Laura Turbay

Laura Turbay is a bilingual journalist (English and Spanish) who covered immigration and emerging news in the Chicago community.

Jordonea Hongo, 28, receives a hug from a dancer while sitting with her brother, Jeremiah, 18, and her mother, Angela, as the family attends the annual Spring Bling dance competition at Hammond Central High School in Hammond, Indiana, on April 11, 2026. A tribute to Angela’s son Boaz Flemister and two other young people who died recently, was held during the competition. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Foundation launched in honor of young South Side dancer killed in Bishop Ford crash

April 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Mother of teen South Side dancer killed in a Bishop Ford Freeway crash launches foundation to support Chicago urban dance communities, which have been reeling from a slew of recent...

Rolanda Phoenix, center, is held by Lakashia Collins, right, on April 16, 2026, as family and friends mourn the death of Phoenix’s son, Eric Billops, 16, who was fatally shot the previous afternoon at a bus stop in the 6300 block of South Stony Island Avenue in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Family, friends say farewell to Hyde Park student killed at bus stop: ‘I thought I was gonna get to go to a graduation’

April 16, 2026 at 8:24 p.m.

Sixteen-year-old Eric Billops was fatally shot by someone in a school uniform as school let out for the day at Hyde Park Academy Wednesday afternoon, a police report said.

Santo Nieves, center, picks items to fill a client’s order at the Pilsen Food Pantry, 2124 S. Ashland Avenue in Chicago, April 1, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

More than 16,000 immigrants in Illinois may lose food assistance in the coming months

April 11, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Immigrants — including refugees, asylees and survivors of human trafficking — are no longer eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP.

Venezuelans cross illegally into Colombia near the Simon Bolivar International Bridge, April 14, 2019, which is partially closed by Venezuelan authorities, seen from La Parada near Cucuta, Colombia. (Fernando Vergara/AP)

No passport. No flights. No easy way home for Venezuelans who want to leave Chicago.

April 10, 2026 at 4:20 p.m.

Countless Venezuelans want to return to their home country, but have been unable to because of broken diplomatic ties and bureaucratic hurdles between the two countries.

Former Lesac Corp. employees Maria Dolores Garcia, 49, and Reynalda Torres, 65, in Chicago, April 7, 2026, allege they were unfairly terminated from the company, which later settled with Arise Chicago, a workers rights group, for allegations of unfair labor practices.(Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois filter companies settle allegations of unfair labor practices for about $158,000

April 8, 2026 at 5:24 p.m.

Lesac Corp. and Filter Technology Inc. have settled allegations of unfair labor practices with Arise Chicago, the workers rights group, which is supporting the former workers.

Children run into the auditorium for the Easter egg hunt during an Easter extravaganza at New Life Covenant Church Southeast in Chicago’s Grand Crossing neighborhood on Saturday, April 4, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Hundreds of children attend Easter egg hunt at a South Side church

April 4, 2026 at 6:43 p.m.

About 1,200 parents registered for the Easter event Saturday at the New Life Covenant Church on the South Side.

Children dressed as disciples of Jesus and an angel walk on 18th Street during the annual Good Friday Via Crucis procession in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on April 3, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Annual Way of the Cross draws crowds on Good Friday in Pilsen

April 3, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

Hundreds of people attended the Via Crucis in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood on Good Friday, straining their necks to catch a glimpse of the actor portraying Jesus in his final moments.

Demonstrators march in the Loop during the No Kings rally March 28, 2026, in Chicago. The rally was one of several nationwide demonstrations opposing President Donald Trump’s administration. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Veterans, activists and septuagenarians gather in Grant Park for ‘No Kings’ rally to protest President Trump

March 28, 2026 at 6:28 p.m.

In a city that served last fall as ground zero for the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, Chicago’s rally highlighted “attacks on immigrants and our democracy.”

People walk past a mural of United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta on Cafe Tola in Lakeview, March, 27, 2026. Earlier in the week, the mural of César Chavez was replaced by Huerta. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Farmworkers Day could replace Cesar Chavez Day in Illinois

March 27, 2026 at 6:45 p.m.

The Illinois Senate passed resolutions this week to replace Cesar Chavez Day with Farmworkers Day on March 31 and declare Dolores Huerta Day on April 10 throughout the state.

Firefighters arrive for the visitation service for fallen Chicago firefighter Michael Altman, at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, on March, 26, 2026. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Fallen Chicago firefighter’s funeral postponed after his wife goes into labor

March 26, 2026 at 6:59 p.m.

The funeral for Chicago firefighter Michael Altman, who died from injuries while fighting a blaze at a Rogers Park building, was postponed after his widow went into labor.

All Stories