Loop - Chicago Sun-Times

City Hall

Downtown video surveillance crackdown championed by Lightfoot slow to launch

The plan called for Chicago motorists who block bus lanes, bike lanes, crosswalks or loading zones to be nailed by surveillance cameras on CTA buses, light poles and other locations. But nearly a year after they were approved, the crackdowns haven’ t started — and won’t, until summer at the earliest.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

String of armed robberies reported between Lincoln Park, Loop and Austin

A string of 10 armed robberies began in Lincoln Park and moved west before hitting the Loop and ending in Austin.

By Sun-Times Wire

Authorities released these images of a man accused of stealing mail and vandalizing mail trucks in the Loop. He is one of up to four people being sought.

Crime

$100,000 reward offered for information leading to conviction of suspects in mail theft, vandalism in Loop

Three to four males are suspected of stealing mail and vandalizing mail trucks in recent days throughout the Loop.

By Sun-Times Wire

Police stand in front of a damaged white sedan near the House of Blues.

Crime

Chicago police officer charged with DUI in deadly crash outside House of Blues

The blood alcohol level of Tangie Brown, 40, was .093 when she was tested two hours after the Dec. 7 crash, prosecutors said. Responding officers didn’t offer the test at the scene.

By Matthew Hendrickson and Tom Schuba

Monterio Williams (left) and Robert Boston, both students at Innovations High School, were both shot and killed in the Loop Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

Crime

Mothers mourn sons killed in Loop shooting outside CPS high school: ‘I’m still calling his name’

‘I dropped my son off at school, and that was the last time I saw him alive,’ said Blondean Gartley, whose son, Monterio Williams, was shot and killed last week.

By Mary Norkol

A customer shops for Franco mints on March 16, 200, at Marshall Field’s State Street store.

Business

State Street Macy’s shutters basement candy department — but vows to always sell Frango chocolates

Sweets will remain for sale at the department store, including the beloved chocolates from the Marshall Field’s days. A new bulk candy shop is on the first floor.

By Phyllis Cha and Kaitlin Washburn

Crime

2 CPS high school students killed in Loop shooting. ‘It feels normalized when it shouldn’t be’

Robert Boston, 16, and Monterio Williams, 17, were students at Innovations High School, a CPS charter school at 17 N. State St., police said.

By Violet Miller, Mary Norkol, and 2 more

Springfield

Advocates make emotional plea for passage of bill aimed at seizing guns from those accused in domestic violences cases

Karina’s Bill would authorize judges to issue search warrants with orders of protection to remove guns. Current law has no guidance on guns. We need to strengthen our domestic violence laws now.’

By Sophie Sherry

Los robos ocurrieron entre las 7:20 y las 8:20 a.m. el jueves, según la policía. | Archivos Sun-Times

Crime

Woman found dead in Loop building

Cleaning staff found the woman, 40, late Monday night inside a business office in the first block of North Wacker Drive, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Washington

Biden to nominate Sunil Harjani to federal bench in Chicago

If confirmed, Sunil Harjani, a magistrate judge since 2019, would further the goal of Biden and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin to diversify the federal bench.

By Lynn Sweet

Trains were rerouted to the elevated tracks Sept. 20, 2019 from the Fullerton to Cermak-Chinatown stations.

Crime

Man arrested in stabbing on Red Line train in the Loop, police say

The stabbing occurred about 3:20 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of North State Street. The victim, a male of unknown age, was hospitalized in good condition.

By Sun-Times Wire

The menorah in Daley Plaza in the Loop is 31 feet tall and 18 feet wide. Since 1987, the city has celebrated Hanukkah with a lighting ceremony.

Religion

Chicago celebrates Hanukkah, lighting 31-foot-tall Daley Plaza menorah

On the fifth night of Hanukkah, a crowd gathered in the Loop for a menorah lighting and to celebrate light and life.

By Violet Miller

Courtroom sketch of six members and associates of the O Block faction of the Black Disciples street gang as they sit in the courtroom during the trial over the killing of rapper FBG Duck.

FBG Duck

In a twist, prosecutors in FBG Duck murder trial intend to bring up criminal records of their own witnesses

The trial has grown into a spectacle that’s spilled out of the Dirksen Federal Courthouse and onto YouTube accounts and rap blogs that draw millions of viewers worldwide.

By Tom Schuba

Chocolate brownies are made at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago using a recipe that’s over 100 years old. Executive pastry chef Walleska Cianfanelli is pictured.

Food and Restaurants

The brownie was invented in Chicago 130 years ago

Friday is National Brownie Day.

By Kaitlin Washburn

The city already leases space at 2 North LaSalle, but will be expanding its footprint there.

News

15-year Loop office lease for Environment Department, police oversight panel OK’d by City Council committee despite backlash

Expanding leased space near City Hall is crucial, Council committee members were told, but some members said that using vacant space in their wards would save money.

By Fran Spielman

A body was recovered from the Chicago River early Friday near the intersection of North Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive, officials said.

Crime

Body pulled from Chicago River in the Loop

Officials responded about 9:50 a.m. Friday to the area of North Michigan Avenue and East Wacker Drive.

By Kade Heather

A man sought in multiple Loop bank holdups.

Crime

FBI offers $1,000 reward for information on Loop bank robbery attempts

The FBI is searching for a man wanted in multiple bank holdups in the Loop every three to four weeks since September. In one instance, he had a gun.

By Sun-Times Wire

Members of Riverside Brookfield High School’s marching band perform as an inflatable Kermit the Frog floats in the background during the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on State Street in the Loop, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Chicago

Thousands flock to 89th annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade on State Street in the Loop

The return of giant balloons after a five-year absence wows the crowds, and bright crisp weather, marching bands and Santa and Mrs. Claus kept spirits festive.

By Mohammad Samra

City Hall

Noise cameras would help ticket downtown drivers with loud mufflers under proposed city ordinance

Backers of the pilot hope to address the negative health effects associated with loud noises — high blood pressure, depression and even heart attacks. Critics of the proposal say the cameras will target people who can’t afford car repairs and motorcyclists — and are really a cash grab by politicians.

By David Struett

A man gets into a confrontation with Chicago police officials Saturday during a pro-Palestine march.

Israel-Hamas War

Protester investigated for wearing CPD uniform at political rally clashes with police at 2nd demonstration

The man shouted at a police commander Saturday during a pro-Palestine march on Michigan Avenue, witnesses say.

By Frank Main

A man who appeared at a pro-Palestinian protest in downtown Chicago is being investigated for wearing a police uniform.

Man in Chicago police uniform at Palestinian march in Loop spurs internal investigation

By Frank Main

Thousands of people march in the Loop in downtown Chicago in support of the Palestinian people.

Israel-Hamas War

Gaza hospital attack was ‘done by the other team,’ Biden says, reiterates support of Israel

In Chicago, thousands gathered in Loop Wednesday in support of the Palestinian people.

By Sun-times Staff And Wires

BMO Harris’s Chicago headquarters, 111 W. Monroe St.

City Hall

La Salle Street revamp threatened by Johnson’s plan to declare record $434M TIF surplus, City Council members say

During Wednesday budget hearing, assurances sought from city planners that developers now fronting huge costs for revamp can count on the city to be their partner.

By Fran Spielman

Loop

Chicagoans celebrate Italian American heritage at annual Columbus Day Parade: ‘It’s time for everybody to be happy again’

The 71st annual parade honored the late Tony Bennett by naming his daughter, Antonia, as honorary grand marshal.

By Isabel Funk

Participants in the 2022 Columbus Day parade.

Chicago

Columbus Day parade will kick off at noon Monday

State Street will shut down for the parade, which is scheduled to step off at State Street and Wacker Drive, proceeding south from there to Van Buren Street.

By Sun-Times staff

A dead bird is seen outside McCormick Place Lakeside Center, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023.

Environment

About 1,000 birds killed after colliding into McCormick Place Lakeside Center in one ‘tragic,’ deadly night

The alarming death toll is just part of a larger danger facing migrating birds.

By Kaitlin Washburn

Chicago

Oak Lawn woman charged with murder in Loop stabbing of girl, 16

Egypt Otis, 18, faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Heaven Taylor, who surrendered to police Wednesday evening with help from a West Side pastor.

By Matthew Hendrickson

Las calles del centro y de muchos barrios estaban abarrotadas de gente que celebraba el Día de la Independencia de México durante el fin de semana. Aquí, cientos de personas llenan State Street frente al Teatro Chicago el viernes por la noche.

City Hall

Congestion, chaos from Mexican Independence Day crowds must be addressed, City Council members say

A downtown parade or festival would help Chicago avoid sporadic, ad hoc celebrations citywide that jammed streets and caused all sorts of problems.

By Fran Spielman

Loop

Family of school leader killed in high-rise upset after shooter released without charges: ‘He didn’t have to kill my brother’

“We’re hopeful that they’ll relook into this case and charge this man,” said the brother of Abnerd Joseph, an assistant principal at Intrinsic School who was shot after a confrontation between tenants last week.

By Violet Miller and Emmanuel Camarillo

Residentes en el centro celebran el Día de la Independencia de México el viernes por la noche.

News

Mexican Independence Day celebrations fill streets in downtown Chicago and beyond

The flood of car caravans caused traffic jams in the Loop and beyond, leading officials to close off some streets in the city center.

By Violet Miller