Richard Requena

Richard Requena is a former Pioneer Press reporter.

The Skokie Village Board hinted at creating "ICE-free zones" at its Oct. 21 Village Board meeting. From left, Skokie Corporation Counsel Barbara Mangler, Mayor Ann Tennes, Village Manager John Lockerby at a Village Board meeting on Sep. 15, 2025. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Skokie reconsiders rules for Airbnbs, short-term rentals

September 30, 2025 at 3:30 p.m.

Skokie village staff proposed requiring seven-day minimums and an eight-stay annual limit for short-term rentals like Airbnbs.

The Evanston City Council unanimously beat Mayor Daniel Biss' veto of the city's creation of a 1% grocery tax at the Sept. 29 City Council meeting. From left, City Councilmember Johnathan Niuewsma, City Manager Luke Stowe, Biss, City Policy Coordinator Alison Leipziger. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Evanston City Council overrides mayor’s veto to continue 1% grocery tax

September 30, 2025 at 2:48 p.m.

The Evanston City Council voted 8-0 to continue a 1% grocery tax. It overrode Mayor Daniel Biss' veto.

The city of Evanston ordered its staff to cover Flock Safety license plate reader cameras in the city after it terminated its contract with the company, followed by Flock reinstalling the cameras. (Flock Safety)

After Evanston fires Flock, it reinstalls license-plate readers, so Evanston covers them

September 30, 2025 at 10:02 a.m.

The city of Evanston fired Flock Safety, it removed its license plate reader cameras and then reinstalled them. Evanston covered them.

Emily Oaks Nature Center manager Lee Hansen hugs a 200-year-old oak tree at the center on Sep. 11, 2025. She says using an arms' length to measure the age is an informal way to find out how old an oak tree is. Hansen will be honored with a "Force of Nature" award in October. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

‘Force of Nature’ award will honor manager of Skokie’s Emily Oaks Nature Center

September 26, 2025 at 10:05 a.m.

A longtime Skokie park manager will receive one of the Chicago area's highest honors in wilderness conservation later this month. Emily Oaks Nature Center Manager Lee Hansen was named as...

A group of 39 firefighters from Chicago's northern suburbs pose for a photo outside of a hotel in Cedar Park, Texas in July 2025. The firefighters performed a secondary search for flash flood victims at Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek. (Niko Stefani)

Evanston firefighter honored for aiding Texans after flash floods killed 136

September 24, 2025 at 11:15 a.m.

An Evanston firefighter was honored with a humanitarian award for deploying to Kerr County, Texas in July to assist rescue missions in areas affected by flash floods that killed at...

Construction workers place the second floor of a home built by Evanston Township High School students above the first floor after the house was moved to 1222 Washington St., Evanston. The home will be sold as affordable housing. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Tenth home built by Evanston High School students is moved across town

September 24, 2025 at 9:35 a.m.

Evanston Township High School moved its 10th affordable home built by students in a trades and math class.

Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, center-right, plans to veto the Evanston Council's preliminary approval of a proposed 1% grocery tax. Overriding that veto would require at least six Council votes. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

Evanston City Council wants to continue grocery tax, but mayor says he’ll veto

September 23, 2025 at 1:36 p.m.

Evanston's City Council will need a supermajority vote to beat Mayor Daniel Biss' planned veto to implement a grocery tax.

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/Skokie District 65 distances from leaked memo on closing 2 to 4 schools, superintendent says

September 23, 2025 at 8:40 a.m.

Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education signaled to financial consultants and district staff that it will consider closing schools.

Hanover Park man, 24, dies at Evanston beach

September 16, 2025 at 1:53 p.m.

Saher Khan, 24, of Hanover Park was found dead in the water off an Evanston beach Sept. 13, 2025, per police and county officials.

Brothers Shafath Baig and Fazilath Baig opened Sizzle in downtown Skokie in early September. The halal restaurant serves a simple menu of burgers, chicken, boba, refreshers and soft serve. (Richard Requena/Pioneer Press)

New eateries offer halal options in Skokie, citing a market

September 16, 2025 at 2:06 p.m.

Two halal eateries recently opened in Skokie and a third is slated to open. Owners cite a growing market for halal food.

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