Chicago election turn out hits recent low
By Laura Furr and Emily Hoerner Updated at 11 p.m. Chicago voter turnout for the 2015 municipal election was the lowest it has been in recent history, beating out the 2007 low of 33.1 percent. According to the Chicago Board of Election’s unofficial summary 32.7 percent of the city’s 1.42 million registered voters showed up […]
Emanuel vows to “get back out there” as Garcia forces runoff
By Elizabeth Elving and Sara Romano Updated 11:16 p.m. Mayor Rahm Emanuel pledged to supporters at his election party Tuesday night that “we will get back out there” as he prepares for a runoff against Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia on April 7. Emanuel fell short of the majority needed to win outright, […]
Cubs in Vegas: Unconditional Loyalty
By Eric Clark The Chicago Cubs opened their offseason with 40-to-1 odds to win the 2015 World Series – and then they started making waves. The club fired manager Rick Renteria, hired heralded manager Joe Maddon and signed coveted starting pitcher Jon Lester. But after two straight last-place finishes in the National League Central, one […]
Mayoral candidates offer few specifics on housing issues
By Stephanie Choporis Three out of Chicago’s five mayoral candidates failed to offer specifics during a forum Tuesday on how they would provide more affordable housing if elected to office, but some at the event said they thought it was informative. Candidates Bob Fioretti, William “Dock” Walls and Willie Wilson fielded questions on supervision of […]
Wal-Mart workers to see $9 wage minimum
By Lucy Ren Wal-Mart Stores Inc. announced on Thursday that approximately 500,000 associates at its U.S. stores would receive a minimum hourly pay of $9 in April, a 24 percent increase from today’s federal minimum wage. Wal-Mart U.S. will increase its minimum monthly wage by another dollar by next February. According to President and Chief […]
No tax hikes in Rauner’s budget proposal
By Meredith Wilson Gov. Bruce Rauner presented a balanced budget to the Illinois Legislature on Wednesday that did not include a single tax hike. The proposed state budget for fiscal year 2016 is $31.5 billion, a decrease of 21 percent from the $38.2 billion agencies reported needing for fiscal year 2016, known as the maintenance […]
Child hunger makes learning difficult, especially in harsh winter
By Emily Hoerner For Chicago’s food insecure children, this season’s blistering cold temperatures may present additional barriers to learning in the classroom. When weather is especially harsh, people turn to food services like pantries, soup kitchens and shelters more frequently, said Jim Conwell, communications director at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
VIDEO: Obama to designate Pullman as first national monument in Chicago
By Adriana Cargill President Obama will arrive this Thursday in the Pullman Historic District to officially designate the neighborhood as the first national monument in Chicago. Pullman will join the ranks of the Statue of Liberty in telling the nation’s story. Related Stories President to dedicate Pullman Park as Chicago’s first national monument George Pullman […]
Electronic health records help the healing
By Mary Lee Ocean-themed décor splashes the walls of La Rabida Children’s Hospital in a room filled with bright, plush chairs contoured like the candy Dots. But perky colors can’t erase the worry on Maria Gallegos’ face as she sits in the room waiting for her 6-year-old daughter to finish her appointment. She’s lost count of the routine check-ups after […]
Archbishop Cupich celebrates first Ash Wednesday in the Loop
By Ellen Kobe Archbishop Blase Cupich presided over Mass Wednesday, giving ashes to guests at St. Peter’s in the Loop. Cupich was installed as the leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago in November, and this service marked the start of his first Lenten season in the city. Beginning at 6 a.m., hundreds of people filed […]