WBEZ News

In a WBEZ exclusive interview, Harris promoted the new United Center mass vaccination site and said: “Folks have to take this vaccine when it is their turn.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

After months of intense opposition, Mercy’s parent company is in a deal to sell it to a Chicago non-profit affiliated with a Michigan-based biomedical technology company. Host: Odette Yousef; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Counselor and Northwestern teacher Gideon Litherland says quarantining is especially hard on kids and their parents. Many parents tend to focus on their children’s mental health first, sometimes at the expense of their own. Reporter: Patrick Smith

The iconic Ebony magazine is back after a nearly two-year hiatus. Eden Bridgeman Sklenar is the new owner, and she explains the changes made to this giant in Black media. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente

Vaccinations offer more hope for the travel industry, but this year may be more of a travelers market than a boon for airlines. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

“We’re going to recapture the magic in our classrooms,” said CPS' CEO. This comes as principals raised concerns about adequate staffing. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Chicago Public Schools is looking to bring back high schoolers before the school year ends. Chicago teens say they want in on the planning. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

WBEZ is highlighting insights and advice from mental health professionals about how we’re coping after a year of the pandemic. Emma Coate is a licensed clinical social worker, and she says chores are one big issue that comes up for couples living together. Reporter: Patrick Smith

A slew of major banks snubbed Chicago City Councilmembers, after Aldermen asked to talk to the banks directly about deep racial disparities in their mortgage lending. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

Many Chicagoans have been complaining for months about the postal service, and problems are particularly bad at the Henry McGee office at 46th and Cottage Grove. A report by the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General showed it received some 5,300 inquiries and complaints last year. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente

Architect David Gutierrez retired in October, 2020. As part of our StoryCorps Chicago series, his granddaughter Harper, 9, interviewed him about his career. Producer: Bill Healy

Chicago Public Schools and the teachers union are facing off in a heated debate about when it’s appropriate for the district to intervene in the relationship between teachers and parents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

As we near the one year mark of the pandemic WBEZ is highlighting insights and advice from mental health professionals about how we’re coping. Giulia Casani is a couple’s therapist who says that quarantining is affecting peoples' sex lives. Reporter: Patrick Smith

Restaurant workers are furious that they’re not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as indoor dining expands. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Vivian McCall

Preserving and persevering are the themes of Thursday's virtual Black History Month concert by the Chicago Children's Choir. Host: Mary Dixon; Guest: Judy Hanson, Coda Lewis

Chicago groups are leading bystander intervention trainings to teach people ways to help, like creating a distraction when someone is being harassed. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

From daily student check-ins, in-person learning hubs and a quality-over-quantity mentality, teachers say virtual learning can be improved. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Some Chicagoans who go to get the COVID vaccine are being hit with sticker shock: an administrative charge for a shot that's supposed to be free. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Mental health professionals in Illinois have seen a big increase in demand during the pandemic. John Hughes of Chicago Center for Relational Health shared some tips and insights. Reporter: Patrick Smith

State officials say vaccine providers can charge a fee to administer the vaccine, but should be charging that to insurance companies or the federal government, not customers. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The local teen started by finding appointments for his grandparents. When word got out, he built a website to help the elderly figure out where to sign up on their own. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Edie Rubinowitz

Advice from a mental health professional, as the pandemic gets close to the one year mark. Reporter: Patrick Smith

Berrios lost his reelection bid for Cook County assessor in 2018, but he had continued to fight ethics board rulings against him. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Jes Scheinpflug and Tiffany Favers met on a dating app in the early days of the pandemic. On StoryCorps Chicago, they discuss the challenges and surprises of dating in the midst of a global health crisis. Producer: Bill Healy

Parents, particularly in Black families, say past experiences with CPS are coloring their view of how safe schools are now. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Some Chicagoans express caution about calls for harsh penalties for juveniles involved in carjackings. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Michael Madigan is no longer a member of the Illinois House. The historically long-time former Speaker resigned his Southwest Side seat on Thursday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

A new report by an independent investigator for the city of Chicago says failures by city leaders during last summer’s protests put the public and police officers at risk. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan has resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives. The House that Madigan built turned against him after nearly 40 years, amid a federal corruption scandal in which Madigan’s not been charged. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold

Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Allison Arwady says COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with many common allergies. People with more severe allergies should talk to their doctor or allergist for more specific guidance. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ.

After 50 years in office, the Democratic boss is resigning his Southwest Side seat amid the continued federal investigation into his potential ties to a ComEd bribery scheme. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Small pharmacies are joining the effort to get Chicago vaccinated but it’s not easy to secure vaccine supply. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Javier Ramirez was a Vietnam-era marine who was deported almost two decades ago. On Tuesday, he was laid to rest at the Abraham Lincoln National cemetery southwest of Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

First, call your doctor. But if you don’t have one, or your doctor doesn’t have the vaccine, get ready to scour the internet. Dr. Vineet Arora, with the University of Chicago, says try the city’s vaccine appointment system at ZocDoc.com - find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

With relatively little COVID-19 vaccine to go around, access to a shot has been incredibly tight. It’s been particularly difficult for Black Chicagoans, even though they’ve been disproportionately hit hardest by the coronavirus. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

For more than three weeks, seniors in Illinois have been eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. But some seniors who don’t speak English are having to wait longer, just to add their names to the vaccine wait list. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

The grocery delivery service Instacart more than doubled its labor force in the pandemic. What’s it like to be one of those workers? Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

So far, doctors expect immunity to last five months at the very least. It's possible we’ll need another booster, especially to protect against new COVID variants, or if scientists find that immunity wanes. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Reopening high schools is a more complicated process than restarting elementary schools, one that will likely come with more disagreements. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Allison Arwady, says you won't be picking your vaccine. That's because there are only two authorized, and most places administering only have one or the other. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Chicago Public School parents say they are losing faith in the city’s public school system after the recent reopening controversy. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

COVID-19 vaccines haven't been authorized yet for children, because they haven't been fully tested in kids. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

A deal has been made to get some kids back into Chicago Public Schools, and as the Chicago Teachers Union vote to reopen classrooms - bitter feelings still linger. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Lewis revitalized the Chicago Teachers Union and helped inspire unions and teachers across the country to fight for quality public schools. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Since the vaccine provides protection against COVID-19, waiting to get it, or choosing not to, leaves you vulnerable to getting sick. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Chicago Black Restaurant Week is beginning amid a devastating time for restaurants, and in the wake of a racial reckoning. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Odette Yousef

Three new publicly-funded trauma centers will provide counseling, case management and financial support for victims of violent crime. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

The deal calls for a delay in the phased-in reopening of classes as some staff get vaccinated and establishes a school closing health metric. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

“Our decision needs to be respected,” said one mother who wants to send her children back to school in-person. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Some bars and taverns in Chicago will host smaller Super Bowl events this Sunday. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Michael Puente