Anna Savchenko
Criminal Justice Reporter
Previously, she covered Chicago’s colleges and universities when she joined the station in 2021 as a Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism fellow. Anna earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in English from Azusa Pacific University in southern California. At Azusa Pacific, she served as editor-in-chief of the student magazine.
She speaks Russian, Greek and is learning Ukrainian.
Stories by Anna Savchenko
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Is the Chicago Police gang database tactic an end run around the new accountability board?
Members of a new civilian police commission fear CPD’s rollout of the database was intended to circumvent their oversight authority.
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Formerly incarcerated students can now Zoom back into prison to finish their degrees
The pandemic forced prison programs across Illinois to adapt to remote learning. It also paved a path for college students leaving prison.
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Highland Park shooting victims say they are fighting back as they cope day by day
Lauren Bennett, who was shot twice, is among a group suing a gunmaker over the shooting. “Anything that could help prevent this,” she said.
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At a Chicago school far away from the war, Ukrainian children try to make a new life
The school has 65 refugee children enrolled. “The longer they stay in Chicago, they feel torn away from their country,” the principal said.
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Northwestern University brings college to an Illinois women’s prison
It’s the only program in Illinois where women who are incarcerated can earn a bachelor’s degree and among a small number of programs nationwide.
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More Chicago high school grads are eyeing HBCUs as their top college choice
Historically Black colleges are a tradition in many families, but after the racial reckoning of 2020 more students are applying to these schools.
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2022 grads reflect on college life dominated by the pandemic
“The pandemic just kind of changed my outlook,” one 2022 grad said. “Now I realize I can only take things day by day and see what happens.”
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A local Navy vet is trying to get Chicago’s Latino community to support Ukraine
If they can raise the money, two cooks and two pastors will travel with the vet, Esteban Burgoa, to cook for refugees at the Polish border.
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During the war, Chicagoans are finding a sense of belonging at a Ukrainian Village gift shop
A small gift shop has seen an influx of customers since Russia invaded Ukraine, with people looking for connection and community.
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When I’m not reporting, the fear creeps in
As the war in her home country continues, a WBEZ reporter shares how fear has shaped the lives of her Ukrainian family over generations.
