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It’s Wednesday, and the Real ID deadline finally goes into effect. Plus, more stories on gun violence, a West Side art gallery and the beloved fried chicken institution Harold's
Chicken Shack.
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Left: Jens Ludwig appears on “Chicago Tonight” on May 5, 2025. Right: The cover of “Unforgiven Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence”
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The U.S. gun homicide rate is 26 times higher than in other developed countries. For decades, conservatives and liberals have fiercely debated what drives the nation’s gun violence epidemic. But a new book called “Unforgiving Places: The Unexpected Origins of American Gun Violence” says neither side has it right — and suggests a new pathway to stop these acts of violence before they start.
Conservatives often emphasize the moral failings of offenders, while liberals often emphasize the availability of guns and economic and social inequality. However, Jens Ludwig, director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and the author of “Unforgiving Places,” argues most murders are not premeditated and they are not motivated by economic considerations. He takes a behavioral economics perspective on gun violence and said shootings happen because of escalated debates and arguments and poor decision-making skills.
“We need to do everything that we can to make their neighborhood situations as forgiving as possible, so that a natural human mistake in a difficult situation doesn’t lead to tragedy,” Ludwig said. “And the second thing that we need to do is we also need to help people reduce the risk that they’re going to make a life-altering mistake given that they’re navigating these enormously difficult situations.”
Ludwig suggests social programming can be implemented across several different platforms and taught at any age. Current violent interruption groups adopt such programs in their curricula. Despite a lack of federal funding and budgetary cuts potentially stalling improvements, Ludwig remains positive that cities can see rapid gains at low costs.
Read an excerpt from the book here.
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Alt Space Chicago co-founder Jordan Campbell inside the gallery. (Marc Vitali / WTTW News)
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Set on a large parcel of property at 5645 W. Corcoran Place, the historic building and 100-year-old former bank is even more impressive on the inside. Vaulted ceilings cover thousands of square feet of space. A mural of the Milky Way fills an entire wall. Mid-century modern details suggest a long-ago renovation. Once known as the Austin Bank of Chicago, the property was gifted to Catholic Charities in 2017 and has now been acquired by Alt Space Chicago.
Alt Space Chicago is an art gallery that aims to involve the entire community. “Sustainability is the bedrock of everything,” co-founder Jordan Campbell said. “That’s why we bought a building that was to be redeemed, to find this space and to reclaim it instead of building a new space.” Campbell calls it an artist-led engine that uses art and faith to galvanize the community. Campbell co-founded Alt Space Chicago with his best friend, Jon Veal, who died unexpectedly in 2022, and he sees this as his legacy.
“Jon used to say that sustainability is love over time,” Campbell said. “So we’re cultivating a self-sufficient community.”
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Harold’s Chicken Shack was founded 75 years ago by a Black entrepreneur who came to Chicago from Alabama. Now it’s a legendary part of Chicago. (Kathleen Hinkel / WTTW)
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Harold’s Chicken Shack is legendary. The Black-owned fried chicken chain that started 75 years ago on Chicago’s South Side is name-dropped in lyrics by Chicago rappers-gone-big from Common to Juice WRLD to Noname. People argue over which location is the best, even setting out to try every one and rank them objectively. It has its own markers and customs: an ax-wielding figure chasing a chicken for a logo, a turnstile through bulletproof glass to deliver your food, specific lingo for orders and vinegary mild sauce that ends up dousing the bread and fries that come with the chicken.
The first shack was opened by Harold Pierce, who had come to Chicago from Alabama in 1943 as part of the Great Migration of African Americans out of the South. He decided to try his hand at fried chicken and opened a take-out joint called Harold’s Chicken Shack in Kenwood in 1950. WTTW photographer Kathleen Hinkel visited one at 917 W. 87th St. in Auburn Gresham for a day in March to document the chain in its 75th anniversary year.
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More From WTTW News
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More closures are expected to take place as part of ongoing construction to the Kennedy Expressway, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced Tuesday. Click here for more details.
Today, Real ID requirements are set to begin at airports nationwide and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is reminding residents they can still obtain a Real ID after the federal enforcement period begins.
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Back in the Day: May 7, 2024 — University of Chicago Police Department Dismantles Pro-Palestine Encampment
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Following similar demonstrations at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a group of University of Chicago students launched an encampment on the main quad to protest the ongoing escalation of the War in Gaza on April 29, 2024. Led by the student-run organization UChicago United for Palestine (UCUP), they called the action “Popular University for Gaza.” A sign posted in front of the encampment read, “We demand The University of Chicago Divest, Disclose,
Repair—UChicago United.” The crowd eventually grew to over 1,000 people, and negotiations between UCUP and the university administration reached a standstill. After nine days on the ground, the encampment was eventually forcibly dismantled by the University of Chicago Police Department one year ago today around 4:30 a.m. on May 7, 2024. No arrests were made, but the action did not stop rising tensions between pro-Palestinian activists and the University of Chicago.
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Local Live Music Recommendations for May 7-13 |
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Etran de L’Aïr (Photo credit: Abdoul Moumouni Hamid)
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Each Wednesday, WTTW News producer Josh Terry presents must-see live music shows from indie rock to jazz, country, hip-hop and more.
Wednesday, May 7:
Ichiko Aoba, Gia Margaret at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
The acclaimed Japanese songwriter enlists the local folk and ambient artist.
Dick Texas, Fran, Dorothy Carlos at Empty Bottle. Tickets.
The Detroit songwriter Valerie Salerno headlines this bill on the heels of Dick Texas’ new LP “All That Fall.”
Etran De L'Aïr, Rich Ruth at Lincoln Hall. Tickets.
This longrunning Nigerien band boasts face-melting guitar theatrics and psychedelic grooves.
Friday, May 9:
Sturgill Simpson at Allstate Arena. Tickets.
Expect three hours of jammed-out Americana.
Saturday, May 10:
Uwade, Moyana at Schubas. Tickets.
This Nigeria-born songwriter has a stunning voice and has collaborated with Fleet Foxes.
Sunday, May 11:
Kaleta and Super Yamba Band at Hideout. Tickets.
A joyful and mesmerizing dance party hits a cozy venue.
Squid, FearDorian at Thalia Hall. Tickets.
One of the best live acts currently touring is this experimental U.K. post-punk outfit.
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What's your favorite summer festival in Chicago? Tell us why.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published.
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5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Want more WTTW News content? Follow WTTW on Instagram to check in with us daily, go behind-the-scenes, and more.
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
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