Chicago Sun-Times

TLC makes every ‘CrazySexyCool’ show feel like ‘a big old backyard boogie’

The ’90s are making a comeback, and it’s crazy, sexy and cool because TLC is coming to Tinley Park as part of a national tour to commemorate the girl group’s hit sophomore album.

“This is our most iconic album, so I believe it is the one to be celebrated,” Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins said of the group’s 1994 studio release “CrazySexyCool.” “It was something that had so much good music, that made people feel so good. … Timing is everything. So, it couldn’t be even more perfect timing, after the [worst of the] pandemic, when everybody wants to get out and party. We wanted it to feel like a big old backyard boogie, where we were just all partying together.”

Unveiling of Ida B. Wells Monument in Bronzeville met with ‘joy, excitement, appreciation and humbleness’

Civil rights trailblazer Ida B. Wells-Barnett had her legacy further cemented in Chicago on Wednesday with the unveiling of the “The Light of Truth” monument in Bronzeville.

The monument was dedicated at a ceremony with a hopeful air featuring many speeches from Black women, who honored the memory of the educator and investigative journalist known for her quest against the lynching of Black people and anti-Black discrimination.

Lindsey Stirling demonstrating the unifying power of music on latest tour

Lindsey Stirling is excited about marking her first concert appearance in Chicago since her 2017 Lollapalooza performance.

“Getting to now stand on stage and perform music and see what it means to people in-person after so long makes me remember how powerful music is to not only connect people,” said Stirling, an Arizona native. “It’s a language that goes beyond words.”

The show features tracks from Stirling’s fifth and latest album, “Artemis,” which debuted in September 2019 at No. 1 on Billboard’s dance/electronic albums chart before the pandemic rocked the live entertainment industry into desolation for over a year.

South Side murals recall first African American sports superstar, Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor

He was the first African American sports hero and the first Black athlete to compete regularly in open, integrated competitions. He was the first and only African American to win a cycling world championship. He was known as the fastest man in the world, nicknamed “Major” in his Indiana youth and later “the Worcester Whirlwind” after his adopted hometown in Massachusetts. President Theodore Roosevelt was one of his biggest fans. He was one of the wealthiest athletes of his time, too, before dying penniless in Chicago.

Alleged torture victim Keith Walker sues city, prosecutors, Chicago cops

Keith Walker is haunted by the memory of three Chicago police officers who, he said, took turns calling him the N-word, beating him and connecting a battery to his arm to jolt him with electricity.

Now, he’s demanding accountability from the city of Chicago, Cook County and Chicago police officers involved in his arrest, prosecution and conviction, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday morning.

Adam Toledo’s family picks Wisconsin farm for Adam’s Place, rural refuge for inner-city kids

The family of Adam Toledo has settled on a site in rural Wisconsin for Adam’s Place, a nonprofit project geared to help at-risk youth escape the dangerous allure of inner city streets that killed Adam.

Adam was 13 when he was shot in the chest once and killed by a Chicago police officer on March 29.

Adam’s Place will be built on a 70-acre farm near Potosi, Wisconsin, and was chosen by the Toledo family’s attorney, Joel Hirschhorn, for being a three and a half hour drive from Chicago and two and a half hours from Milwaukee.

Ex-manager who sued Abbott Laboratories for discrimination loses court case

A former worker for Abbott Laboratories lost her lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant Wednesday when a jury awarded her no damages in her case that alleged the company had targeted African American workers in a layoff that led to her firing.

Jacinta “Jay” Downing, the former Midwest sales region manager for the North Shore company, had claimed she was denied promotions and retaliated against even before she was let go in 2015.

“Although I am unhappy about the verdict, I am happy that I got my day in court,” Downing said after the verdict in federal court was handed down.

Richard Jaworowski dies at 78; Catholic school teacher was devoted White Sox fan

The first thing someone would notice when walking into Richard Jaworowski’s home was a television blaring some sporting event — most likely the Chicago White Sox — and his voice bellowing helpful instructions at the team.

“He talked about Sox players every single day we saw him, so he was a real die-hard Sox fan,” said Jerry Wilhelm, a senior manager at Standard Parking, where Mr. Jaworowski worked as an attendant during Sox games.

Another formerly homeless vet gets help furnishing his home

A 58-year-old U.S. Navy veteran teared up as he entered his refurbished, one-bedroom apartment, overwhelmed that he finally had furniture. The most exciting thing about his new space: a loveseat and dinner table with chairs, so he no longer has to sit on the floor and eat.

“I have a couch to sit on, and I don’t have to lay on the floor to watch TV,” said Mark McKenna, who was discharged in 1986. “It’s nice to have something to sit on.”

The remodel of McKenna’s apartment was made possible by donations from Chicagoans to the nonprofit organization Humble Design.

Space podcast for kids connects with NASA astronauts

The Forge offers high ropes courses, trails, special events this summer

Chicago Auto Show kicks off special summer event with outdoor space

Fearing ‘tsunami of evictions,’ county touts free programs to help landlords, tenants

City Colleges’ Future Ready initiative to offer 60 career training programs this fall — for free

Archdiocese schools ease pandemic restrictions for upcoming school year

CPS to offer students COVID shots starting next week, will ask their vaccination status next month

Chicago Public Schools will start vaccinating students for COVID-19 next week — and will ask families to reveal their children’s vaccination status when schools reopen next month.

CPS said Wednesday that students and their family members ages 12 and up will be able to get the two-dose Pfizer vaccine at three school sites starting Monday. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available for those 18 and older.

Fundraising begins to expand Rudy Lozano branch of Chicago Public Library

Pilsen community leaders announced an $8 million fundraising campaign Thursday to expand the Rudy Lozano branch of the Chicago Public Library.

The expansion plan includes a second floor, an archival room of local leaders, a larger exhibit about Lozano, conference rooms, private rooms and additional parking. The archival room will focus on highlighting the history of Latino people and important leaders.

First winner of Richard Hunt Award unveils ‘Thought Vortex’ sculpture at Lincoln and Halsted

Oak Brook teen receives Diana Award for nonprofit focusing on AI education

Grant Park Music Festival kicks off the return of in-person downtown music fests

Home care workers rally for better pay, benefits

SEIU strikes for 5th day after three other unions reach contract agreements with Cook County

2,000 Cook County workers go on strike

Naperville, Woodridge residents, workers recount storm’s terror and begin recovery

A Naperville resident on Hedg Court had just finished reading his book and turned off his bedroom light at 11:01 p.m. when Sunday’s tornado hit at 11:03 p.m. He didn’t hear any warning sirens or receive any cellphone notifications about the storm.

“All of a sudden, I hear this high wind and then a loud roar,” said Michel Laurent, who has lived in Naperville 18 years. “The house was shaking. I knew right there that this was not your normal thunderstorm. I went to the window, which was not a wise thing to do, when I saw the tree and the lightning surge. It was almost like a black-and-white silver screen in my mind.”