Robert McCoppin

Robert McCoppin reports on news and trends in Chicago's suburbs, focusing especially on the legalization of marijuana. Having worked at the City News Bureau and Daily Herald before joining the Tribune in 2010, he has covered crime, the courts, flooding, and health, and has won multiple Chicago Headline Club awards.

Bill Bogan, a member of the Cook County ADA advisory board, demonstrates the accessible canoe and kayak launch at the new boardwalk along the Little Calumet River at Beaubien Woods on Oct. 28, 2025, in Chicago. (Vincent D. Johnson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Kayak launch is latest effort to make forest preserves accessible for people with disabilities

October 29, 2025 at 3:05 p.m.

The adaptive launch on the Little Calumet River is part of $2 million in upgrades at Beaubien Woods, including new seating, a program shelter with interpretive signage and an improved...

Former employees file suit against ice cream shop owner accused of videotaping teen girls in bathroom

October 23, 2025 at 4:45 p.m.

The suit alleged that the shop owner forced the girls to change into uniforms in the bathroom at Flavor Frenzy in Addison.

Andrew Tracey, from left, and his wife, Monica Tracey, with their attorney Andrew Cunniff leave after a hearing at the Daley Center in Chicago in the case of the remains of their daughter Caitlin on Nov. 20, 2024. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Family of woman found dead in South Loop high-rise wants husband disinherited

October 23, 2025 at 1:14 p.m.

The new court filing from the family of Caitlin Tracey comes nearly a year after her death in a South Loop high-rise.

In a still image from video, a female teenager is detained by unidentified officers on Oct. 10, 2025, in Hoffman Estates. The teen was later released without charges. (Obtained by the Tribune)

Video of teen arrested in Hoffman Estates prompts call for answers

October 16, 2025 at 4:06 p.m.

A video circulating on social media showing unidentified officers roughly detaining a teenager in Hoffman Estates has prompted local police to deny any involvement and has led the area’s congressman...

A protester is shot with paintball gun pepper ball outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on Sept. 19, 2025, in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal judge restricts ICE from using projectiles in immigration-related interactions with media and protesters

October 9, 2025 at 2:42 p.m.

A federal judge has ruled that federal agents violated the rights of news reporters and protesters responding to immigration arrests in Chicago, and restricted future actions against them.

Federal law enforcement officers throw tear gas at protesters outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, Sept. 19, 2025, in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago news media groups file suit against ICE and DHS, alleging excessive force against reporters

October 6, 2025 at 3:32 p.m.

Chicago news media groups filed suit against ICE and Homeland Security, claiming excessive force against reporters and protesters of immigration arrests.

The Franklin at 11th Street Station is under construction on Sept. 16, 2025, while the hyperboloid cooling tower at the NIPSCO Michigan City Generating Station is visible along the lakefront in Michigan City, Indiana. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Michigan City building boom aims to overcome industrial past to draw Chicagoans to visit and stay

October 3, 2025 at 3:32 p.m.

Michigan City officials are trying to change their town’s image from that of an industrial town to a tourist destination, and a new home for Chicago commuters.

The Bears released an economic impact report that included architectural renderings of the proposed stadium in Arlington Heights on Sept. 30, 2025. (MANICA Architecture)

Chicago Bears’ new stadium would generate billions, cost taxpayers $855 million

September 30, 2025 at 4:35 p.m.

In order to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, Chicago Bears officials say the team would need substantial taxpayer support for infrastructure improvements.

Michaël Elbaz on campus at Northwestern University on Sept. 25, 2025, in Evanston. He is a neuroscience postdoctoral researcher from France. His J-1 visa is about to expire, and he was planning to apply for the H-1B visa before the Trump administration's new rule. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

New H1B visa fee could effectively end the program for many participants

September 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

The Trump administration said each new application would cost the sponsoring organization $100,000, a steep price tag for local business and universities that rely on the H-1B program to fill...

THC products containing delta-9 behind the counter at Chi'Tiva hemp dispensary and lounge, Sept. 16, 2025, in Chicago. Gov. JB Pritzker has recently threatened to use executive authority to shut down sales of hemp products in the state. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker warns he may take executive action to ban or regulate hemp products that get users high

September 17, 2025 at 10:15 a.m.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may issue an executive order to ban or regulate intoxicating hemp.

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