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Today’s stories on local politics, arts and nature. Straight to your inbox from WTTW News.
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Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward) on the floor of the Chicago City Council. (WTTW News)
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Ald. Jim Gardiner (45th Ward), facing a number of lawsuits and investigations, spent $122,028 in campaign cash to pay five law firms in 2023 and 2024, according to records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections.
More than half of that amount, $67,735, went to attorney Thomas Raines, who defended Gardiner in two lawsuits that cost Chicago taxpayers a combined $187,500 to resolve, records show. Raines, a registered City Hall lobbyist, has represented a wide variety of people and businesses at odds with the city. An additional $12,703 went to Loeb & Loeb LLP, a firm that also represented former Ald. Ed Burke, who is now serving a two-year prison sentence after being convicted of racketeering, bribery and attempted extortion.
Gardiner said the decision by the city’s Law Department under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot not to use city resources to fight the lawsuits “left him no alternative but to turn to permissible resources to defend my actions as an elected official.” He spent nearly three times as much on legal fees during 2023 and 2024 than any other member of the Chicago City Council, according to a WTTW News analysis of records filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections. Gardiner declined to answer a question from WTTW News about whether it was appropriate to use campaign contributions for his legal defense.
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In Englewood, the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation is dedicated to creating spaces for survivors and offenders alike. (Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications)
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To reduce the number of formerly incarcerated citizens returning to prison, some communities are turning to restorative justice — a practice promoting accountability and healing for all parties affected by crime. Restorative justice programs aim to prevent future offenses while addressing the root causes of criminal behavior. Studies show participation in restorative justice programs accounted for a 34% decrease in juvenile recidivism.
While restorative justice emphasizes repairing harm after a crime rather than imposing severe punitive measures, its advocates hope to counter the idea that it's "soft" on crime. “This idea that it’s like, oh this, you know, slap on the wrist and you’re out … it’s quite the opposite actually,” said Cliff Nellis, founder of Lawndale Christian Legal Center. "What better way to pay your debt to society than to actually heal the harm that you caused to the community and the relationships that you have in your own community?”
Another take: “Restorative justice is much more nuanced and gray,” Nellis said. “Relationships have been broken and damaged. People have been hurt. And restorative justice would say that the path towards true justice is to bring the people (together) who are impacted by that crime, who are harmed by that crime, and the person who commissioned that crime.”
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An injured snowy owl was treated at and released from DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center in January 2025. (Courtesy DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center)
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Sightings of snowy owls have been thrilling people across northern Illinois this winter, but these occasional visitors from the Arctic face a lot of hazards — including humans and cars — when they venture outside their normal isolated tundra environment.
DuPage Wildlife Conservation Center reported that its staff recently admitted and treated an injured female snowy owl, rescued from near Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Visible bleeding from wounds under the wing and on one of her feet initially led the veterinary team to think the raptor was suffering from rodenticide poisoning, but that turned out not to be the case. Bird flu was not detected, either. The cause of injury wasn’t determined, but the owl healed quickly, was sassy throughout her week-long stay at the center, and has already been released back into the wild, according to staff. Check out adorable photos of the owl here.
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Back in the Day: January 28, 2005 - Cubs Trade Sammy Sosa to Baltimore
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Twenty years ago today, in the late hours of a Friday night, the Chicago Cubs ended their 13-season relationship with star outfielder Sammy Sosa. On Jan. 28, 2005, they reached a deal with the Baltimore Orioles to send the player in exchange for Jerry Hairston Jr. and a pair of minor leaguers. Sosa, who remains the team’s all-time Home Run leader with 545, left the team on a sour note. When Sosa was caught using a corked bat in 2003, fans started to turn on him especially when he had a relatively poor 2004 season. At the end of that season where the Cubs had been eliminated from playoff contention, he left the final game 15 minutes after it started, enraging his teammates and fans. Despite the drama, the team and Sosa have begun to mend their fences with the baseball legend appearing at this year’s Cubs Convention.
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Staff Recs: 5 Places To Find Peace and Quiet in a City That’s Loud and Proud |
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Every Tuesday, WTTW News staffers recommend the things they love in Chicago.
Marc Vitali: Jackhammers, sirens, bucket drums — this city can be as noisy as it is windy and big-shouldered. So where does one find a little peace and quiet in the Chicago area? Below are five favorite spots for serenity.
Steelworkers Park – South Chicago
There is a surreal serenity at Steelworkers Park on the lakefront in South Chicago. It’s both a peaceful prairie and a remnant of Chicago’s industrial past. At this former South Works site of U.S. Steel, massive ore walls hundreds of yards long mark the landscape like the ruins of an ancient castle.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art – Oak Brook
The Lizzadro is a jewel box of a museum filled with gemstones, and it casts a unique spell. The collection contains jade carvings, fossils and minerals, all carefully lit and thoughtfully presented. Along with geologic treasures in their natural form, there are mosaics, cameos and gems crafted by lapidary artists.
Wrightwood 659 – Lincoln Park
A superb gallery for art, Wrightwood 659 has a refined and reflective atmosphere. It’s a recent addition to the cultural scene, opening in 2018 by Tadao Ando.
The Ando Gallery – Art Institute of Chicago
The Ando Gallery? As in Tadao Ando, architect of the incredible interiors at Wrightwood 659? Same guy. The serene oasis that fills Gallery 109 was his first American project.
Bohemian National Cemetery – Northwest Side
There are many awe-inspiring cemeteries around the city, but this one gets the nod because it is not only historical, it’s in the neighborhood: About 100 yards west of WTTW Studios lies Bohemian National. It looks like a set from a dream sequence in “Twin Peaks.”
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Where's the best bagel in the Chicago area? Tell us where and why it's your favorite.
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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