I'm incredibly honored to have won the Peter Lisagor Award for Best Use of Feature Video here in my hometown of Chicago.
I strapped a GoPro to my bike & rode Milwaukee Ave end-to-end, recording the journey + the numerous bike lane obstructions. This was part of a collaboration with @illinoisanswers & @blockclubchi: "Life And Death In Chicago’s Most Dangerous Bike Lane."
During the 22 mile ride, I encountered 46 obstructions: trucks unloading cargo in the bike lane, cars parked there, someone blowing a red light in front of me, construction work in the lane, and more.
This video project was just a fraction of the months-long investigation by @minabloom & @ctoner24 that highlighted the perilous conditions along a bustling and popular bike route.
This video project could not have happened without the trust of intrepid reporters @minabloom & @ctoner24, along with tenacious editors @slulay2 & @chinews24.I really hope that it, with the data, reporting & photos, will shape Chicago to be a safer city for all.
A huge thank you to Chicago Headline Club for this recognition, and to the Chicagoans who not only brave the bike route, but also trusted us with their time and stories.
The cries and yells from the family of slain Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston, 24, will probably haunt me for quite some time... This was one of the most painful stories I've covered, and my heart hurts so much for Ms. Preston and her loved ones.
"WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — Slain Chicago police officer Aréanah Preston was memorialized Wednesday in an emotional tribute before a crowd of family, friends, fellow officers, Mayor Brandon Johnson and former Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Preston’s funeral was held Wednesday morning at Trinity United Church of Christ, 400 W. 95th St., in Washington Heights.
Preston, 24, was returning home from work the night of May 6 when she was shot in the 8100 block of South Blackstone Avenue in Avalon Park, police said.
Preston was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. She had worked in the 5th Police District for three years, Carter said.
Four teens were charged last week with murder, robbery and other charges in relation to Preston’s slaying and a string of robberies and a car theft.
Prosecutors said a 16-year-old and three men — Trevell Breeland, 19; Joseph Brooks; 19 and Jakwon Buchanan, 18 — went on a violent robbery spree before Preston was shot. All are being held without bail.
Preston’s family cried uncontrollably as her casket was brought into the church, with bagpipes playing in tribute.
Loved ones and colleagues described Preston as ambitious and effervescent. She’d told people she planned to be the first female police superintendent. She was one interview away from entering the FBI academy, relatives said.
Others warmly remembered Preston’s jokes and affection for loved ones."
5/17/23
Washington Heights, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI
Scenes from Inauguration Day in Chicago as Mayor Brandon Johnson and over a dozen newly-elected alderpeople were sworn into office today. Immediately following the inauguration ceremony, Johnson signed four executive orders and met with constituents.
5/15/23
UIC and City Hall, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI
Today's #FilmFriday post comes from my last vacation, coming to you while I'm on another vacation... Here's the sun setting over the Golden Gate Bridge on #Ektar100 #35mmFilm last month with @amyboylephoto.
4/23/23
Nob Hill, San Francisco
Developed & scanned by @bellowsfilmlab, edited by yours truly 🎞️
As Migrants Wait For Shelter Openings At Police Station, Northwest Side Neighbors Flock To Help // I'm always inspired by the love and support that Chicagoans share. @ArielParrella & I witnessed that last week at CPD District 16. Chicagoans brought in trays of food and bags of donated clothes for our newest neighbors, all while sharing compassion and a conversation.
Story via @BlockClubCHI
5/2/23
Jefferson Park, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI
"LINCOLN PARK — With help from a massive crane, chainsaw-wielding crews took down one of Chicago’s oldest trees Tuesday at Lincoln Park Zoo.
At 70 feet tall, the bur oak tree is estimated to be 250-300 years old and believed to predate the city’s 1837 founding. But the tree has reached the end of its life cycle and was cut down Tuesday morning for safety reasons.
The crews started by dismantling the tree branch by branch, revealing some hollow spots where the inside of the tree had completely deteriorated. Whether or not the tree’s base is hollow will determine whether its rings can be counted for a proper age estimate or how much of its wood can be used for other projects.
“It’s emotional,” Katrina Quint, the zoo’s director of horticulture, said Friday before the tree’s removal. “It’s going to be tough walking past here as we move forward after the tree has been removed.”"
5/2/23
Lincoln Park, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @JakeWittich
One of my fondest food memories in my youth was nearly 18 years ago when @amyboylephoto took my brothers and me to @SuperdawgDriveIn on a hot day in June. I felt just as much excitement coming back last month!
STORY: "NORWOOD PARK — Whether it’s been for date nights, parties or just a quick snack, Superdawg has served generations of Chicagoans.
The iconic drive-in celebrates 75 years of business this month. The owners said they are maintaining its legacy by staying true to the original recipes, getting to know regulars and treating employees like a big family.
“Every day is special,” said Lisa Drucker, who co-owns the drive-in with her husband, Don Drucker, and her brother, Scott Berman."
4/18/23
Norwood Park, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI, words by @ariel.parrella
Hanging out with Frank Logan certainly was a highlight of my week. Hearing his story was incredibly inspiring, and his energy was equally motivating. // "After 30-Year Break From School, This Sax-Playing South Side Grandpa Is Set To Graduate
Frank Logan spent years believing school was out of reach until a major life change presented him the chance to try again. He's graduating from Harold Washington College in May."
4/25/23
Loop, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @thewayoftheid
I went for my weekly bird watching walk before teaching my class this morning, and spotted the two un-banded piping plovers that are stealing the spotlight – and pulling on the heartstrings – of Chicagoans!
"CHICAGO — More piping plovers have joined the party at Montrose Beach.
Imani, the baby of famed Great Lakes piping plovers Monty and Rose, was spotted Tuesday at the beach. He was joined Wednesday by an unbanded male, with fans quickly dubbing them the “Montrose Beach bachelors.”
But they’re not alone. An unbanded female has joined the boys, bird watchers tweeted early Thursday."
4/27/23
Uptown, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI, words by @BauerJournalism
Whew. I flew overnight to get home from vacation and just a few hours later, I was covering some pretty groundbreaking news. Amid an embattled seven years in office, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx announced that she will not be seeking re-election.
"CHICAGO — Kim Foxx’s legacy has been tied to the Jussie Smollett scandal by her critics.
And it makes her mad.
Foxx announced Tuesday she won’t run for reelection — and she gave a fiery speech where she excoriated her critics, saying they’ve focused on issues like the Smollett case while ignoring how violent crime fell during her first years in office and how she’s made significant reforms to a long-damaged justice system in Chicago."
4/25/23
River North, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI, words by @BauerJournalism
#FilmFridays: #35mm film photos from covering the mayoral campaign trail in the last month. Here's former mayoral candidate Paul Vallas campaigning on 47th Street in Bronzeville and outside the CTA Clark/Lake station.
3/21 & 4/3/23
Chicago, Ill.
Film photos made while #OnAssignment for @blockclubchi
Film was bulk loaded and developed by @artsmaniac
Here's today's batch of City Council black and white photos from Mayor Lori Lightfoot's last time presiding over the council. It was the last day for 12 departing alderpeople, including outgoing, longterm and indicted Ald. Ed Burke (14th) after 54 years as alderman.
4/19/23
Loop, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @blockclubchi
"CICERO — Boxers young and old from every corner of the city stepped into the ring last Thursday night to settle scores the Chicago way.
The Chicago Golden Gloves, a storied amateur boxing tournament, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Through the years, Chicago Golden Gloves has welcomed within its ropes future titans of “the sweet science,” like Sonny Liston, Joe Louis and a young up-and-comer who then went by Cassius Clay.
Golden Gloves was the first stop for a handful of Chicagoans who headed to the Olympics and an incubator for future dignitaries who greased the wheels of the Daley machine."
4/13/23
Cicero, Ill.
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @MackLiederman
Two of Chicago’s most decorated heavyweight boxers grew up less than a mile away from each other in the city’s housing projects.
When they squared up in 1996, only one could go on to the Olympics.
In a split decision, Nate Jones, of Cabrini-Green, sent home Fres Oquendo, of Lathrop Homes. Jones dropped to his knees as the results were read.
Decades later, their bruising rivalry has turned into a friendship.
The former foes, now in their 50s, have teamed up in their search for the city’s next champ. They’re training young boxers for the legendary Golden Gloves amateur competition, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
3/29, 4/12 & 4/13, 2023
Austin, Chicago & Cicero, Ill.
#OnAssignment with @mackliederman for @BlockClubCHI
I went out for ~hot weather photos~ and met a beach cat named Rita! Here's a few frames from my *tenth* time at Lake Michigan this week.
"CHICAGO — The city broke a 136-year-old record for warm temperatures Thursday.
But it could snow by Monday.
The city’s seen unseasonably warm temperatures in the 70s and 80s this week, with Thursday seeing a high of 83 degrees — breaking a record from 1887, when that April 13 was 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
The sunny, warm weather is expected to continue Friday and Saturday. Friday will be mostly sunny with a high of about 78 degrees and wind gusts up to 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday could hit 76 degrees and will be mostly sunny, with overnight storms possible."
4/13/23
Uptown, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI, words by @bauerjournalism
Summer-like weather and bright blue skies were the backdrop as Democrat leaders gathered at the Shedd Aquarium this afternoon to celebrate Chicago being chosen to host the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
4/12/23
Museum Campus, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @melody_ann_mercado
"WEST GARFIELD PARK — Elaine Bell-Quinn’s mother and father came to Chicago separately during the tail end of the Great Migration, looking for more opportunities.
The two met and married, raising their family — including Bell-Quinn — in Austin. But as Bell-Quinn grew up, the neighborhood struggled with disinvestment.
Now, Bell-Quinn’s helping to revitalize the neighborhood and reclaim her family’s legacy — starting with her family’s home block.
Earlier this month, the Cook County Land Bank Authority awarded Bell-Quinn the deed to the land at 4738 W. Monroe St., which is next to her family’s longtime home at 4742 W. Monroe St. The deed was free as part of a community wealth initiative to restore struggling neighborhoods and incentivize investment in them.
Bell-Quinn and her partner, Brian Quinn, plan to establish the Kitteh Soup Kitchen & Garden on the vacant plot to grow fresh produce for the neighborhood and beautify the area. It will also serve as a cat sanctuary for stray felines."
3/30-31/23
West Garfield Park & the Loop, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with Trey Arline
Read the full story here: https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/04/12/a-west-sider-saw-her-neighborhood-decline-now-she-and-her-family-are-rebuilding-and-starting-a-community-garden/
Hundreds of faithfuls flocked to Pilsen's 18th Street for the 46th annual Via Crucis procession on Good Friday.
4/7/23
Pilsen, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @madisonsavedra
It's been an unprecedentedly painful week for Chicago... Just a day after veteran firefighter Jermaine Pelt was killed Tuesday while working the hose line at a fire in West Pullman, Lieutenant Jan Tchoryk passed away this morning after CFD battled a blaze in a Gold Coast high-rise apartment. Tchoryk's body arrived at the Medical Examiner's office later this afternoon, with a procession that was oh too familiar for an already grieving community. // Covering this story all day today was truly painful, and I send my heart out to the CFD family and their loved ones.
4/5/23
Gold Coast, Streeterville & Illinois Medical District, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI
Chicago has elected itself a new mayor. Earning 51.42% of the votes counted tonight, Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson came from behind and defeated former CPS CEO Paul Vallas. The celebration at Johnson's election party was lively, and the emotions were palpable.
Brandon Johnson called for Chicago to “come alive” and for neighbors to love each other as he claimed victory in the mayor’s race Tuesday night.
4/4/23
South Loop, Chicago
#OnAssignment for @BlockClubCHI with @melody_ann_mercado & @quinnmyers_
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