The 100 best photos of 2025 by Chicago Tribune photographers

December 12, 2025 by Chicago Tribune

From documenting immigration enforcement, to covering the highs and lows of Chicago’s sports teams and photographing the lives of everyday residents, Chicago Tribune photographers and editors strive to provide a fair account of the lives and events we witness.

In 2025, we covered an extraordinary year defined by joy, sadness and turmoil. Our photo editors curated some of the best images from 2025 in this collection.

Operaton Midway Blitz

Sept. 19: Curtis Evans, of Evanston, carries a U.S. flag through gas deployed by federal officers as they clear protesters from the entrance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Broadview. Evans was a Marine during President Ronald Reagan's term. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) — Sept. 19: Curtis Evans, of Evanston, carries a U.S. flag through gas deployed by federal officers as they clear protesters from the entrance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Broadview. Evans was a Marine during President Ronald Reagan’s term. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 19: Resident Lisa Porter screams at federal agents and tells them to leave as they sit in their SUV along East Busse Avenue in Mt. Prospect. Porter and several neighbors and local patrollers were upset to see many federal agents in their community searching on public and private property for a man agents claim is a dangerous criminal. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

June 4: Handcuffed detainees are led into a van by federal agents on South Michigan Avenue as protesters demonstrate outside a Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the South Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

June 4: People in handcuffs are escorted by federal agents to white vans parked outside the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

June 4: Alds. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, Anthony Quezada, 35th, and Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th, comfort Carlos Pimeda, while Pimeda breaks down speaking about his family friend he brought to his immigration check-in at the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office (ISAP) run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the South Loop. Pimeda brings his friend to his immigration check-ins and they usually last about an hour. But on this day, Pimeda had been waiting for 6 hours for his family friend to return. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) — June 4: Alds. Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez, 33rd, Anthony Quezada, 35th, and Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez, 25th, comfort Carlos Pimeda, while he breaks down speaking about his family friend he brought to his immigration check-in at the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office (ISAP) run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the South Loop. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

June 4: A family walks away in tears after their mother was detained outside a Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office run by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the South Loop. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 20: Ofelia Torres, 16, left, and her mother Sandibell Hidalgo sit in their Chicago home. Torres's father and Hidalgo's husband, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over the weekend. Torres was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma cancer in December 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 20: Ofelia Torres, 16, left, and her mother Sandibell Hidalgo sit in their Chicago home. Torres’s father and Hidalgo’s husband, Ruben Torres Maldonado, was taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over the weekend. Torres was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma cancer in December 2024. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 31: Border Patrol officers detain a person in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 31: Border Patrol officers detain a person in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 31: Border Patrol agents detain painter Krzysztof Klim while verifying his identification next to Halloween decorations outside a house in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood. Klim, originally from Poland and now a U.S. citizen, was briefly detained and then released. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 31: Border Patrol agents detain painter Krzysztof Klim while verifying his identification next to Halloween decorations outside a house in Chicago’s Edison Park neighborhood. Klim, originally from Poland and now a U.S. citizen, was briefly detained and then released. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 4: A woman is given milk after federal officers threw canisters of chemical agents at members of the community and protesters from their vehicles while leaving the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 4: A woman is given milk after federal officers threw canisters of chemical agents at residents and protesters from their vehicles while leaving Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 4: Federal agents detain a person while members of the community and activists protest near the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 4: Federal agents detain a person while members of the community and activists protest in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: Protesters are enveloped in a cloud of gas and pepper balls shot by federal agents as they block a federal vehicle leaving the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: A protester is shot by ICE agents with a pepper ball outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: The Rev. David Black, center, yells towards federal law enforcement officers after being shot with pepper balls outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 10: Illinois State Police troopers and Cook County sheriff's deputies push protesters from the road near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Oct. 10: Illinois State Police troopers and Cook County sheriff’s deputies push protesters from the road near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: Protesters tussle with federal agents as they block a federal vehicle from entering Broadview Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) — Sept. 19: Protesters tussle with federal agents as they block a federal vehicle from entering the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 28: Residents watch while U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and other federal agents finish their march along North Clark Street by the Newberry Library in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood, as part of an immigration blitz show of force. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — Sept. 28: Residents watch while U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino and other federal agents finish their march along North Clark Street by the Newberry Library in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood, as part of an immigration blitz show of force. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 14: A person is detained by a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent after community members faced off against the agents at 105th Street and Avenue N in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: Federal law enforcement officers spray mace before detaining protesters outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 30: U.S. Border Patrol agents detain landscapers Armando Lagunas, left, and Crispin Pérez who were mulching outside a building in Oak Park. Three days later, the men had been deported to Mexico. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 16: Ismael Cordová-Clough, left, hugs Delani Hernandez, both members of a volunteer patrol group in the Elgin area, as Hernandez cries after witnessing a man pulled from his truck and detained by federal agents. As Hernandez cried she said “I couldn’t stop them, I couldn’t stop them.” It was her first day on patrol with the group which posts and live streams any suspected ICE activites in and around Elgin. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 18: Demonstrators listen to speakers during the “No Kings” rally at Butler Field in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

April 19: John Rizzo, dressed as the Statue of Liberty, during “The People’s Protest: Joy as Resistance,” protests Donald Trump’s presidency in downtown Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

June 10: An activist is detained in in Chicago's Loop after protests take place across the country following recent immigration raids on immigrant communities. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — June 10: An activist is detained in in Chicago’s Loop after protests take place across the country following recent immigration raids on immigrant communities. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

June 10: A demonstrator yells a chant at police during a rally and march in the Loop against nationwide immigration raids by federal law enforcement. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

News and politics

April 11: Josephine Beauchane, left, and D'Artagnan Corsello react during a funeral service at Fox Valley Baptist Church in East Dundee for their three children, Xander, 2, and his one-year-old twin brothers, Kayden and Jayden. The boys died as a result of a fire in their Carpentersville home in March. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) — April 11: Josephine Beauchane, left, and D’Artagnan Corsello react during a funeral service at Fox Valley Baptist Church in East Dundee for their three children, Xander, 2, and his one-year-old twin brothers, Kayden and Jayden. The boys died as a result of a fire in their Carpentersville home in March. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

May 26: Chicago police officers work at the scene where a 42-year-old man was shot in the North Lawndale neighborhood. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

June 22: From left, Perezia Solomon, Ariel Brown and Bri Wilson embrace as dozens gather for a balloon release in North Lawndale in honor of Zahrie Walls, who tragically died in Lake Michigan the previous day. Walls was 27 and a well-known hair stylist in the community. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 19: Schoolmates of Anakin Perez gather outside McNair Elementary in Chicago's Austin neighborhood where the fourth grader was fatally struck by a vehicle. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) — Sept. 19: Schoolmates of Anakin Perez gather outside McNair Elementary in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood where the fourth grader was fatally struck by a vehicle. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 13: 11-year-old Tamar cuts yellow ribbons from a tree during a release ceremony outside the Skokie Valley Agudath Jacob Synagogue to honor those captured and held hostage by Hamas.(Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Lucy V., 12, dressed as President Donald Trump, right, and her sister, Trixie V., 9, dressed as the Secret Service, join others during a protest in favor of the Trump & Truth Store, owned by Lisa Fleischmann, staying open on May 31, 2025. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

July 30: Jimmy Soto, right, hugs his cousin and co-defendant, David Ayala, after a court hearing for their certificates of innocence while celebrating with family, supporters and their attorneys at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. Released in 2023, Soto and Ayala earned the unfortunate distinction of becoming the longest-serving wrongfully convicted people in Illinois after 42 years behind bars. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Bella Medina, daughter of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera, is presented with the City of Chicago flag by CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling following the funeral her mother at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) — June 23: Bella Medina, daughter of Chicago police Officer Krystal Rivera, is presented with the City of Chicago flag by CPD Superintendent Larry Snelling following the funeral of her mother at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

April 16: A police dog sniffs newly arriving detainees in an underground tunnel at Cook County. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Feb. 19: Former Cook County prosecutor Nicholas Trutenko hugs his son, Joey Trutenko, after being acquitted on charges of perjury, official misconduct, obstruction of justice a by Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes at the Cook County courthouse in Rolling Meadows. At right is Andrew Horvat, also a former county prosecutor, who was also acquitted. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/pool)

Sept. 6: Rose pedals are seen floating in DuSable Harbor in Chicago as loved ones of Nabil “Captain Bill” Abzal are reflected in the water following a private memorial for the charter boat captain on the harbor dock. Divers recovered the body of Abzal from Lake Michigan near the harbor with his death being ruled a homicide by police. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

April 30: Mayor Brandon Johnson walks through a basement tunnel after arriving at the Illinois State Capitol to meet with lawmakers in Springfield. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, flanked by daughters Nicole, left, and Tiffany, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after jurors found him guilty on 10 counts in his racketeering case on Feb 12, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) — Feb. 12: Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, flanked by daughters Nicole, left, and Tiffany, leaves the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse after jurors found him guilty on 10 counts in his racketeering case. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 24: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders walks to the stage before speaking during a rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago Forum in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

June 25: Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling attends the funeral for Officer Krystal Rivera at Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Feb. 17: Sen. Dick Durbin appears with U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 9th, and U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, 7th, as Illinois officials gathered to oppose federal budget cuts to services. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

The installation of Pope Leo XIV

May 15: A woman holds a picture of Pope Leo XIV while visiting St. Peter's Basilica before the installation at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — May 15: A woman holds a picture of Pope Leo XIV while visiting St. Peter’s Basilica before the installation at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

May 18: Pope Leo XIV greets cheering crowds as he arrives for his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — May 18: Pope Leo XIV greets cheering crowds as he arrives for his installation Mass in St. Peter’s Square. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

May 21: People pray while Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — May 21: People pray while Pope Leo XIV holds his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

May 8: Sisters Vivian, from left, Lucia, and Isabel Fitzgerald stand in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago's Riverdale neighborhood on May 8, 2025. The Fitzgeralds are members of St. Cajetan Parish in Beverly, so they and their mother stopped by the church since they were so close. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) — May 8: Sisters Vivian, from left, Lucia, and Isabel Fitzgerald stand in St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Chicago’s Riverdale neighborhood on May 8, 2025. The Fitzgeralds are members of St. Cajetan Parish in Beverly, so they and their mother stopped by the church since they were so close. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

May 23: Andrea Burns, left, and Martina Maggiore find the recently-installed mural of Pope Leo XIV in section 140 before a White Sox-Rangers game at Rate Field in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Travelling the US along Route 66

June 3: Roy's Motel and Café is a motel, cafe, and gas station, currently being restored in the ghost town of Amboy, California on Route 66. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) — June 3: Roy’s Motel and Café is a motel, cafe, and gas station, currently being restored in the ghost town of Amboy, California on Route 66. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 1: Visitors pose for pictures at the Santa Monica Pier where Route 66 ends. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 9: Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay, who is at least 100, sits at a war memorial in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 13: Becka Wallace and her daughter Briar, 7 months, Bowen, 3, and Baron, 4, wait for the movie to start at the Tascosa Drive In Amarillo, Texas. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 6: Horses graze near the Aubrey Cliffs on Old Route 66 on the outskirts of Seligman, Arizona. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 4: Wild burros wander on Route 66 near Oatman, Arizona. The burros are believed to be descended from ones that served as pack animals from gold miners. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 6: Austrian tourist Mike Antosch takes shelter from the rain under the porch at the Hackberry General Store on Route 66 in Hackberry, Arizona. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Sports

Sept. 23: New York Mets first base Pete Alonso falls while attempting to catch a foul ball hit by Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 5: Green Bay fans yell at Chicago Bears linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga as he celebrates Cairo Santos' game-winning 51-yard field goal against Green Bay at Lambeau Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) — Jan. 5: Green Bay fans yell at Chicago Bears linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga as he celebrates Cairo Santos’ game-winning 51-yard field goal against Green Bay at Lambeau Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 13: Chicago Bears teammates hoist kicker Jake Moody as they celebrate his game-winning field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter to defeat the Washington Commanders, 25-24, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 28: Bears fans celebrate in the stands after a blocked kick secured a victory for Chicago over the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 19: Illinois head coach Brad Underwood yells at an official on a possession call in the second half against Alabama at the United Center in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 26: Henry Loher of the New York Ski Education Foundation hits a monster jump on the 70-meter ski jump at the 120th Annual Norge Winter Ski Jump Tournament at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove. Loher won the Under 20 Male division and tied with Norwegian jumper Espen Olsby for the longest jump of the day with 77.5 meters. Ski jumpers from Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Norway, Slovenia, and Canada participated in this year's competition.(Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune) — Jan. 26: Henry Loher, of the New York Ski Education Foundation, hits a monster jump on the 70-meter ski jump at the 120th Annual Norge Winter Ski Jump Tournament at the Norge Ski Club in Fox River Grove. Loher won the Under 20 Male division and tied with Norwegian jumper Espen Olsby for the longest jump of the day with 77.5 meters. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 24: Participants in the international race enter Lake Michigan at sunrise to begin the swim section of the Chicago Triathlon. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

May 6: Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) falls on Minnesota Lynx forward Anastasiia Olairi Kosu (7) during the second half of the Sky's first pre-season game at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — May 6: Chicago Sky center Kamilla Cardoso (10) falls on Minnesota Lynx forward Anastasiia Olairi Kosu (7) during the second half of the Sky’s first pre-season game at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

April 9: From left, Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo and Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis look to recover a free throw rebound during the second half of a game against the Miami Heat at the United Center in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

July 3: Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw, left, and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong celebrate after Shaw hit a game-winning RBI sacrifice fly ball for a 1-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians in ten innings at Wrigley Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 21: Chicago Bears safety Elijah Hicks (22) and teammates take the field to face the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 21: Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore, right, tumbles after making a catch against the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 23: Davin Strouse awards “Clark” with his free hot dog as Bears fans, and hot dog fans, line up as the Wieners Circle fulfills its promise to give out free hot dogs after Caleb Williams threw for four touchdowns in Week 3. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 26: Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Artyom Levshunov scores a goal on Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson in the third period of a game at the United Center in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 28: Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams celebrates the win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Climate and environment

Jan. 28: Steam and flames are emitted from the BP Whiting Refinery in Whiting, Indiana. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

March 30: People battle the wind as heavy rain begins during a Trans Day of Visibility march along Wacker Drive in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

May 15: Sheila Sutton stretches along the lakefront at Diversey Harbor in Chicago as a storm front arrives. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 13: The sun sets over a country road near Olney in Richland County. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

July 31: An overhead view of the wetlands at Milan Bottoms Preserve in Rock Island County. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Dec. 4: Trey Stewart heads back to the water after a break while surfing under a supermoon at Montrose Beach in Chicago. The air temperature at the time was 17 degrees. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 26: People battle strong winds while crossing South Wabash Drive at Jackson Boulevard in Chicago's Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune) — Nov. 26: People battle strong winds while crossing South Wabash Drive at Jackson Boulevard in Chicago’s Loop. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

People walk through the snow along North Michigan Avenue as a winter storm passes through the Chicago area. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) — Nov. 29: People walk through the snow along North Michigan Avenue as a winter storm passes through the Chicago area. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 30: People ice skate in Millennium Park after Chicago recorded over 8 inches of snow. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 5: The supermoon, the brightest full moon of the year, rises between a pair of residential towers near the lakefront in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Life in Chicago

Aug. 18: New kindergartner Raemond Kellum lines up for the first day of school at the Courtenay Language Arts Center in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) — Aug. 18: New kindergartner Raemond Kellum lines up for the first day of school at the Courtenay Language Arts Center in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

June 21: Joseph Perez reacts as water pours over the 6-year-old as families cool off at the McKinley Park pool on Chicago's Southwest side. Temperatures reached into the mid 90's for the day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — June 21: Joseph Perez reacts as water pours over the 6-year-old as families cool off at the McKinley Park pool on Chicago’s Southwest side. Temperatures reached into the mid 90’s for the day. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

March 15: Rose Genry, right, sings with Kate Liebelt in a boat in the Chicago River during the annual river dyeing for St. Patrick's Day. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) — March 15: Rose Genry, right, sings with Kate Liebelt in a boat in the Chicago River during the annual river dyeing for St. Patrick’s Day. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Oct. 15: Karriem Muhammed, left, hugs Marina Lovato, who specializes in inclusion for students with specialized needs, at the Mitzi Freidheim Child Center in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

July 3: Soraya Alem and Jarvi Schneider, founders of Otter Oaks Farm, stand at one of their plots at Legends Farm in Chicago. Alem and Schneider are a part of the Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship program, which is organized through the Chicago Botanical Gardens, offering marginalized groups of people farming education and eventually a farm site to build their businesses. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

June 11: A pile of sand lands on the face Mark Bennett Jr., 2, of Joliet, as he throws sand in the air with his shovel while enjoying his first summer beach day at Montrose Beach in Chicago with his parents, Mark Bennett and Elizabeth Gonzalez. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

July 24: Alicia Saucedo, left, and Selena Sanchez participate in the potato dance as the American Indian Center presents songs and dances during a community powwow to celebrate indigenous culture at Harrison Park in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The duo who can prevent their potato from falling to the ground for the longest amount of time without touching each other or touching the potato with their hands wins the game. The program was part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks series. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — July 24: Alicia Saucedo, left, and Selena Sanchez participate in the potato dance as the American Indian Center presents songs and dances during a community powwow to celebrate indigenous culture at Harrison Park in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. The duo who can prevent their potato from falling to the ground for the longest amount of time without touching each other or touching the potato with their hands wins the game. The program was part of the Chicago Park District’s Night Out in the Parks series. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 12: Day'zhane Anderson, visiting from Cincinnati, crosses West Adams Street at South Dearborn Street in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune) — Aug. 12: Day’zhane Anderson, visiting from Cincinnati, crosses West Adams Street at South Dearborn Street in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

April 19: A person crowd surfs during a performance by Everyone Asked About You at Metro in Chicago. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

June 26: Iraqi-American artist Wafaa Bilal photographed within the neon sign which is part of his “Virtual Jihadi” installation in his exhibition “Indulge Me” at the Museum of Contemporary Art. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

July 4: The Ring of Hope double dutch team performs along the parade route as people celebrate the Fourth of July with the “4th on 53rd” parade and festival in Hyde Park. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 1: A girl celebrating a quinceañera and her escorts walk through Ping Tom Park in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood to take formal photos. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune) — Aug. 1: A girl celebrating a quinceañera and her escorts walk through Ping Tom Park in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood to take formal photos. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 21: Swimmers race towards Clark Street Bridge during the Chicago River Swim in Chicago. Over 300 swimmers gathered for the first organized swim in the Chicago River in 98 years. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

June 20: Waka Flocka Flame leans over the barricades while performing at Lyrical Lemonade's Summer Smash Festival in Bridgeview. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune) — June 20: Waka Flocka Flame leans over the barricades while performing at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash Festival in Bridgeview. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 15: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform over Oak Street Beach during rehearsal day for the Chicago Air and Water Show. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

April 18: Sofia Lemus, 13, bears the titles during the 48th annual Via Crucis procession down 18th Street in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune) — April 18: Sofia Lemus, 13, bears the titles during the 48th annual Via Crucis procession down 18th Street in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 31: 2hollis performs at the Metro in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 21: Bill Kurtis, reknowned anchorman and author of a new autobiography, writes in the backyard of his home in Mettawa. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Feb. 21: Students from Peirce School of International Studies cheer on teacher Joshua Lerner during a school parade to celebrate Lerner being named the Cook County Co-Regional Teacher of the Year. Lerner teaches bilingual education, math, and is a bilingual English as a Second Language coordinator. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 1: Jerod Jensen kneels as he proposes to his girlfriend Janelle Cota at North Avenue Beach in Chicago on New Year's Day. The Phoenix, Arizona couple are visiting Cota's sister Jemma in Chicago over the holidays. Jemma placed the roses in the sand prior to the arrival of Jerod and Janelle at the beach. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Jan. 1: Jerod Jensen kneels as he proposes to his girlfriend Janelle Cota at North Avenue Beach in Chicago on New Year’s Day. The Phoenix, Arizona couple are visiting Cota’s sister Jemma in Chicago over the holidays. Jemma placed the roses in the sand prior to the arrival of Jerod and Janelle at the beach. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Dec. 11: The CTA Holiday Train stops at the outbound Damen Blue Line station, as seen from The Robey hotel in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)