Review: 'Two Sisters and a Piano' at Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre's staging of Nilo Cruz's 'Two Sisters and a Piano' delivers genuine peaks but struggles to sustain them in an uneven yet admirable production.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Politics
The latest politics coverage from Chicago and Chicagoland.
Chicago Mayor's Budget Director Got Illegal Property Tax Breaks
Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget director Annette Guzman collected illegal property tax breaks for five years on a South Loop condo she no longer lived in.
By Michael Kowalski ★
2026 Chicago Humanities Festival Lineup & Dates
Padma Lakshmi, Veronica Roth, Michael Pollan and more headline the 2026 Chicago Humanities Festival running March 24 through June 28.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Illinois Primary Election Day: Key Races to Watch
Illinois voters head to the polls in a primary election with competitive races for U.S. Senate, Cook County Board President, and Cook County Assessor.
By Michael Kowalski ★
SNAP Work Requirements Hit Older Chicagoans Hard
New SNAP work requirements now apply to adults up to age 54, hitting older Chicagoans on the South and West sides especially hard amid limited job prospects.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Mayor Johnson Fights to Protect Chicago Tipped Wage Phaseout
Mayor Brandon Johnson calls freezing Chicago's subminimum wage phaseout 'irresponsible' as a City Council vote looms on Wednesday.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago City Council Video Gambling Battle Takes New Turn
Chicago's License Committee rejected ward-by-ward video gambling bans requested by six mayoral allies, defying the longstanding aldermanic prerogative tradition.
By Michael Kowalski ★
CTA Riders Shoved onto L Tracks Once a Month, Data Shows
A Sun-Times analysis found 60+ riders shoved onto CTA L tracks since 2021, averaging roughly one incident per month on Chicago's train system.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Faces $27M Settlement in Deadly Police Chase Case
Chicago taxpayers may pay $27M to settle a deadly 2017 police chase case after the city's appeal backfired, tripling the original $10M jury verdict.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Developer Owes CTA $1M+ in Back Rent and Late Fees
Scott Goodman's Farpoint Development owes the CTA over $1 million in back rent and $11 million in late fees tied to a West Loop office lease.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Brooks Baldwin Sidelined by Elbow Inflammation
White Sox outfielder Brooks Baldwin has been out since March 6 with right elbow inflammation, putting his Opening Day availability in doubt.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Housing Authority Moves to Strip Board Member's Voucher
Chicago Housing Authority seeks to revoke Commissioner Debra Parker's housing voucher over fraud allegations, while also pushing for her removal from the board.
By Michael Kowalski ★
City Colleges of Chicago Students See Higher Graduation Rates
New research shows City Colleges of Chicago support program participants are graduating at higher rates and landing better-paying jobs than peers.
By Michael Kowalski ★
CTA Expands Safety Plan to Protect Federal Transit Funding
The Chicago Transit Authority unveiled a new security package with increased police presence and stricter enforcement to safeguard hundreds of millions in federal funds.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Security Guard Dies Breaking Up Fight at Hubbard Inn
Bryan Watson, 35, died after being pushed down stairs while breaking up a fight at Hubbard Inn. Police released the suspect without charges, sparking scrutiny.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Hamilton Returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre Review 2026
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre through April 26, hitting harder than ever amid America's shifting political landscape.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Craft Brewery Closures 2026: What's Behind the Wave
Five Chicago-area breweries have closed or announced closures in early 2026, leaving the local craft beer industry on edge about what comes next.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicagoan Francisco Duilior Rebuilds Life After Deportation
After three decades in Chicago's Little Village, Francisco Duilior was deported to Mexico, revealing the human cost of immigration enforcement in 2026.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Security Guard Dies After Being Pushed Down Stairs at Hubbard Inn
A 35-year-old security guard died after being pushed down stairs during a fight at Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood early Monday.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Midway Blitz Spring Sequel Shows No Signs of Materializing
Federal threats to repeat Chicago's 'Midway Blitz' immigration enforcement surge this spring have not materialized, continuing a pattern of rhetoric outpacing action.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Chicago Stands Alone Among Major Cities in Giving Mayor Council Leadership and Veto Powers
Chicago operates under a unique governance structure that concentrates unusual power in the mayor's office, making it the only major American city where the mayor both presides over the City Council and holds veto authority, according to an analysis of municipal government structures.
By Michael Kowalski ★
New Federal Tax Law Raises SALT Deduction Cap to $40,000, Benefiting Illinois Homeowners
Illinois taxpayers will see significant changes to their federal tax returns following the passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which raised the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for most filers.
By Michael Kowalski ★
Immigrant Rights Groups Launch Statewide Anti-ICE Campaign
Over 400 advocates gathered at Chicago Food Depository to demand stronger protections from federal immigration enforcement in communities of color.
By Danielle Okonkwo ★
Labor, Senate leader oppose Pritzker pension reform plan
Gov. J.B. Pritzker's proposal to fully fund Illinois' $143 billion pension shortfall by 2048 meets resistance from organized labor and Senate President Don Harmon.
By Christine Fahey ★
Cubs closer Palencia poised for bullpen role amid roster moves
Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia could reclaim the closer role after impressing coaches during winter workouts, as the team sorts out bullpen roles before spring training.
By Maria Santos ★
Reilly Challenges Preckwinkle for Cook County Board President
Downtown Alderman Brendan Reilly takes on 16-year incumbent Toni Preckwinkle in March 17 Democratic primary, targeting property tax system failures.
By Danielle Okonkwo ★
Chicago Bulls face former center Vucevic in Celtics uniform
Nikola Vucevic returns to the United Center in a Boston Celtics uniform to face his former Chicago Bulls teammates for the first time since his trade.
By Darnell Washington ★
CPS investigates slavery reenactment complaint at school
Chicago Public Schools is investigating a parent's complaint that her child's history lesson included a slavery reenactment at a South Side elementary school.
By Maria Santos ★
River North developer leads fundraising race for Davis' seat
Real estate developer builds early fundraising advantage in Democratic primary to replace longtime Rep. Danny Davis in Chicago's 7th Congressional District race.
By Darnell Washington ★
Iowa pitches stadium funding to lure Bears from Chicago
Iowa lawmakers introduce stadium funding bill aimed at luring the Chicago Bears away from Soldier Field, though the team remains focused on Chicago-area options.
By Maria Santos ★
Legal teams help thousands restore suspended licenses
Volunteer lawyers help thousands of Chicago drivers restore licenses suspended for unpaid fines, breaking a cycle that traps low-income residents without transportation.
By Darnell Washington ★
Northwestern probes hate symbols found on Evanston campus
Northwestern University is investigating hate symbols found on its Evanston campus, the latest bias incident at Chicago-area universities this year.
By Maria Santos ★
Bears' Thuney wins NFL Protector award in league honors
Chicago Bears guard Joe Thuney won the NFL's Protector award for outstanding pass protection in his first season with the team after signing from Kansas City.
By Darnell Washington ★
Dems list 10 ICE reforms before DHS funding deal
Congressional Democrats demand 10 ICE reforms before agreeing to fund DHS, including limits on workplace raids and arrests at schools, affecting Chicago enforcement.
By Darnell Washington ★
Weese tower gets $25M atrium overhaul to attract tenants
Loop building owners plan $25M atrium renovation at Harry Weese-designed 1 North Wacker Drive tower to attract tenants in competitive downtown office market.
By Darnell Washington ★
Chicago indie music venues struggle as only 25% turn profit
New study reveals 75% of Chicago's independent music venues operate at a loss, threatening cultural anchors in neighborhoods from Wicker Park to Logan Square.
By Maria Santos ★
Ninth cold-weather death reported as Chicago shelters strain
An 86-year-old woman's death brings Chicago's cold-related fatalities to nine this winter as shelter capacity struggles to meet demand during sub-zero temperatures.
By Maria Santos ★