Chicago Leaders Plan to Revive State Street's Future
Civic and business leaders gathered at a sold-out Chicago Loop Alliance summit to discuss strategies for revitalizing State Street and boosting the city's economy.
About Michael
Michael Kowalski is the founding editor of Chicago Gust, bringing over two decades of journalism experience to the Windy City's newest independent news publication. A third-generation Chicagoan with deep South Side roots in Bridgeport, Michael spent 15 years at the Chicago Sun-Times covering city hall and local politics before launching Chicago Gust. He holds a journalism degree from Northwestern's Medill School and has received multiple Peter Lisagor Awards for political reporting. When he's not chasing stories, you'll find him at Guaranteed Rate Field watching the Sox or grabbing Italian beef at his neighborhood's legendary spots. Previously, Michael was a Research Associate at Politico. Michael holds a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University.
Articles by Michael
César Chávez Murals Removed Across Chicago in 2026
Chicago removes César Chávez murals after assault allegations, replacing some with images of Dolores Huerta as Illinois honors her legacy.
Chicago's Sidewalk Delivery Robots: What You Need to Know
Chicago residents are pushing back against Coco Robotics' sidewalk delivery robots, raising safety concerns and calling for city regulations.
DePaul Student Charged With Spitting on ICE Agent at O'Hare
Brett Heier, 20, faces felony battery after allegedly spitting on an ICE agent at O'Hare. His attorney calls the charges overblown, citing accidental contact.
Chicago Firefighter Michael Altman Killed in Arson Fire
Chicago mourns firefighter Michael Altman, killed battling a blaze allegedly set by a suicidal suspect. His funeral drew officials, colleagues, and family.
March Madness Packs Chicago Sports Bars With Fans
March Madness brought massive crowds and surging revenue to Chicago sports bars, fueled by Big Ten alumni and savvy media partnerships.
Macquline King Confirmed as Chicago Public Schools CEO
Macquline King received a standing ovation after her near-unanimous confirmation as CEO of Chicago Public Schools, promising to build a bridge of excellence.
CPS Board Approves Macquline King as Permanent CEO
The Chicago Board of Education approved a three-year contract for Macquline King as CPS CEO at $380,000, passing with just one dissenting vote.
Chicago Tipped Minimum Wage Battle Reaches Tipping Point
Chicago's fight over the tipped minimum wage divides labor activists and workers, as servers fear higher base pay could reduce their total take-home earnings.
Two Men Charged in Assassination of Chicago Business Leader
Jerry Lewis, 67, was shot and killed outside his offices near the United Center. Two suspects waited 90 minutes before opening fire in front of officers.
White Sox 2026 Season: Can They Finally Move Forward?
The White Sox opened 2026 with a 14-2 loss to Milwaukee, extending a troubling stretch of 324 losses over three consecutive 100-loss seasons.
Mayor Johnson Vetoes Chicago Tipped Worker Wage Freeze
Mayor Brandon Johnson vetoed an ordinance freezing tipped workers at 76% of minimum wage, leaving the City Council four votes short of an override.
Adler Planetarium Brings Artemis II Moon Mission to Chicago
As NASA's Artemis II targets an April launch, Chicago's Adler Planetarium offers immersive ways to experience humanity's return to lunar orbit.
CHA Commissioner Debra Parker Drops Lawsuit, May Resign
Debra Parker dismissed her lawsuit over a revoked housing voucher and says she is now considering resigning from the Chicago Housing Authority board.
Jose Medina Detained in Sheridan Gorman Murder Case
Venezuelan immigrant Jose Medina made his first court appearance Friday in the Rogers Park shooting death of Loyola freshman Sheridan Gorman.
Chicago Delivery Robots Smash 2 CTA Bus Shelters
Two food delivery robots from competing companies crashed into Chicago CTA bus shelters days apart, raising concerns about the city's autonomous robot pilot program.
West Suburban Medical Center Closes Temporarily in Oak Park
West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park announced a temporary closure and furloughs, leaving patients and staff scrambling with no clear reopening timeline.
Loyola Student Murder Sparks GOP Attack on Chicago Sanctuary Policy
A Loyola University Chicago student's murder has reignited GOP criticism of Chicago's sanctuary city policies amid ongoing immigration enforcement debates.
Sheridan Gorman Killing: What to Know About the Case
Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot near campus in Chicago. Here's what we know about her death and the ongoing murder case.
ICE Agents at O'Hare: Pritzker and Johnson Push Back
Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson condemn ICE deployment at O'Hare, escalating tensions between Chicago officials and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement.
Trump Reacts to Loyola Student Sheridan Gorman's Killing
Trump invoked Sheridan Gorman's killing to push mass deportations as suspect Jose Medina missed his court date due to hospitalization with tuberculosis.
Chicago Lebanese-Americans Mourn Losses From War in Lebanon
Chicago's Lebanese American community grieves as families process losses from conflict in Lebanon, navigating mourning, political betrayal, and displacement.
Cook County Board of Review Primary: Steele vs. Nicholson
Samantha Steele faces Democratic primary challenger Liz Nicholson in Cook County's Board of Review race, while George Cardenas battles Juanita Irizarry.
Chicago Lebanese Americans Mourn as 1 Million Displaced
Chicago-area Lebanese Americans grieve lost loved ones and seek ways to help as Israeli strikes displace over one million people in Lebanon.
Review: 'Two Sisters and a Piano' at Writers Theatre
Writers Theatre's staging of Nilo Cruz's 'Two Sisters and a Piano' delivers genuine peaks but struggles to sustain them in an uneven yet admirable production.
Jesse Jackson Laid to Rest, Women's March & More Chicago Photos
Chicago mourned Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., with three former presidents attending, while hundreds marched for Women's Day in a powerful two-week recap.
Chicago Mayor's Budget Director Got Illegal Property Tax Breaks
Mayor Brandon Johnson's budget director Annette Guzman collected illegal property tax breaks for five years on a South Loop condo she no longer lived in.
Whiskey Trust: Avondale's Kentucky Blends Meet Chicago History
Jeff VanDam's Whiskey Trust blends Kentucky bourbon barrels in Avondale, merging Chicago's forgotten whiskey history with modern craft spirits.
2026 Chicago Humanities Festival Lineup & Dates
Padma Lakshmi, Veronica Roth, Michael Pollan and more headline the 2026 Chicago Humanities Festival running March 24 through June 28.
Illinois Primary Election Day: Key Races to Watch
Illinois voters head to the polls in a primary election with competitive races for U.S. Senate, Cook County Board President, and Cook County Assessor.
SNAP Work Requirements Hit Older Chicagoans Hard
New SNAP work requirements now apply to adults up to age 54, hitting older Chicagoans on the South and West sides especially hard amid limited job prospects.
Mayor Johnson Fights to Protect Chicago Tipped Wage Phaseout
Mayor Brandon Johnson calls freezing Chicago's subminimum wage phaseout 'irresponsible' as a City Council vote looms on Wednesday.
Chicago City Council Video Gambling Battle Takes New Turn
Chicago's License Committee rejected ward-by-ward video gambling bans requested by six mayoral allies, defying the longstanding aldermanic prerogative tradition.
CTA Riders Shoved onto L Tracks Once a Month, Data Shows
A Sun-Times analysis found 60+ riders shoved onto CTA L tracks since 2021, averaging roughly one incident per month on Chicago's train system.
Chicago Faces $27M Settlement in Deadly Police Chase Case
Chicago taxpayers may pay $27M to settle a deadly 2017 police chase case after the city's appeal backfired, tripling the original $10M jury verdict.
Chicago Developer Owes CTA $1M+ in Back Rent and Late Fees
Scott Goodman's Farpoint Development owes the CTA over $1 million in back rent and $11 million in late fees tied to a West Loop office lease.
Brooks Baldwin Sidelined by Elbow Inflammation
White Sox outfielder Brooks Baldwin has been out since March 6 with right elbow inflammation, putting his Opening Day availability in doubt.
Chicago Housing Authority Moves to Strip Board Member's Voucher
Chicago Housing Authority seeks to revoke Commissioner Debra Parker's housing voucher over fraud allegations, while also pushing for her removal from the board.
Chicago's Most Anticipated Spring 2026 Restaurant Openings
From a mid-century Chicago bar in West Town to a D.C. bagel shop's Midwest debut, here are the spring 2026 restaurant openings generating the most buzz.
City Colleges of Chicago Students See Higher Graduation Rates
New research shows City Colleges of Chicago support program participants are graduating at higher rates and landing better-paying jobs than peers.
CTA Expands Safety Plan to Protect Federal Transit Funding
The Chicago Transit Authority unveiled a new security package with increased police presence and stricter enforcement to safeguard hundreds of millions in federal funds.
Security Guard Dies Breaking Up Fight at Hubbard Inn
Bryan Watson, 35, died after being pushed down stairs while breaking up a fight at Hubbard Inn. Police released the suspect without charges, sparking scrutiny.
Hamilton Returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre Review 2026
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre through April 26, hitting harder than ever amid America's shifting political landscape.
Chicago Craft Brewery Closures 2026: What's Behind the Wave
Five Chicago-area breweries have closed or announced closures in early 2026, leaving the local craft beer industry on edge about what comes next.
Chicagoan Francisco Duilior Rebuilds Life After Deportation
After three decades in Chicago's Little Village, Francisco Duilior was deported to Mexico, revealing the human cost of immigration enforcement in 2026.
Security Guard Dies After Being Pushed Down Stairs at Hubbard Inn
A 35-year-old security guard died after being pushed down stairs during a fight at Hubbard Inn in Chicago's River North neighborhood early Monday.
Midway Blitz Spring Sequel Shows No Signs of Materializing
Federal threats to repeat Chicago's 'Midway Blitz' immigration enforcement surge this spring have not materialized, continuing a pattern of rhetoric outpacing action.
Chicago River Dyeing, Multiple Parades Highlight Week-Long St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Chicago area residents will have numerous opportunities to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year, with festivities spanning more than a week and featuring the iconic river dyeing, multiple parades, and community festivals across the city and suburbs.
Hamilton' Returns to Chicago's CIBC Theatre with Fresh Energy and Timeless Relevance
Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical "Hamilton" has returned to Chicago's CIBC Theatre in the Loop, running through April 26 with a cast that delivers the same electric energy that made the show a cultural phenomenon over a decade ago.
Peoples Gas Defends $202M Rate Hike Before City Council Despite Record Profits
Peoples Gas officials defended a proposed $202 million rate increase before Chicago City Council members Tuesday, arguing the hike is necessary to complete mandated pipeline replacements despite consumer advocates' fierce opposition.
Chicago Stands Alone Among Major Cities in Giving Mayor Council Leadership and Veto Powers
Chicago operates under a unique governance structure that concentrates unusual power in the mayor's office, making it the only major American city where the mayor both presides over the City Council and holds veto authority, according to an analysis of municipal government structures.
Local Child Services Leader Calls for Support of Social Workers During National Recognition Month
Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois is highlighting the critical role of social workers as the nation observes National Social Work Month in March, according to the organization's president and CEO.
Fitch Downgrades Chicago's Credit Rating Following Budget Battle Between Johnson and City Council
Chicago's credit rating has been downgraded by Fitch Ratings following last year's contentious budget negotiations between Mayor Brandon Johnson and the City Council, according to the rating agency's recent announcement.
Hundreds Honor Rev. Jesse Jackson as Civil Rights Leader Lies in Repose at Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Hundreds of mourners lined Drexel Avenue in Kenwood on Thursday morning as Rev. Jesse Jackson's lying-in-repose services began at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, according to attendees at the scene.
Chicago's Return to Normal Winter Weather Boosts Some Businesses While Others Adapt to Climate Trends
Chicago is experiencing a more traditional winter this year after several seasons of unusually mild weather, providing a boost to certain sectors of the local economy while highlighting how businesses are adapting to long-term climate changes.
Pritzker Signs Executive Order to Fast-Track Nuclear Power Development in Illinois
Gov. JB Pritzker signed an executive order aimed at expediting nuclear power plant development in Illinois, setting the stage for construction of facilities that could power up to two million homes by 2033.
Chicago Rivet & Machine Short Interest Drops Nearly 50%
The Chicago-based manufacturer of rivets and fasteners saw short interest fall from 6,037 shares to 3,144 shares by month's end, signaling reduced bearish sentiment.