Rebecca Johnson

Rebecca Johnson is a news reporter on the Tribune’s metro desk. A University of Pittsburgh graduate, she previously worked at the Austin American-Statesman and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She welcomes story tips or coffee shop recommendations.

An image from video showing a large gathering of young people in Chicago's Loop on March 25, 2026. (Citizen/NBC5Chicago)

Year’s first ‘teen takeover’ in downtown Chicago sees eight arrests, more curfew discussion

March 26, 2026 at 4:14 p.m.

Eight were arrested and two dozen curfew violations issued after a chaotic “teen takeover” popped up downtown Wednesday night, the first of the year, according to Chicago police.

Fire personnel arrive for a hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building in Chicago on March 23, 2026, in support of fallen firefighter Michael Altman. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Judge detains man accused of setting mattress on fire that led to Chicago firefighter’s death

March 23, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

Firefighter Michael Altman suffered fatal injuries responding to the blaze. About 90% of his body was burned after he fell through the floor into the basement.

The honorary César Chavez street sign marks a stretch of South Blue Island Avenue on March 19, 2026, in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago schools, parks consider renaming César Chavez monuments after bombshell sexual abuse allegations

March 19, 2026 at 6:52 p.m.

The reaction to the César Chavez allegations was swift as leaders across the country, including CPS, began talking about changing institutions named in his honor.

Donna Miller walks into her election night event as the Democratic nominee for the 2nd Congressional District on March 17, 2026, in Chicago Heights. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller wins Illinois’ 2nd District over comeback effort by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

March 18, 2026 at 4:42 p.m.

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the Democratic primary in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District Tuesday as voters rejected a comeback effort by former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

The Crave Cookies store in Lombard on March, 16, 2026. A west suburban man faces a hate crime charge after he allegedly shouted obscenities against Iran then spit and hit a man at the store. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)

Lombard man charged with hate crime after allegedly spitting at man, yelling obscenities about Iran, prosecutors say

March 16, 2026 at 7:34 p.m.

Justin Ward, 34, of Lombard, faces a hate crime charge after he allegedly shouted obscenities against Iran then spit and hit a man at a Crave Cookies in Lombard.

Joe Hakimian talks about the business of high-end jewelry at his family's store in Chicago on March 12, 2026. Hakimian purchased a diamond engagement ring at a trade show that belongs to actress Lily Collins and returned it to her recently after finding out it was reported stolen in 2023. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Actress Lily Collins ‘still speechless’ after stolen engagement ring found by Chicago’s Joe the Jeweler

March 13, 2026 at 4:43 p.m.

The star’s engagement ring was stolen about three years ago from a hotel in LA, but somehow it recently ended up at a trade show in New York, where Joe...

Hoffman Estates police rescue driver trapped in submerged vehicle Wednesday evening

March 12, 2026 at 10:44 a.m.

Officers entered the water after they learned the driver, a woman, was trapped inside and unresponsive.

Investigators walk a property, March 11, 2026, where an elderly couple were found dead in Lake Village, Indiana, after a tornado Tuesday evening. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

‘I was there … trying to unbury myself’: Tornadoes strike Illinois and Indiana, killing 2

March 11, 2026 at 8:45 p.m.

Bob Wehrle sat in his driveway Wednesday morning and looked at the lot where his house once stood. His belongings and debris were scattered across his lawn, and his trailer...

A view from the alley in the 3000 block of North Pulaski Road in Chicago on March 10, 2026, shows the rear of the dance studio, on left, where teenagers and parents were allegedly harassed by two neighbors from a second floor balcony in the apartment building nearby. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Charges filed in attack on teens outside Northwest Side dance studio

March 11, 2026 at 3:33 p.m.

A man faces five counts of misdemeanor battery for allegedly throwing a liquid at a group of kids last weekend outside a Northwest Side dance studio while another person made...

DuPage undersheriff and sheriff hopeful placed on leave less than 2 weeks before March primary

March 6, 2026 at 10:16 p.m.

With less than two weeks to go before the March primary, DuPage Undersheriff Eddie Moore — who’s vying to rise the ranks to sheriff — has been placed on administrative...

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