Chicago

National

As Emanuel Pitches More Help For Kids, Violence-Weary Chicagoans Expect Little

11:27pm September 22, 2016

by David Schaper

Rahm Emanuel promises a "comprehensive solution" for the violence that's killed 500 this year, but neighborhood leaders say his administration is too damaged and his priorities too misplaced.

A fundraising campaign for Fidencio Sanchez has raised more than 50 times the original $3,000 that was sought.

National

Strangers Raise $165,000 In 3 Days To Help Chicago Popsicle Vendor, 89

4:08pm September 12, 2016

by Bill Chappell

"It broke my heart seeing this man that should be enjoying retirement still working at this age," Joel Cervantes Macias wrote of seeing Fedencio Sanchez hunched over his street vendor's cart.

Police crime tape marks the scene where a 16-year-old boy was shot and killed and an 18-year-old man was wounded in April in Chicago. The grim milestone of 500 homicides already passed this year in Chicago.

National

In Effort To Curb Violence In Chicago, A Professor Mines Social Media

6:04pm September 09, 2016

by NPR Staff

Desmond Patton is studying how gangs in Chicago use social media to communicate. Now he is helping to create an algorithm to predict when a social media threat might spark real life violence.

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Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Church hangs the American flag upside down outside his church Aug. 31 as demonstrators protest the uptick in homicides across Chicago. Thirteen people were fatally shot over the weekend, bringing the city's annual toll

National

Chicago Passes Threshold Of 500 Homicides In 2016

6:57pm September 06, 2016

by Richard Gonzales

The Chicago murder rate rivals the worst years of the 1990s, when the crack cocaine epidemic turned its streets into a virtual war zone. Most shootings are concentrated in the west and south sides.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, shown here in January, wants to create a new Civilian Office on Police Accountability to investigate police shootings, allegations of excessive force and other police misconduct.

National

Chicago Mayor Creates Civilian Agency To Monitor Police

6:00pm August 31, 2016

by David Schaper

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the new Civilian Office on Police Accountability will be independent, but critics say it will still answer to city hall.

Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke leaves the Criminal Courts Building after pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges related to the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald on December 29, 2015, in Chicago. The police superintendent is

National

Chicago Police Dept. Moves To Fire 5 Officers Over Laquan McDonald Shooting

8:57am August 31, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The city's inspector general recommended that 10 officers be fired in connection with the 2014 killing of 17-year-old McDonald. Several of those officers have since retired or resigned.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson has recommended that seven officers be fired for providing false information in the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

National

Seven Chicago Officers Could Be Fired In Laquan McDonald's Death

9:28pm August 18, 2016

by Jason Slotkin

Chicago's head of police announced his recommendation to dismiss the officers Thursday. Superintendent Eddie Johnson cited allegations that they gave false reports on the 17-year-old's shooting death.

Fears Of Violence At Cleveland Convention Stir Memories Of Chicago In 1968

8:30am July 17, 2016

by Ron Elving

The greatest damage to the city and the Democratic Party in 1968 came from the television images of the mayhem beamed 'round the world and seared into the memories of a generation of Americans.

Lines of travelers at Denver International Airport snake their way through security on Thursday.

National

Cities Consider Privatizing TSA To Speed Up Checkpoints, But Would It?

9:05pm May 26, 2016

by David Schaper

Some experts say replacing the TSA with private airport security firms wouldn't solve the problems causing long wait times and would do little to help this summer's busy travel season.

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TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger prepares to testify during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers sought answers as to why long security lines persist at airports around the country.

TSA Hopes To Speed Up Screening Lines This Summer, Administrator Tells Congress

7:17pm May 25, 2016

But the agency projects that its checkpoints will screen 100 million more people in 2016 than it did in 2013 — even as its workforce has been reduced by 12 percent over that same time period.

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