WBEZ News

More than 300 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers say Chicago police officers should not respond to mental health emergencies. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Evanston made national headlines when it passed reparations, but the program's limited scope still causes pain for former residents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Araceli Gómez-Aldana

Some Chicagoans are finding a sense of belonging at a small gift shop in Ukrainian Village as the war carries on abroad. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

In our weekly climate conversation, we hear from a listener who’s grappling with whether to have kids in the face of climate change. Meghan Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, the co-founders of Conceivable Future, collect testimonials from people across America struggling with the same questions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

It’s Chicago restaurant week. And for some restaurants, it’s an opportunity to recover from the debilitating economic effects of the pandemic. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Cianna Greaves

WBEZ investigated claims that guards at an Illinois prison beat people in a place with no cameras. It’s part of the new season of the podcast Motive. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Since 2008, the city has seen trends that may be connected to a warming planet, like extreme heat waves and rainstorms. Climate advisor to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Kyra Woods says it's time for a new perspective on climate change in Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Indi Khera

Risking fines from the Federal Communications Commission, this radio pirate has kept his “audio noir” on air 24/7 for 15 years. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

As the war in her home country continues, WBEZ reporter Anna Savchenko shares how fear has shaped the lives of her Ukrainian family over generations. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Ariel Van Cleave

Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and legislative Democratic leadership say progress has already been made. But some reform groups and GOP members say it’s not enough. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Doctor Scott Collis, atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, explains why there are so many different projections on the effects of climate change. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Tonika Lewis Johnson uses her art to show how racism and discriminatory housing practices have hurt Black families in Chicago. Her latest installation called "Inequity for Sale" in Englewood is direct and bold. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

South Side Rev. Norman Hernan Moran encourages residents to express the emotions brought forth by the pandemic instead of bottling them up. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Adora Namigadde

Reverend Emily McGinley offers reflections on comfort in the midst of isolation during the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Adora Namigadde

In Illinois and other states, legal challenges have been filed arguing the federal “illegal re-entry” law violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause. Judith Miller, a law professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the arguments around illegal re-entry. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

West Side Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr. looked to the past for guidance as he led his community through COVID-19 and a racial reckoning. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Lauren Frost

The 1st District open seat, held by Rush for 15 terms, attracted a long list of hopefuls looking to represent the South Side and suburbs. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

How did this winter stack up to winters of years past? Illinois State Climatologist Doctor Trent Ford gives us the stats. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

For North Side Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a canvas upon which to practice patience, forgiveness and acceptance. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lauren Frost

What started as a routine executive appointment changed into a monumental leadership opportunity with the arrival of COVID-19. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

Buildings across Chicago are lighting up at night in the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s flag. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Chicago Public Schools is considering dropping part of its admissions process that benefits students who live in affluent Chicago neighborhoods. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Penny Smith, director of Learning and Impact at Erikson Institute, explains why using the right descriptors is key in advocating for children and families. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Investigators criticized Jennifer Lin’s response to the accusations in Evanston. But she has a new job with the circuit court clerk. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

The bombshell federal indictment of Illinois’s former House Speaker Michael Madigan last week has renewed a long-standing debate about the unwritten practice of aldermanic prerogative. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

"Go Green Community Fresh Market," a profound departure from corner stores on the city’s South and West sides, opens Tuesday at 63rd and Racine. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Pennsylvania has Hershey’s but it’s not the sweetest place on earth. WBEZ contributor and historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas talks to our producer Cianna Greaves about the Chicago's candy making history. Host: Mary Dixon

Long time Illinois statehouse watcher Chris Mooney of UIC doesn’t think the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan will lead to a culture shift in Springfield. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Alex Degman

Maria Soila Vega’s son Christopher Torrijos was murdered on Sept. 16, 2021. It’s one of hundreds of Chicago murders without an arrest. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Federal prosecutors alleged the longtime Springfield power broker and former state Democratic Party leader ran a criminal enterprise dubbed “The Madigan Enterprise.” And Gov. JB Pritzker was interviewed by the feds recently. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Marta Farion of the Illinois division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, discusses Chicago’s historical - and present - relationship with Ukraine. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The Mexican consulate in Chicago now issues birth certificates and passports for transgender nationals living in Illinois and northern Indiana. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Archbishop Daniel Zelinsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chicago speaks about ministering to his congregants living with the fear and uncertainty of the war in Ukraine. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Attendance has rebounded after plummeting last year, but hasn’t fully recovered. An early-college program is helping to keep students on track. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Guy Callendar was an amateur meteorologist who made a landmark discovery about human-caused climate change. Professor Sylvia Dee, climate scientist at Rice University, joined WBEZ to talk about his contributions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The founder of Citadel, the hedge fund and financial services behemoth, has hit Democratic Governor JB Pritzker on rising crime. Griffin’s critics call these investments and holdings “hypocritical.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

The city’s housing department is committed to undoing decades worth of segregation and inequity. A new blueprint for fair housing is underway. WBEZ’s Natalie Moore speaks with housing commissioner Marisa Novara about the goals. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Lauren Frost

Hundreds of people gathered for a rally in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village Thursday afternoon to denounce the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Claudia Morell, Lauren Frost

Marcus Belin, principal of Huntley High School and part of the Black History Curriculum Task Force for the Illinois State Board of Education, speaks on schools teaching Black History beyond the key figures in textbooks. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Susie An

The city hopes to pilot the housing model as an alternative to shelters now that its contract with an upscale downtown hotel is ending. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The Illinois Way Forward Act, which took effect in January, bans local county jails from renting out beds to the federal government to detain immigrants facing deportation. Xanat Sobrevilla with Organized Communities Against Deportations, speaks on the implementation of the new law. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Historian and WBEZ contributor Shermann Dilla Thomas, and midday host Lisa Labuz look back at the music and culture of Chicago’s Jazz era. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Chicago schools and the city’s department of public health are still trying to build an effective COVID response two years into the pandemic. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp, Becky Vevea

Cook County judges have tossed 150 cases tied to ex-Sgt. Ronald Watts. But Kim Foxx’s office is fighting efforts to vacate some others. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The Illinois Department of Public Health controls the state's supply of virus therapeutics, but officials are not tracking how the coveted treatments are being dispersed. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Thompson will have to give up his 11th Ward seat after being convicted of the federal crimes. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Jon Seidel

Ruby Ferguson, food equity policy lead at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, shares an update on the city's progress around food pantries, nutrition benefits and other food equity priorities. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Researchers are out grabbing samples from all over the Great Lakes, to better understand the lakes in winter. Geo-sciences Professor Maureen Coleman from the University of Chicago is a part of the "Winter Grab" effort. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

In text messages to a manager, a teenage female lifeguard alleged sexist workplace behavior was common and “f**** up people for a long time.” Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

The number of new HIV diagnoses in Chicago is at its lowest mark in more than 30 years, but Black residents – especially Black men – continue to contract the virus at higher rates. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang