CHICAGO — Striking Chicago teachers who are seeking smaller class sizes and higher pay also are demanding that the nation's third-largest city do more to lower housing costs and put more resources into helping homeless students. The demand for affordable housing citywide — for students and their financially-strapped families as well as...
Churches Jump Into Action With Threat of Immigration Sweeps
CHICAGO — As a nationwide immigration crackdown loomed, religious leaders across the country used their pulpits Sunday to quell concerns in immigrant communities and spring into action to help those potentially threatened by the operation. A Chicago priest talked during his homily about the compassion of a border activist accused...
R. Kelly Faces New Federal Charges of Sex Crimes, Cover Up
CHICAGO — Singer R. Kelly, already facing sexual abuse charges brought by Illinois prosecutors, was arrested in Chicago on sweeping federal indictments that accuse him and members of his entourage of recruiting women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with the performer and later paying victims and witnesses...
Rolling Stones North American Tour to Start in Chicago
NEW YORK — The Rolling Stones are ready to get back on the road after postponing their North American tour because Mick Jagger needed medical treatment. The rockers announced Thursday the No Filter tour will kick off in Chicago with two shows June 21 and 25. There are two concerts scheduled...
Backlash, Questions Follow Dismissal of Jussie Smollett Case
CHICAGO — Prosecutors still insist Jussie Smollett faked a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in the hopes that the attention would advance his acting career. The "Empire" star still says he was assaulted by two men late at night in downtown Chicago. But with little explanation, authorities on Tuesday abruptly...
Livid R. Kelly Cries, Calls Sex Abuse Accusers Liars
CHICAGO — R&B star R. Kelly cried, angrily stood up and ranted about being "assassinated" during his first interview since being charged with sexual abuse, calling his accusers liars and saying people are after him for his money. Kelly, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, told Gayle...
R. Kelly Out of Jail After Posting $100K in Sex Abuse Case
CHICAGO — R. Kelly walked out of a Chicago jail Monday after posting $100,000 bail that allows him to go free while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually abused four people dating back to 1998, including three underage girls. Hours earlier, the R&B star pleaded not guilty to the...
Chicago's Vast Camera Network Helped Smollett Investigation
CHICAGO — Police tapped into Chicago's vast network of surveillance cameras — and even some homeowners' doorbell cameras — to track down two brothers who later claimed they were paid by "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett to stage an attack on him, the latest example of the city's high-tech approach to...
If Proven, Smollett Allegations Could Be a 'Career Killer'
LOS ANGELES — For five years, Jussie Smollett has been enmeshed in weekly drama on the set of "Empire," the Fox TV series that gave the actor a breakout role and the fame to advance his social activism. But Friday's news that Smollett won't appear on the final two episodes...
'Empire' Producers Cut Smollett From Season's Last Episodes
CHICAGO — Actor Jussie Smollett's character on "Empire" will be removed from the final two episodes of this season in the wake of his arrest on charges that he staged a racist, anti-gay attack on himself last month in downtown Chicago, producers of the Fox TV show announced Friday. The...