Erica Thompson

Honored to have won three NABJ Salute to Excellence awards: best business reporting, best specialty story & best national news - single story. I’m proud to share the latter with Frank Main and @elviamalagon.bsky.social. Grateful to the folks who let us tell their stories at @chicago.suntimes.com.

Chicago’s growing film industry a boon to local antique shops, prop houses From NBC’s “One Chicago” franchise to Netflix’s “Monster” series, locally filmed productions are relying on small businesses for props and set design.

From NBC’s “One Chicago” franchise to Netflix’s “Monster” series, locally filmed productions are relying on small businesses for props and set design. Here’s my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

Photo by Tyler Pasciak LaRivier

chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...

Who else has been boppin' to Ravyn Lenae's top ten hit, "Love Me Not"? The Chicago singer stopped by her alma mater, the Chicago High School for the Arts, for a Q&A today. The students were so excited! She plays Lollapalooza on Friday.

📷 Anthony Vazquez

chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

Lollapalooza is tapping more into R&B, but few artists reach headliner status This year’s lineup includes Chicago-raised artists BJ the Chicago Kid and Ravyn Lenae, as well as Durand Bernarr and T-Pain, but insiders say plenty of local talent goes untapped.

Although R&B acts have appeared more consistently in the last 15 years at Lollapalooza, they typically only account for a small share of each lineup. And only a handful have ever reached headliner status. Read more in my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

Chicago designer Ethan Mundt, also known as Utica, is the first "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum to compete on "Project Runway." Here's my chat with the artist for @chicago.suntimes.com.

You can catch the season 21 premiere of "Project Runway" Thursday on Freeform.

chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...

I loved attending this live art collaboration between Samoan master artists and community members at the Field Museum. The completed "siapo mamanu" piece will be featured in a future exhibition. Learn more in my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 Pat Nabong

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'Secret River Show' concept hits high note with musical parade on the North Branch Though the performances were shortened by a rain delay, 'The Great River Parade' was warmly received by fans who said they appreciated the charm, novelty, DIY spirit and communal nature of the event.

Yesterday, I experienced “The Great River Parade,” a larger-scale installment in the series of “Secret River Shows” on the Chicago River. Here’s my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 Pat Nabong

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Who else learned about Connie Francis from this scene in "The Craft"? ✋🏾

Rest in peace.

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The best coast? A new photo book makes the case it's here in the Great Lakes region. Photographer David Zurick’s 'Third Coast' celebrates the Great Lakes’ 4,500-mile shoreline, which covers more distance than the country’s Atlantic and Pacific Coasts combined.

Even though I'm from Ohio, I didn't grow up engaging with the Great Lakes. Moving to Chicago and experiencing Lake Michigan has been a delight for me. And now I want to explore more of the lakes after writing about David Zurick's photo book, "The Third Coast."

chicago.suntimes.com/books/2025/0...

Chicago Literary Hall of Fame honorees' work is still relevant in a moment of civil rights reversals Inductees Harriette Gillem Robinet, Timuel Black and Oscar Brown Jr. are not only celebrated writers but civil rights activists who promoted a message of perseverance.

It was such an honor to cover the 2025 Chicago Literary Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The honorees are Timuel Black, Oscar Brown Jr. and Harriette Gillem Robinet. Here is my article for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 Candace Dane Chambers

chicago.suntimes.com/books/2025/0...

Thousands of Chicagoans are living in O’Hare — the community, not the airport Named after the airport, the Northwest Side locality is one of Chicago’s officially recognized 77 community areas. But residents say it is a forgotten part of the city.

A gem of a read ... ever heard of the O'Hare community in Chicago -- not the airport. Thousands of people live here w/ties to the Schorsch Brothers real estate co. (no relation, or maybe?), via @ericathompson.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/3be2vtae:

Great photos by Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere.

And data contribution from Alden Loury.

Thousands of Chicagoans are living in O’Hare — the community, not the airport Named after the airport, the Northwest Side locality is one of Chicago’s officially recognized 77 community areas. But residents say it is a forgotten part of the city.

When you hear “O’Hare,” you probably think of the airport. There is also an O’Hare community area on the Northwest Side of Chicago, where nearly 14,000 are living. But hardly anyone acknowledges that name.

My deep dive on the area for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2025...

NASCAR Chicago Street Race fans, organizers praise diversity efforts — 'There's always more work to do' Reports show that the Grant Park event has made gradual improvements in attracting more women, younger people and more ethnically diverse fans.

Reports show that the NASCAR Chicago Street Race has made gradual improvements in attracting more women, younger people and more ethnically diverse fans. Here’s my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 Pat Nabong

chicago.suntimes.com/nascar/2025/...

On a smaller scale but with big heart, Berwyn Pride Walk celebrates neighborhood diversity The western suburb held its Pride event Sunday, with some lauding its intimacy and warmth compared to the bigger Chicago event Sunday. Many had praise for the community for taking steps to be more inclusive of its predominantly Latino population.

“All we want to show is that everybody’s equal here and we love everybody, and that this is our community,” Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero said. “We all need to get together no matter what.”

On a smaller scale but with big heart, Berwyn Pride Walk celebrates neighborhood diversity The western suburb held its Pride event Saturday, with some lauding its intimacy and warmth compared to the bigger Chicago event Sunday. Many had praise for the community for taking steps to be more i...

I often go to Berwyn to shop, but it was nice spending time with residents yesterday during the Pride Walk. Community members said the suburb has taken steps to be more inclusive of its LGBTQ+ and Latino populations. Here’s my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/lgbtq/2025/0...

The Violet Hour, a James Beard-winning Chicago institution, closes permanently After 18 years in Wicker Park, the innovative cocktail bar shutters following damage to its building. “Despite extensive efforts and negotiations, we were regretfully unable to reach a resolution with...

After 18 years in Wicker Park, The Violet Hour cocktail bar shutters following damage to its building. Here's my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2...

For #pride month, several Chicago drag designers gave us a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. It was so fun to meet these artists, including "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Willow Pill.

📷 Ashlee Rezin & Pat Nabong

Our story for @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/fashion/2025...

For older adults, a robust network of friends, relatives key to better health outcomes, study finds New research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that the depth of social networks that older adults have is linked to their health outcomes.

“New research led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign found that the depth of social networks that older adults have is linked to their health outcomes.” Informative story by @elviamalagon.bsky.social.

chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/06...

Chicago pool season brings excitement, relief from heat — 'We've been waiting for this day' The city's outdoor pools opened for the summer on Saturday, coinciding with the year's first major heat wave. Eager residents came out to swim, with many describing their visits as family traditions.

Chicago pool season has officially started! I visited Hale Pool and Washington Pool, which some call the “jewel of the south.” Here’s my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 @taliaspraguephotography.com

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'No Kings' protests fill streets in Chicago and suburbs: Live updates The rally at Daley Plaza started at noon with a moment of silence for the shootings in Minnesota before moving into the streets of downtown Chicago.

chicago.suntimes.com/live/2025/06...

Today, I helped cover the “No Kings” protest in Chicago. It was a long but peaceful day that started at the Daley Plaza and ended at the ICE field office. Here’s our live blog for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷: Me

Ahead of his 98th birthday, George E. Johnson reflects on trailblazing career in hair care industry The pivotal figure's recent memoir documents his creation of Ultra Sheen, Afro Sheen and other hair products that revolutionized the market and allowed him to give back to Black Chicagoans.

I interviewed 97-year-old George E. Johnson, who created the famous Ultra Sheen & Afro Sheen hair products. His memoir details how he escaped poverty to build the first Black-owned business to trade on Wall Street. Here is my article for @chicago.suntimes.com.
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Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills reign supreme at United Center The four icons showed off their passion, pipes and sisterhood during a legendary concert as part of The Queens Tour. 'It's good to be back home,' Chaka Khan told the audience.

I had the opportunity to witness The Queens! 4 Legends. 1 Stage Tour at the United Center. Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills showed off their passion, pipes & sisterhood during the concert. Here’s my review for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover's quest for freedom faces key test this week Hoover is asking to cut short his time in federal prison under the First Step Act. But the decision to grant mercy rests with U.S. District Judge John Blakey, nominated to the bench in 2014 by then-Pr...

Here's the story Jon Seidel and I wrote last fall on Larry Hoover's quest for freedom.

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President Trump commutes drug kingpin Larry Hoover's federal prison sentence Hoover and David Barksdale created the Gangster Disciples in the late 1960s, ruling as “King Larry” and “King David” until Barksdale was killed in 1974.

President Donald Trump commuted the life prison sentence of Larry Hoover, the notorious co-founder of the Gangster Disciples street gang, the White House confirmed.

Beyoncé fans in Chicago show off cowboy-inspired fashion at her Soldier Field concert Members of the Beyhive donned their best cowboy hats, boots and denim at the first of three Cowboy Carter shows at Soldier Field.

At Soldier Field for the #Beyonce concert, which has been delayed for a couple hours due to weather concerns. But I was able to chat with some fans about their fashion choices for @chicago.suntimes.com.

📷 Anthony Vazquez

chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

Lynne Jordan brings playful show to Chicago Cabaret Week: ‘My job is done when everyone’s dancing’ The veteran entertainer performs "Naughty Divas" at The Cliff Dwellers on Thursday. Expect double-entendre ditties and songs made popular by female artists.

Chicago Cabaret Week is underway! I had a lovely chat with veteran singer Lynne Jordan, who will be performing at The Cliff Dwellers on Thursday night. Here's my story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

Opioids have been killing the same generation of Black men in Chicago for decades Black men born 1951-1970 always have had the greatest risk of dying of overdoses, even in their 20s, 30s and 40s. It's true in Chicago, Baltimore, Washington and other big cities, an investigation by ...

Click here to read our story for @chicago.suntimes.com.

chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...

Frank Main, Elvia Malagón and I were honored with two Peter Lisagor Awards for our Sun-Times story on the toll of opioid overdoses on a generation of Black men in America: Best Political and Government Reporting and Best Data Journalism. And congrats to our Baltimore Banner and NYT collaborators! 🎉