Jake Wittich

America’s most basic HIV protections are in danger as a decade of progress unravels Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.

For the first time since 1988, the U.S. did not officially commemorate World AIDS Day.

At the same time, the Trump admin is degrading America’s most basic HIV protections and unraveling decades of progress. The consequences will be grave if things are not turned around. Read more from my story here

‘We will not politicize public health’: Chicago advocates decry federal cuts at World AIDS Day remembrance  - Windy City Times LGBTQ+ leaders and longtime HIV/AIDS activists gathered at the AIDS Garden Chicago on World AIDS Day for a ceremony that blended remembrance with a call to action. The program was held at the base of ...

STORY: windycitytimes.com/2025/12/02/w...

‘We will not politicize public health’: Chicago advocates decry federal cuts at World AIDS Day remembrance  - Windy City Times LGBTQ+ leaders and longtime HIV/AIDS activists gathered at the AIDS Garden Chicago on World AIDS Day for a ceremony that blended remembrance with a call to action. The program was held at the base of ...

LGBTQ+ leaders and longtime HIV/AIDS activists gathered at the AIDS Garden Chicago on World AIDS Day for a ceremony that blended remembrance with a call to action.

My latest for @windycitytimes.com

Community members, activists and elected officials gathered at the AIDS Garden Chicago this morning for World AIDS Day, reflecting on decades of progress in the fight against HIV while warning that federal attacks threaten to undo hard-won gains.

Story to come for @windycitytimes.com

Chicago’s mpox outbreak is over after summer spike, officials say - Windy City Times Mpox cases in Chicago have fallen sharply after a summer spike, and health officials say the outbreak is now over. Since June, 164 mpox cases have been reported in Chicago, but the numbers have steadi...

Health officials say Chicago’s mpox outbreak has effectively ended, with new infections dropping from 14 cases a week at the peak to about two per week in November.

CPD Officers Can Turn Off Cameras While Being Questioned About Shootings, Federal Judge Rules However, U.S. District Court Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer ruled that officers must have their cameras on if a deputy chief asks them to answer additional questions about the shooting.

BREAKING: Chicago police officers can turn off their body-worn cameras while being questioned by their supervisor immediately after they shoot a member of the public, the federal judge overseeing efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department ruled Friday. @wttw.bsky.social

Radio, books, archives: Inside John Parker's growing queer storytelling network  - Windy City Times John Parker is building a media universe that’s helping queer people find each other through storytelling, whether that be on air, online or in the historical record. Windy City Times readers may know...

We would love to get new followers from Chicago. Windy City Times just published an online article about John Parker. We thank Jake Wittich (Chicago Journalist of the Year!) who is a great partner to our show as is all of the 40 year old Windy City Times team!!!!
windycitytimes.com/2025/11/21/r...

Radio, books, archives: Inside John Parker's growing queer storytelling network  - Windy City Times John Parker is building a media universe that’s helping queer people find each other through storytelling, whether that be on air, online or in the historical record. Windy City Times readers may know...

John Parker is building a queer storytelling network that spans radio, books and archives. HIs goal is to help LGBTQ+ people see themselves and connect with others.

WCT readers may know Parker as host of @thegailyshow.org, but his work includes @thisqueerbook.com and the Queer Armenian Library.

At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."

Previously, a visit to the "Trans Takeover" of Barton Springs: All across the stone slab, LGBTQ+ folks sat in clusters, talking and dipping in and out of the water together. ... Happy people who use every pronoun and none at all.

from @charlotteobserver.com: www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/c...

Candlelight vigil in Northalsted honors lives lost on Trans Day of Remembrance - Windy City Times With battery-powered candles illuminating their faces, more than a dozen LGBTQ+ community members walked through Northalsted to honor the lives of transgender people who have died. The ceremony—led by...

STORY: windycitytimes.com/2025/11/21/c...

Brat pack: Charli xcx’s 20 best songs – ranked! As she releases music from her upcoming soundtrack to Wuthering Heights, we count down the best of her frank, futurist tracks

A couple questionable choices, but overall solid list

www.theguardian.com/music/2025/n...

Chicago Jewish groups mark Transgender Day of Remembrance  - Windy City Times On Nov. 20, the Hebrew Seminary organized its second annual Trans Day of Remembrance service, “Zokherim — We Remember,” held at Anshe Emet Synagogue. 3751 N. Broadway. The service was created in partn...

The Hebrew Seminary in Chicago organized its second annual Trans Day of Remembrance service, "Zokherim: We Remember" yesterday, and @ronitbez.bsky.social captured it beautifully for @windycitytimes.com.

It's Friday and I just (finally) published my new website! new domain, new look, new everything! adamrhodeswrites.com

stop this is so cute!!

The Second City Sisters lead a procession of people holding candles and trans flags through Northalsted.

Someone signs Sister Auntie Gayme's Veil of Remembrance on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

People holding candles, flowers and trans flags walk through Northalsted on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Someone attaches flowers to the crown of Sister Auntie Gayme's Veil of Remembrance—a nod to Marsha P. Johnson.

With battery-powered candles illuminating their faces, more than a dozen people walked through Northalsted last night to honor the lives of transgender people who have died.

Story to come for @windycitytimes.com

The Field Foundation's Mark Murray and Maudlyne Ihejirika pose with Jim and Joyce Williams at the Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Anniversary Awards Ceremony. All are formally dressed in an elegant setting at the Newberry Library.

Photo of Brandis Friedman in front of a microphone at the Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Anniversary Awards Ceremony. She is wearing a white shirt, black tie and red glasses. The setting is a wood paneled room at the Newberry Library.

Brandis Friedman and Maudlyne Ihejirika pose for a photo at the Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Anniversary Awards Ceremony. Brandis is wearing a white shirt, black tie and red glasses. Maudlyne is wearing a black dress and a black fur coat. The setting is a wood paneled room at the Newberry Library.

Maudlyne Ihejirika poses for a photo at the Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Anniversary Awards Ceremony.

The Field Foundation was delighted to join the city's journalism community at the Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Anniversary Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated exceptional local journalists and impactful reporting from the past year. 1/

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance, and there are several events happening across Chicago to honor the memory of trans lives lost.

I've rounded up several of these events in today's Chicago Social Butterflies newsletter from @windycitytimes.com

Read here: preview.mailerlite.io/preview/7531...

America’s most basic HIV protections are in danger as a decade of progress unravels Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.

Health experts are alarmed as Republicans degrade the country’s pivotal HIV programs — and break promises made during Trump’s first term.

If the government doesn't reverse course, experts see a much darker and deadlier period of the HIV epidemic back on the horizon. Read more from my latest story:

Thank you!!

Thank you so much!! 🥹

Thank you, Max!!

Thank you, Vivian!!

Person standing in front of a wall decorated with various newspaper clippings and a mural that includes a depiction of city buildings and a character from a comic. A sign reads "The Columbia Chronicle" above.

Congratulations to alum Jake Wittich ’17 for being named the 2025 Chicago Journalist of the Year by the Chicago Journalists Association.
Wittich is managing editor of “Windy City Times” ➡️ https://bit.ly/47Jf3Y0

Jake Wittich, managing editor of Windy City Times, named ‘Chicago Journalist of the Year’ - Windy City Times The Chicago Journalists Association recognized Windy City Times managing editor Jake Wittich with its Chicago Journalist of the Year award during its 86th anniversary ceremony on Nov. 14. The award re...

The recognition comes after a standout year for @jakewittich.bsky.social's career, which has included growing Windy City Times’ newsletter operation from the ground up, doubling down on in-depth LGBTQ+ reporting, and training others through Windy City Times’ inaugural community journalism cohort.

YouTube video by Tracy Baim Jake Wittich's Chicago Journalist of the Year speech

Now I'm back to work, feeling so seen, appreciated and inspired to keep uplifting Chicago's LGBTQ+ community through my journalism.

If you'd like to watch my acceptance speech, we've shared that here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8wb...

I'm also so thankful to have been surrounded with my closest friends and family at the awards. I'm forever grateful to them—and everyone else who's been part of this journalism journey.

I was SO close to leaving journalism altogether two years ago—and the CJA ceremony in 2023 actually played a key role in me joining @windycitytimes.com and helping me find my spark again.

I'm so glad the stars aligned for me to thank them on stage Friday.

I spent weeks preparing for my acceptance speech, which served as a reflection on community journalism, my work this past year and the role others played in getting me here.

The greatest surprise was having Curtis Lawrence, who has been part of my story since the beginning, introduce me.

Curtis taught at @columbiachi.bsky.social, where I graduated from, and worked as my editor at previous jobs with @chicago.suntimes.com and @blockclubchi.bsky.social.