Belmont Cragin

How we are deciding what's news — by soliciting your input

Our ongoing conversations about what matters most to Chicago area residents — and how we can provide you with information that helps you and our communities thrive — are key to our editorial strategy, writes Sun-Times executive editor Jennifer Kho.

By Jennifer Kho

Erika Boyd, mother of Nathen Jones, speaks to reporters on Monday, March 18, 2024.

City Hall

$52.75 million price tag? City Council OKs settlements tied to police abuse, wrongdoing

The largest of the settlements — for $45 million — goes to Nathen Jones, who suffered a massive traumatic brain injury after an unauthorized police chase. The settlements were approved at a Council meeting that also saw Mayor Brandon Johnson introduce an ordinance authorizing drawing of boundaries for a security footprint around the Democratic National Convention.

By Fran Spielman

The Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 26th and California.

City Hall

City to consider $5.5 million payout to wrongfully convicted man who now faces kidnapping charges

Ricardo Rodriguez was released from prison in 2018, after saying he was framed by CPD detective Reynaldo Guevara. A year later, prosecutors claim, he joined a bungled ransom plot.

By Andy Grimm

News

Two police officers injured in Belmont Cragin crash

Officers responding to a call in the 2300 block of North Laramie Avenue about 7:02 p.m. Monday swerved to avoid hitting two people on a scooter. The squad car struck a parked car and caught fire.

By Sun-Times Wire

A protected bike lane on Augusta Boulevard.

Transportation

Record number of Divvy rides, more bike lanes made 2023 an ‘incredible’ year for cycling in Chicago, city official says

Last year, the city transportation department released its “Cycling Strategy,” billed as a “community-driven approach” to creating a “more connected, healthy and sustainable” city, with the goal of “designing and implementing 150 miles of bikeways in the coming years.”

By Fran Spielman

Crime

1 killed, 1 critically injured in scooter-car crash in Belmont Cragin

Two men were on a gas-powered scooter in the 2300 block of North Cicero Avenue about 12:42 a.m. Monday when they hit the side of a gray sedan, police said

By Violet Miller

Jeremiah Watson stands for a photo near the Citgo at 76th and S South Chicago on the South Side, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023. Watson was robbed as he walking to the Citgo Gas Station in October.

The Watchdogs

Chicago is seeing largest spike in robberies in over 20 years, analysis shows

Nearly 4,900 robberies happened between July 1 and Nov. 26, a more than 55% increase compared to the previous five months. That’s the largest percentage increase in robberies between consecutive five-month periods since at least 2001.

By Sophie Sherry and Alden Loury

Crime

Man shot in Belmont Cragin dies

A 23-year-old man was shot in the 2900 block of North Neenah Avenue about 1:24 p.m. Monday, police said. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

By Sun-Times Wire

Cultures worldwide claim some variation on the fritter, but apple belongs to the Midwest. Kelli Stanko for WBEZ

Taste

Apple fritter season in Chicago is here — five local spots for these yummy fried treats

The familiar fall delights are within reach of almost every Chicago neighborhood — and most are under $5 apiece.

By Contributor

A child was hurt in a shooting March 18, 2022, in Cragin.

Crime

Man found beaten to death in Belmont Cragin

An autopsy released Tuesday found the man died of traumatic brain injuries from an assault. His death was ruled a homicide.

By Sun-Times staff

Crime

Suspect shot in home invasion in Belmont Cragin

About 12:45 p.m., a 39-year-old man entered a home in the 2100 block of North Meade Avenue. He was shot twice in the chest by a man inside the home, Chicago police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Cook County health officials reported the first probable case of monkeypox June 25, 2022 in suburban Forest Park.

Crime

Man shot, killed in fight in Belmont Cragin

Miguel Huerta, 34, was fighting with someone about 11:40 p.m. Saturday when the other person pulled out a handgun and opened fire, authorities say.

By Sun-Times Wire

News

Man, woman die days after Belmont Cragin fire

Ismael Romano, 45, and Margarita Romano, 65, were both pronounced dead Thursday morning, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

By Sun-Times Wire

Immigration

Family fights potential deportation of longtime Northwest Side resident

Francisco Panuco lived in Belmont Cragin for 18 years before ICE detained him on May 31. Friends and supporters have since rallied to keep him in Chicago.

By Michael Loria

Oscar Cayetano, a 23-year-old father of three who was released from prison at the beginning of this year and has had help getting back on his feet through the Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative, stands in Garfield Park on the West Side.

Chicago

Program is ‘one stop shop’ for navigating life after prison

The Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative connects returning citizens to whatever they need, from completing parole mandates to finding health care and a job. Leaders say they’ve had a successful first year, but need to grow.

By Michael Loria

Elections

Gardiner, Villegas headed to runoff as incumbents (mostly) cruise in Northwest Side wards

James Gardiner faced several scandals in his first term on the City Council; Jessica Gutierrez is poised for a runoff to replace Ariel Reboyras after falling 300 votes short in 2019.

By Andy Grimm and Allison Novelo

Brenda Correa, 16, a student at ITW David Speer Academy, left, watches as Gonzalo Garcia, center, is handed a check for nearly $19,000 by Alonso Zaragoza, who runs the Belmont-Cragin United Facebook page, near the scene where Garcia was attacked by students while he was selling food earlier last week. Correa and Zaragoza both helped raise over $18,000 through GoFundMe to help with costs related to Garcias attack.

News

$19,000 raised for food cart vendor who was beaten, robbed

High school junior Brenda Correa, with the help of Belmont-Cragin United, started the GoFundMe campaign to make up what Gonzalo Garcia lost when he was attacked.

By Clare Spaulding

Jeremy Cuebas, Zair Manjivar, Brian Rivera and Yuan Moreno pose for a photo on the bike lane north of Riis Park in the Belmont Craigin neighborhood

Belmont Cragin

Belmont Cragin youth victorious after two-year fight brings bike lanes to neighborhood

The Chicago Department of Transportation plans to add more than 12 miles of bike lanes in Belmont Cragin. More lanes are coming to nearby Hermosa, as well.

By Manny Ramos

Electa Bey (left) and Hiwotenshe Bekele found few people interested in learning about government programs for rental and mortgage assistance.

Columnists

Knocking on doors across Chicago, they’re aiming to help people stave off eviction

The Communities United canvassers are part of the Chicago Flats Initiative, organizations working to save the city’s dwindling supply of two- to four-flat buildings.

By Mark Brown

Maritza Bandera and her partner Roberto Parra walk to their car with their kids Gabriel Parra, front, and Eliel, back, outside their home in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood.

City Hall

Longtime Chicagoans fear hot housing market could drive them out

In June, the median list price of homes in Belmont Cragin was $360,000, up 19% from June 2020, according to Realtor.com. But high demand led to overbidding, driving the median sale price even higher — to $375,000

By Manny Ramos