Caroline Kubzansky

Caroline Kubzansky covers criminal justice with a focus on violence and its root causes for the Tribune. She previously worked as a general assignment reporter and started her career covering the northern suburbs. A graduate of the University of Illinois-Springfield's Public Affairs Reporting Program and the University of Chicago, she is a committed Chicago partisan and a native of Washington, D.C.

Glenna Broderick, right, and Joie Allen, center, along with other circus performers delight the crowd at the Elgin 4th of July parade on July 4, 2026, in Elgin. The two-hour parade featured community organizations and businesses, politicians, sports leagues and dancers, to name a few. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Fireworks, parades and community mark America’s 250th in Chicago

July 4, 2026 at 5:52 p.m.

Crowds fanned out across the Chicago area Saturday to celebrate the Fourth of July, marking 250 years of American independence with colorful parades, beach days and backyard barbecues.

Police evidence technicians check around an SUV in a crime scene where two police officers were shot during a traffic stop in the 2000 block of East 79th Street, July 3, 2026, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

2 Chicago police officers shot in South Shore, fire department says

July 3, 2026 at 9:57 p.m.

The two officers were shot around 5 p.m. near East 79th Street and South Chappel Avenue and transported to University of Chicago Medical Center.

Paramedics transport a person from the scene where seven people were shot, two fatally, near the 5100 block of South Wood Street in Chicago's New City neighborhood in the early hours of June 5, 2026. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

In Back of the Yards, a wave of shootings highlights long-term questions in a city trying to build on historic progress

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

Near South Side areas endure bigger share of gun violence suffering, costs despite progress fighting crime elsewhere in the city.

Loretto Hospital CEO George Miller talks with an employee during a visit with patients and employees at the hospital in Chicago on March 7, 2019. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Feds to seek new indictment in Loretto embezzlement case in wake of Broadview Six scandal

July 2, 2026 at 6:16 p.m.

Federal prosecutors will present evidence to a new grand jury regarding fraud allegations at Loretto Hospital after a former lead prosecutor landed at the center of a "credibility crisis" for...

Ivy Hall dispensary in Chicago on Nov. 14, 2022. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Ivy Hall co-founder sentenced to prison for role in drug smugglers’ money laundering scheme

July 1, 2026 at 6:35 p.m.

The co-founder of local cannabis dispensary chain Ivy Hall will serve a year and a day in prison for his role in a wide-ranging cocaine trafficking and money laundering scheme,...

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling holds his cap at the department's graduation and promotion ceremony at Navy Pier on Feb. 3, 2025. Mayor Brandon Johnson is at left. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling to retire after nearly 3 years leading department

July 2, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling will retire after nearly three decades with the Chicago Police Department.

Featherweight fighters Diego López and Steve García compete during the first fight at UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., June 14, 2026. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Defense attorney describes Chicago man charged with plotting to attack President Donald Trump’s UFC event as a ‘LARPer’

June 30, 2026 at 6:43 p.m.

The defense attorney representing the Chicago man charged with plotting to attack President Donald Trump's UFC event said his client is a "LARPer," slang for people who like to do...

Chester Wilson, right, former chief of staff to Ald. Carrie Austin, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with attorney Thomas Breen after pleading guilty to corruption charges on Oct. 29, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Aide receives probation for helping former Ald. Carrie Austin get home improvement perks from developers

June 30, 2026 at 4:58 p.m.

A federal judge Tuesday sentenced a top aide to former Ald. Carrie Austin to three years of probation, including three months of home confinement and a fine of more than...

Gunmen seen running into home where two fatally shot in Dunning: report

June 26, 2026 at 3:53 p.m.

Neither man's identity was publicly released as of Friday afternoon, though autopsies confirmed that both victims died of multiple gunshot wounds in deaths ruled as homicides.

Diego Lopes celebrates during a featherweight bout against Steve Garcia during UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 14, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Chicago man charged with obstructing investigation into alleged White House UFC attack plot

June 26, 2026 at 5:41 p.m.

A 20-year-old Chicago man, Alexander Iniguez Mercado, was charged with one count of obstruction of justice.

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