Bio
Chicago based reporter for The New York Times, Reuters, Block Club Chicago, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Chicago Magazine, NME (New Music Express) and more
JUL 14, 2021
A year after Illinois became the first state in the union to take advantage of the Federal Reserve’s Municipal Liquidity Facility, the state it well on its way of paying it back, a legislative budget scorekeeper reported this month.
Illinois on pace to pay off Fed loans early as revenue continues to outshine expectations
A year after Illinois became the first state in the union to take advantage of the Federal R...
AUG 17, 2020
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses reporters about protections for downtown businesses amid looting concerns.Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a new, beefed up plan to prevent future looting both in the city’s downtown business district and in its neighborhoods.
City rolls out new measures to protect downtown business district from widespread looting
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses reporters about protections for downtown businesses amid...
AUG 10, 2020
Calling it a “make or break moment for the state of Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced a new proposal Friday that would level fines of up to $2,500 for businesses that don’t enforce face covering rules for employees and customers.
Businesses that don’t follow mask rules can face $2,500 fines under new Pritzker proposal
Calling it a “make or break moment for the state of Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker introduced a ne...
AUG 07, 2020
Attempting to seize on an opportunity afforded to by the bad press Commonwealth Edison has received since being charged with bribery in federal court, advocates in support of the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) introduced a revamped package that they say will move Illinois closer to 100 percent renewable energy.
Revamped Clean Energy Jobs Act could be brought to the statehouse floor as soon as November, advocates say
Attempting to seize on an opportunity afforded to by the bad press Commonwealth Edison has receiv...
AUG 06, 2020
Teachers and parents pushed back against the district's plan to have most kids in school for two days per week.
CHICAGO — The city’s public schools will start the year Sept. 8 with all kids taking online, remote classes, officials announced Wednesday, reversing a previous decision to begin with some in-class instruction.
The move comes after weeks of pushback from teachers, parents and community members, who worried the district’s plan — to have a hybrid model where most kids would spend at least a few days in school — would expose children, families and faculty to coronavirus.
Chicago Public Schools Will Start With All-Remote Learning On Sept. 8
Teachers and parents pushed back against the district's plan to have most kids in school for two ...
AUG 06, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on unemployment benefits and statewide Covid-19 cases during a press conference on WednesdayGov. J.B. Pritzker blamed federal regulators for allowing widespread unemployment fraud to flourish in Illinois, saying the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has flagged more than 100,000 cases of fraud this year.
Pritzker blasts feds for ‘massive holes’ in unemployment system, opening door to fraud
Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on unemployment benefits and statewide Covid-19 cases during a...
AUG 05, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaking at a press conference to announce funding for the construction of a new inland port in Cairo.Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday that the state will provide $40 million through the Rebuild Illinois capital plan to build a new inland port in Cairo, saying the project would create jobs and establishing the area as a global shipping hub.
Pritzker announces $40M to build ‘game-changing’ inland port in downstate Cairo
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaking at a press conference to announce funding for the construction of a...
AUG 04, 2020
A suspect has been arrested in the murder of 9-year-old Janari Ricks and the Cabrini Green community played a key role in the arrest, Chicago Police officials said Monday.
Speaking to reporters Monday outside the Near North (18th) Police District, Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said a suspect is in custody and police are working with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine charges. He stressed that the main reason for the quick arrest was neighbors who spoke up.
Chicago struggles with continued shootings of children in neighborhoods
A suspect has been arrested in the murder of 9-year-old Janari Ricks and the Cabrini Green commun...
AUG 03, 2020
Seeking to close what he considers a loophole allowing illegal firearm sales, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation to increase restrictions on ammunition sales in Illinois.
To slow violence, Cook County Sheriff Dart Turns to restrictions on ammunition sales
Seeking to close what he considers a loophole allowing illegal firearm sales, Cook County Sheriff...
JUL 22, 2020
The statue of Stephen Douglas, and the Chicago park named in his honor, are currently in question.Separate movements are underway to remove a statue of Civil War-era Illinois Sen. Stephen Douglas from where it stands in Bronzeville, and to rename the neighborhood and park both named in his honor on the city’s Southwest Side.
Stephen Douglas, who debated Lincoln, could be coming down in Bronzeville, Douglas Park
The statue of Stephen Douglas, and the Chicago park named in his honor, are currently in questi...
JUL 22, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker launches a roads and bridges plan that will continue through 2026.Gov. JB Pritzker announced a multi-year, $21.2 billion roads and bridges improvement plan Tuesday to improve infrastructure in Illinois.
Speaking in Collinsville, Pritzker said the plan will ensure the state remains a transportation hub for years to come.
Pritzker announces six-year, $21 billion infrastructure roads and bridges plan
Gov. JB Pritzker launches a roads and bridges plan that will continue through 2026.Gov. JB Prit...
JUL 21, 2020
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin calls challenger Mark Curran “disgusting” after Curran blasts the late John Lewis, calling him “not much of a civil rights leader.”A war of words has begun between U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and his Republican challenger Mark Curran after Curran on Sunday criticized U.S. Rep. John Lewis as “not much of a civil rights leader.”
Durbin blasts Republican challenger for calling John Lewis “not much of a civil rights leader”
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin calls challenger Mark Curran “disgusting” after Curran blasts the late Jo...
JUL 21, 2020
Expanding voting access for the 2020 general election was discussed for more than an hour at the monthly meeting of the Illinois Board of Elections Monday.
The state law that went into effect June 16 expands mail-in voting in anticipation of social distancing and other restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic that may make in-person voting more challenging.
The state law that went into effect June 16 expands mail-in voting in anticipation of social distancing and other restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic that may make in-person voting more challenging.
Illinois Board of Elections on Monday focused on vulnerabilities of vote-by-mail ballots
Expanding voting access for the 2020 general election was discussed for more than an hour at the ...
JUL 17, 2020
On Thursday, the Illinois Tollway Authority awarded more than $200 million in construction contracts.The Illinois Tollway Authority on Thursday approved spending nearly $200 million on I-294 construction along with another $45 million to go towards toll revenue and maintenance services.
Tollway Authority approves $151M for I-294 work to contractor with past ethics issue
On Thursday, the Illinois Tollway Authority awarded more than $200 million in construction cont...
JUL 17, 2020
Illinois Liquor Control Commission Director Chima Enyia is asking Gov. JB Pritzker for more inspection agents in its enforcement division to ensure bars and restaurants are safe for the public during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also said Thursday he is revamping training for current employees to stay up to speed with the virus.
Illinois Liquor Control to Pritzker: We need more inspectors
Illinois Liquor Control Commission Director Chima Enyia is asking Gov. JB Pritzker for more insp...
JUL 16, 2020
The deadline for politicians to submit their quarterly campaign disclosure reports to the Illinois State Board of Elections a minute before midnight Tuesday showed many donations from developers, union organizations, and management firms to state legislators and Chicago alderman.
Second quarter of Illinois campaign disclosures reveals CTU spending nearly $100,000
The deadline for politicians to submit their quarterly campaign disclosure reports to the Illinoi...
JUL 16, 2020
: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expands regions to give state more flexibility in case of an outbreak.To ensure Covid-19 cases do not rise in Illinois as it has in other states across the U.S., Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new mitigation plan Wednesday focusing on the state’s 11 Emergency Medical Services Regions (EMS).
In rebuke to Trump, Pritzker warns wearing masks, Covid data are not “political acts”
: Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expands regions to give state more flexibility in case of an outbre...
JUN 25, 2020
Two Chicago Alderman are looking for more support for an ordinance they recently introduced that would ban all flavored tobacco products that they say target the youth market, especially in communities of color.
Ban on flavored tobacco products on the table of the Chicago City Council
Two Chicago Alderman are looking for more support for an ordinance they recently introduced that ...
JUN 24, 2020
The Chicago Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight met Tuesday to discuss an Inspector General audit from February that concluded it was unclear if a $5 million juvenile intervention program is doing its job in reducing youth recidivism.
In hearing over audit findings, some aldermen find juvenile support center a “waste of money”
The Chicago Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight met Tuesday to discuss an Inspector Gene...
JUN 24, 2020
The Cook County Public Defender and several activist groups filed suit against the city of Chicago Tuesday for denying people in police custody access to legal counsel and phones.
Cook County Public Defender sues city for alleged CPD rights violations during protests
The Cook County Public Defender and several activist groups filed suit against the city of Chicag...
Bio
Chicago based reporter for The New York Times, Reuters, Block Club Chicago, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Chicago Magazine, NME (New Music Express) and more
