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 […]

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, […]

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

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, […]

Southsiders want say in search for city’s next top cop

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By Aryn Braun Still reeling from the fallout after recent police shootings on the South and West sides, residents vented their frustration at a Chicago Police Board meeting in Englewood Tuesday, calling for more involvement in the search for a new police superintendent. “The superintendent’s job is not a title,” said Jack Sullivan, 60, of […]

For women vets, it’s back to business

By Aryn Braun Hazel Beck, U.S. Navy veteran and Director of Chicago’s new Veterans Business Outreach Center, sees the jump from military service to civilian entrepreneurship as a logical next step. “Veterans are very well-positioned as they’re exiting the military, to become business owners because they’ve got the skills, the experience, critical thinking, problem solving, team […]

Activists pressure city officials as London is released

Gloria Pinex and members of One Chicago in City Hall

By Aryn Braun, Thomas Vogel and Bian Elkhatib Video by Emiliana Molina and Brooke Rayford Activist groups gathered at City Hall Wednesday to galvanize support for coming weekend protests. They criticized City Council’s Black Caucus, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez for failing to respond effectively to the death of Laquan […]

Gov. Rauner’s refugee ban reaps backlash

Refugee ban backlash

By Aryn Braun Refugee-resettlement agencies condemned Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to temporarily ban Syrian refugees from settling in Chicago and vigorously defended the current U.S. vetting processes, in a press conference in Uptown on Nov. 18. “This to me is personal. . . You’re telling us that Syrian refugees are escaping war and terror…and […]