Richard Requena

Richard Requena is a former Pioneer Press reporter.

Members of the community and congregation attend a hostage release ceremony outside the Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue in Skokie on Oct. 13, 2025. to honor those captured and held hostage by Hamas. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Prayer service at Skokie synagogue celebrates freed Israeli hostages, mourns still unrecovered remains

October 14, 2025 at 3:46 p.m.

A Skokie synagogue held a release ceremony for the hostages kidnapped and returned by Hamas.

The Evanston Township High School District 202 board is considering an increased tax levy to help pay for capital improvements to its lone high school, which is located in Evanston.

Evanston Township High School board considers tax hikes to fund capital projects

October 21, 2025 at 1:27 p.m.

The Evanston Township High School Board of Education held a public hearing earlier this month and announced it is considering approving $21 million in bonds to fund capital projects, which...

Evanston priests, the Rev. Jean-Phillippe Lopko, left, and the Rev. José Manuel Ortiz, walk in an entrance procession at St. Nicholas Catholic Church Oct. 11, 2025 to celebrate a Feast Day Mass for St. John XXIII in Evanston. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Granted a visa extension, Rev. Jean-Phillippe Lokpo to remain at St. John XXIII church in Evanston

October 13, 2025 at 8:03 p.m.

The Rev. Jean-Phillipe Lokpo had been hopeful his visa was extended before it expired Oct. 14. Extension was granted.

The 2025 Illinois Report Card showed two Evanston/Skokie School District 65 schools, Kingsley and Dr. Bessie Rhodes, drop a rating level from "commendable" to "targeted." Shown is another school, Joseph E. Hill Early Childhood Center in Evanston. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Evanston school board ‘deeply troubled and angered’ by allegations in indictment against ex-superintendent

October 11, 2025 at 6:50 p.m.

Former Evanston/Skokie District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton was indicted for his alleged involvement kickback scheme that paid him $81,000.

Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Superintendent Devon Horton was indicted Oct. 9, 2025 on criminal charges. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Former suburban school chief and two CPS administrators indicted in kickback scheme

October 9, 2025 at 10:07 p.m.

Former Evanston/Skokie School District 65 superintendent Devon Horton has been indicted on criminal charges stemming from this time as head of the district, according to a statement from district leaders...

Evanston’s City Council voted to table a developer's proposal in hopes to downsize it. The tower would have been among the tallest in all of Chicago’s suburbs. (City of Evanston)

Evanston council members ask developer of proposed 31 story tower to scale it down

October 9, 2025 at 2:03 p.m.

Evanston's City Council voted to table a proposed high-rise's application, in hopes for a scaled down version of the 31-story tower.

In order to balance the city of Evanston’s proposed $342 million budget, the city will need to raise property taxes, according to City Manager Luke Stowe. Stowe is shown at a City Council meeting on April 28, 2025. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Evanston must raise property taxes to balance budget, city manager says

October 8, 2025 at 9:15 p.m.

After a five-year property tax freeze, Evanston's city manager says it must raise property taxes to balance the budget.

Ann Salas held an estate sale Oct. 3, 2025 at her Skokie home because she plans to leave the United States to join her husband Tony Salas, who was seized by federal agents and deported. She said Tony Salas was brought to the United States from Guatemala at age 5 and is now 49. He owned a painting and decorating business. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

After her husband was deported, Skokie woman and 3-year-old are leaving US to keep family intact

October 7, 2025 at 4:55 p.m.

After her husband was deported, a Skokie woman and their 3-year-old are departing the United States to keep the family intact elsewhere.

The Skokie Village Board approved a developer's plans to build a five-story mixed use building near Downtown Skokie at its Nov. 3 Village Board meeting. Pictured is the vacant lot in December 2024. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Skokie Plan Commission OKs 66-unit apartment building across from CTA station

October 1, 2025 at 10:15 a.m.

The Skokie Plan Commission unanimously voted to approve a five-story, 66-unit apartment building in the village's "Swift District" near the CTA Yellow Line Oakton station at its Sept. 18 meeting....

Evanston/Skokie D65 leans toward closing three elementary schools

September 30, 2025 at 4:41 p.m.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 leans toward closing three elementaries, one magnet school.

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