The Sun-Times' most-read stories of 2024
With the end of 2024 soon approaching, there's a lot to look back and reflect on. As part of our Year In Review series, we wanted to share a look at the Sun-Times' most-read stories of the last year.Readers were interested in a wide variety of stories in 2024, ranging from the woman who bought the first Mustang six decades ago to Donald Trump’s appearance at the National Black Journalist Association convention to the White Sox’ ongoing efforts to build a new stadium. Neil Steinberg told the story of a TikTok star who ComEd lured out of a safe union job, only to fire him. Rummana Hussain spoke to the founders of a local clothing company using its products and profits to raise awareness for Gaza. Frank Main reported on state police accused of PPP fraud. Readers gravitated to those and many other stories about what's going on with Chicago and its residents.Below, check out the Sun-Times' most-read stories of 2024 for a variety of categories. Most-read stories overall1. Gail Wise bought the first Ford Mustang sold in the United States; 60 years later, she still owns it (Apr. 12)2. Obama gave him clemency, now 74-year-old man sentenced for selling fentanyl-laced oxycodone (Feb. 27)3. Jerry Seinfeld's 'Unfrosted' is one of the decade’s worst movies (May 2)4. Trump Tower ruled ‘public nuisance’ over fish kills (Sept. 11)5. Mom says 'no amount of money' can bring back ‘healthy, active’ teen injured in unauthorized police chase (March 18)6. White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’ (Jan. 17)7. Anthony Rizzo finds out that he can go home again (June 8)8. Eileen Sheahan, granddaughter of former Cook County sheriff, dies in skiing accident: ‘We will miss her amazing smile’ (Feb. 1)9. Trump cancels stay at his Chicago hotel during Milwaukee Republican convention after word leaks out (June 18)10. Judge wants Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoover in court for Gangster Disciples co-founder’s mercy bid (July 24) A rendering of the interior of a proposed new stadium for the White Sox at The 78 in the South Loop. | Provided/Related MidwestRelated Midwest/Provided Most-read stories in Illinois1. White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’ (Jan. 17)2. Leila Rahimi weighs in on departure from NBC 5 Chicago (Oct. 22)3. Hinsdale South basketball coach Michael Belcaster could be facing administrative leave ( Jan. 23)4. Cook County official arrested, charged with driving while drunk in Chicago (Nov. 12)5. Johnson cancels 2 months of police academy classes, orders layoff lists to cut $75M (Oct. 8)6. Italian flight team flies over Chicago after bowing out of Air and Water Show (July 27)7. Sparse crowds see the big acts at NASCAR Chicago Street Race (July 7)8. Lawyer was handcuffed to chair after Cook County judge ordered him removed from courtroom, sparking state inquiry (June 11)9. Judge wants Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoover in court for Gangster Disciples co-founder’s mercy bid (July 24)10. CPS assistant principal stole $273K from after-school program, prosecutors say (Jan. 9) Former President Donald Trump responds to Rachel Scott as he participates in a conversation with journalists at the NABJ Convention in Chicago.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times Most-read politics stories1. Trump cancels stay at his Chicago hotel during Milwaukee Republican convention after word leaks out (June 18)2. Johnson cancels 2 months of police academy classes, orders layoff lists to cut $75M (Oct. 8)3. Trump lies about Kamala Harris' race, bashes moderator at Black journalists convention in Chicago (July 31)4. Cook County official arrested, charged with driving while drunk in Chicago (Nov. 12)5. Entire CPS Board to resign, adding to school district chaos (Oct. 4)6. Mayor’s pricey hair and makeup: In one year, Brandon Johnson's campaign has spent $30K on grooming (June 7)7. Cook County judge kicks Trump off Illinois ballot — but puts her own order on hold (Feb. 28)8. Donald Trump's VP pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, is the reason Chicago has no top federal prosecutor (July 15)9. Pritzker urges Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop migrant drop-offs in winter storm: ‘I plead with you for mercy’ (Jan. 12)10. A smiling
With the end of 2024 soon approaching, there's a lot to look back and reflect on. As part of our Year In Review series, we wanted to share a look at the Sun-Times' most-read stories of the last year.
Readers were interested in a wide variety of stories in 2024, ranging from the woman who bought the first Mustang six decades ago to Donald Trump’s appearance at the National Black Journalist Association convention to the White Sox’ ongoing efforts to build a new stadium.
Neil Steinberg told the story of a TikTok star who ComEd lured out of a safe union job, only to fire him. Rummana Hussain spoke to the founders of a local clothing company using its products and profits to raise awareness for Gaza. Frank Main reported on state police accused of PPP fraud. Readers gravitated to those and many other stories about what's going on with Chicago and its residents.
Below, check out the Sun-Times' most-read stories of 2024 for a variety of categories.
Most-read stories overall
1. Gail Wise bought the first Ford Mustang sold in the United States; 60 years later, she still owns it (Apr. 12)
2. Obama gave him clemency, now 74-year-old man sentenced for selling fentanyl-laced oxycodone (Feb. 27)
3. Jerry Seinfeld's 'Unfrosted' is one of the decade’s worst movies (May 2)
4. Trump Tower ruled ‘public nuisance’ over fish kills (Sept. 11)
5. Mom says 'no amount of money' can bring back ‘healthy, active’ teen injured in unauthorized police chase (March 18)
6. White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’ (Jan. 17)
7. Anthony Rizzo finds out that he can go home again (June 8)
8. Eileen Sheahan, granddaughter of former Cook County sheriff, dies in skiing accident: ‘We will miss her amazing smile’ (Feb. 1)
9. Trump cancels stay at his Chicago hotel during Milwaukee Republican convention after word leaks out (June 18)
10. Judge wants Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoover in court for Gangster Disciples co-founder’s mercy bid (July 24)
Most-read stories in Illinois
1. White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’ (Jan. 17)
2. Leila Rahimi weighs in on departure from NBC 5 Chicago (Oct. 22)
3. Hinsdale South basketball coach Michael Belcaster could be facing administrative leave ( Jan. 23)
4. Cook County official arrested, charged with driving while drunk in Chicago (Nov. 12)
5. Johnson cancels 2 months of police academy classes, orders layoff lists to cut $75M (Oct. 8)
6. Italian flight team flies over Chicago after bowing out of Air and Water Show (July 27)
7. Sparse crowds see the big acts at NASCAR Chicago Street Race (July 7)
8. Lawyer was handcuffed to chair after Cook County judge ordered him removed from courtroom, sparking state inquiry (June 11)
9. Judge wants Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoover in court for Gangster Disciples co-founder’s mercy bid (July 24)
10. CPS assistant principal stole $273K from after-school program, prosecutors say (Jan. 9)
Most-read politics stories
1. Trump cancels stay at his Chicago hotel during Milwaukee Republican convention after word leaks out (June 18)
2. Johnson cancels 2 months of police academy classes, orders layoff lists to cut $75M (Oct. 8)
3. Trump lies about Kamala Harris' race, bashes moderator at Black journalists convention in Chicago (July 31)
4. Cook County official arrested, charged with driving while drunk in Chicago (Nov. 12)
5. Entire CPS Board to resign, adding to school district chaos (Oct. 4)
6. Mayor’s pricey hair and makeup: In one year, Brandon Johnson's campaign has spent $30K on grooming (June 7)
7. Cook County judge kicks Trump off Illinois ballot — but puts her own order on hold (Feb. 28)
8. Donald Trump's VP pick, Sen. J.D. Vance, is the reason Chicago has no top federal prosecutor (July 15)
9. Pritzker urges Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to stop migrant drop-offs in winter storm: ‘I plead with you for mercy’ (Jan. 12)
10. A smiling Ed Burke greets 2-year sentence on corruption charges as judge rejects prosecution request for much tougher term (June 24)
Most-read Watchdogs investigations
1. Obama gave him clemency, now 74-year-old man sentenced for selling fentanyl-laced oxycodone (Feb. 27)
2. In DEA case that led to jet seizure in Gary, former Indiana beauty queen and two bank employees now charged (May 22)
3. Illinois State Police officers accused of PPP loan fraud (May 10)
4. Lawyer was handcuffed to chair after Cook County judge ordered him removed from courtroom, sparking state inquiry (June 11)
5. Blunders lead feds to suspects in theft of millions in Chicago-area armored truck robberies (Nov. 18)
6. Mayor’s pricey hair and makeup: In one year, Brandon Johnson's campaign has spent $30K on grooming (June 7)
7. Why is Jerry Reinsdorf spending millions buying up parking lots around the United Center? (Feb. 23)
8. The billionaire behind the scenes in White Sox' stadium plan (April 12)
9. Outlaws biker gang 'enforcer' admits grisly killings in failed bid to get out of prison (July 3)
10. Morton Grove man claimed to ship COVID-19 test kits to Medicare participants, but FBI says they were dead (June 7)
Most-read sports stories
1. Anthony Rizzo finds out that he can go home again (June 8)
2. How did something as beautiful as six NBA titles become so unpleasant? Blame Michael Jordan. (Jan. 14)
3. Leila Rahimi weighs in on departure from NBC 5 Chicago (Oct. 22)
4. As Bears celebrate Steve McMichael's Hall of Fame enshrinement, Mike Ditka not expected to attend (Aug. 1)
5. In wake of Barstool blowup, Laurence Holmes’ move creates firestorm at The Score (Sept. 23)
6. Former Bears star Steve McMichael diagnosed with MRSA, family asks for prayers (Feb. 17)
7. Sky fire coach Teresa Weatherspoon after one season (Sept. 27)
8. Marina Mabrey, whose trade demand was granted, is latest in long line of players who wanted out of Chicago (July 18)
9. Former Bears kicker Robbie Gould new head football coach at Rolling Meadows (Feb. 23)
10. Hinsdale South basketball coach Michael Belcaster could be facing administrative leave ( Jan. 23)
Most-read pop culture stories
1. Jerry Seinfeld's 'Unfrosted' is one of the decade’s worst movies (May 2)
2. Sparse crowds see the big acts at NASCAR Chicago Street Race (July 7)
3. Iconic voice of ‘Soul Train’ opening scream sues to get show royalties (Jan. 27)
4. Eamonn Walker exiting ‘Chicago Fire’ as series regular (May 7)
5. Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest in Chicago draws more than 50 participants, won by Glenview therapist (Nov. 16)
6. The Rolling Stones are timeless — and ageless — as Soldier Field show proves (June 28)
7. Common tells Jennifer Hudson about his romance, apparently with Jennifer Hudson (Jan. 21)
8. Humboldt Park 'basement' comedy club shut down after Instagram video goes viral (Sept. 4)
9. 'The Program,' riveting Netflix doc, goes inside troubled-teen academy that treated students like prisoners (March 5)
10. John Mulaney returns to St. Ignatius for playful, sometimes poignant David Letterman chat (April 29)
Most-read opinion and columns
1. Michigan Avenue, once a picture-perfect postcard, is now a depressing mess (May 31)
2. The long decline of Macy’s in Chicago, now a shell of a once-great department store (Feb. 1)
3. Stop mandatory driving tests for Illinois’ seniors (May 6)
4. Watermelon surprise: How the daughter of Hollywood stars helped a Chicago clothing company raise money, awareness for Gaza (Jan. 19)
5. Donald Trump is losing his marbles (Aug. 16)
6. New York boldly goes where Chicago went ... in 1984 (Aug. 27)
7. Why does Illinois' Department of Natural Resources claim the public has no right to 98% of waterways? (May 2)
8. Ken Griffin gives the Museum of Science and Industry a bad name (May 15)
9. The hard truth about Rainbow PUSH and why the Rev. Frederick Haynes III quit after 3 months (April 22)
10. Let the Bears have Guaranteed Rate Field (Feb. 6)
Most time spent
1. Gail Wise bought the first Ford Mustang sold in the United States; 60 years later, she still owns it (Apr. 12)
2. White Sox in ‘serious’ talks to build stadium in South Loop’s ‘The 78’ (Jan. 17)
3. How did something as beautiful as six NBA titles become so unpleasant? Blame Michael Jordan. (Jan. 14)
4. Judge wants Chicago gang kingpin Larry Hoover in court for Gangster Disciples co-founder’s mercy bid (July 24)
5. Jerry Seinfeld's 'Unfrosted' is one of the decade’s worst movies (May 2)
6. Trump lies about Kamala Harris' race, bashes moderator at Black journalists convention in Chicago (July 31)
7. ComEd lured TikTok historian out of safe union job, then fired him (Nov. 14)
8. Mom says 'no amount of money' can bring back ‘healthy, active’ teen injured in unauthorized police chase (March 18)
9. Young Chicago police officer who 'courageously protected this city' shot to death in Chatham (Nov. 5)
10. Trump Tower ruled ‘public nuisance’ over fish kills (Sept. 11)
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