Police Data Show Gun Violence A Chronic, Growing Problem Across Illinois

Police Data Show Gun Violence A Chronic, Growing Problem Across Illinois

His name was Devon McClyde, and he was 16 years old when he was caught in the crossfire of an argument while playing basketball one evening in a local park in Danville on June 8, 2016. He died three days later – the victim of another gun crime in Central Illinois. At least 100 people…

‘Down The Hill:’ Violence Often Rooted In Inequality

‘Down The Hill:’ Violence Often Rooted In Inequality

For many families and young adults living in Peoria’s South Side, gun violence is too often a part of life and something they’ve been fighting against — with few resources. Part of the challenge, according to researchers, is getting the broader community to examine a part of itself and confront the barriers that keep families,…

Listening About Guns
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Listening About Guns

What I heard at both events: safety concerns, frustration with legislators and calls for action around gun laws. Hope for children, love for community and citizens flexing their civic muscles. In my role as Illinois Newsroom Engagement Strategist, I attended two events related to the debate over guns. At March 24th’s “March for Our Lives”…

Study: In Becoming The Bread Basket, Midwest Contributed To Climate Change. But There’s A Solution

Study: In Becoming The Bread Basket, Midwest Contributed To Climate Change. But There’s A Solution

New research suggests that no-till farming could help mitigate climate change. A study from Iowa State University, released Monday, examined Midwest land use between 1850 to 2015. As agriculture and the practice of tilling spread, less carbon was being stored in the ground and more was going into the atmosphere. That added to the carbon…

Culture Shock: Teachers Call Noble Charters ‘Dehumanizing’

Culture Shock: Teachers Call Noble Charters ‘Dehumanizing’

The trend toward school choice has educators across the country looking at Chicago’s Noble Charter Schools — an award-winning network of mostly high schools that specializes in helping inner-city kids achieve the kind of SAT scores that propel them into four-year universities. But despite its prestigious reputation, Noble has a peculiarly high teacher turnover rate….

Students Across Illinois March Against Gun Violence
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Students Across Illinois March Against Gun Violence

Thousands of students, teachers, parents and victims carried signs and marched across Illinois in the cold, snow and sleet on Saturday as part of the nationwide March for Our Lives against gun violence. The marches were largely led by students, many of them moved to action after last month’s high school shooting in Parkland, Florida.