Sylvan Lebrun

Sylvan Lebrun is a former reporter who covered emerging news. She is a recent graduate of Yale University, where she was managing editor of the Yale Daily News. Previously, she has worked for Forbes, The Wall Street Journal and The Toledo Blade.

Terry Price smiles after receiving a winter coat from volunteers from The Chicago Help Initiative, an organization that provides meals and social services to those in need, outside Catholic Charities in the River North neighborhood of Chicago on Dec. 14, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Charities across Chicago see huge shortage in coat donations as winter sets in: ‘We’re significantly thousands behind’

December 23, 2024 at 2:21 p.m.

Nonprofits and community organizations that run winter coat drives say they are facing a serious shortage of donations this year as they try to help homeless and low-income Chicagoans weather...

West Side middle schooler Camarria Williams, left, and her twin, Camerria, are shown at James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club on Dec. 20, 2024. The twin sisters took part in the Chicago Antibiotic Discovery Lab, a youth program run by the Boys & Girls Club and UIC scientists. A sample of goose poop Camarria took from Garfield Park was found by the scientists to have isolated an entirely new cancer-fighting compound. As of this fall, Camarria is listed as a published co-author for a study that appeared in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

North Lawndale middle schooler helps make scientific discovery of molecule with cancer-fighting properties in goose poop

December 23, 2024 at 1:29 p.m.

Camarria Williams, 13, is listed as a co-author in a published scientific study about a new cancer-fighting compound she discovered by isolating bacteria from goose poop that she found in...

Registered nurse Toko Nzilani prepares a COVID-19 vaccine at a COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic in Chicago on Oct. 10, 2024. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Vaccination rates for flu, COVID-19 down in Chicago heading into the winter: ‘An uphill battle’

December 19, 2024 at 10:46 a.m.

Vaccination rates in Chicago so far this winter for seasonal respiratory infections like COVID-19 and the flu are slightly down from last year, which public health officials say could be...

Two men try to burn down Englewood business after failed burglary

December 16, 2024 at 9:17 a.m.

After two men failed to break into the safe of a business in Englewood during an attempted robbery on Sunday night, they set the building on fire, Chicago police said.

Man dies after being found with multiple gunshot wounds in South Shore apartment

December 16, 2024 at 9:10 a.m.

A 42-year-old man died of his injuries after he was found shot in a third floor apartment in the South Shore neighborhood on Sunday night, Chicago police said.

North Side businesses vandalized with ‘Kill your CEO’ graffiti

December 10, 2024 at 3:04 p.m.

Three North Side businesses were vandalized with the phrase “Kill your CEO” over the weekend, Chicago police said. The same three words were spray-painted in white onto the exteriors of...

A bedroom in the new North Side Housing and Supportive Services homeless shelter serving single men in Rogers Park on Dec. 9, 2024. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

A different kind of homeless shelter for men opens in Rogers Park

December 9, 2024 at 7:21 p.m.

A shelter for homeless single men has opened in Rogers Park, rejecting typical hallmarks such as a ban on residents remaining during the day.

Marcos Hernandez gathers up belongings from his tent before city workers clear the Humboldt Park homeless encampment on Friday. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

City clears Humboldt Park homeless encampment as some residents still wait for housing

December 6, 2024 at 5:40 p.m.

As the early morning sun rose over the bare trees of Humboldt Park on Friday, Chaz Sago sorted through his patched-up orange tent, trying to pack up as many belongings...

Caitlin Tracey’s father, Andrew Tracey, left, and mother, Dr. Monica Tracey, center, embrace the priest after carrying their daughter’s casket outside following Caitlin Tracey’s funeral at Old St. Patrick’s Church on Nov. 23, 2024. Tracey was found dead in a South Loop stairwell ion October. (Tess Crowley/Chicago Tribune)

Caitlin Tracey, woman found dead in South Loop stairwell, remembered as ‘shining star’

December 8, 2024 at 2:46 p.m.

Nicknamed “CT,” Tracey’s friends and family recall her as someone who loved travel, dancing, fine wine, fashion and hosting guests for meals.

Becky Murrow plays with Lydia, a mixed breed puppy, at PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center on Dec. 2, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Giving Tuesday: How to make sure your donations are truly going to a good cause

December 3, 2024 at 5:00 a.m.

As charities in Chicago and beyond prepare for Giving Tuesday, a global day of charitable giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, authorities urge donors to double check...

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