Macquline King Confirmed as Chicago Public Schools CEO
Macquline King received a standing ovation after her near-unanimous confirmation as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, promising to build a bridge of excellence.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Politics
The latest politics coverage from Chicago and Chicagoland.
CPS Board Approves Macquline King as Permanent CEO
The Chicago Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Macquline King as CPS CEO at $380,000, passing with just one dissenting vote.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Tipped Minimum Wage Battle Reaches Tipping Point
Chicago's fight over the tipped minimum wage divides labor activists and workers, as servers fear higher base pay could reduce their total take-home earnings.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Mayor Johnson Vetoes Chicago Tipped Worker Wage Freeze
Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed an ordinance freezing tipped workers at 76% of minimum wage, leaving the City Council four votes short of an override.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Cook County SA Rejects ICE Abuse Special Prosecutor Petition
State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke calls petition for special prosecutor to investigate ICE abuses 'baseless' and 'illogical' in Cook County court.
By Danielle Okonkwo ★
CHA Commissioner Debra Parker Drops Lawsuit, May Resign
Debra Parker dismissed her lawsuit over a revoked housing voucher and says she is now considering resigning from the Chicago Housing Authority board.
By Michael Kowalski ★
West Suburban Medical Center Closes Temporarily in Oak Park
West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park announced a temporary closure and furloughs, leaving patients and staff scrambling with no clear reopening timeline.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Loyola Student Murder Sparks GOP Attack on Chicago Sanctuary Policy
A Loyola University Chicago student's murder has reignited GOP criticism of Chicago's sanctuary city policies amid ongoing immigration enforcement debates.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Sheridan Gorman Killing: What to Know About the Case
Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot near campus in Chicago. Here's what we know about her death and the ongoing murder case.
By Michael Kowalski ★
ICE Agents at O'Hare: Pritzker and Johnson Push Back
Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson condemn ICE deployment at O'Hare, escalating tensions between Chicago officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Trump Reacts to Loyola Student Sheridan Gorman's Killing
Trump invoked Sheridan Gorman's killing to push mass deportations as suspect Jose Medina missed his court date due to hospitalization with tuberculosis.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Lebanese-Americans Mourn Losses From War in Lebanon
Chicago's Lebanese American community grieves as families process losses from conflict in Lebanon, navigating mourning, political betrayal, and displacement.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Cook County Board of Review Primary: Steele vs. Nicholson
Samantha Steele faces Democratic primary challenger Liz Nicholson in Cook County's Board of Review race, while George Cardenas battles Juanita Irizarry.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Lebanese Americans Mourn as 1 Million Displaced
Chicago-area Lebanese Americans grieve lost loved ones and seek ways to help as Israeli strikes displace over one million people in Lebanon.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Mayor's Budget Director Got Illegal Property Tax Breaks
Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget director Annette Guzman collected illegal property tax breaks for five years on a South Loop condo she no longer lived in.
By Michael Kowalski ★
2026 Chicago Humanities Festival Lineup & Dates
Padma Lakshmi, Veronica Roth, Michael Pollan and more headline the 2026 Chicago Humanities Festival running March 24 through June 28.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Illinois Primary Election Day: Key Races to Watch
Illinois voters head to the polls in a primary election with competitive races for U.S. Senate, Cook County Board President, and Cook County Assessor.
By Michael Kowalski ★
SNAP Work Requirements Hit Older Chicagoans Hard
New SNAP work requirements now apply to adults up to age 54, hitting older Chicagoans on the South and West sides especially hard amid limited job prospects.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Mayor Johnson Fights to Protect Chicago Tipped Wage Phaseout
Mayor Brandon Johnson calls freezing Chicago's subminimum wage phaseout 'irresponsible' as a City Council vote looms on Wednesday.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago City Council Video Gambling Battle Takes New Turn
Chicago's License Committee rejected ward-by-ward video gambling bans requested by six mayoral allies, defying the longstanding aldermanic prerogative tradition.
By Michael Kowalski ★
CTA Riders Shoved onto L Tracks Once a Month, Data Shows
A Sun-Times analysis found 60+ riders shoved onto CTA L tracks since 2021, averaging roughly one incident per month on Chicago's train system.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Faces $27M Settlement in Deadly Police Chase Case
Chicago taxpayers may pay $27M to settle a deadly 2017 police chase case after the city's appeal backfired, tripling the original $10M jury verdict.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Developer Owes CTA $1M+ in Back Rent and Late Fees
Scott Goodman's Farpoint Development owes the CTA over $1 million in back rent and $11 million in late fees tied to a West Loop office lease.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Brooks Baldwin Sidelined by Elbow Inflammation
White Sox outfielder Brooks Baldwin has been out since March 6 with right elbow inflammation, putting his Opening Day availability in doubt.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Housing Authority Moves to Strip Board Member's Voucher
Chicago Housing Authority seeks to revoke Commissioner Debra Parker's housing voucher over fraud allegations, while also pushing for her removal from the board.
By Michael Kowalski ★
City Colleges of Chicago Students See Higher Graduation Rates
New research shows City Colleges of Chicago support program participants are graduating at higher rates and landing better-paying jobs than peers.
By Michael Kowalski ★
CTA Expands Safety Plan to Protect Federal Transit Funding
The Chicago Transit Authority unveiled a new security package with increased police presence and stricter enforcement to safeguard hundreds of millions in federal funds.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Security Guard Dies Breaking Up Fight at Hubbard Inn
Bryan Watson, 35, died after being pushed down stairs while breaking up a fight at Hubbard Inn. Police released the suspect without charges, sparking scrutiny.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Hamilton Returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre Review 2026
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre through April 26, hitting harder than ever amid America's shifting political landscape.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Craft Brewery Closures 2026: What's Behind the Wave
Five Chicago-area breweries have closed or announced closures in early 2026, leaving the local craft beer industry on edge about what comes next.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicagoan Francisco Duilior Rebuilds Life After Deportation
After three decades in Chicago's Little Village, Francisco Duilior was deported to Mexico, revealing the human cost of immigration enforcement in 2026.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Security Guard Dies After Being Pushed Down Stairs at Hubbard Inn
A 35-year-old security guard died after being pushed down stairs during a fight at Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood early Monday.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Midway Blitz Spring Sequel Shows No Signs of Materializing
Federal threats to repeat Chicago's 'Midway Blitz' immigration enforcement surge this spring have not materialized, continuing a pattern of rhetoric outpacing action.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Stands Alone Among Major Cities in Giving Mayor Council Leadership and Veto Powers
Chicago operates under a unique governance structure that concentrates unusual power in the mayor's office, making it the only major American city where the mayor both presides over the City Council and holds veto authority, according to an analysis of municipal government structures.
By Michael Kowalski ★