Andy Shaw – Page 2 –

A person walks down the stairs after exiting a train at the Adams/Wabash CTA “L” train station in Chicago on June 2, 2025. The CTA is projecting a $600 million shortfall next year. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Andy Shaw: Public officials must cut the fat before begging for taxpayer bailouts

June 6, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

There's no sign that anyone in Springfield or Chicago City Hall is willing to make the hard choices real leaders are supposed to make.

Andy Shaw and his wife Mary in San Antonio Tlayacapan, Mexico. (Andy Shaw)

Andy Shaw: Need a break from Chicago? I found a winter paradise in Mexico.

April 5, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Thanks to a recommendation from old friends, we discovered what will likely be our winter getaway in Mexico as long as we’re physically able.

Federal buildings in Chicago's Loop on May 28, 2024. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Andy Shaw: An executive order from Donald Trump could bring new life to Chicago

January 31, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Thousands of federal workers refilling the federal buildings in the Loop potentially could reinvigorate downtown Chicago.

A photo of former Mayor Rahm Emanuel is displayed alongside others outside the mayor’s fifth floor office, Nov. 19, 2024, at Chicago City Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Andy Shaw: Rahm Emanuel is the best choice to lead Democrats out of the political wilderness

November 20, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

Watching Rahm Emanuel try to break Donald Trump’s political spell would be a healthy exercise in democracy.

The charred remains of Scott and Janet Willis' minivan sits on the side of Interstate 94, Nov. 8, 1994, near Milwaukee after a part fell off a truck causing a fire that killed six of their children. The accident led to an investigation that eventually doomed former Illinois Gov. George Ryan's political career. (William Meyer/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Andy Shaw: How a 1994 highway tragedy led to debilitation of the Illinois Republican Party

July 12, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

The turmoil that prompted the resignation of Illinois GOP Chairman Don Tracy all began with a highway tragedy that led to the downfall of George Ryan.

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields escapes from the Detroit Lions defense in the first quarter of a game at Soldier Field on Dec 10, 2023.

Andy Shaw: What are 3 keys to the Bears’ future? A longtime fan offers some advice.

January 5, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

After my freshman year at Evanston Township High School, where my final tackle football experience was starting center on the "B" team, I froze my 15-year-old behind off on a...

Chicago Bears fans look deflated after a dropped pass in the fourth quarter in a game against the Washington Commanders at Soldier Field on Oct. 13, 2022.

Andy Shaw: A lament for the sorry state of Chicago pro sports in 2022

December 28, 2022 at 2:20 p.m.

It's the holiday season, so instead of a riff on local politics and government, I'm playing Chicago sports Scrooge, based on a lifetime of occasionally cheering but mostly jeering our...

Inspector General Joe Ferguson hosts a community forum on the Chicago Police Department's gang database in the Austin neighborhood in 2018.

Andy Shaw: Ex-watchdog Joe Ferguson has the credentials to run for mayor. But he can’t — because of city law.

June 3, 2022 at 11:14 a.m.

A funny thing happened on the way to next year's race for Chicago mayor, and it wasn't "thanks but no thanks" announcements by potentially formidable candidates such as U.S. Rep....

Chicago police look for evidence on South State Street in downtown Chicago after a shooting on May 14, 2022.

Andy Shaw: If Chicago wants to restore order to its cultural and economic hubs, it should invest in foot patrols

May 23, 2022 at 5:00 a.m.

In January 2009, after covering the first Barack Obama inauguration, I retired from my political reporting job at WLS-Ch. 7 to chill out and ponder my future. I wanted to...

A view of the Chicago skyline behind homes on the Northwest Side on Feb. 28, 2022.

Andy Shaw: 10 aldermen have the power to rescue reform of Chicago’s remapping process

May 13, 2022 at 2:08 p.m.

No one playing the political insiders game of Chicago ward remap baseball was surprised when the house of cards supporting actual reform and the end of gerrymandered backroom deals collapsed...

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