Angie Leventis Lourgos

Angie Leventis Lourgos has been a Chicago Tribune staff writer since 2009. Her work has won two Lisagor awards, one Sarah Brown Boyden award and several Illinois Press Association awards. She is the author of "Life-Altering: Abortion Stories from the Midwest."

Surviving family members and loved ones affected by suicide visit the 20-foot Ascending Doves sculpture in the “At Peace” memorial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on June 26, 2026, in Hillside. The memorial was organized by the Archdiocese of Chicago. They are the first archdiocese in the United States to create a memorial in a Catholic cemetery for survivors and lives lost to suicide. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

‘Sense of peace’: Archdiocese cemetery unveils memorial for suicide loss survivors, the first Catholic tribute of its kind in the nation

July 5, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The memorial at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery serves as a physical testament to church’s evolution on the matter of suicide.

An expectant mother sits with her 11-year-old son, June 30, 2026, for a portrait for the Chicago Tribune on the South Side of Chicago. The mother has feared the possibility her new child could be born here without the typical rights and protections of an American citizen. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois immigrants and leaders rejoice as Supreme Court affirms birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s order

June 30, 2026 at 6:59 p.m.

Challenging birthright citizenship was a central campaign pledge of Trump’s, who has disparaged the practice as “a magnet for illegal immigration.”

The Rev. Edgar Torres, who was born in Mexico and became a U.S. citizen, greets people after the service on June 14, 2026, at New Community Covenant Church in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

America 250: New US citizens in Chicagoland share reflections on their adopted nation as it hits landmark anniversary

June 28, 2026 at 11:57 a.m.

At a time of backlash against foreigners various groups champion contributions of immigrants during semiquincentennial celebration.

Eden Elling, from left, Anika Wicker and Adeline America talk before Trinity Christian College’s final graduation ceremony on May 8, 2026, at Ozinga Field in Crestwood. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Daily Southtown)

As several Illinois Christian colleges close or move, students and alums mourn the loss of their alma mater

June 1, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Several Illinois Christian colleges have closed, merged, moved or halted new admissions in recent years, amid an increasingly challenging landscape for higher education.

Owner Lisa Fleischmann hangs a Trump sign on the wall in her soon-to-open Trump Truth Store and Hangout on Jan. 13, 2026, in Crystal Lake. Fleischmann shut down the business on March 26, 2026, citing a drop in sales amid the broadly unpopular U.S.- and- Israel-led war in Iran. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Controversial Trump Truth Store is reopening after abrupt closure amid drop in sales, Iran war

May 15, 2026 at 1:09 p.m.

The Trump Truth Store, a controversial, MAGA-themed shop in Crystal Lake, will open again at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, May 8, 2025. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

Pope Leo XIV: 10 poignant moments from the Chicago native’s historic 1st year

May 8, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As the first year of of Pope Leo XIV’s historic pontificate comes to a close, here are 10 milestone moments from the Chicago native’s nascent papacy.

Pope Leo XIV, center bottom, leaves after an audience with Catholic religion teachers in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on April 25, 2026. (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)

One year of Chicago native Pope Leo XIV: Championing migrants, uplifting his hometown — and challenging Donald Trump

May 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As the first year of Pope Leo's pontificate comes to a close, the Chicago-area native has emerged as a powerful counter to President Donald Trump.

Students learn Arabic words while playing with bilingual flash cards during Modern Arabic 1 class at Richards High School in Oak Lawn on April 17, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Southwest suburban school district faces controversy over multiyear attempt to add Arabic language curriculum

May 3, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Despite a sizable population of Arab American students and groundswell of support from many parents, Orland Park-based High School District 230 is facing controversy over a proposal to create an...

Pope Leo XIV meets the Algerian community in the Basilica of Our Lady of Africa in Algiers on April 13, 2026, on the first day of an 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. (Andrew Medichini/AP)

Local Catholic leaders express support for Chicago native Pope Leo after Trump calls him ‘weak’ and ‘terrible’

April 13, 2026 at 4:51 p.m.

Local Catholic leaders expressed support for Chicago native Pope Leo XIV after President Donald Trump called the Holy Father “weak” and “terrible” in a rambling social media post.

Church members including Joy Shahabi, from left, Narjes Delacai and Fereidoon Tadayyon greet each other during services on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Kheimeh Molaghat, in Addison. The nondenominational church has a predominantly Iranian American congregation. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

At Easter time, local Iranian Christians pray for regime change and freedom of worship as war rages in their homeland

April 4, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

As a small Persian church in the western suburbs prepares for Easter, its members hope for renewal, the freedom to worship and a U.S. victory in Iran.

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