Metro/State

From left, Frances Walker's brother Arnold Walker and sister-in-law Maggie Walker wear pink and speak into news microphones at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse.

Crime

Tenant convicted of murdering, dismembering 69-year-old landlord in grisly Northwest Side case

After about seven and half hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Sandra Kolalou of all charges including first-degree murder, dismembering Frances Walker’s body, concealing a homicidal death and aggravated identity theft. Her attorney plans to appeal.

By Emmanuel Camarillo and Sophie Sherry

Chicago

Lou Malnati's aims to honor 10 teachers with a year of free pizza

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week next month, 10 winners will be awarded a free medium cheese pizza per week for a year in addition to a $250 catering package for their school.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Police issue community warning in Greater Grand Crossing after string of arsons

All five of the fires took place within a few blocks of each other, and police said in some instances the fires have spread from the trash bins they’re started in to nearby homes and buildings.

By Sun-Times Wire

Image from a video Chicago Police released of a person of interest they are seeking to identify in the investigation of the murder of Officer Luis Huesca early Sunday in the 3100 block of West 56th Street in Gage Park.

Crime

Chicago police release photos, video of person of interest sought in probe of Officer Luis Huesca slaying

A community alert asks for help in identifying the male “subject,” noting that he “should be considered armed and dangerous.” Meanwhile, those who knew Huesca have been left reeling. Rocio Lasso said she leaned on Huesca after her own son, Andres Vásquez Lasso, was killed in the line of duty last year.

By Tom Schuba and Jessica Ma

Money

Retailer Express files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, announces store closures, possible sale

The retailer operates 24 stores in Illinois, according to its website, including a site at Water Tower Place and on State Street.

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Anne D’Innocenzio | AP

News conference announcing the start of construction on renovating Terminal 3 at O’Hare Airport on Monday April 22, 2024.

Transportation

Makeover of O'Hare's Terminal 3 takes off as airlines mull deal on expansion, Global Terminal

The Terminal 3 project, made possible by $90 million in federal grants, includes wider concourses, renovated restrooms, a revamped baggage claim area, more concession space and a host of other passenger amenities.

By Fran Spielman

Crime

1 killed, 3 hurt in Oak Forest shooting

A person was detained at the scene for alleged involvement, police said. One of the victims, a 39-year-old man, died of a gunshot wound to the head, according to police and the Cook County medical examiners office.

By Sun-Times Wire

Officer Luis Huesca wears a light blue police uniform as he poses for a portrait in front of an American flag.

Crime

Chicago police officer is shot to death as his car is taken in Gage Park

Officer Luis Huesca, 30, was going home from work about 3 a.m. in the 3100 block of West 56th Street when a ShotSpotter alert went off, police Supt. Larry Snelling said. No one has been arrested.

By Mohammad Samra, Tom Schuba, and 1 more

Crime

Woman found fatally stabbed in Ashburn home

The 20-year-old was found Saturday in a bedroom of a home in the 7700 block of South Trumbull Avenue, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

RECORDDAY-042124_1.jpgPhillip Gross shows his wife Michelle Calderhead the records that he found at Dusty Groove on the Northwest Side on Record Store Day, Saturday, April 20, 2024. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Business

Chicagoans build community while seeking special vinyl on Record Store Day

On Saturday, music-lovers visited local record stores for their favorites among more than 380 exclusive releases, including projects from Pearl Jam, David Bowie, the Beatles and Paramore.

By Erica Thompson

News

Prairie Band Potawatomi becomes first federally recognized tribal nation in Illinois

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced the decision Friday, placing 130 acres into trust for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, giving the tribal nation sovereignty over the land after the U.S. auctioned off its land 175 years ago.

By Violet Miller

Crime

Man killed, another critically wounded in South Chicago shooting

Around 1:55 a.m., two men, both 42, were on a sidewalk in the 2500 block of East 83rd Street when both were struck by gunfire, Chicago police said.

By Mohammad Samra

Crime

1 killed, 2 hurt in Dan Ryan Expressway shooting

State troopers responded late Friday to the northbound lanes of Interstate 94 at Canalport Avenue for a report of shots fired, Illinois state police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman killed, man injured in West Garfield Park

The two were driving in an alley just before 5 p.m. when several people started shooting from two cars, police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Woman accused of killing, dismembering landlord takes stand in defense

Sandra Kolalou, 37, denied killing and then cutting up Frances Walker in 2022 at the Northwest Side home they shared.

By Matthew Hendrickson

City Hall

City Council OKs $70 million in extra funding for migrant crisis

By a 30-18 vote, the Council approved the latest round of funding for a crisis that has highlighted racial divisions in the city.

By Mitchell Armentrout

Religion

Chicago's Jewish community prepares to celebrate Passover

Passover, which starts before sundown Monday and ends after nightfall on April 30, commemorates the liberation of Jews from slavery in Egypt.

By Mohammad Samra

Crime

Kim Foxx won't take sides on request by man facing rape trial for 'certificate of innocence' in murder case

William Dukes Jr. was acquitted of the 1993 killings of a Cicero woman and her granddaughter after a second trial in 2019. In 2022, he was arrested in an unrelated sexual assault case in Chicago.

By Frank Main and Matthew Hendrickson

Suburban Chicago

Two dead after apparent murder-suicide in Lemont motel

The bodies of Richard Crane, 62, and an unidentified woman were found shot at the D-Lux Budget Inn in southwest suburban Lemont.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Man stabbed to death in Pilsen

The man was found with stab wounds around 4:15 a.m., police said.

By Sun-Times Wire

Crime

Joliet mother charged in death of girl, 12, who ingested heroin, fentanyl

Mya King, 12, was found unresponsive Sunday morning and died Wednesday. Her mother, Colette Bancroft, was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

By Sun-Times Wire

Transportation

Uber launches rider verification program in Chicago, 11 other cities

Chicago riders may now find a blue check mark under their name, as part of Uber’s rider verification process.

By Jessica Ma