Claire Murphy

Claire Murphy is a North Shore reporter with the Pioneer Press. She holds a master’s degree in investigative reporting from Northwestern University. Before joining the Tribune, she worked at the Chronicle of Higher Education. Her work has been featured in a number of local outlets, including the Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago.

Yolande Wilburn has served as Evanston Public Library's executive director since 2023. She resigned from her position at a board meeting, Feb. 18, 2026. (Joerg Metzner/Evanston Public Library)

Evanston Public Library executive director steps down; Board cautioned

March 4, 2026 at 3:38 p.m.

Yolande Wilburn, executive director of Evanston Public Library has resigned after two years.

After the U.S. attacks on Iran, Iranian-Americans and others in Chicago's north suburbs react with fear and uncertainty. In this photo from January 17, 2026, people gather in downtown Chicago to protest the Iran government's killing of protesters and general crackdown. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

In the north suburbs, US attacks in Iran provoke fear: ‘Innocent people are gonna be killed’

March 5, 2026 at 11:03 a.m.

Residents of Chicago's North Shore neighborhoods respond to U.S. and Israel's coordinated attack on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Middlefork School, one of two Sunset Ridge School District 29 elementary schools, would get a facility renovation and rebuild if a $23.5 million bond referendum on the March 17, 2026 primary election ballot passes. Two other referendums are also on the ballot in the area. Northfield and a portion of Northbrook students live within the district. (Sunset Ridge School District 29)

Northfield’s Sunset Ridge District 29 asking voters for $23.5 million in March 17 election

March 3, 2026 at 7:14 a.m.

Sunset Ridge School District 29, serving Northfield and part of Northbrook, is seeking $23.5 million to renovate Middlefork School.

The Skokie Village Board has lowered the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on residential streets as of March 1, 2026. Pictured here, the speed limit at Laramie Avenue between Main Street and Gross Point Road was lowered to 25 mph in January 2019. (Pioneer Press)

Skokie’s 25 mph speed limit is in effect; advocates hope it will reduce crash deaths

March 2, 2026 at 8:59 a.m.

Skokie's 25 mph speed limit went into effect March 1, 2026. Advocates hope it will reduce crash deaths.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board members voted 7-0 on Feb. 23, 2026 to dismiss an administrator in the district, but declined to identify whether or not the employee in question was an assistant principal at Washington Elementary School who was arrested Feb. 5, 2026 in Chicago, charged with child sexual abuse and detained in custody. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Parents demand answers as Evanston-Skokie District 65 moves to dismiss an administrator

February 24, 2026 at 2:23 p.m.

The Evanston/Skokie District 65 School Board moved to dismiss an administrator Feb. 23 but did not identify the employee.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Chief Financial Officer Tamara Mitchell at a community engagement meeting at the Evanston South End Community Center on Jan. 17, 2025. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Evanston-Skokie School District 65 CFO Tamara Mitchell to resign in June

February 23, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

Evanston-Skokie School D65 CFO Tamara Mitchell will resign effective June 30. She guided D65 through its deficit reduction plan.

Ivan Silverburg, center, instructs students in a recording studio, part of the digital lab at Niles North High School in Skokie, on Tuesday, Aug.19, 2025. At the Feb. 16, 2026 Board meeting, Village of Skokie trustees talked about forming a Youth Commission to let high school-age students contribute ideas and learn about local government. (Nate Swanson/for the Pioneer Press)

Skokie officials enthusiastic about forming a Youth Commission, letting teens contribute

February 23, 2026 at 1:42 p.m.

The Village of Skokie approved a 16-person youth commission for students looking to get involved in local government.

Skokie Village Board members gave initial approval to a 68-townhome development project to be built at 4600 Main Street at the Village Board meeting, Feb. 17, 2026. The proposed development is spearheaded by Chicago-based real estate firm Fulton Street Companies. (Village of Skokie)

Skokie advances developer’s plans for 68 townhomes on Main Street

February 21, 2026 at 8:10 a.m.

A divided crowd packed Village Hall in Skokie for hours at Tuesday's Board meeting, trading impassioned, and at times contentious, remarks to sway trustees’ minds over the proposed site plans...

Trustees discuss a new limited rebate program for Skokie residents who replaced their private-side lead or galvanized service lines out-of-pocket at the Feb. 17, 2026 board meeting. Homeowners will now be eligible for either a $750 cash rebate or a $1,250 credit on their utility bill. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Skokie OKs plan to refund $750 to homeowners who replaced their lead service lines

February 19, 2026 at 4:45 p.m.

Skokie trustees on Tuesday unanimously approved a limited rebate program aimed at reimbursing homeowners who replaced their own lead service lines — which bring water from water mains into homes...

As the 5-minute timer winds down, participants fight to eat more paczki, Feb. 14, 2026. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

On your mark, get set, paczki: Bennison’s Bakery in Evanston hosts eating contest

February 17, 2026 at 3:27 p.m.

Bennison's Bakery in Evanston hosted its annual paczki eating contest on Feb. 14, 2026. Proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association.

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