Latest news with #LoriSimmons
CBS News
06-03-2025
- CBS News
Robbers target people leaving bars in popular Chicago nightlife districts; rideshare drivers also worried
Chicago Police have issued a warning about armed robberies at bar closing time in some of the city's most popular nightlife districts. The victims are targeted just as they leave bars and order an Uber or Lyft. Police said while the victims are looking at their phones, the armed robbery crew makes its move. On Wednesday night, Clark Street in Wrigleyville had plenty of cars passing through — but just a handful of people walking. Yet on weekends, the street fills up with bar patrons — and it has been on weekends that the robbers have struck. Police believe the same crew, made up of three to four males between the ages of 16 and 25, is behind eight different robberies. Most of them happened in Wrigleyville, largely on busy Clark Street, but some also happened about three miles to the south in the Near North Side's Rush and Division nightlife district — an area sometimes nicknamed the Viagra Triangle. The robberies happened at the following specific times and locations: On four different occasions — at 1:30 a.m. and again at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 5, at 1:10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, and at 1:55 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, in the 3500 block of North Clark Street, the next block south from Wrigley Field. At 3 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, in the 0-99 block of West Division Street, home to several popular nightspots. At 2:16 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, in the 0-99 block of East Elm Street, the first street south of Division Street in the same area. At 2 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in the 1000 block of West Newport Avenue right off Clark Street and Sheffield Avenue in Wrigleyville. At 3:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, in the 3600 block of North Clark Street, one side of which is fronted by Wrigley Field and Gallagher Way. In all the incidents, the robbers either demanded the victims' property at gunpoint or forcibly took it. In several of the incidents, the robbers accessed the victims' banking information through their stolen phones and tried stealing money from the victims' accounts, police said. The robberies impact rideshare drivers too, as they fear they could be sitting ducks in the busy areas. "This is happening to passengers, but it could just as easily happen to drivers," said Lori Simmons of Chicago's Gig Alliance. The Gig Alliance represents several thousand of the approximate 85,000 rideshare drivers in the Chicago area, and Simmons said the recent community alert leaves them uneasy. "We've had drivers who have been accosted waiting for a passenger. You know, people have run up to them on the street," Simmons said, "and it is a really big concern." Simmons said the robbers are likely to keep targeting people standing outside looking at their phones. "They've had success with it, so they're going to keep doing it for as long as they have success," she said. While no drivers have fallen victim to robberies, the Gig Alliance understands the armed crew could easily target the drivers pulling up. "It's just really worrying that this is a problem that seems to be growing," said Simmons. So while everyone remains vigilant, the Gig Alliance is warning passengers that doors may be locked when they walk up. "Make sure that we're verifying the identity of the people we're letting in our vehicles," Simmons said. Police have been looking over surveillance video as they investigate the robberies, but in the meantime, passengers will stay alert.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rideshare driver rally outside City Hall: What they're demanding
CHICAGO (WGN) — A caravan of more than two dozen rideshare drivers rallied outside Chicago City Hall on Wednesday morning, demanding action on a proposed ordinance that would increase driver pay and require passenger verification. The Fair Share Ordinance, also known as the Rideshare Living Wage and Safety Ordinance, is currently in committee but rideshare drivers hope it will soon be put to a vote. Ald. Mike Rodriguez (22nd Ward) is a sponsor. 'This ordinance would make (verification) mandatory. So nobody would be able to opt out or choose not to do it. And frankly, that's what we need to keep drivers safe,' said Lori Simmons with the Chicago Gig Alliance. Supporters of the ordinance say Uber and Lyft have created a 'rigged' system that maximizes profits but endangers the safety of drivers. Effort to pass the ordinance was renewed following a string of armed robberies and carjackings. The proposal would: Raise driver pay from $.60/mile and $.20/minute to $1.85/mile and $.65/minute for any regular Uber, Lyft, or Via ride, with the rate increasing annually with the Consumer Pricing Index; Establish a $7 trip minimum to ensure each ride is worth a driver's time; Automatically pay a clear and transparent 150% surge on all regular rides leaving the city; Establish a cap of 20% on what the companies can take from each fare. Drivers currently report the companies often take cuts of 60% or more; Require that companies provide transparency in fares to both passengers and drivers; Require 7 days' notice to drivers of any suspension and a system of appeal; Require passenger verification to improve driver safety. Uber began testing a verification program in Chicago and 11 other cities last year. Uber's program, like Lyft's, is currently optional. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Yahoo
CPD: Rideshare drivers targeted in string of armed robberies, carjackings on West Side
CHICAGO — Rideshare drivers have fallen victim to several armed robberies and carjackings on the city's West Side, prompting a warning from Chicago police amid their search for the males responsible. According to CPD, a group of up to six male teenagers wearing dark clothing and ski masks were robbed in Garfield Park since the start of the year. In each instance, CPD said a group of men would call for a rideshare using an app. After the rideshare driver arrived at the destination, the suspect(s) pulled out a gun or knife and put the victim in a chokehold from behind, pinning them against the driver's seat. The suspect(s) then demand the victim's personal belongings and vehicles. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Incident times and locations include: 3500 block of W. Van Buren St. on Jan. 5 at 11:40 p.m. (Harrison) 300 block of S. St. Louis Ave. on Jan. 18 at 11:30 p.m. (Harrison) 1200 block of S. Troy St. on Jan. 19 at 2:14 a.m. (Harrison) 3300 block of W. Harrison St. on Jan. 20 at 8:53 p.m. (Harrison) 3800 block of W. Polk St. on Jan. 20 at 11:33 a.m. (Harrison) 3800 block of W. Polk St. on Jan. 25 at 12:11 a.m. (Harrison) 3500 block of W. Flournoy St. on Feb. 2 at 2:55 p.m. (Harrison) CPD's alert on Thursday renewed lobbying calls by the Chicago Gig Alliance to pass the proposed Chicago Rideshare Living Ware and Safety Ordinance, which aims to make ridesharing platforms safer and support drivers in earning predictable wages. 'Not only is this job dangerous, but we're not even clearing minimum wage to do it,' said Lori Simmons, rideshare driver and lead organizer with Chicago Gig Alliance. 'There are 85,000 rideshare drivers working in this city, and we can't wait any longer for the City of Chicago to force these corporations to treat us like human beings.' Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Anyone with additional information may leave an anonymous tip at Tipsters may also call Area Four Detectives at (312) 746-8253. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
