WBEZ News

Infectious disease doctor Sadiya Khan says while the vaccine protects you from getting sick, clinical trials are still underway to determine whether it stops you from spreading the virus. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

A new project called the "Chicago Police Torture Archive" aims to make the city's history of police misconduct better known. It features videos and written profiles of torture survivors, some who spent decades in prison. Host: Melba Lara; Guest: Alison Flowers

As Chicago teachers try to find COVID-19 vaccination appointments on their own, they say finding one one feels like winning the lottery. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. Allison Arwady, says there is no cost ever for getting a COVID-19 vaccine in the city, though providers may charge a small fee to administer. Reporter: Becky Vevea

Ahmadou Drame, housing and community development manager for the Metropolitan Planning Council, discusses an executive order signed by President Biden and how it could affect racial segregation in Chicago. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Some families say a return to in-person learning could make a big difference in students’ emotional well-being. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

Black residents account for 15% of all vaccinated Chicagoans. Latinos account for 17%. City officials say they want to do better, focusing on 15 communities hit hard by COVID-19. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Becky Vevea

Reactions common across all age groups studied include fever, headache, fatigue, body aches and soreness. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ ; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Even as some activities in Illinois reopen, we’re still far from clear on what retail and restaurant life will look like once the pandemic is over. For Dry cleaners, COVID-19 is posing an existential threat. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Odette Yousef

The New Year is known for resolutions, new beginnings, reassessments. It’s usually a time people reflect on their life, career, goals and it’s also usually the time some people file for divorce. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

Helen Beneker first met her adoptive mother, Lisa, six years ago. Now a senior in high school, she recently asked her some big questions. Producer: Bill Healy

“This is not okay,” said Aurelius Raines, who removed the Streeterville signs. “This right here is just violence against Black people.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

A group of resident pediatricians in Chicago say the isolation caused by school closures is dangerous to kids' mental health. Host: Becky Vevea; Guest: Hasanga Samaraweera

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois became the Senate Majority Whip earlier this month, making him one the top lawmakers in the Senate. Congress is set to take action on COVID-19 relief, domestic terrorism, and the impeachment of Donald Trump. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

Illinois Public Health Director, Doctor Ngozi Ezike, says the info you need to provide when signing up for a COVID-19 Vaccine will depend on where you’re getting your shot, and what priority group you fall into. Reporter: Mariah Woelfel; Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows a third of Americans believe some myth about the coronavirus vaccine, like that it’ll cost money, when in reality it’ll be free. Reporter: Mariah Woelfel Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

Dr. Lynwood Jones helped treat Illinois’ first COVID-19 patients. One year later, he reflects on how the health system has responded — and what comes next. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Chicago recently released a tentative timeline for when different groups can start getting vaccinated. By the end of March, the city hopes to open up COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone over 16 with an underlying health condition. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ Reporter: Becky Vevea

Illinois is expecting a steady stream of vaccine coming in from the federal government in the weeks ahead. Find more on how to get your COVID-19 Vaccine at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ Reporter: Becky Vevea

Vaccinations for teachers can ease school reopening tensions, but the inoculation schedule is uneven across Illinois. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Susie An

Union members approved a resolution to work remotely only starting Monday. CPS then pushed back the return of elementary staff to Wednesday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Many infected with COVID-19 develop long-term symptoms associated with the disease, nearly 10% in recovery now referred to as “long-haulers.” Dr. Jose Biller at Loyola Medicine is behind the latest clinic opened to study and treat these patients in particular. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

In 2009, Illinois created a board to provide checks and balances for the development of affordable housing, but it’s never heard a case. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

The Little Village community has been hit hard by COVID-19. One family there is banding together to confront the pandemic’s worst effects. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

The co-creator of the University of Illinois' COVID-19 saliva test looks ahead to the next semester, as students return campus this week. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter:

Illinois has lost a lot of small businesses because of COVID-19, but some new businesses are springing up. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Michael Puente

Last fall, Illinois launched a program to teach community health workers about COVID-19. These workers use a peer-to peer-model to distribute public health information in Latino communities. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Senior citizens throughout Illinois are anxiously waiting their turn to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Details about the sweeping legislation passed during the Illinois General Assembly during the lame duck session this week. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Music teacher Duane Davis, 74, talks to his former student, Brooke Zino, 29, about a universal challenge: overcoming self-doubt. Producer: Bill Healy

A national survey shows rural residents, who have higher hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccine, could be swayed by their local doctors. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

How the first week of in-person learning went for Chicago Public Schools and a look to what lies ahead. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

This week Chicago Public Schools started offering in-person learning to a few thousand preschoolers and students with special needs. Some parents were thrilled, while others were surprised to find their teacher locked out of the virtual classroom for not showing up in schools. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona-Maguigad, Sarah Karp

Welch replaces Michael J. Madigan as House Speaker, ending Madigan's decades-long grip on power. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Some Chicagoans who participated in violent insurrection at U.S. Capitol have been fired after being identified and called out on social media. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

After an all-night session, Democratic state Rep. Chris Welch appeared best positioned to replace embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tony Arnold

A major political earthquake in Illinois, as Michael Madigan has suspended his campaign to retain the title of Illinois House Speaker. The Chicago Democrat is often described as the most powerful politician in the state. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold

But how many teachers will show is unclear amid strong opposition to reopening from the Chicago Teachers Union, nurses and aldermen. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Colleges are trying to instruct and create performance opportunities for their arts students despite COVID-19 limitations. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mark LeBien

As second doses begin for health care workers, Chicago hospitals met with Mayor Lori Lightfoot to figure out how to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations so that next priority groups can start. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

WBEZ’s Patrick Smith reports on the way tens of thousands of bullets have scarred bodies, emotions and communities in Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago teachers check in with high school students after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Some young black activists in Chicago compared how police treated white extremists yesterday in the Capitol to their own experiences demonstrating this summer. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

WBEZ’s Odette Yousef chronicled the rise of the modern day hate movement in the most recent season of the Motive podcast. She helps decipher some what was seen during yesterday’s attempted coup at the nation’s Capitol. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Lauren Frost

Illinois lawmakers who witnessed firsthand yesterday’s historic and violent day at the nation’s Capitol talked about their experience as protesters stormed the building. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation sheltered in place at the U.S. Capitol after a mob of pro-Donald Trump extremists stormed the building. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from the northwest suburbs was among them. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Claudia Morell

19 year old Ieisha Lowe told her story to WBEZ’s Patrick Smith about the stray bullet that hit her this summer while she was walking near her house. Host: Mary Dixon

For every person killed in a city shooting, five are shot and survive. Those victims — about 50,000 since 2000 — are marked for life. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

The first wave of CPS staff is due back Monday to prepare for the return of students. The Chicago Teachers Union is strongly opposed to reopening. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Too many Illinois Nature Preserves don’t get the care they deserve. The new group Friends of the Illinois Nature Preserves rallies support for what remains of the real Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Jerome McDonnell