How the Chicago Sun-Times is deciding what's news — by soliciting your input

07.10.2024 01:58

Chicago Sun-Times

For years, readers had to pay if they wanted to read the Sun-Times, whether in print or on our website. But two years ago, after the Sun-Times became a nonprofit as part of Chicago Public Media, we made it free for everyone to access all of our stories online.

It was a risk: Would we be able to support ourselves without a paywall? We’re honestly still learning the answer.

But our mission is to inform as many Chicago-area residents as we can so everyone can fully participate in — and make the most of — our communities. It’s not about us, it’s about Chicago. We believe that we need as many brains and perspectives as possible to help our region thrive. And if only people who can afford to pay can get accurate information, that further disadvantages those who may need it most — and makes it more likely that more people will receive misinformation and disinformation instead of the truth.

So we decided to go for it.

We are so grateful to the thousands of readers who have stepped up over the past two years to support this work, to invest in keeping the Chicago area informed. Thanks to your support, in that time we’ve been able to publish thousands of stories that all community members can access at no cost.

Among these are so many examples of original, impactful journalism that I had trouble narrowing this list down to a manageable size – it could easily have been five times as long! But as a reminder or in case you missed it, here are just a few examples of stories that have:

Held officials accountable

Stories that hold public officials accountable

Oath Keepers: In October 2023, we published a three-part investigation into 27 current and former Chicago police officers whose names appeared in leaked membership records for the Oath Keepers, an extremist group that participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 attempt to violently overturn the results of the November 2020 election.

Chicago’s 50 closed schools: A decade after Chicago closed 50 public schools amid declining student populations and budget shortfalls, we examined the impact of this decision on the city, the school system (including the budget), the students, their families and their neighborhoods.

Corruption trails: We’re keeping tabs on a series of high-profile federal corruption trials challenging Chicago-style politics, which you can follow here. Our ongoing reporting includes, among other cases, coverage of the historic trials of former alderperson Ed Burke, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza and four former political insiders.

Portrait of Deborah Payne, a lifelong activist who is dedicated to improving Chicago’s South Side, sits on the front porch of her apartment in the Bronzeville neighborhood. | Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times

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George and Gladys Smith and their son George Jr. live across the street from the now-shuttered Woods Elementary in Englewood. Members of the Smith family have lived on the block since 1883. They say the area was in decline and the population dropping before 2013, but the closing of Woods was a turning point. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ

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Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wears a hat and trenchcoat. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times,

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Examined systemic inequities

Electric and gas companies: Illinois electric and gas companies are quietly sorting their customers into different “risk” categories, which means that customers who struggle to pay their power bills could see their power shut off in as little as 16 days, while those who are considered less “risky” could get up to 40 days.

Insurance: People with bad credit pay more for car insurance in Illinois, even if they are excellent drivers.

Grocery stores: Grocery stores have closed, leaving 102,000 Chicagoans without access to a major grocery store within a mile of their homes. This 2023 number represents a 63% jump from the 38,000 with low food access in 2013. The situation is especially bleak for residents on the South Side and West Side.

Jose Silva looks over his gas and electric bills at his home in Belmont Cragin, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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Traffic backs up during heavy rain in the Chicago area last month. A new report says Illinois drivers with poor credit pay more for auto insurance than people who have excellent credit — even if those with bad credit have a good driving record. | Pat Nabong / Sun-Times

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A produce aisle at a Lakeview East Jewel supermarket is stocked with a variety of fresh foods — items that shoppers say they want more of in their neighborhood grocery stores. | Mariah Rush / Sun-Times

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Informed voters

Election hub 2024: Get the latest election news at the Chicago Sun-Times election hub, where you’ll find stories about how Illinoians are participating in, and could be affected by, the Nov. 5 election.

Voter Guide 2024: Our voter guide aims to help Chicagoans as they decide who to vote for in the first-ever election of Chicago Board of Education members on Nov. 5. It offers a district-by-district look at candidates’ backgrounds and policy priorities.

Voter Guide 2023: Our voter guide to the 2023 Chicago city elections included voter resources, a questionnaire laying out the views of all the mayoral candidates, videos of all the candidates, and live results and updates.

Find your ward 2023: To help voters during the 2023 municipal elections in Chicago, we created a feature in which readers could enter their address and get information about the candidates in their ward and police district.

Voter Guide 2024

Sun-Times file

Protected consumers and taxpayers

Overdue payments: In March, we helped City Hall collect $1 million in overdue payments from sports teams, promoters and organizers of special events.

Junk fees: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed the rising trend of “junk fees” that are exacerbating the already growing cost of renting apartments in Chicago – and making it harder for renters to comparison shop and budget.

$24,000 cellphone bill: Comcast refunded a barber’s unexpected $24,000 cellphone bill after Chicago Sun-Times’ Money desk reporter Stephanie Zimmermann asked about it.

Unlicenced plumber: The Chicago Sun-Times’ new Money desk, launched in January, told the story of an unlicensed plumber who left an Avondale man with a costly mess – and provided tips on how others can protect themselves.

Catalytic converter: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed data to understand the scale of Chicago’s catalytic converter theft epidemic, the most targeted vehicles and how the thieves operate – and how consumers can protect themselves.

Consumer problem: We want to help Chicago area residents thrive, with “how to” stories like this article with tips to help consumers successfully complain when they run into issues with retailers or service providers.

Amir Yass, wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans, is sitting in a barber chair at his shop Hair Mechanic, 2140 W. North Ave., in Wicker Park. He had racked up $23,686 in cellphone charges on a trip abroad, even though he proactively sought an international calling plan. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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An aerial view of the United Center with the Chicago city skyline in the background. | Scott Olson/Getty Images

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Juan Chavez handles baggage as is comes off a United Airlines aircraft upon landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Houston. United Airlines said Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, that it is raising its fees for checking bags, following a similar move earlier this week by American Airlines. | Brett Coomer/AP Photos

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Jacob Hicks standing in the gangway at his Avondale home, looking at a rolled-up garden hose and an outdoor faucet that’s connected to a pipe inside his finished basement. A problem with the faucet and pipe led him to call a plumber. | Victor Hilitski / Sun-Times

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A security camera shows a crew in an Avondale parking lot stealing a catalytic converter from an SUV in February. Catalytic converter thieves have cost Chicagoans millions of dollars in property damage. | Provided

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This is only a small part of what we’ve been able to do with your support and, just as importantly, with your input in helping us shape the news. Thank you so much for your partnership and for keeping yourselves informed!

If you believe local news and information — created by, for and about people who live here — is important and want to keep it free for everyone, and if you have the means to do so, I hope you’ll consider making a donation to commemorate this anniversary at suntimes.com/support. If a donation isn’t possible, please consider sharing this article with others to help spread the word about what we’re doing.