Chicago's NPR News Source

Kaitlin Washburn

Freelance Reporter
Joseph Moore, an apprentice at Restore Justice who advocates for abolishing solitary confinement, spent 15 months in solitary while serving a 60-year prison sentence.
Criminal Justice
Solitary confinement in Illinois prisons violates human rights, Chicago lawyers group says
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Family members console one another Sunday near the scene of Saturday’s mass shooting that killed 9-year-old Ariana Molina.
9-year-old girl killed in Back of the Yards mass shooting was ‘the princess of the family’
By Matthew Hendrickson  and Kaitlin Washburn
 
A Chicago police officer at fatal traffic stop in Humboldt Park last month.
Criminal Justice
Watchdog chief questions whether Chicago cops lied about why they stopped Dexter Reed before killing him in exchange of gunfire
By Tom Schuba , Frank Main , and 3 more
 
Woman speaks at podium
Politics
Chicago’s first chief homelessness officer named
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
dead bird on ground
Environment & Public Health
Building designs that protect birds should be mandatory, bird safety advocates say
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Alliyah Thomas says she was regularly mistreated and neglected when jailed while she was pregnant.
Criminal Justice
‘Punishment for being pregnant': Report details poor care for pregnant people in county jails
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Side by side photo of three candidates running for 7th Congressional District
Politics
Candidates make final pitch to Chicago voters before Tuesday’s primary
By Violet Miller , Mitchell Armentrout , and 2 more
 
group of people walking in downtown Chicago
Race, Class & Communities
Census Bureau estimates Cook County’s population dropped in 2023, but the exodus is slowing
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Lurie Children’s Hospital’s electronic medical records platform was restored Monday after being down for over a month.
Lurie restores electronic medical records system after cybersecurity threat, MyChart remains down
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
CDC
Environment & Public Health
CDC might drop 5-day COVID-19 isolation guideline — prompting mixed feelings in Chicago expert
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
A Metra train sits on a platform waiting for passengers to board in January 2024.
Politics
Ventra app back up and running for Metra, but the real test comes during Monday commute
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Nicole Bashor sitting at desk
Race, Class & Communities
Chicago falls shy of national milestone for women attorneys
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Angelica Rodriguez and Alfonzo Arroyo Jr., who won the lottery for Cook County’s first marriage license in 2024, watch as former Cook County Judge Travis Richardson signs their marriage certificate Tuesday during a wedding ceremony at the Cook County clerk’s office.
Pilsen couple become first Cook County newlyweds of 2024
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Migrants get off a bus in Chicago
Politics
Another plane of migrants arrives in the Chicago area
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
Mohammed Mohsen owns Haraz Coffee House in Orland Park.
Chicago-area businesses close, dozens rally to call for cease-fire in Gaza
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
A new report on road safety gives Illinois high marks for distracted driving rules and automated speed enforcement. But there is room for improvement: In 2022, more than 1,200 people died in traffic crashes in Illinois, up from 1,010 in 2019.
Politics
Illinois in the middle of the road nationally on traffic safety
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
chocolate brownies in pink glass dish
Arts & Culture
The brownie was invented in Chicago 130 years ago
By Kaitlin Washburn
 
fire department personnel outside hospital
Firefighter Andrew “Drew” Price dies battling Lincoln Park blaze: CFD
By Sophie Sherry  and Kaitlin Washburn