West Loop

Weather

Chicagoans get creative to keep pets cool

The city’s heat index — a measurement of how hot it feels when humidity is factored in — reached 105 degrees in some parts of the city Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

By Violet Miller

Pitchfork Music Festival

Pitchfork Music Festival 2023: Entry rules, how to get there, livestream

Pitchfork Music Festival will take over Union Park in the West Loop Friday through Sunday. Here’s what you need to know if you plan to go.

By Katie Anthony

Justin Vernon and the rest of Bon Iver headline Pitchfork Music Festival on July 23.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2023: 10 acts you don’t want to miss

By Selena Fragassi - For the Sun-Times

Site superintendent Anthony Spizzirri speaks to F.H. Paschen interns and Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) at the future Damen Green Line stop.

Education

CPS engineering scholars tour L stop project, ponder possible careers

The Paschen Engineering scholars from Westinghouse College Prep toured the upcoming Damen Green Line stop just north of the United Center. The station is expected to open next year.

By Michael Loria

Crime

Man killed, another wounded in West Loop shooting

The two were in the 1100 block of South Des Plaines Street when they were shot just after midnight.

By Sun-Times Wire

Protesters outside Illinois state offices at 555 W. Monroe St. on Thursday, June 29, 2023.

News

Immigrant advocates slam Pritzker for cutting health care program for noncitizens

As of Saturday, people ages 42 to 64 no longer are eligible to join a Medicaid-like program for noncitizens. Those already enrolled will now have co-pays.

By Michael Loria

Police body camera video shows the 2019 raid on the home of Anjanette Young.

The Watchdogs

Anjanette Young search among at least 21 ‘wrong raids’ by Chicago police from 2017 through 2020; poor records hide true number

The botched 2019 police raid on Young’s apartment prompted reforms. More changes are coming — ‘encouraging,’ City Hall Inspector General Deborah Witzburg says.

By Frank Main

Sections of North Clark Street, from West Grand Avenue to West Kinzie Street, blocked off for expanded outdoor dining, photographed on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

Food and Restaurants

Outdoor dining program could become permanent

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s version, endorsed Tuesday by the License Committee, requires annual approval from local alderpersons before restaurants and bars are allowed to set up. The full City Council could pass it on Wednesday.

By Fran Spielman

Exterior of the McDonald’s headquarters building in Chicago’s Fulton Market district.

City Hall

No honeymoon for Brandon Johnson — at least not with Fulton Market Association

Just as the new mayor settled into his first full workday at City Hall, Fulton Market restaurant owners and business and community leaders were making demands.

By Fran Spielman

Chicago

Sean Grusd, portrayed as a junior Bernie Madoff, could face 6 years for $23 million Chicago scam

He lived the high life in the West Loop but now has pleaded guilty to fraud. Investor John Stafford III and real estate exec Patrick Buck are among those who say they were victims of his schemes.

By Frank Main

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News

Man shot, wounded in West Loop

The man was in the 500 block of West Taylor Street when another man drove up in an ATV and shot him, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Three people were killed in separate crashes across the Chicago area during a winter storm early Saturday.

West Loop

Man and woman found dead in South Loop

The man, 47, and the woman, believed to be between 50 to 55, were found in the 1100 block of South Desplaines Street about 9 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

2024 Democratic National Convention

‘A game-changer’: Chicago City Council members, residents react to return of Democratic convention

The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday morning that Chicago will host the 2024 convention next August. Chicago beat out New York and Atlanta.

By Catherine Odom and Mitchell Armentrout

A man was fatally struck by a driver Mar. 25, 2023 on the Near West Side.

Crime

Driver runs stop sign, kills pedestrian in West Loop hit-and-run

The man was taken to Stroger Hospital with blunt force trauma to his body and was pronounced dead, police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Crime

Man seriously wounded in West Loop shooting

He was shot in the 200 block of North Aberdeen Street early Sunday morning.

By Sun-Times Wire

Jessica Tapper with her children Matteo Agostini and Violet Agostini at their Oak Lawn home. Violet holds a photo of father Matthew “Turk” Agostini, who died of COVID-19 complications in November 2020, weeks before Matteo was born.

These are some of the lives forever changed by COVID-19

By Stefano Esposito and Mariah Rush

Two armed robberies were reported about the same time Friday night in the West Loop.

Crime

Armed robbers strike twice in West Loop

The robberies were reported in the 300 block of North Peoria and the first block of North Green.

By Sun-Times Wire

Chicago

Student groups protest Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk appearance at UIC over anti-LGBTQ views

Protesters say Candace Owens and Charlie Kirk promote anti-LGBTQ views. ‘I think it’s disgusting that the university has these people on campus,’ one student said.

By Emmanuel Camarillo

Nikko Washington stands inside his art installation, “Battle Royale: The New Vanguard Installation 01,” which is about how boxers are “glorified and dehumanized through the media,” according to the exhibit’s description, at the WNDR Museum in the West Loop.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park native brings ‘Battle Royale’ installation to WNDR Museum

The New Vanguard and the museum partnered for “Creatives of Color,” a rotating exhibition spotlighting four Chicago artists. Nikko Washington’s installation highlights the dehumanization of famous boxers.

By Mariah Rush

Two candidates running in the newly redrawn 34th Ward (from left) lJim Ascot and Bill Conway.

Elections

Big changes ahead for 34th Ward: New City Council member — and new digs 15 miles from longtime home

Two candidates unproven in the world of city government are fighting to be the first alderperson of the completely redrawn 34th Ward.

By Sophie Sherry

Aleta Clark, the founder anti-gun violence group Hugs No Slugs, sits in the lobby of a downtown hotel.

News

Angered by canceled hotel stay, advocate for homeless men now plans her own shelter

Dr. Aleta Clark brought the group, who normally live in tents in Pilsen, to stay at a hotel for a month. After the hotel canceled the reservations, Clark decided she would carry out a dream to open a transitional housing center.

By Michael Loria

Pablo Serrano stands in front of his mural “Creative Cultural Chemistry of Democracy” at Ashland Avenue and Hubbard Street in the West Loop.

Pablo Serrano wants you to get closer to this West Loop mural

By Katie Anthony

Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” is the theme behind a pop-up headed to the West Loop.

Food and Restaurants

Taylor Swift ‘Bad Blood’-inspired pop-up coming to Chicago

The Electric Garden in the West Loop will feature the pop-just in time for the “anti-Valentine’s season” and more.

By Vanessa Lopez

The Chicago Tribune printing plant, the city’s choice for a Bally’s casino. The stretch along the North Branch of the Chicago River is the city’s next corridor for growth.

Chicago Enterprise

For city’s next growth spurt, follow the money to north-northwest corridor

The city touts its Invest South/West initiative, but the real action is on the other side of town.

By David Roeder

Steam rises from Lake Michigan obscuring the view of the Chicago skyline, as brutal cold temperatures are recored in Chicago, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.

Weather

Chicago tries to keep warm as temperatures, wind chills plunge

“It’s my first winter out here and it’s damn cold,” said Theodore Thompson, 61, after enduring a brutal Thursday night of subzero temperatures in a tent near the Dan Ryan Expressway.

By Michael Loria and Stefano Esposito

Willie Parker, 66, who is experiencing homelessness and lives in an orange tent under a viaduct on West Fulton Street between Clinton and Canal streets in West Loop, stands beside his tent. The City of Chicago tagged the tents, which were donated by Andy Robledo, with notices stating they will be removed from the area if the tents are not cleared on November 3 at 9:30 a.m. “at that time or any later day or time.” Robledo and his supporters gathered that morning to stop the potential eviction.

News

West Loop homeless on edge as city threatens to discard donated tents

‘We’re waiting for the city to come with a wrecking crew and come and confiscate the tents,” said Willie Parker, 66, who lives in a tent in a Fulton Street viaduct.

By Michael Loria

Hundreds of protesters surround the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park Friday night.

News

Columbus Day arrives, and still no Columbus statues

In August, the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans demanded that Columbus statues be returned to Grant and Arrigo parks by Columbus Day and protected at city expense. It didn’t happen, but the two sides are talking.

By Fran Spielman

McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski speaks during a luncheon hosted by the Economic Club of Chicago at Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022.

Business

‘What is the plan?’ McDonald’s CEO asks about city’s crime problem

The company is adding 100 jobs to its West Loop headquarters, but the city’s crime is making recruiting talent difficult, McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempczinski said Wednesday.

By Mitch Dudek

A soon-to-open Circle K store at 190 W. Madison St.

Business

Battle of the convenience stores: Circle K moves into downtown

The chain is leasing locations in and near the Loop, taking advantage of available space to expand its brand here.

By David Roeder

Dominique Sabbs with Marquette Park Running Crew warms up on Marquette Park’s running track.

News

Neighborhood running clubs get people on their feet

Chicago Area Runners Association received $25,000 to fund free 5Ks and neighborhood running clubs formed in honor of Ahmaud Arbery.

By Michael Loria