Here are the photos that helped us tell this year’s stories Sun-Times photographers captured the biggest storylines in the Chicago area. Here’s a look back at some of 2023’s best photos. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 28, 2023
Here are the top stories that made the news in Chicago in 2023 New arrivals and a new mayor grabbed city headlines while old political figureheads went down and long-standing conflicts flared up. The Sun-Times was there for it all. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 27, 2023
Brandon Johnson’s campaign fund has taken millions from unions with City Hall contracts The campaign contributions are legal, but failed mayoral candidate Willie Wilson wants them banned in mayoral races. Ald. Gilbert Villegas wants to limit contributions to city officials from unions with city contracts. Chicago Sun-Times · Dec 15, 2023
Ald. Ray Lopez running for Congress against Rep. Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia Ray Lopez, representing the 15th Ward on the Chicago City Council, plans to challenge U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia in the 4th Congressional District’s Democratic primary election in March. Chicago Sun-Times · Oct 3, 2023
City, FOP back to bargaining table to nail down rest of police contract, union president says The city’s lead negotiator is the one former Mayor Lori Lightfoot fired for doing a lengthy interview on a Chicago Sun-Times podcast where he essentially endorsed Paul Vallas over Brandon Johnson in the April 4 mayoral runoff. Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 14, 2023
Exploring The Impact Of A.I. On Political News And Elections Zenger News podcast discusses A.I.'s influence on news, misinformation, and the political media ecosystem. Zenger · Jul 31, 2023
15 stories for Ballotpedia’s 15th Anniversary – Day 3 Welcome to the Friday, July 28, Brew. Ballotpedia · Jul 28, 2023
Illinois lawmakers did the right thing by not renewing Invest in Kids school choice program if Illinois wants to get the best student achievement bang for its taxpayer buck, it should stop subsidizing the choice to send children to a private school. Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 9, 2023
Private meetings prevent public spats in Springfield Members of the Legislature can hammer things out behind closed doors ahead of public debates because the General Assembly has long exempted itself from the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Chicago Sun-Times · Jun 2, 2023
Johnson wins first test of City Council muscle By a 41-9 vote, Mayor Brandon Johnson reshaped the City Council in his progressive image. Chicago Sun-Times · May 24, 2023
Will Ramirez-Rosa’s new Council leadership roles be ‘big step forward’ for progressives — or kick in the pants to developers? If the new zoning chair and Council floor leader is more pragmatic than some of his critics expect, it could be a positive step for progressive politics in Chicago and developers. Chicago Sun-Times · May 8, 2023
Center court? Early appointments show Johnson may turn out to be a pragmatic progressive “Being a progressive is not just about saying things. It’s about doing things. That’s always been essential to [Johnson’s] understanding of how you govern,” said senior adviser Jason Lee. Chicago Sun-Times · May 7, 2023
Linda Lenz, kept generations of Chicago Public Schools parents informed through her nonprofit publication Catalyst, dead at 77 Ms. Lenz created a nonprofit model of reporting education news that has been replicated across the country. Chicago Sun-Times · May 1, 2023
Brandon Johnson not ready to clean house at City Hall, adviser says Don’t expect “wholesale, universal changes” in city departments, said Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Johnson’s mayoral campaign and transition team, citing a need for “at least some initial continuity so that we can make sure that government maintains its core functions.” Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 27, 2023
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 25, 2023 Foxx foregoes third term, potential finalists emerge in search for CPD’s interim leader and more in your Chicago news roundup Today’s update is about an eight-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 24, 2023 Accused of bilking Vallas campaign out of $680,000, consultant says allegations are ‘shameful and unfounded’ “In the end, the voters were right,” consultant Chimaobi Enyia said Monday. “Paul Vallas did not deserve to be the mayor of the city of Chicago.”
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 21, 2023 Vallas sues consultant who allegedly defrauded campaign out of $680,000 Chimaobi Enyia, hired to get out the vote in Black communities, is accused of being paid for work he refused to give an accounting of or return the money when confronted by mayoral candidate Paul Vallas.
Chicago Tribune · Apr 19, 2023 Paul Vallas outspent Brandon Johnson nearly 2-to-1 in losing mayoral bid CHICAGO — Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas outspent Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson by a nearly 2-to-1 margin leading up to Vallas losing in April in the race to become Chicago’s next mayor.
Chicago Tribune · Apr 19, 2023 Mayor takes Chicago police leaders to task amid questions on response to latest violent gathering of youths downtown CHICAGO — Outgoing Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot used a weekly meeting with police leaders Tuesday to demand answers for why officers seemingly struggled to control crowds of young people who gathered downtown over the weekend, damaging vehicles and leading to the circulation of viral videos of the chaos, sources familiar…
Chicago Tribune · Apr 16, 2023 How Black labor leaders propelled Brandon Johnson to the Chicago mayor’s office CHICAGO — One warm evening last July, SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer got a call out of the blue from Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, who wanted to meet.
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 14, 2023 Mayor-elect Johnson faces fiscal cliff in general operating budget Chicago’s fiscal challenges can’t be solved with smoke and mirrors
The Guardian - US · Apr 11, 2023 How Brandon Johnson won over Chicago’s youth to become mayor For a coalition of young voters and those from communities of color, Johnson represented the prospect of a refreshing change
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 10, 2023 There’s more to the story about low youth turnout in Chicago elections Voters aged 18-24 composed just above 3% of the total vote in both rounds of the election, an admittedly paltry figure. But turnout increased in that group, as well as in those 25-34.
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 9, 2023 By the numbers: How Johnson won the mayor’s race Sizable runoff wins in majority-Black precincts allowed Brandon Johnson to erase a 60,000-plus vote deficit from the February general election.
Chicago Sun-Times · Apr 8, 2023 Here’s the advice Obama just gave Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson The advice the former president had for the city’s new mayor-elect wasn’t about politics or policy.