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.

Third suspect charged in Howard Street shooting in Evanston in April

June 2, 2026 at 1:53 p.m.

Evanston police have arrested a third suspect in connection to an April 21 shooting on the 700 block of Howard Street in Evanston.

Tom Moore, superintendent of Niles Township High School District 219, which educates students from Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood, had the 10th highest superintendent salary in Illinois in 2024, according to a Chicago Tribune analysis. (Elena Ferrarin/for Pioneer Press)

In Niles Township High School D219, Haskins to succeed Moore as superintendent

June 2, 2026 at 10:45 a.m.

Tom Moore, Niles Township High School District 219 superintendent since 2022, will step down from role in January.

The original Spare Rib BAR-B-Q Pit in Greenville, Texas, which remained open from 1951 to 2004. The restaurant owner's son, Robert Fitzpatrick, now plans to open Dewey's BBQ Market on Oakton Street in Skokie this October 2026. (Robert Fitzpatrick)

Skokie awards Dewey’s BBQ Market a grant to bring its Texas-famous spare ribs here

June 2, 2026 at 9:35 a.m.

Dewey's BBQ Market is set to open on Oakton in Skokie this Oct., serving up a family recipe of slow-cooked north Texas barbeque.

Incoming Loyola Academy Principal Steve Tortorello will begin the leadership position July 1. (Loyola Academy)

Wilmette’s Loyola Academy announces new principal for private, Catholic high school

June 1, 2026 at 4:18 p.m.

Loyola Academy in Wilmette has announced Steve Tortorello as president for the private co-ed Catholic high school.

Evanston man charged after police recover stolen handgun during traffic stop

June 1, 2026 at 2:01 p.m.

An 18-year-old in Evanston is facing charges after police recovered a reported stolen handgun during a traffic stop on May 28.

The Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in Chicago on Sept. 5, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal judge imposes maximum sentence for man involved in assault at Glenview motel

May 29, 2026 at 11:45 a.m.

A federal judge has sentenced an Arlington Heights man to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded handgun, which he used to assault a man at a...

Kayla Shipman, Jimmy Hogan, Kiana Beverly, Michaela Dukes and China Orr perform in "Little Shop of Horrors" by Music Theater Works in a 2024 production at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The proposed 5% amusement tax in Skokie would raise the entry fee for tickets at the North Shore Center. (Brett Beiner)

Skokie to tax streaming services like Netflix and raise tax on live shows, entertainment

May 29, 2026 at 8:05 a.m.

Skokie advances plan to hike tax on live entertainment to 5%, and start 5% tax on digital streaming services like Netflix, Disney+.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss speaks at an Evanston City Council meeting Jan. 26, 2026. (Shun Graves/for Pioneer Press)

Evanston Mayor Biss signals plans to resign in time to trigger 2027 mayoral election

May 28, 2026 at 7:48 p.m.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss signaled May 26 his plans to resign in time to trigger an April 2027 special election to fill his term.

CEO of Ryan Sports Development Pat Ryan Jr. speaks at a May 26 press conference at Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena to announce the first slate of rent-free high school and local community group games that will be held at the new Ryan Field in Evanston, which is expected to open Oct. 2. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

Northwestern announces $875 million Ryan Field in Evanston will host high school and community games

May 27, 2026 at 4:37 p.m.

Ryan Field will host the annual Evanston Township High School versus New Trier High School football game on Oct. 16.

More than 150 business people, community leaders and elected officials gathered May 8, 2026 with the Skokie Chamber of Commerce at The Capital Grille at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie. (Claire Murphy/Pioneer Press)

The Capital Grille at Skokie’s Old Orchard to close, but there’s no successor yet

May 27, 2026 at 8:01 a.m.

The Capital Grille, a fine dining restaurant and steakhouse chain, plans to close its Skokie location in Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center.

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