Chicago, IL

Woman struck by falling concrete in Wicker Park must re-learn how to read, write

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2022

Woman struck by falling concrete in Wicker Park must re-learn how to read, write

CHICAGO (WLS) — This summer season was presupposed to be a interval of development and discovery for 22-year-old soon-to-be-graduating Annie Shea Wheeler.

As an alternative, she’ll spend it re-learning to learn and write again house in Michigan, which she stated isn’t very best.

“This a part of my life is monumental and I do not actually know the place to go from right here, truthfully,” Wheeler stated. “It’s actually, actually unhappy.”

Falling concrete from the facade of a vacant constructing at 1227 North Milwaukee Avenue smashed her cranium on April 6 as she was strolling house. The Columbia Faculty tremendous arts pupil remembers solely waking up on the street.

“Opening my eyes on the bottom and seeing my roommate, who occurs to be throughout the road and was so amazingly useful,” Wheeler recalled.

SEE ALSO | Wicker Park constructing confirmed warning indicators earlier than facade critically injured girl, neighbors say

Emergency surgical procedure at Stroger Hospital saved her, however the aspiring print-maker endured time on a ventilator and subsequent operations. Along with a cranium fracture, Wheeler suffered a mind bleed and continues to have a spinal fluid leak. The extent of a mind harm, past the concussion she has now, is undetermined. She might be discharged in a number of days.

“Going ahead goes to be very gradual and tedious which is form of irritating,” Wheeler stated. “I’m a really bold individual.”

She’s suing the property proprietor and the scaffolding firm concerned within the accident.

The hazard had been flagged by town after an nameless 311 name in late March. However the proprietor of the constructing, Virgin Future Properties LLC Sequence 5, didn’t reply, forcing town to go to court docket to get work finished. It was too late for Annie, who’s suing the corporate.

“We will inform you a lot of items of concrete have been falling from the constructing’s second story to the road,” stated Lawyer Bruno R. Marasso. “A few of these chunks have been as massive as sofa cushions and definitely massive sufficient to trigger very critical private harm.”

ABC7 was unable to contact Virgin Future Properties for remark. An govt at Chicago Scaffolding Inc., additionally named within the lawsuit, stated by cellphone they have been conferring with their legal professionals, however expressed sympathy for Wheeler. She stated she is in fixed ache.

“I’m being compelled to depart my accomplice. I’m being compelled to depart one of the best dwelling scenario I’ve ever recognized and a group and a household right here that helps me, particularly as a queer individual,” Wheeler stated.

The defective cover has been changed by new scaffolding on Milwaukee Avenue. Wheeler stated she is assured she will get well bodily, but it surely’s the psychological problem of constructing one’s manner in life after commencement, with out a plan or cash, that may linger.

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.