Leah Hope

3 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- It has been one month since a Chicago man was released from prison after serving nearly 29 years. Robert Johnson was only 16 when he was charged with murder, a charge that was formally dropped on Tuesday. Loud cheering is not common at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, but on Tuesday, a crowd of supporters was joyful, because Johnson, no longer a convicted felon, can finally move forward. "The court has finally recognized I'm innocent.

3 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

AURORA, Ill. (WLS) -- Tuesday is election day in several suburbs. That includes a mayoral race in Aurora. The Kane County Clerk said there are already more early votes cast than this time four years ago. Fueling the motivation to vote for some appears to be the race for mayor in Aurora, the state's second-largest city. Incumbent Mayor Richard Irvin faces challenger, Aurora Alderman John Laesch. The two were separated by just 500 votes during the primary election.

3 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

Tuesday is Election Day in Kane County. Over 50 races will be decided, and the mayoral elections, particularly one in Aurora, appear to be bringing voters out. This early voting site has been busy in Aurora on Monday. Kane County Clerk Jack Cunningham told ABC7 there are already more early votes cast than this time four years ago, with over 19,000 who voted early. "It's our right to vote, and I feel like every vote counts, and that's why we are here," said early voter Gabriela Williams.

3 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The City of Chicago's plan to help the unhoused has some in Hyde Park concerned. There has been some community pushback over the city's plan to turn a former hotel in Hyde Park into a permanent shelter for the unhoused. The building along the South DuSable Lake Shore Drive was previously used as a temporary home for new arrivals. Neighbors along DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Hyde Park have been host the some of the city's unhoused population.

3 weeks ago | abc7chicago.com | Leah Hope

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new exhibit debuts Thursday at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. During Women's History Month, it's an exhibit inspired by the experience of Chicago woman Anjanette Young. Young says she saw the power of sharing the video of her experience with police, and she hopes the visuals of new artwork will inspire others to demand change. Seeing the artwork together is a lot. "I was trying not to cry, but they are happy tears," Young said.