WBEZ News

Advocates say the new state law would keep people out of cycles of debt, while opponents say it could significantly impact the financial makeup of Illinois and hurt communities of color. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

The Chicago police superintendent has pushed reform, while leaning on old-school ways to address violence, carjackings and civil unrest. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Public health officials are focusing more and more on combating vaccine hesitancy. Brittany Norment, a 33-year-old from Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood speaks with Dr. Rochelle Bello, director of infectious disease at St. Bernard Hospital. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

For people in Chicago who have lost loved ones to police violence, the murder conviction of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd brings hope, but also pain and worry. Host: Mary Dixon; Guest: Arewa Karen Winters

A new discovery by a team of scientists at Fermilab in west suburban Batavia is challenging everything we thought we knew about Physics. Dr. Brendan Casey, head of the Muon Department, details their findings around a relative of the Electron with a lifespan of microseconds. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Illinois State Climatologist, Dr. Trent Ford, clarifies the difference between climate and weather. If you have questions about our region’s climate, send an email to [email protected]

As many as 26,000 public high schoolers were due back in schools beginning Monday. Teachers approved the reopening agreement this weekend. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Stewart Casey is a 48-year-old man from rural Illinois, and like over one third of Americans, he's unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Zachary Rubin, an allergist and immunologist in the Chicago area, spoke with Stewart to talk through his concerns. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois is about the middle of the pack, nationwide in COVID-19 vaccine administration — but Chicago lags. Starting Monday, eligibility expands to everyone 16 and older in the city. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

One representative says it’s a shame the state must “babysit” utilities following the power company’s bribery scandal. But Democrats still haven’t agreed on a list of ethics reforms. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Following the release of the police body cam footage of the shooting of a 13 year old boy, vigils and demonstrations were held around the city. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Linda Lutton

The Chicago Teachers Union voted in favor of a deal to reopen high schools, setting the stage to resume in-person learning in high schools on Monday for the first time in more than a year. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

A lack of after-school care is making it impossible for some parents to send their children back to school in-person. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

As parents and students prepare to return to classrooms on April 19, the union is raising the alarm about rising COVID-19 cases. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

The state public health department says the pause comes out of “an abundance of caution” as federal regulators investigate rare cases of people getting blood clots after receiving the shot. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Becky Vevea

Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose shot makes up less than 5% of the COVID-19 vaccines shipped to Chicago and Illinois, but today’s pause by federal regulators is still causing disruption to the overall vaccine rollout. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Dr. Allison Arwady

A group of “Mathletes” at Stevenson High School in north suburban Lincolnshire are finalists in a national competition that uses mathematics to solve real-world problems. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

Four decades ago, Chris Huston put her daughter, Meighen Lovelace, up for adoption. Last year, they reunited at the StoryCorps booth in Chicago. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Billy Healy

Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Allison Arwady says the virus will continue circulating among people who are not vaccinated. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Despite the economic downturn, some hyper-local entrepreneurs are trying to fill the void by developing new businesses from their kitchens and living rooms. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

A new quarterly poll of Chicago and suburban residents from Crain's Chicago Business and The Daily Line found most Chicago voters think the city is on the wrong trajectory. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Greg Hinz

The Chicago White Sox will welcome fans back Thursday, at Guaranteed Rate Field. VP of Sales & Marketing Brooks Boyer talks about what fans can expect as MLB navigates playing ball during a pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

The city of Chicago is expected to release video from the fatal police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo in the coming days. At a recent press conference Mayor Lori Lightfoot spent a lot of time talking about how someone had put a gun in Toledo’s hand. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Patrick Smith

School districts say they’re in a much better position to plan for next school year as the pandemic continues, despite a bumpy transition to in-person learning. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

One way to get involved is to help people book vaccine appointments, or if you're a former nurse or healthcare worker you can volunteer for understaffed healthcare organizations. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ.

The Chicago Department of Public Health is shipping lots of vaccine doses to some providers in certain ZIP codes, while others get smaller amounts, or none at all. Dr. Allison Arwady who heads the department, stresses that where a dose is shipped isn’t necessarily where it’s given. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea, Kristen Schorsch

According to a recent survey, Chicago parents are reporting increases in mental or behavioral health problems in their young kids during the pandemic. Psychologist Colleen Cicchetti with Lurie Children’s Hospital, shares more about these findings. Host: Greta Johnsen; Producer: Lauren Frost

There is a lot to look forward to in Chicago right now. Baseball season, consistent sunshine – and the COVID-19 vaccine. But public health officials and doctors are shouting that we are not out of the pandemic woods just yet. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

This Easter, a Catholic parish on Chicago’s South side is celebrating without their spiritual leader. Father Michael Pfleger has been accused of sexual abuse, but much of his congregation say they remain fiercely loyal in his absence. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Michael Puente

The initial rule was to get your second Pfizer shot 21 days after your first, or your second Moderna shot 28 days after your first,. That guidance has now shifted, according to infectious disease specialist Dr. Mia Taormina. Producer: Mariah Woelfel

In an emotional press conference the mother of Adam Toledo said her son still loved legos and hotwheels. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, Linda Lutton

Chicago’s Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady says if people are fully vaccinated, two weeks post your final vaccine dose you do not need to abide by quarantine travel restrictions. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ.

Big changes and smaller crowds at Wrigley Field Wednesday, as the Cubs welcome fans back to the ballpark for their home opener. Cubs President of Baseball Operations Crane Kenney explains what fans can expect. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

One year after the pandemic hit, the city’s Black neighborhoods remain the hardest hit by job loss and its fallout. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

So far, the school district has only confirmed that about 20% of the 6,600 staff on leave or working remotely will be back in person when attendance doubles next month. Host: Becky Vevea; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Halleh Akbarnia says, for the most part, all Illinois residents who are eligible can be seen at any state vaccine location. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Hunger in Illinois has reached shocking levels during the past year of the pandemic, particularly for Black and Hispanic families with kids. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Odette Yousef

Two weeks ago, Illinois' COVID-19 positivity rates were trending at record lows. Today, state health officials are urging caution as cases and hospitalizations climb. Illinois Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike provides an update. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Just one out of every 10 applicants received help last year, but the city is gearing up to provide another $80 million in rental assistance. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Chicago’s public health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady says if your family and friends are vaccinated, you could have a pretty normal wedding. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Dr. Jessie Leyse is an infectious disease specialist who spent time in Africa fighting Ebola. She spoke with her aunt, Heidi Rockwell, about battling COVID-19 at home. Producer: Bill Healy

Northwestern professor Michelle Buck grappled with physical distance from her mother, who has advanced dementia, and her infant granddaughter. Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Among 25 suburban districts surveyed by WBEZ, wealthier districts were less likely to see drops in attendance last fall than poorer ones. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

The hospital is supposed to help the low-income Austin neighborhood, but information surfaced this week about Loretto making vaccines available to many ineligible groups. Breaking news editor for Block Club Chicago, Kelly Bauer, provides the latest. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Writer Suzanne McDonough, whose immune diseases make her especially vulnerable to COVID-19, felt comfort in a world of masks and caution. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Evanston City Council’s groundbreaking vote to approve a reparations program is just the first step in the city’s movement toward reparative justice. Alderman Robin Simmons discusses Evanston’s historic move. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

The inquiry comes from the same office reportedly investigating financial transactions related to Trump Tower Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tony Arnold

Chicago-area landlord Derrick Rowe had to sell three properties and borrow against his retirement to make ends meet this year. Producer: Mariah Woelfel

As Illinois expands the vaccine rollout, there's still a disparity among Black and Latino residents — and a long way to go to herd immunity. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Becky Vevea

There’s a fight over a controversial plan to move a metal shredder to Chicago's South Side. Steve Joseph is CEO of Reserve Management Group, the company that wants to operate that recycling facility. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Linda Lutton