WBEZ News

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

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