Chloe Hilles

Chloe Hilles is a former Lake County reporter for the Lake County News-Sun and Chicago Tribune.

Annette Prince, director of Chicago Bird Collision Monitors, catches a bird injured in a building collision Oct. 6, 2023, in Chicago's River North neighborhood. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Lake County approves bird-friendly designs for county-owned buildings

May 22, 2024 at 9:38 a.m.

Birds could have a safer flight path thanks to a new Lake County policy that requires newly constructed county-owned buildings to use at least 80% bird-friendly glass on the exteriors....

Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld listens to parents’ concerns during the public comment section of a North Shore School District 112 Board of Education meeting at Northwood Middle School on Feb. 13, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Parents say racial slurs, bullying down among North Shore D112 students; ‘We’ll continue to do everything in our power to … prevent it’

May 22, 2024 at 5:40 p.m.

At a February board meeting, a number of North Shore School District 112 parents shared their children’s experiences of being called racial slurs, as well as becoming targets of other...

A sign at an entrance to Waukegan. (Steve Sadin/Lake County News-Sun)

Census estimates say Lake County’s population has declined in recent years; ‘We’re just kind of expecting slow growth from here on out’

May 16, 2024 at 11:50 a.m.

At the start of the century, Lake County was experiencing a rise in population, according to archival data from the U.S. Census. In 2000, the population was 644,599; 10 years...

North Shore School District 112 Superintendent Michael Lubelfeld announced his plans to retire in two years, at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year. The Highland Park and Highwood school district consists of seven elementary schools and two middle schools. (Credit: NSSD12)

North Shore District 112 superintendent to retire after 2025-2026 school year: ‘It has been a humbling experience’

May 16, 2024 at 11:20 a.m.

Lubelfeld, who has been with the Highland Park and Highwood elementary school district for six years, announced his plans at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting with an effective retirement date...

Lake County, Ill., State's Attorney Eric Rinehart listens to a question during a news conference after an appearance at the Lake County Courthouse, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, in Waukegan, Ill.

Plan outlines goals to reduce Lake County gun violence; ‘Prevention work fulfills our moral duty to help others’

May 16, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Since November, the GVPI has hosted a number of town halls around the county that helped inform the violence prevention plan.

Chris Maliszewski was working at the parade as the recreation director during the Highland Park Fourth of July shooting. (Chloe Hilles/Chicago Tribune)

Fired Highland Park parade shooting survivor settles with Park District; ‘I can now move on with my life’

May 16, 2024 at 2:45 p.m.

After experiencing a panic attack in his office following an active shooter incident, Maliszewski said he was unable to return to work. The panic attack came nine months after the...

Dawn Smith (right) embraces her daughter Courtney Coffman after winning Lake County Educator of the Year for 2024. (Credit: Chloe Hilles/News-Sun)

Ingleside teacher wins Lake County Educator of the Year; ‘Always put the kids first’

May 9, 2024 at 1:25 p.m.

Under the twinkling lights at the Lake County Fairgrounds, more than 140 teachers, administrators and support staff were recognized as nominees for a number of Educator of the Year categories.

Transit-oriented housing proposed near Deerbrook Shopping Center in Deerfield: ‘A clever way … to tuck housing into this extremely challenging footprint’

May 9, 2024 at 10:56 a.m.

The design plans are to construct a high density, transit-oriented development, since the vacant 10.7-acre property abuts the Metra tracks, a train station and Interstate 94.

A typical overdose prevention rescue kit carries cookers, syringes, Narcan, alcohol towels and fentanyl test strips among other things. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

Lake County sees increases in suicides and overdoses, especially involving fentanyl; ‘There is still much work to be done’

May 8, 2024 at 9:54 a.m.

The increase in Lake County overdoes is not just a local issue, but a nationwide problem, Deputy Chief Steve Newton said. In 2023, the national overdose death rate topped 112,000...

A group of Israel supporters gathered on Half Day Road, accross from Stevenson High School Thursday, May 2, 2024. Pro-Palestinian students at the school held a demonstration at the same time on the football field. Police and school officials barred access to the campus during the demonstration. (Brian O'Mahoney for the News-Sun)

Lake County students join nationwide pro-Palestine demonstrations, counter-protests; ‘Not an expression for or against any particular religious group’

December 10, 2024 at 4:02 p.m.

Palestinian solidarity encampments have popped up at dozens of college campuses across the U.S. in recent weeks as the death toll climbs in the war in Gaza.

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