It's been a long couple of weeks for the parents of Hadiya Pendleton. We've followed the story of how their 15-year-old daughter was killed.
Two weeks after that shooting, they were the guest of First Lady Michelle Obama for the State of the Union address.
I traveled to Washington D.C. with the family. They were invited to the state of the address, but hours before that, Senator Dick Durbin held hearings and families from across the nation who lost loved ones to gun violence were asked to attend.
Sadly, there were eight families from the Chicago area---who knew all too well, the pain the Pendleton's are feeling.
Pam Bosley was in D.C. Her son was killed in 2006 on the South Side while leaving choir rehearsal. Pam Bosley says she cried during those hearings because she was reminded of how many lives are lost to guns.
Annette Nance Holt was in Washington last week. Her son, Blair, was killed in 2007 after leaving a high school on the south side. Police say a gunman opened fire on a CTA bus load of students.
During the State of the Union address, President Obama acknowledged the Pendleton family and the other families saying they deserve a vote and asking lawmakers to do more to pass common sense gun laws.
The president followed up that address by coming to town and addressing urban violence at Hyde Park academy. His speech started 45 minutes late. Some say Obama was spending time with the students trying to calm their fears. Those students are concerned about their own safety as they walk to and from school.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Tanya Triche with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association says passing the bill to raise minimum wage to $10 an hour would hurt our already fragile economy.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Mike Flannery, along with a handful of other Chicago TV journalists, will be inducted Friday into the prestigious "Silver Circle" of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chicago Chapter.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:37 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:37:26 GMT
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
It is Mother's Day and sadly while many people are making plans like dinner and brunch reservations with their children and loved ones, here in Chicago, too many mothers have lost a child to gun violence.
Friday, May 10 2013 5:30 PM EDT2013-05-10 21:30:05 GMT
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
There's plenty of reason to believe Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's preparing to challenge Governor Quinn in next spring's Democratic primary.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
Some Chicago-area men were arrested in an undercover sting with the Cook County Sheriff's Office this week. Robin Robinson takes an in-depth look at the business of sex trafficking.
