WBEZ News

Chicagoans travelling to the city from Indiana are being ordered to quarantine. For some people on the city’s Southeast Side living on the state line, it means they could literally cross the street and then need to stay home for 14 days. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

Experts say the pandemic, a shortened timeline, quality control failures and politics could lead to a headcount that is not fit for use. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

In-person early voting kicked off in Chicago neighborhoods this week, and many are wondering how they can vote safely during the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Claudia Morell

The Illinois Gaming Board wants to put Jeffrey Rehberger Jr. out of business. But other state officials back his bid for cannabis shops. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Voters in Chicago can request mail-in voting ballots in six languages, including English. But, some residents receive bilingual ballots even if they don’t request one and aren’t bilingual. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

School funding isn’t a specific ballot item this election season. But election results will play a role in how much money Illinois schools could get in the coming years. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Debate over the tax amendment has shaped up as a clash between two of the wealthiest people on the planet. But what would it mean for you? Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Tony Arnold

The number of dual language schools has tripled, raising concerns about whether support for nonnative speakers is being stretched too thin. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

In Chicago, the COVID-19 pandemic brought racial disparities in health care to the forefront. The coronavirus has killed mostly Black and Latino residents. One major source of the problem: money for "safety net" hospitals, that mainly treat people of color and vulnerable populations.
 
 Host: Melba Lara
 Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court, is an avowed pro-lifer. But is abortion the only issue that matters? Host: Marie Lane Reporter: Mike Puente

There are 67,000 students learning English in Chicago public schools. But according to evaluations of the bilingual programs meant to support them, 72% of those programs don’t measure up, a new WBEZ analysis finds. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Chicago officials announced a new project to review monuments and public art in the city’s collection. This comes after a summer of protesters vandalizing or toppling statues connected to white supremacy. Erin Harkey of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is helping lead the effort.
 
 Host: Melba Lara, Lisa Labuz
 Producer: Lauren Frost

After an unpredictable first month of college, many freshmen are developing their own routines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s obvious this semester is still lacking in many ways. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Chase Bank is planning to increase home lending to African American and Latino families in Chicago to the tune of $600 million dollars. The bank wants to address some big inequities revealed by WBEZ this past summer. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

The future of Chicago’s iconic sketch comedy club and improv school The Second City is in flux. Longtime owner Andrew Alexander stepped down in June as CEO after former and current performers accused Second City of racism and sexism. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

The Chicago Reporter has produced investigative reporting on racial and economic inequality for decades. But alumni of the Reporter say they’ve learned that the owner, the Community Renewal Society, recently put the publication on hiatus and removed its editor and publisher with no explanation. Host: Melba Lara Guest: Laura Washington

Young Chicagoans are signing up in droves to work the polls this year compared to 2016, according to an age breakdown of a “record” number of applicants from the Chicago Board of Elections. The Board is creating a list of back-up judges after already assigning 12,659 of them, with more applications still being processed.
 
 Host: Melba Lara
 Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Chicago plant stores are thriving during the pandemic as plant lovers flock to them, particularly in Latino communities. Some Latinos have turned their deep cultural connections with plants into successful businesses. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Bill Durkin reflects on the life of his younger brother Bob, who was estranged from the family for decades before a late-in-life reunion. He spoke with his friend Casey McCarthy, the two were recorded by StoryCorps. Producer: Billy Healy

The previously unreported allegations were outlined in a recently unsealed motion as part of Kelly’s divorce proceedings. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

Classes are starting to open up for in-person learning across the region, and some teachers say they feel safe with their school’s plan. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Affordable housing is a scarce commodity. Today hundreds of units on the South Side are being auctioned off. There’s no guarantee the housing will remain affordable. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to reduce Chicago’s high levels of gun violence relies heavily on street outreach organizations. The work means almost daily contact with trauma and pain, and many of these outreach workers have their own past traumatic experiences.
 
 Host: Mary Dixon
 Reporter: Patrick Smith

During Tuesday night’s presidential debate, moderator Chris Wallace asked President Donald Trump if he would condemn white supremacists. Odette Yousef looks at the beginnings of the youth white supremacist movement in the U.S. and in Chicago in the WBEZ Podcast Motive, and provides some context for the president's remarks. Host: Lisa Labuz Producer: Lauren Frost

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot today is releasing a 108-page plan to tackle the city’s long running gun violence problem. Susan Lee, Chicago’s Deputy Mayor For Public Safety, spoke about the new violence reduction plan, which outlines a “public health” approach that includes more community-based investment and victims’ services. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Early voting has started in Illinois. Millions of ballots have been mailed out to voters who already requested them. Still, many people are afraid they won't be able to make sure their vote is counted this year. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Claudia Morell

For the first time since 2008, both of Chicago’s Major League Baseball teams are headed to the playoffs. This week the Cubs will face the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field, and the Sox are traveling to Oakland to take on the A’s. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Cheryl Raye Stout

On Saturday, President Donald Trump nominated appeals court Judge Amy Coney Barrett to be the country’s next Supreme Court justice. Barrett serves on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and is a law professor at Notre Dame in Indiana. Host: Marie Lane, Susie An Reporter: Patrick Smith

From problems transferring patients to concerns about hospital staffing, WBEZ follows up to see what, if anything, has changed. Host: Marie Lane, Lisa Labuz Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago asked over 2,000 parents about their most pressing concerns and challenges when it comes to teens and social media. During the pandemic social media is one of the few ways young people can still have social interactions. Host: Lisa Labuz, Mary Dixon Speaker: Doctor Claire Coyne

Trump is trying to shore up his support with Latinos in Florida and other swing states. In the Chicago area, Latinos says support for Trump is growing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

This school year is looking a lot different than it did during the spring when school buildings were first shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Reporter Susie An is following two suburban high school students through a critical year, as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons. Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago’s homeless already worry about where to safely sleep when the cold arrives. COVID-19 is making that harder. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is calling on the city of Chicago to partially defund its police department by hundreds of millions of dollars, to help with violence prevention. Duncan is the founder of a Chicago anti-violence group known as Chicago CRED which provides therapy and jobs to those most likely to engage in violence. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Doctors recommend creating a mental health plan for yourself as we head into winter and coronavirus cases continue to rise. This can include vitamin D supplements, light therapy, and creating safe plans for social interaction. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

There are 42 days until Election Day, but local election authorities want you to see that as your last day to vote in Illinois. WBEZ’s Claudia Morell shares lessons learned from the March Primary, and how local election authorities are preparing for November. Host: Mary Dixon

Six months into the pandemic, people are still anxious if every little cough and sneeze could be a sign of COVID-19. Now add seasonal allergies and the flu to the mix as we head into fall and winter. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

With COVID-19 restricting capacity and discouraging patrons, the summer for restaurants in Chicago was awful. Owners and workers worry the fall and winter will be even worse. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Vivian McCall

Under a 1983 Illinois state law, the consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board can’t accept power company money. A WBEZ investigation has found the group took in $11.5 million from ComEd-funded foundations while it was taking up ComEd’s cause. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dave McKinney

Dequarion Williams is 21 and lives in North Lawndale. Last month, he spoke to Brendan Epton, who’s the same age as Dequarion, but has had a different life trajectory. Producer: Bill Healy

Barring any last-minute changes, the U.S. Census Bureau has less than two weeks to finish counting residents. But tech issues, decreased funding and a shortened timeline have led to a chaotic time for census enumerators and the people they’re counting. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Some Chicago Public Schools Teachers say it’s hard to keep students engaged for long hours online while supporting those who are lagging behind. This fall, reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad is following a special education teacher who is helping students beyond academics, as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons. Host: Mary Dixon

A Congressional report out Wednesday reveals “multiple missed opportunities that could have turned the trajectory” of the Boeing 737 Max. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is a member of the committee and discussed the recent findings. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Carrie Shepherd

Universities across Illinois have started reporting fall student enrollment numbers. The data is highly anticipated because many schools had no idea what to expect as students figured out if they should start or continue college during a pandemic. Host: Melba Lara, Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

More than 500 parents and students rallied Sunday to pressure Governor JB Pritzker to reinstate high school athletics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearby states have resumed fall athletics putting Illinois students at a disadvantage for athletic scholarships. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

State and federal orders are in place to keep renters from being evicted during the pandemic. Landlords say those orders are hurting them because many can no longer afford to pay their mortgages. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Donald Dew directs the Counting on Chicago Coalition, and he's working to increase Chicago’s response rate in the 2020 census. Data collection is ending in just a few weeks, after the U.S. Census Bureau bumped up the deadline by a month to September 30th. Host: Kate McGee Producer: Lauren Frost

College is taking many forms this fall as some students return to campus for remote classes and others login from home. Reporter Kate McGee is following a few freshmen from the Chicago area during their first semester as part of a new project from WBEZ’s Education Team called 2020 lessons.
 
 Host: Mary Dixon

Chicago public school students logged in this morning for their first day of remote school. Reporters were with students and school leaders Tuesday, capturing the mix of hope and nerves across the city. Host: Kate McGee Reporter: Minju Park

For decades, Nancy Green played the Aunt Jemima character that has long been on pancake boxes. She died in 1923 and was buried in an unmarked plot of land on the city’s South Side. Over the weekend she got a headstone honoring her life and her legacy. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore