Pastor Dollie Sherman: Building Community One Block at a Time

By Patrick Andriesen

07/10/2026

From transforming a couple vacant lots into thriving gardens to connecting residents with jobs, Pastor Dollie Sherman has spent decades proving that lasting change starts on the block.

Chicago homicides lowest in more than 10 years

By Grace Hansen

07/02/2026

The number in the year ended in May was the fewest since 2014.

From tragedy to transformation: Kevon Williams and the fight for opportunity on Chicago’s West Side

By Patrick Andriesen

05/29/2026

Kevon Williams does workforce and community work on his native West Side of Chicago.

‘We are our own medicine’: Austin community groups take development into their own hands

By Jess Plowman

05/29/2026

Clabe Johnson wants to instill a sense of community in the neighborhood’s young men.

Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital

By Patrick Andriesen

08/20/2024

Chicago for the 12th year is America’s murder capital. The deadliest areas are not far from the Democratic National Convention, with at least one a moderate walk from the United Center and others that can be visited on a city-sponsored tour.

TAGS: DNC: Democratic National Convention

Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent

By Patrick Andriesen, Jon Josko

05/24/2024

Assaults were up 6.7% for the 12 months ending in April as confrontations became more violent. Black Chicagoans were more than 5 times more likely to be assault victims than their white counterparts.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate

By Patrick Andriesen

03/28/2024

Chicago saw more robbery victims in 2023 than in any year of the past decade, reporting 1 victim for every 250 residents. While crimes surged, robbery arrests hit a record low. Fewer cops is not helping.

TAGS: Chicago, crime

Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side

By Dylan Sharkey, Jon Josko

03/20/2024

Voters on the South Side and West Side of Chicago supported Mayor Brandon Johnson just a year ago. They just vehemently rejected his plan to raise the real estate transfer tax, which threatened businesses and lacked details about easing homelessness.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gets little support for migrant tent camps

By Jess Plowman

11/22/2023

Voters, community residents and some aldermen are upset with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over how decisions to place migrant tent camps have been handled. Voters polled were 63% opposed to 28% in support of the winter tent plan.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Chicago

2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union

By Vincent Caruso

10/18/2019

Records show two Cook County Board members representing Chicago-area districts have each collected more than $100,000 from the Chicago Teachers Union atop their $85,000 commissioner salaries.

TAGS: Brandon Johnson, Cook County, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, Larry Suffredin

Austin

Pastor Dollie Sherman: Building Community One Block at a Time

Chicago homicides lowest in more than 10 years

From tragedy to transformation: Kevon Williams and the fight for opportunity on Chicago’s West Side

‘We are our own medicine’: Austin community groups take development into their own hands

Democratic delegates need not go far to see why Chicago is U.S. murder capital

Chicago crime: Assaults up 6.7% past 12 months, more violent

Chicagoans suffer decade-high robberies, record-low arrest rate

Chicago mayor loses tax hike support on South Side, West Side

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson gets little support for migrant tent camps

2 Cook County commissioners each collect over $100K from Chicago Teachers Union

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students