News across Cook County

‘It never goes away’: Evanston native, ex-trooper’s first fatal crash drives his mission to teach teens
Almost 40 years later, Evanston native and former Illinois State Police Sgt. Doug Whitmore still vividly remembers the first fatal crash he responded to. “It was a 16-year-old girl. She was on I-294 near Willow Road, driving a red BMW convertible with a black top. She missed her…

New Evanston resident Daniel King finds thrills, wit while directing ‘Murder’ at Oil Lamp Theater
Theater director Daniel King moved to Evanston from Rogers Park less than a year ago, and he is enjoying the residential feel of his new neighborhood. It’s the perfect location for him and his husband, Spencer Donovan, both of whom are heavily involved in the Chicagoland theater…

‘Mapping Black Evanston’ event being held on Oct. 3 at Shorefront Legacy Center
Join Shorefront Legacy Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, for a first look at “Mapping Black Evanston.” The event will take place at the Shorefront Legacy Center and Lula B. Sherman United Methodist Church, 2214 Ridge Ave. Throughout this year-long partnership…

Peggy Tarr: ¡Feliz mes de la herencia hispana! Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
As I was nearing the entrance to a restaurant, three women speaking Spanish were exiting. One of them walked back to the restaurant door, opened it and held it while I entered. “Gracias,” I said and smiled. The woman then walked beside me and opened and held the inner door. I…

Buddy Guy & guests to celebrate his 90th birthday at Radio City Music Hall — how to watch
Chicago blues legend Buddy Guy will celebrate his 90th birthday with an all-star cast of special guests at Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 1.

Best musical bets for October
The musical harvest in Evanston this fall is bountiful! There will be many great concerts, and it is impossible to hear them all. I have picked out six shows that I am going to put on my calendar in October. None of these shows happen at the same time, so it is possible to attend…

On a mission to share Sukkot
The Kovacs family came to Dawes Park to celebrate the Jewish festival of Sukkot by seeking out Jewish passersby and inviting them to shake the lulav and etrog. Offering the ritual is considered an act of kindness in the Orthodox Chabad-Lubavitch tradition. That’s Levi, 11,…

Gun Violence Prevention Advocates Speak About Importance of Community-Based Solutions
Representatives from Chicago Create Real Economic Destiny, a community-oriented nonprofit, advocated for mental health services and life coaching as an alternative to police intervention.

Evanston Community Foundation honors Ralph Segall at 40th anniversary party
The Evanston Community Foundation presented its inaugural Ralph Segall Evanston Forever Award on Tuesday at an event celebrating the organization’s 40th anniversary. The first edition went to the award’s namesake, Ralph Segall, for 40 years of service to the foundation as…

The Evanston and North Shore NAACP to host ‘Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing’ on Oct. 10
From 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch is hosting “Building Collective Impact Through Community Organizing,” part of its Evanston environmental justice conversation series. The free event will take place at the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823…

Waffle dessert shop Wafflavor to close permanently on Sunday
Korean waffle and frozen yogurt shop Wafflavor at 1596 Sherman Ave. plans to close Sunday, Oct. 4. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Wafflavor announced the closure on Instagram this week, thanking “everyone who has…

New Ryan Field ready for its close-up
The New Ryan Field officially opens for business Friday, Oct. 2. Northwestern kicks off New Ryan Field in its Big Ten home opener against Penn State at 7 p.m. The game will be televised across the country as part of Fox College Football Friday and the matchup is sold out. Gates…