Category: Chicago

Murder Rate Jumps in US in 2020, Especially in Cities

The murder rate significantly increased in the United States in 2020, particularly in major metropolitan areas, according to newly released crime data. Cities with a population of 1 million or more saw a 32.2 percent increase in homicides, according to figures released by the FBI that are drawn from local sources. Every area, including rural…


Murder Rate Rose Sharply in US in 2020, Especially in Cities

The murder rate significantly increased in the United States in 2020, particularly in major metropolitan areas, according to newly released crime data. Cities with a population of 1 million or more saw a 32.2 percent increase in homicides, according to figures released by the FBI that are drawn from local sources. Every area, including rural…


Gun Range Has Unique Training Approach Amid Chicago Violence

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.—It’s been an interesting year for Joseph Stanford to take over a gun range business near Chicago. He bought a struggling gun range in Bridgeview, about 15 miles southwest of Chicago, in January 2020. The pandemic hit, closing him down. Then a wave of violence hit Chicago. The city ended 2020 with about 4,000 shooting…


Chicago Teachers Union Tells Members Not to Reveal If They Received COVID-19 Vaccine

The Chicago teachers union in a recent letter advised members to keep secret whether they’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine. “Last week, Chicago Public Schools announced a new Board Rule allowing it to instruct all employees to provide CPS their vaccination status by tomorrow. Remember, CPS made this request without notifying or negotiating with the Union,”…


Chicago River Dyed Green in Surprise Move by City’s Mayor

CHICAGO—The Chicago River was dyed a bright shade of green Saturday after Mayor Lori Lightfoot reversed an earlier decision not to tint the waterway for second year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Crews on boats began dumping green dye into the riverfront about 7 a.m. after Lightfoot authorized the dyeing ahead of St. Patrick’s Day,…


2 Killed, 10 Wounded at Party on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO—Gunfire erupted at a party on Chicago’s South Side early Sunday, killing two people and wounding 13 others, authorities said. Officers responded at around 4:40 a.m., police spokesman Jose Jara said in a statement. Those shot were between the ages of 20 to 44. Jara earlier said 12 people had been shot, but police later…


Concealed Carry Holder, 69, Defends Himself Against 3 Alleged Robbers in Chicago, Shoots One

A 69-year-old concealed carry permit holder was able to defend himself from three alleged armed robbers in Chicago, officials said. One of the robbers was shot by the victim. Police in Chicago said that three suspects approached the victim on Tuesday and told him to hand over his belongings. The man then pulled out his…


Chicago Police Officer Finds Lost Wallet, Drives 2 Hours to Return It to Rightful Owner

When a Chicago police officer found a lost wallet one Friday in late February, he could have simply dropped it off at the station for the owner to collect. He didn’t have to cut time out of his weekend to drive 2 hours to return it to its rightful owner. But that’s what he did….


Chicago Loosens COVID-19 Restrictions, Raising Restaurant Capacity to 50 Percent

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that the city’s bars and restaurants can boost capacity to 50 percent and stay open longer, the latest move to loosen COVID-19 restrictions in response to what she said was continued adherence to public health guidelines. “We are further easing COVID-19 regulations on Chicago businesses,” Lightfoot said at a press…


Chicago Eases COVID-19 Restrictions, Boosts Restaurant Capacity to 50 Percent

Chicago’s restaurants and bars can boost indoor capacity to 50 percent and stay open longer, in the city’s latest move to ease COVID-19 restrictions in response to what Mayor Lori Lightfoot said was continued adherence to public health guidelines. “We are further easing COVID-19 regulations on Chicago businesses,” Lightfoot said at a press conference. “Effective immediately, indoor…