Lakeidra Chavis

Lakeidra Chavis was a reporter for The Trace in Chicago, where most of her work focused on the city's gun violence prevention efforts. Prior to coming to The Trace, she reported for ProPublica Illinois and Chicago Public Media (WBEZ).

Chicagoans on What’s Needed to Help Survivors — and Their Communities — Heal From Gun Violence

Aftershocks

Chicagoans on What’s Needed to Help Survivors — and Their Communities — Heal From Gun Violence

Shooting survivors face physical and psychological recovery, often with little to no help. Could reallocating resources bring healing?

Mary Hall, Meha Ahmad, and Lakeidra Chavis
The Problems With Chicago’s Gang-Centric Narrative of Gun Violence

Law Enforcement

The Problems With Chicago’s Gang-Centric Narrative of Gun Violence

City officials have repeatedly blamed gangs for driving up shootings. But analysis shows that the Chicago Police Department’s own data doesn’t back up its leaders' claims.

Lakeidra Chavis
“Más allá del disparo”, una serie sobre los efectos posteriores de la violencia armada en Chicago

Aftershocks

“Más allá del disparo”, una serie sobre los efectos posteriores de la violencia armada en Chicago

Miles de personas son víctimas de disparos en el área de Chicago cada año, transmitiendo ondas de conmoción y dolor en toda la ciudad.

Lakeidra Chavis
En el vecindario Roseland de Chicago, hay una mezcla de dolor y perseverancia

Aftershocks

En el vecindario Roseland de Chicago, hay una mezcla de dolor y perseverancia

Muchas historias acerca de la violencia de Chicago se centran en vecindarios con tasas de homicidios extremas. La experiencia de Roseland en cuanto a vivir entre pérdidas es mucho más común.

Lakeidra Chavis
¿Usted o un conocido han recibido tiros en Chicago? Este programa puede ayudarlo a cubrir sus gastos.

Aftershocks

¿Usted o un conocido han recibido tiros en Chicago? Este programa puede ayudarlo a cubrir sus gastos.

El Programa de Compensación a las Víctimas del Crimen de Illinois reembolsa gastos relacionados con lesiones a las víctimas de casi cualquier crimen violento.

Lakeidra Chavis
Illinois creó un programa para compensar a víctimas de crímenes. Casi 50 años después, el programa está fallando.

Aftershocks

Illinois creó un programa para compensar a víctimas de crímenes. Casi 50 años después, el programa está fallando.

Se aprueban menos de cuatro de cada 10 solicitudes del programa de compensación a víctimas del Illinois, según el análisis.

Lakeidra Chavis and Daniel Nass
How to Report on Victims Compensation in Your State

Aftershocks

How to Report on Victims Compensation in Your State

We investigated long-term, systemic shortcomings in the Illinois program. Here are some tips to help you do similar reporting in other parts of the country.

Lakeidra Chavis
Are You — or Is Someone You Know — a Survivor of a Shooting in Illinois? This Program Can Help Cover Expenses.

Aftershocks

Are You — or Is Someone You Know — a Survivor of a Shooting in Illinois? This Program Can Help Cover Expenses.

The state's Crime Victim Compensation Program reimburses victims of violent crime for costs related to injury and loss.

Lakeidra Chavis
How We Reported on Illinois’s Victim Compensation Program

Aftershocks

How We Reported on Illinois’s Victim Compensation Program

A review of thousands of records showed the state program struggles to reach survivors in need, and paid out claims in less than half of all cases.

Lakeidra Chavis
Illinois Has a Program to Compensate Victims of Violent Crimes. Few Applicants Receive Funds.

Aftershocks

Illinois Has a Program to Compensate Victims of Violent Crimes. Few Applicants Receive Funds.

Less than 40 percent of applicants are compensated, but many more never apply in the first place.

Lakeidra Chavis and Daniel Nass
In Chicago’s Roseland Neighborhood, a Mix of Grief and Perseverance

Aftershocks

In Chicago’s Roseland Neighborhood, a Mix of Grief and Perseverance

Most stories about violence focus on neighborhoods with extremely high murder rates. Residents of Roseland experience shootings at a more typical pace.

Lakeidra Chavis
Introducing “Aftershocks,” a Series About Surviving Gun Violence in Chicago

Aftershocks

Introducing “Aftershocks,” a Series About Surviving Gun Violence in Chicago

Thousands of people are shot in the Chicago area each year, sending waves of shock and grief throughout the city.

Lakeidra Chavis
Chicago Expands Violence Reduction Committee’s Membership, Increases Transparency

Community Violence

Chicago Expands Violence Reduction Committee’s Membership, Increases Transparency

Following The Trace’s reporting on the composition and secrecy of the committee, Mayor Lightfoot has invited more organizations to participate.

Lakeidra Chavis
Lori Lightfoot Promised Chicago’s Violence Reduction Committee Would Be Transparent. Its One Meeting So Far Was Closed to the Public.

How We Fix This

Lori Lightfoot Promised Chicago’s Violence Reduction Committee Would Be Transparent. Its One Meeting So Far Was Closed to the Public.

Some anti-violence groups were surprised to learn the task force had met at all. Others want to know why the committee doesn’t include more grassroots programs and community members.

Lakeidra Chavis
Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.

Suicide

Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.

Despite the historic increase, city and county leaders have failed to deliver their promised prevention plans.

Lakeidra Chavis

Help our journalists shine a light on gun violence

Lakeidra Chavis

Chicagoans on What’s Needed to Help Survivors — and Their Communities — Heal From Gun Violence

The Problems With Chicago’s Gang-Centric Narrative of Gun Violence

“Más allá del disparo”, una serie sobre los efectos posteriores de la violencia armada en Chicago

En el vecindario Roseland de Chicago, hay una mezcla de dolor y perseverancia

¿Usted o un conocido han recibido tiros en Chicago? Este programa puede ayudarlo a cubrir sus gastos.

Illinois creó un programa para compensar a víctimas de crímenes. Casi 50 años después, el programa está fallando.

How to Report on Victims Compensation in Your State

Are You — or Is Someone You Know — a Survivor of a Shooting in Illinois? This Program Can Help Cover Expenses.

How We Reported on Illinois’s Victim Compensation Program

Illinois Has a Program to Compensate Victims of Violent Crimes. Few Applicants Receive Funds.

In Chicago’s Roseland Neighborhood, a Mix of Grief and Perseverance

Introducing “Aftershocks,” a Series About Surviving Gun Violence in Chicago

Chicago Expands Violence Reduction Committee’s Membership, Increases Transparency

Lori Lightfoot Promised Chicago’s Violence Reduction Committee Would Be Transparent. Its One Meeting So Far Was Closed to the Public.

Officials Pledged to Address Rising Black Suicides in Chicago. Six Months On, There’s Still No Plan.