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Lou Malnati's says it is closing its Gold Coast location on State Street after its landlord decided to redevelop the building and would not renew the pizzaria's lease.

Ink Relief is a Chicago charity ​that covers tattoos for survivors of sex trafficking and domestic abuse. It's run by Ben Wahh who says it feels great to help erase painful parts of the past for people who need it the most.

Wahh owns Deluxe Tattoo in Chicago, and for more than 30 years, he's be creating works of arts to help people express themselves, but a couple of years ago, he's started using his talent to help victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence reclaim their bodies and their lives by covering up unwanted tattoos and scars.

"I was contacted by a group called Salt and Light (Coalition), and they run a program to help survivors," recalls Wahh who says he feels great about being able to help people heal.

"When they have their abuser’s name on their body it’s horrible. It's like a daily reminder of the abuse and the horrible period of their lives," explains Wahh, who does all of the work for the survivors no matter how many sessions it takes, free of charge.

For each new tattoo, Wahh carefully crafts a design to cover up the existing painful reminder. He explains, "You can’t just do use anything for a cover up. It has to work specifically for that design you’re covering, whether it’s a cut, whether it's a bite, whether it’s a burn, with the elements of the design, you want them to work with the shapes of the scar."

The results are incredible, and those who received the tattoos says they are eternally grateful. 41-year-old Ella is one of the dozens of survivors Wahh has helped. "I’ve been through a lot of domestic violence, plus a lot of trauma with men," she explains.

That includes two men, whose names were tattooed on her body. "I was forced to get them, and I never even wanted it," she explains, adding, "I hated it. I still felt like a piece of their property.

Ellas says Wahh gave her "the best gift ever" by covering up those painful reminders with new tattoos including one where the name was beautifully transformed into flowers and butterflies. She says it was very emotional in a happy way when she first looked at her back and no longer saw the name.

"By Ben doing this for me. I feel like I owe him my life. He gave me my life back," says Ella adding, "I feel like I’m me again. I’m nobody’s property like, I own my identity again. I thank him so much."

She also says if it wasn’t for Wahh, she would never have been able to afford to get the tattoo covered up or removed because the high cost.

As for Wahh, he says he's touched to be a part of the healing journey for so many. "I love being able to be the person to be like, ‘I’m going to help,’ you and do it. To know that you really help that person is a really good feeling," he says as he recalls how many people he's helped.

He's also hoping people will help him to help even more survivors through Ink Relief. Wahh says anyone interested in helping or donating can find more information on the charity's website (inkrelief.org). "I’ve never done anything like this in my life. I’ve never run a charity. Anybody who has any resources or who can help please contact me," says Wahh.

​When then-President Barack Obama wore his tan suit to a press conference in 2014 regarding a possible U.S. military action, many Republicans and conservative media outlets strongly criticized him.

Even GQ magazine called Obama's suit "sad".

​However, on Thursday at the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center, guests David Letterman and Stephen Colbert wore tan suits, and so did Obama Foundation Chairman Martin Nesbitt who showed off his tan suit onstage in front of the former president.

​Nesbitt announced to the audience: "I thought he looked pretty good wearing his, so I decided to wear one myself." Mr. Obama replied: "You look good!"

Illinois Tollway officials are gathering input on proposed rate increases. After more than a decade without an increase, Illinois Tollway Directors are calling for passenger toll rates to increase about 45-cents per toll.

More legal action has been filed in connection with a south side foster care facility dubbed the 'House of Horrors.' Aunt Martha’s Integrated Care Center at S. Michigan Avenue housed vulnerable youth in state care.

A dog was trapped under large rocks on Rainbow Beach about 30 feet from shore.

Crocheting started as a hobby for Deniz Evangelista in 2024, and quickly grew into a passion for her. The full-time nurse at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago says she was just looking for an escape from the stress of life and work.

"I took one class, and after that, I was hooked. No pun intended. I was addicted," she recalled with a laugh.

The married, mother of two says it's hard to put her finger on what drew her to the craft.

"I don’t know if it’s the repetitive movement or what it was, but it just put me in this little bubble. It was a de-stresser, and it was just something that I suddenly loved to do," she said.

And that love just kept growing, and she kept getting better and better.

"I started making gifts. I would make blankets for baby showers. I would make little plushies for some of my friends kids," she recalled of her early days.

Evangelista's skills surprised not just her, but everyone who saw her finished creations.

"A lot of my friends and family would comment and motivate me and say, ‘hey this is really good. I think you could take this somewhere,” she remembers.

So Evangelista did, launching her business, Little Loops and Layers in 2025.

At first, she sold her creations on social media sites including facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and eventually she expanded to outdoor markets and spaces at AngMir in Pilsen and the Dollup Coffee location in the Prudential Building where we caught up with her.

"I crochet all my plushies. I crochet blankets, some wearables and accessories. They’re all handmade by me," she said proudly, adding, "it makes me really happy to see that it sparks joys in those who receive or even take a look at my products."

Evangelista has gotten so good, she now takes custom orders.

"I'm currently making a second order of 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar.' It’s literally the caterpillar with an open mouth, and I made all the food items that get stuffed into the mouth so it’s really interactive for kids and it’s something that’s a good addition to follow along with the book when you’re reading to them," she explained.

It's still hard for Evangelista to believe how far Little Loops and Layers has come in less than a year.

"I’m just proud of myself. It is hard to be a working mom in this day and age so to have this and grow it into the business that it is today. It means everything to me," she said.

Evangelista is also very grateful to all her family members, friends and fellow crafters who helped and encouraged her every step of the way.

"I wouldn’t be where I am today without them," she said, adding "it’s brought me so much joy, especially when I see the reactions of how other people receive this."

And she hopes to keep creating and spreading joy for years to come.

This month, 50-year-old Antoine Larry was convicted of conspiracy and extortion, and sentenced to more than 50 months in prison.

Prosecutors say that while working for the Phoenix, Illinois Police Department, Larry conspired with another officer from 2020 to 2022 to solicit cash and drugs from people during traffic stops in exchange for reduced charges for the drivers, or not issuing them a citation at all.

WBBM political editor Geoff Buchholz reports on the Chicago City Council vote to buy the city's Greyhound bus terminal.