2024 in Review: Key Stories That Shaped Chicago’s Political and Social Landscape, Part 1

From L-R: Mayor Brandon Johnson, DNC Stage and Shamier Little (Photo Credits: Tacuma Roeback, DNC and USATF.org) Bizarre and unprecedented.& Those words could describe 2024, and plenty of national stories support those notions. Yes, we saw Donald Trump become the first person to have been President to be convicted of a felony yet still manage to win the presidential election. We also saw the unprecedented move by President Joe Biden to withdraw from his re-election bid in favor of eventual Democratic nominee and former running mate Vice President Kamala Harris. This past year was also chock with shocking and scandalous revelations and happenings in the form of Diddy’s racketeering and sex trafficking charges and the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.& We cannot forget the unforeseen tragedies we unfortunately bore witness to, such as the six construction workers who perished after a cargo ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.& But here in Chicago, many riveting stories involving our political leaders will impact our immediate futures and have served to amplify our hardships and joys.& This past year at The Chicago Defender, we had several key contributors who have helped us tell meaningful stories, including Kharyn Beard,...