For years, readers had to pay if they wanted to read the Sun-Times, whether in print or on our website. But two years ago, after the Sun-Times became a nonprofit as part of Chicago Public Media, we made it free for everyone to access all of our stories online.It was a risk: Would we be able to support ourselves without a paywall? We’re honestly still learning the answer.But our mission is to inform as many Chicago-area residents as we can so everyone can fully participate in — and make the most of — our communities. It’s not about us, it’s about Chicago. We believe that we need as many brains and perspectives as possible to help our region thrive. And if only people who can afford to pay can get accurate information, that further disadvantages those who may need it most — and makes it more likely that more people will receive misinformation and disinformation instead of the truth.So we decided to go for it.We are so grateful to the thousands of readers who have stepped up over the past two years to support this work, to invest in keeping the Chicago area informed. Thanks to your support, in that time we’ve been able to publish thousands of stories that all community members can access at no cost. Among these are so many examples of original, impactful journalism that I had trouble narrowing this list down to a manageable size – it could easily have been five times as long! But as a reminder or in case you missed it, here are just a few examples of stories that have:Held officials accountable Stories that hold public officials accountable Oath Keepers: In October 2023, we published a three-part investigation into 27 current and former Chicago police officers whose names appeared in leaked membership records for the Oath Keepers, an extremist group that participated in the Jan. 6, 2021 attempt to violently overturn the results of the November 2020 election. Chicago’s 50 closed schools: A decade after Chicago closed 50 public schools amid declining student populations and budget shortfalls, we examined the impact of this decision on the city, the school system (including the budget), the students, their families and their neighborhoods. Corruption trails: We’re keeping tabs on a series of high-profile federal corruption trials challenging Chicago-style politics, which you can follow here. Our ongoing reporting includes, among other cases, coverage of the historic trials of former alderperson Ed Burke, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, former AT&T Illinois president Paul La Schiazza and four former political insiders. Portrait of Deborah Payne, a lifelong activist who is dedicated to improving Chicago’s South Side, sits on the front porch of her apartment in the Bronzeville neighborhood. | Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times 1 of 3 George and Gladys Smith and their son George Jr. live across the street from the now-shuttered Woods Elementary in Englewood. Members of the Smith family have lived on the block since 1883. They say the area was in decline and the population dropping before 2013, but the closing of Woods was a turning point. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ 2 of 3 Former Chicago Ald. Ed Burke wears a hat and trenchcoat. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times, 3 of 3 Examined systemic inequities Examined systemic inequities Utilities: Illinois electric and gas companies are quietly sorting their customers into different “risk” categories, which means that customers who struggle to pay their power bills could see their power shut off in as little as 16 days, while those who are considered less “risky” could get up to 40 days.Insurance: People with bad credit pay more for car insurance in Illinois, even if they are excellent drivers.Grocery stores: Grocery stores have closed, leaving 102,000 Chicagoans without access to a major grocery store within a mile of their homes. This 2023 number represents a 63% jump from the 38,000 with low food access in 2013. The situation is especially bleak for residents on the South Side and West Side. Jose Silva looks over his gas and electric bills at his home in Belmont Cragin, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 1 of 3 Traffic backs up during heavy rain in the Chicago area last month. A new report says Illinois drivers with poor credit pay more for auto insurance than people who have excellent credit — even if those with bad credit have a good driving record. | Pat Nabong / Sun-Times 2 of 3 A produce aisle at a Lakeview East Jewel supermarket is stocked with a variety of fresh foods — items that shoppers say they want more of in their neighborhood grocery stores. | Mariah Rush / Sun-Times 3 of 3 Informed voters Informed voters Election hub 2024: Get the latest election news at the Chicago Sun-Times election hub, where you’ll find stories about how Illinoians are participating in, and could be affected by, the Nov. 5 election.Voter guide 2024: Our voter guide aims to help Chicagoans as they decide who to vote for in the first-ever election of Chicago Board of Education members on Nov. 5. It offers a district-by-district look at candidates’ backgrounds and policy priorities.Voter guide 2023: Our voter guide to the 2023 Chicago city elections included voter resources, a questionnaire laying out the views of all the mayoral candidates, videos of all the candidates, and live results and updates.Find your ward 2023: To help voters during the 2023 municipal elections in Chicago, we created a feature in which readers could enter their address and get information about the candidates in their ward and police district. Voter Guide 2024Sun-Times file Protected consumers and taxpayers Protected consumers and taxpayers Overdue payments: In March, we helped City Hall collect $1 million in overdue payments from sports teams, promoters and organizers of special events.Junk fees: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed the rising trend of “junk fees” that are exacerbating the already growing cost of renting apartments in Chicago – and making it harder for renters to comparison shop and budget.$24,000 cellphone bill: Comcast refunded a barber’s unexpected $24,000 cellphone bill after Chicago Sun-Times’ Money desk reporter Stephanie Zimmermann asked about it.Unlicensed plumber: The Chicago Sun-Times’ new Money desk, launched in January, told the story of an unlicensed plumber who left an Avondale man with a costly mess – and provided tips on how others can protect themselves.Catalytic converter: The Chicago Sun-Times analyzed data to understand the scale of Chicago’s catalytic converter theft epidemic, the most targeted vehicles and how the thieves operate – and how consumers can protect themselves.How to get your money back: We want to help Chicago area residents thrive, with “how to” stories like this article with tips to help consumers successfully complain when they run into issues with retailers or service providers. Amir Yass, wearing a dark blue shirt and jeans, is sitting in a barber chair at his shop Hair Mechanic, 2140 W. North Ave., in Wicker Park. He had racked up $23,686 in cellphone charges on a trip abroad, even though he proactively sought an international calling plan. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 1 of 5 An aerial view of the United Center with the Chicago city skyline in the background. | Scott Olson/Getty Images 2 of 5 Juan Chavez handles baggage as is comes off a United Airlines aircraft upon landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, in Houston. United Airlines said Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, that it is raising its fees for checking bags, following a similar move earlier this week by American Airlines. | Brett Coomer/AP Photos 3 of 5 Jacob Hicks standing in the gangway at his Avondale home, looking at a rolled-up garden hose and an outdoor faucet that’s connected to a pipe inside his finished basement. A problem with the faucet and pipe led him to call a plumber. | Victor Hilitski / Sun-Times 4 of 5 A security camera shows a crew in an Avondale parking lot stealing a catalytic converter from an SUV in February. Catalytic converter thieves have cost Chicagoans millions of dollars in property damage. | Provided 5 of 5 Grew understanding of diverse experiences in our communities Grew understanding of diverse experiences in our communities Violence in Chicago: Public safety and justice reporter Andy Grimm spent months speaking with eight residents of West Garfield Park to share stories about what life is really like in Chicago’s most violent neighborhood.Voices of survivors: We partnered with The Trace to help five survivors of violence tell their own stories, in their own words.Community views: Our Editorial Board expanded op-eds and letters to the editor to include more community views from around the Chicago area.Chicago’s Next Voices: In 2023, we launched our Chicago’s Next Voices contest – and series of community guest columns – to amplify voices and diverse experiences from across the Chicago area. We named 12 new guest columnists in our first class of Chicago’s Next Voices winners in July 2023, and in September 2024 announced a second group of six new guest columnists. (Look out for a new student contest coming soon!) The Sun-Times spent months talking to residents who have stayed despite the nearly constant gunfire. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times 1 of 3 A combined image using photos of Marlon English, Eroica Del Real, Aja Johnson, Carla Johnson and Jaree Noel. | Carlos Javier Ortiz / The Trace 2 of 3 The Sun-Times’ Chicago’s Next Voices guest columnists: (top, from left) John F. Wasik, Lashaunta Moore, Chris Bigelow and Maham Khan; (middle, from left) Lucy Biederman, Thom Cicchelli, Valery Pineda and Emily Dagostino; and (bottom, from left) Derek Helling, Effie Koliopoulos, Randi Forrest and Nancy Osness. | Provided 3 of 3 Shared knowledge about what’s working Shared knowledge about what’s working Democracy Solutions Project: The yearlong Democracy Solutions Project, in partnership with WBEZ and the Center for Effective Government at the University of Chicago, takes a solutions-oriented approach to reporting on the critical issues facing American democracy today. To gather lessons for our democracy, we’ve explored innovative ideas from governments in Australia, Canada and Colombia through stories, listening experiences, opinion pieces and news.Civics education: WBEZ also reported on a shift in civics education at Chicago Public Schools, and programs that are helping students create change.Guaranteed-income programs: In partnership with WBEZ, we also reported on whether guaranteed-income programs are really working to reduce poverty and improve economic mobility among Cook County residents.Crime data: We evaluated a year of crime data for 2023 to offer a contextual picture of the state of violent crime in Chicago, to explain some of the underlying factors behind the changes and to give examples of solutions and the people working on them. In December 2023, we also did an in-depth analysis of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s anti-violence strategy. A couple sits on a bench overlooking a park and the Toronto skyline, April 20, 2024. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times 1 of 5 Desiré Borges holds her daughter in her arms outside their home in an unsanctioned neighborhood outside Los Patios, Cucuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia, Saturday, April 13, 2024. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 2 of 5 Corliss High School junior Mentrell Blackman says being on his school’s student voice committee showed him he had ‘power and strength.’ | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ 3 of 5 Jailyn Brown, who has been receiving $500 through the Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot, at a bus stop in Bronzeville on her way to her job in Bucktown. Brown said she uses some of the money for rideshares but usually takes a bus. | Pat Nabong / Sun-Times 4 of 5 Andre Thomas and Integrity and Fidelity workers wear yellow work vests printed with their organization’s name during their meeting in a sunny room. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times 5 of 5 Elevated uplifting, inspiring stories about our communities Elevated uplifting, inspiring stories about our communities Mutual aid: After the Schuler Scholar Program suspended expected scholarships, former staff members and the community set up a mutual aid network to raise financial aid for the students in need.Free soccer program: Two friends at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign started a free soccer program for migrant children called Amigos Unidos FC, or United Friends.Free air conditioners: During a heat wave in June 2024, a restaurant owner gave away free air conditioners to residents in Logan Square, Humboldt Park, Belmont Cragin and surrounding areas.Creative Chicago: Our Creative Chicago edition in August 2023 highlighted Chicago area artists and organizations finding creative ways to benefit their communities through the arts.Genius grants: Two Chicago residents, fiction writer Ling Ma and visual artist Ebony G. Patterson, won MacArthur “genius grants” for their creativity and innovation in October 2024.Chicago youth coach: Our multimedia story about a blind peewee football coach is one of resilience, optimism, family, strength, redemption – and the love of football. In August 2023, the video won an award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Marcus Jackson stretches during track practice at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. A mutual aid network is helping him pay for college after the Schuler Scholarship Program abruptly ended last month. | Shelby Dawson 1 of 5 Mathias Bastó, 8 (far right) plays soccer with other migrant children as part of the free youth program Amigos Unidos FC. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Sun-Times 2 of 5 Robert Magiet delivers air conditioning units to a family in the Logan Square neighborhood on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. | Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times 3 of 5 Ling Ma, a fiction writer, (Left)and Ebony G. Patterson, a visual artist, are among the 22 people named MacArthur Fellows on Tuesday | MacArthur Foundation 4 of 5 James Bell leans over to give advice to a young player during football practice with the Chicago Blitz, Wednesday, August 18, 2021. Despite losing his vision, James has continued to fight his way back onto the field. He can no longer coach as he once did but now helps in a supporting role. During practice he teaches kids the finer points in blocking, tackling, and setting up the run. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times 5 of 5 Helped people make the most of our region Celebrated our region, helping people make the most of it Chicago sports: Our superlative sports desk brings fans together daily with in-depth news and analysis about Chicago sports, including the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, Sky, White Sox and high school sports.Arts and culture: Our features desk, and the joint arts and culture desk we share with WBEZ, cover the rich spectrum of arts, culture and entertainment that the Chicago area has to offer on a daily basis.Festivals: Some of our most popular entertainment reporting every year is our comprehensive coverage of the Lollapalooza, Pitchfork and Riot music festivals for fansChicago moments: We frequently highlight “only in Chicago” cultural moments, such as the viral “rat hole” in Roscoe Village, which was removed in April 2024; Chonkosaurus, the Chicago River’s massive snapping turtle, and the Millennium Park foxes; and a 4-year-old who has garnered millions of social media views for posts singing with his father. Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams takes the field in his first regular season NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Chicago. | Nam Y. Huh/AP 1 of 5 Tyla performs on the first day of Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Peyton Reich/Sun-Times 2 of 5 Eric Burton of the Black Pumas performs on the first day of Pitchfork in Union Park, Friday, July 19, 2024. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times 3 of 5 A photo of the famed rat hole on the 1900 block of West Roscoe Street. | Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere / Sun-Times 4 of 5 This photo provided by Joey Santore shows a snapping turtle relaxing along a Chicago River. Footage of the plump snapping turtle relaxing along a Chicago waterway has gone viral after Joey Santore, who filmed the well-fed reptile, marveled at its size and nicknamed it “Chonkosaurus.” | AP Photo 5 of 5 This is only a small part of what we’ve been able to do with your support and, just as importantly, with your input in helping us shape the news. Thank you so much for your partnership and for keeping yourselves informed!If you believe local news and information — created by, for and about people who live here — is important and want to keep it free for everyone, and if you have the means to do so, I hope you’ll consider making a donation to commemorate this anniversary at suntimes.com/support. If a donation isn’t possible, please consider sharing this article with others to help spread the word about what we’re doing. Related Introducing the new Sunday Sun-Times! Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ win national honors How we are deciding what’s news — by soliciting your input Here’s what the Sun-Times accomplished in 2023 — and what’s next for 2024 Year In Review 2023 Chicago’s Next Voices The Sun-Times introduces a ‘right to be forgotten’ policy Year In Review 2022 The Sun-Times wants to reflect the voices of all Chicagoans. Here’s how you can help Meet the Sun-Times Newsroom The Sun-Times’ new chapter: Our digital content is now free for everyone