From L-R: Mayor Brandon Johnson, DNC Stage and Shamier Little (Photo Credits: Tacuma Roeback, DNC and USATF.org)
Bizarre and unprecedented.
Those words could describe 2024, and plenty of national stories support those notions. Yes, we saw Donald Trump become the first person to have been President to be convicted of a felony yet still manage to win the presidential election. We also saw the unprecedented move by President Joe Biden to withdraw from his re-election bid in favor of eventual Democratic nominee and former running mate Vice President Kamala Harris.
This past year was also chock with shocking and scandalous revelations and happenings in the form of Diddy’s racketeering and sex trafficking charges and the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
We cannot forget the unforeseen tragedies we unfortunately bore witness to, such as the six construction workers who perished after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
But here in Chicago, many riveting stories involving our political leaders will impact our immediate futures and have served to amplify our hardships and joys.
This past year at The Chicago Defender, we had several key contributors who have helped us tell meaningful stories, including Kharyn Beard, James Bridgeforth, Christa Carter-Williams, Ethan Davis, Ashleigh Fields, Twyler Jenkins, Nicole Jeanine Johnson, Nicole Joseph, Kouri Marshall, Evan Moore, David Pierce, Marshelle Sanders and Inez Woody,
Here is Part One of the news stories that impacted Chicago, and yes, the Presidential election and how that played out here is one of them:
- Kamala Harris Accepts Historic Nomination, Vows to Unite America: One of the many signature moments of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this summer.
- Mayor Johnson Signs Executive Order To Launch Black Reparations Task Force: This is an important first step in exploring the issue of reparations and what Black Chicagoans are owed.
- Mayor Johnson Announces City’s Termination of ShotSpotter Contract: In a highly controversial move, the mayor decommissioned the use of this acoustic gunshot detection technology.
- Shamier Little from South Side Chicago Wins Olympic Gold in 4x400m Relay: One of our favorite summer stories was seeing this Lindblom Math and Science Academy alum win a gold medal for Track and Field in Paris.
- Black and Unhoused in Chicago: How Housing Segregation Fueled a Homegrown Crisis: This multifaceted multimedia project, part of the “Healing Illinois” initiative, explored the intersection between segregation and homelessness.
- Harvey Mayor: Soaring Property Taxes Could Turn Black Suburbs into ‘Ghost Towns’: Harvey was one of 13 predominantly Black south suburban municipalities that got hit the hardest with property tax increases, and the effects of those hikes could be devastating, according to this political official.
- Lightfoot Uncovers Financial Mismanagement in Dolton Under Mayor Henyard: And speaking of the South Suburbs, Dolton Mayor and Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard has been embroiled in controversy for much of the year. A four-month investigation by former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot on Henyard and her administration uncovered startling findings.
- Chicago City Council Rejects $300M Property Tax Hike in Unanimous Vote: This council vote was an unprecedented rebuke of Mayor Johnson’s proposal to include a property tax hike to close a gaping budget shortfall.
- Mayor Johnson’s $17 Billion Budget Passes, but Challenges Loom for Chicago: With about two weeks left in the year, the City Council approved a budget for 2025, but questions remain.
- COLUMN: Chicago’s Triumph: A Historic DNC Convention Inspires Hope and Urges Action: This column reflects on the historic DNC and the good vibes it produced when our city was the center of the political world for a few days in August.
- Rainbow Push CEO Rev. Haynes III Resigns After 3 Months On The Job: The historic organization underwent another transition.
- Mayor Johnson’s Appointed Board Fires CPS CEO Pedro Martinez: A controversial move that sent shockwaves throughout the city and beyond.
- Eileen O’Neill Burke Elected as Cook County State’s Attorney, Pledges Safer and Fairer Justice System: A sea change at one of the most critical and visible positions in local government.
- Illinois Leaders Pritzker and Stratton Reassure Residents After Trump Victory: Days after the Presidential election was decided, the state’s two leading political figures pledged support to Illinoisans and those from marginalized groups seeking sanctuary.
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