Pro-choicers aim to lift limits of 40-year-old federal abortion access law
By Anna Foley In 1976, Congress passed the Hyde Amendment, the law that placed heavy limitations on using federal money for abortion. The law may have just turned 40, but it’s still facing serious contention today. Pro-choice advocates say the law is particularly damaging to specific groups of American women and aim to repeal it. “It […]
What matters to Chicago voters in 2016?
By Max Greenwood and Aryn Braun Photos by Raquel Zaldivar Voters from around Chicago flocked to precincts Tuesday to cast their ballots in the 2016 primary elections. But what’s driving them to the polls? Medill Reports asked Chicagoans what issues they think are important and what voting means to them. Earl Moore, 21 Englewood “No. […]
Protesters inside shut down Trump rally, ‘take back’ Chicago
By Aryn Braun Four days before Tuesday’s primary election, Chicago dumped Donald Trump. Instead of the Trump rally at UIC Pavilion going as planned Friday evening, thousands of protesters went undercover, posing as Trump supporters to gain entrance and blindsiding those thousands who were excited to see their candidate speak. ‘We have a large city […]
Syria and Central America test the magic line between refugees and immigrants
By Aryn Braun and Meggie Morris By 2015, millions of Middle Eastern and Central American people had fled violence in their home countries only to have their progress blocked by nations sworn to help them. International immigration processing systems that have traditionally provided a path to safety are now crumbling as thousands of families leave […]
“Wall” trumps policy in Republican race
By Aryn Braun and Meggie Morris Despite frequent jokes about Donald Trump’s proposed wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, immigration lawyers and experts warn political rhetoric has perilously consumed the national debate surrounding border control, immigration and national security. “The border, in my mind, has turned into a political campaign commercial,” said Edward Alden, a senior […]
Protests plague Anita Alvarez’s campaign
By Aryn Braun and Meggie Morris At a community forum on gender-based violence in Chicago on Wednesday, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez was hounded on all fronts, on stage by competitor Donna More, and in the audience by protesters confronting her at all three of her campaign appearances this week. The event started smoothly […]
A tale of two cities: how education trumps war in Chicago and Reyhanli
By Aryn Braun “There are lots of Syrians in Chicago like me, second-generation Syrians,” says Samia Akhras, 24, of Chicago’s growing Syrian Community. But Chicago isn’t home. Chicago isn’t Syria. Syrian-Americans, like Akhras and her family, are constantly reminded of the violence and upheaval that is everyday life in the Syrian Arab Republic. Akhras’ voice, […]
Coalition calls for special prosecutor in Jason Van Dyke murder case
By Aryn Braun and Misha Euceph Video by Kierra Gray In a petition filed this morning, 27 interested parties called for a special prosecutor in the trial of police officer Jason Van Dyke, citing Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez’s close ties to the Fraternal Order of Police as a “conflict of interest.” The petitioners, […]
State’s attorney race: Alvarez ally defects to Foxx
By Thomas Vogel and Aryn Braun Kim Foxx’s quest to unseat Anita Alvarez as Cook County State’s Attorney got a big boost Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) pledged his support. “There’s a lot of distrust, mistrust out there,” Gutierrez said. “We need to heal that.” Citing lack of transparency in the controversial Laquan McDonald […]
Chicago at center of renewed war on abortion
Text By Aryn Braun Video By Hannah Gebresilassie The battle over abortion rights raged last weekend in Chicago, when competing protests clashed over the legality and morality of abortion in the United States. Abortion rights activists lined up at the corner of Adams and Dearborn in 4-degree weather Sunday to protest Chicago’s March for Life, […]
