Chicago

Health

Howard Brown, union reach tentative agreement after 17 months of negotiations

The contract would include raises across the union body — including annual wage increases — a new minimum wage of $19.23, insurance for part-time employees, two weeks of paid leave for gender-affirming care, a union rights clause and protections against layoffs, among other things.

By Violet Miller

Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III sits with Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Rainbow PUSH Convention on July 18, 2023.

Politics

Quick exit by Rev. Jesse Jackson's replacement raises questions about future of Rainbow PUSH

It’s still not clear why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III, a Texas megachurch pastor, suddenly resigned Tuesday as president of the legendary South Side social justice organization. But longtime observers say an out-of-towner was doomed from the start.

By Mitchell Armentrout

News

Top dogs: Here are Chicago's most popular breeds

The most common dog breed in Chicago — making up about 14% of all registered dogs — is a mixed-breed dog, followed by pit bulls, Labrador retrievers and German shepherds.

By Amy Qin and Matt Kiefer

Marijuana

4/20 is Saturday: What you need to know for weed's 'high' holiday

Read on to find out about how 4/20 came about, some frequently asked questions about Delta-8 weed alternative and a weed syndrome that causes vomiting, and some events that fall on the high holiday.

By David Struett

Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates

City Hall

Chicago Teachers Union demanding 9% annual raises, won't rule out a strike

Having former CTU organizer Brandon Johnson in the mayor’s office won’t keep the union from walking out if needed, CTU President Stacy Davis Gates told the Sun-Times, adding that “We’re a labor union that understands the power of solidarity and the power of work stoppage.”

By Fran Spielman

Politics

Watchdog group asks feds to probe Trump over $50 million 'nonexistent' loan to his Chicago company

Noah Bookbinder, president of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said in a letter to the FBI and Justice Department that it’s possible the loan, connected to the development of the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, may be “nonexistent.”

By Lynn Sweet

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LGBTQIA+

Pride Parade will now allow participants from schools, organizers say

A teacher says Nettelhorst School will help “coordinate” a group of schools into one entry after six schools had been denied participation when organizers scaled back the popular parade.

By Mariah Rush

The Recording Academy's 2024 Special Merit Awards Ceremony

Music

The Clark Sisters, Chandler Moore among Chicago Gospel Music festival lineup

The event on June 1 at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park kicks off the 20th anniversary festival season at the lakefront venue.

By Miriam Di Nunzio

Politics

Cook County approves sending up to $70 million to Chicago to feed migrants

Commissioners widely supported sending cash to the city, but raised concerns about making sure the city uses the money for its intended use.

By Kristen Schorsch | WBEZ Chicago

The Shedd Aquarium will undergo a $500 million transformation beginning this summer and culminating with the Shedd’s 100th anniversary in 2030.

Work

Shedd Aquarium workers form union

In an open letter, staff cited work-life imbalance, financial struggles and lack of communication from management, among other grievances as reasons for unionizing.

By Amy Yee

Columnists

Chicago was once the heart of country music

The WLS National Barn Dance, which predated the Opry by two years, was first broadcast 100 years ago Friday, on April 19, 1924.

By Neil Steinberg

Dexter Reed Shooting

In case of Dexter Reed, killed by cops in traffic stop, court filings, family detail struggle with mental health

Court documents and police records offer more details about the man killed last month in a shootout with police in Humboldt Park.

By Tom Schuba and Rosemary Sobol

Crime

Man charged in slaying of 74-year-old man in Greater Grand Crossing

Shermain Sargent, 41, is accused of beating Timothy Ash, 74, on Jan. 7 in the 6400 block of South King Drive. Ash died Jan. 12 of injuries suffered from the assault, the medical examiner reported.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

3 University of Chicago students held up near campus

The students were approached by people with guns Wednesday afternoon and robbed. No one was hurt. University police will ‘maintain an increased presence’ following the incidents.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

Residential building in Pilsen collapses in blaze

Chicago Fire Department crews responded to the fire around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 1300 block of West 16th Street. No injuries were reported. The fire was put out about 9:30 p.m.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

Emergency assistance center connects residents to services following Back of Yards mass shooting

Chicago police and community organizations gathered at Richard J. Daley Academy to provide information about available services to people affected by violent crimes.

By Cindy Hernandez

Education

What does Springfield's selective-enrollment bill mean for Chicago Public Schools?

The proposed legislation is the latest and most significant backlash to a December declaration by the Board of Education that it would no longer prioritize selective schools, refocusing resources to neighborhood schools burdened by years of cuts and underfunding.

By Nader Issa

Columnists

$2 million federal grant to address damage to the West Side by the Eisenhower Expressway

The apartment where Lynn Sweet’s father once lived was demolished to make way for the expressway. President Joe Biden has launched a new program to reconnect communities split by expressways such as the Eisenhower.

By Lynn Sweet

Environment

Early spring warming could be having an effect on bird migration: “A lot more, a lot earlier”

Bird experts say temperature fluctuations could impact available food supply and the timing of arrivals.

By Jessica Ma

Crime

Person fatally shot in Brighton Park

The person, only identified by police as a male, was near an alley about 2:15 p.m. Wednesday in the 4600 block of South Washtenaw Avenue when he was shot in the chest, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Walter "Slim" Coleman (center) speaks at a rally in the Loop called to protest an immigration raid in Little Village in 2007.

Obituaries

Walter 'Slim' Coleman, 'supreme organizer' who helped elect Mayor Harold Washington, dies at 80

Mr. Coleman led countless demonstrations in his six decades as an activist. “Slim believed the real power was in organization, putting people in the streets and packing people into government meetings,” said friend Michael Klonsky.

By Mitch Dudek

City Hall

Retired firefighter meets 911 call-taker who helped save his life: 'God was resting on your shoulders'

Chicago fire communications operator Amanda Garr and retired Chicago firefighter George Ma’Ayteh met for the first time Wednesday morning, months after Garr instructed 911 caller Paula Anast how to save Ma’Ayteh’s life through CPR.

By Mohammad Samra