2022, 360 newspapers closed in the U.S., according to a <a class="Link" href="https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2022/06/newspapers-close-decline-in-local-journalism/" target="_blank" >June report from the Medill School of Journalism</a>. A quarter of the country’s newspapers have closed since 2005, the study found, with <a class="Link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/04/local-newspapers-news-deserts" target="_blank" >two more closing every week</a> — and Illinois has lost the most news outlets of any state during this period. The industry has seen a 70% decline in newsroom employees since 2006. The research also shows that local news really matters. When communities lose their local news coverage, they experience <a class="Link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/07/04/local-newspapers-news-deserts" target="_blank" >more corruption, pollution and poverty</a>, and even experience a <a class="Link" href="https://www.cjr.org/local_news/local_reporters_decline_coverage_density.php" target="_blank" >decline in voter turnout</a>. </p><h3>Providing the news for everyone</h3><p>As a reader of the Chicago Sun-Times, you turn to us for the news you need to thrive. For timely, accurate and fairly reported stories on the issues that matter most. For stories that celebrate and honor the members of our community, from victories on the field to remembrances of lives well lived. Our journalists care about your community because it’s our community, too. And we strongly believe that everyone in the Chicago area should have access to the news, features and investigations we produce, regardless of their ability to pay. </p><p>So today, we are dropping our paywall and making it possible for anyone to read our website for free by providing nothing more than an email address. Instead of a paywall, we are launching a donation-based digital membership program that will allow readers to pay what they can to help us deliver the news you rely on.</p><p>It’s a bold move: Reporting the news is expensive, and the converging market forces of inflation and an <a class="Link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/02/business/global-recession-fears-explained" target="_blank" >anticipated</a> (or possibly <a class="Link" href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/are-we-in-a-recession/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20general%20definition,in%20the%20summer%20of%202022." target="_blank" >already here</a>) recession could further <a class="Link" href="https://www.cjr.org/local_news/local_reporters_decline_coverage_density.php" target="_blank" >endanger local newsrooms</a> like ours. But we know it’s the right thing to do. </p><p>For the Sun-Times’ next chapter to be successful, it is essential for us to be truly open and inclusive so we can tell the stories that matter to all parts of our community. A membership program connects our revenue model more closely to how well we serve our community, holding us accountable to you, our readers. We think that’s a good thing, because if we’re not serving you, we’re not doing our jobs. So we’re taking a leap of faith and putting our trust in you.</p><p>If you love Chicago and believe everyone deserves access to information about our community, from our community, please help us tell Chicago’s stories. </p><p>You can participate in two ways: 1) Support the Sun-Times by <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/become-a-member" target="_blank" >becoming a founding member</a> today at suntimes.com/member and 2) Submit a letter to the editor about your community based on one of the following prompts: </p><p></p><ul><li id="7VJkaC"><b>Tell us a story</b>: Describe a moment that has made you feel especially proud of your community, or a moment that brought your community together.</li><li id="MhEgjQ"><b>Correct the record</b>: What do people miss — or misunderstand — about your community?</li></ul><p>Your letter to the editor — we’re hoping to get them from all of our city’s great neighborhoods — should be 200-400 words, sent to us at <a class="Link" href="mailto:letters@suntimes.com" target="_blank" >letters@suntimes.com</a>. </p><p>Or, share your story on social media (in any medium) with the hashtag #CSTforall.</p><p>We hope you will join us as we write the Sun-Times’ next chapter together!</p><p><i>Nykia Wright, Chicago Sun-Times CEO</i></p><p><i>Jennifer Kho, Chicago Sun-Times executive editor</i></p><p><i>Celeste LeCompte, Chicago Public Media chief audience officer</i><br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2022/10/6/23389729/paywall-sun-times-dropping-news-journalism-nykia-wright-jennifer-kho-celeste-lecompteNykia WrightJennifer KhoCeleste LeCompte2022-07-05T18:46:55.301-05:002022-07-06T14:42:47-05:00Here’s why we ran a photo of Highland Park shooting victims
<p>When Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/5/23194659/highland-park-mass-shooting-fourth-july-parade-lynn-sweet" target="_blank" >arrived on the scene of the Highland Park shooting moments after it had occurred</a>, she took photos on her phone that included pictures of victims who had been shot to death. We considered for more than 24 hours — consulting fellow journalists, journalism ethics experts and other leaders, in multiple meetings — whether or not to use any of those images, weighing the journalistic value of documenting this tragedy against the potential impact to the families of the victims. We waited to make sure the victims had been identified and next-of-kin notified, waited to get more information from the police and to see what other documentation might arise.</p><div class="RelatedList Enhancement" data-module data-align-center>
<div class="RelatedList-title">Related</div>
<ul class="RelatedList-items">
<li class="RelatedList-items-item">
<a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/5/23194659/highland-park-mass-shooting-fourth-july-parade-lynn-sweet" target="_blank" >LYNN SWEET: I was at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade. I saw the horror unfold.</a>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>The <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/4/23194354/highland-park-fourth-july-parade-gunfire" target="_blank" >mass shooting during the Fourth of July parade </a>in Highland Park is one of the worst in Illinois history, with at least seven people killed and more than 30 injured. It is one of <a class="Link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2022/07/04/us-mass-shootings-hover-near-record-breaking-levels/?sh=498f57b85f62" target="_blank" >more than 300 mass shootings</a> in the U.S. so far this year. And the weapon was a high-powered rifle, as was used in many other mass shootings, notably one in which 21 were killed and 17 injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in May. These weapons are among those at the center of public debate about gun policy nationally. </p><p>Violent crime and gun violence rank among Americans’ top five concerns, according to a recent <a class="Link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/05/12/by-a-wide-margin-americans-view-inflation-as-the-top-problem-facing-the-country-today/" target="_blank" >Pew Research Center survey</a>, making this a key public issue. And as journalists, it is our job to provide our community with the best information we can so our readers can more fully understand what’s happening around them, and make important decisions as part of the democratic process. In the end, we decided that it was important to document the incredible toll that a shooter with an AR-15 style weapon was able to exact in mere seconds.</p><p>Photos of these types of mass shootings are rare because most happen within closed walls, not in public outdoor spaces, and it’s also rare to have a journalist on the scene just moments after the attack. In this case, other images have not been forthcoming, so these may be the only images of the Highland Park shooting available. We believe that information about these shootings serves a strong public interest, and that an image — in this case — can convey far more information than any words. </p><p>At the same time, we know that graphic images can add to the trauma victims’ families are already experiencing. It is also important to minimize the invasion of privacy as much as possible. For now <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/5/23194659/highland-park-mass-shooting-fourth-july-parade-lynn-sweet" target="_blank" >we decided to run just one image</a>, in which victims’ faces were covered, and to use it in the most limited way possible. This meant cropping the photo to show less of one victim’s exposed body, reducing the resolution so as not to focus too sharply on personal details and preventing the image from being downloaded. We also don’t plan to use this photo repeatedly, but believe it is important to publish now, amid the high public interest in this shooting.</p><p>This is also just the beginning, and not the end, of our coverage. We plan to do more reporting on the victims’ lives, not only their deaths, and to continue to cover public policies around crime and guns, as well as the underlying causes of violence.<br></p>
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2022/7/5/23195582/highland-park-parade-shooting-lynn-sweet-photo-image-editors-note-fourth-julyJennifer Kho