All articles tagged with #chicago
Chicago and surrounding suburbs face multiple rounds of strong storms tonight through Tuesday, with large hail, damaging winds and a low tornado threat, plus possible flooding; after a record-warm day on Monday, temperatures drop later this week as more rain threats move in Thursday and Saturday.
Trader Joe’s has secured a permit to build out a store at 804 W. Montrose Ave. in Uptown, Chicago, signaling progress on plans to open a new Uptown location. The Uptown store would be the third Chicago location announced since October, with Logan Square and Fulton Market also in the pipeline. The company has previously sought liquor licenses for the Montrose site and said it is evaluating multiple Chicago locations, as its expansion accelerates even amid ongoing vacancy issues around Uptown storefronts.
An American Airlines flight from JFK to O’Hare was diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport after a disturbance onboard; FBI personnel responded to investigate and said there is no threat to the public as passengers deplaned safely, with the airline noting the crew’s professionalism and thanking customers for their patience.
Chicago’s long-running Broadway revival leans on stunt casting—celebrities with little or no theater background—to drive huge grosses, from Melanie Griffith and Usher to Ariana Madix. The article tracks which celebrity runs boosted ticket sales (Whitney Leavitt’s record week and extension) and which didn’t, noting that reality-TV stars have become a major recent draw while the show remains a decades-long box-office machine.
ROGERS PARK—Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman, 18, was killed early March 19 on the Tony Prinz Beach pier near Loyola Park after a man later identified as Jose Medina opened fire on her and her friends. Medina, charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, was ordered detained Friday by Circuit Judge D’Anthony Thedford, who called the crime horrible. Prosecutors say Medina hid behind a lighthouse and fired as the group fled; a 40-caliber handgun linked to the shooting was recovered from Medina’s North Sheridan Road apartment. Public defender Julie Koehler described Medina’s background—born in Venezuela, later living in Colombia, tuberculosis contracted in a migrant shelter, and developmental/medical challenges; she noted Medina takes eight medications. Medina had an active 2023 retail theft warrant; DHS issued an arrest detainer in the case. Gorman, a Loyola business student from New York, was remembered for kindness by classmates; the case has continued to fuel political debate about immigration policy.
Hundreds of teens swarmed Chicago’s Loop, triggering fights and chaos near State and Lake Streets and prompting a 10 p.m. curfew enforcement. Police arrested eight juveniles and issued 24 curfew violations; ages ranged from 13 to 16, with charges including misdemeanor reckless conduct and, for a 16-year-old, three felony counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer. One 15-year-old had an outstanding warrant. City leaders are considering stricter curfew rules as investigators assess the incidents and their causes, while officials cautioned the crowd dispersed after about 40 minutes.
Eight teens were arrested and about 20-plus violations issued after a downtown Chicago “teen takeover,” prompting renewed debate over citywide curfew powers. A 16-year-old faced three felony counts of aggravated assault on peace officers (along with other charges), while seven others aged 13–16 were charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct. The incident intensified discussions in City Hall about expanding curfew authority, even as officials warn current laws may already suffice; law enforcement and outreach teams dispersed the crowd, and debates over potential social-media and parental responsibilities continued amid a history of similar incidents downtown.
Chicago firefighter Michael Altman’s funeral was postponed after his wife went into labor. Altman, 32, died from injuries suffered in a Rogers Park apartment fire. Visitation is set for Thursday at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel; his wife Nora reportedly welcomed a healthy baby girl. The alleged arsonist, 27-year-old Sheaves Slate, is charged with murder and arson, and a fundraising drive for Altman’s family has reached nearly $600,000.
Hundreds of youths filled the Loop Wednesday night, drawing a heavy police and first-responder presence as clashes occurred near Wabash/Randolph and along State Street. Eight teens were arrested (seven aged 13–16 on misdemeanor reckless conduct; a 16-year-old faced three felony counts of aggravated assault on officers and a misdemeanor for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk) and 24 youths were cited for curfew violations. Community activist Sandie Norman described chaotic scenes; Ald. Brian Hopkins urged earlier, more flexible curfews, while Mayor Johnson says existing curfew laws were used and opposes snap curfews. The incident follows recent leadership changes in the city’s public safety office, fueling ongoing debate over how to curb similar incidents this summer.
A National Weather Service hazard outlook warns Thursday could bring severe thunderstorms to Chicago around the Cubs' home opener at Wrigley Field, with hail potentially exceeding 2 inches in diameter, along with 60 mph winds and lightning; the game (1:20 p.m. start) could be canceled, and fans are advised to stay indoors and follow updates on postponements. Forecasters expect rain late Wednesday into Thursday, with clearer skies and cooler temperatures by Friday, and March's earlier giant hail incidents underscoring the risk.
A Chicago alderwoman, Maria Hadden, faced backlash after suggesting Loyola University Chicago student Sheridan Gorman was killed because she was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time,’ while an illegal Venezuelan migrant, Jose Medina-Medina, is charged with the murder. Police say Medina-Medina stalked Gorman before shooting her near campus; critics argued Hadden was blaming the victim, a controversy intensified by her past Holocaust-ICE remarks.
A Chicago alderwoman, Maria Hadden, faced sharp backlash after telling Fox 32 that Loyola University Chicago freshman Sheridan Gorman was in the “wrong place at the wrong time” and may have “startled” the shooter when she was killed by an alleged illegal immigrant. The victim’s family criticized the remarks as insensitive and politically charged, while commentators highlighted concerns about crime and immigration policy in the city. The DHS said the suspect, Jose Medina-Medina, a 25-year-old Venezuelan national, had prior Chicago shoplifting arrests before the alleged murder, which occurred around 1:30 a.m. near the lakefront.
Uniqlo returns to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile with a new flagship at 600 N. Michigan Ave., part of an 11-store U.S. expansion; opening events Friday will include taiko drum performances and early access to the Roger Federer Collection, plus exclusive local merch. The first 500 customers each day will receive a Garrett Popcorn tin, popcorn, a pastry and tea from Ravenswood’s Del Sur Bakery, and shoppers who spend $99+ will get a Chicago-themed tote bag. The store will operate 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sat and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays.
ICE lodged an arrest detainer and pressed Illinois leaders to not release Jose Medina-Medina, a Venezuelan national accused of fatally shooting Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago. Medina-Medina had previously been released into the U.S. after a May 2023 Border Patrol intake and again in June 2023 following a shoplifting arrest, prompting ICE to call on Governor Pritzker and sanctuary politicians to honor detainers and keep the suspect off the streets.
The Chicago Transit Authority filed a federal lawsuit in Illinois to recover more than $2 billion in federal funding frozen by the White House during last year’s shutdown, arguing the move was political retaliation that could halt red and purple line expansion and maintenance and jeopardize thousands of jobs and transit service.