WBEZ News

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

A social worker in Chicago raised money over the summer so each of her students could get a special basket of things to help them deal with their feelings. Host: Susie An Reporter: Sarah Karp

Republicans triggered a House investigation into State House Speaker Michael Madigan’s dealings with ComEd, but the speaker’s ouster appears to be a political longshot. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dave McKinney

Seniors struggle with isolation and the pandemic has only made that worse. Experts say isolation can be risky for their physical and mental health. But organizations around the Chicago area are trying to help with online classes, teletherapy, and visits to senior citizens’ homes. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Edie Rubinowitz

Sister Carol Fox is 83 years old, a Dominican nun who lives on her own in suburban Chicago. A few months ago, Lenore Fox Monti asked her aunt to record a remote interview for StoryCorps. Producer: Bill Healy

Some families are hiring tutors to oversee remote learning pods, and some worry this could leave some kids further behind. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

Community members in Chicago’s Edgewater and Rogers Park neighborhoods are trying to keep an independent bookstore open after its owner died last month. A GoFundMe campaign for Heirloom Books has already raised about $13,000. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Vivian McCall

Tensions are high again in Kenosha Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s visit to the town brought out demonstrators, some supporting the president and others opposing him. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Michael Puente

President Trump is expected to visit Kenosha, Wisconsin Tuesday, a city once known for automotive manufacturing. Despite the turmoil of the last week and half, Kenosha residents say their city is a great place to raise a family. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Two midwives have ambitious plans to open a freestanding birthing center on the South Side. Pregnant women have few options to deliver. And there will be fewer choices next year after Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville closes. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Gun violence continues to take lives in Chicago. There was a mass shooting at a pancake house this weekend and in a separate incident two police officers were shot. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

If a rider won't wear a mask, CTA bus drivers aren't allowed to confront them. Drivers say more needs to be done to help push mask wearing and social distancing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Sixty-five years ago, 14 year old Emmett Till from Chicago was brutally beaten and lynched in Mississippi. As a child, Ollie Gordon lived in the same building as Emmett Till in Chicago, and she shared what she remembers from that time.
 
 Host: Melba Lara
 Producer: Lauren Frost

Immigration advocates say that the citizenship process has become more difficult under President Donald Trump. They say there are longer delays and more scrutiny of applicants. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

We asked women in Illinois politics how they’re marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and what challenges are still ahead for women. Gordon-Booth represents the 92nd District, and was also the youngest woman and the first African American woman from central Illinois to serve as assistant majority leader for the state Democratic Party. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois Republicans ended their national convention Thursday night and now have an eye on the November elections. For President Donald Trump and his acolytes, it was a week of bashing the media, the Democrats and Joe Biden. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dave McKinney

Some districts have rolled out plans for reopening with in-person instruction and then reversed course by deciding to start remotely. It’s created divisions in school communities, and teachers are feeling the pressure. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

We asked women in Illinois politics how they’re marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and what challenges are still ahead for women. Robin Kelly has represented the 2nd Congressional District since 2013 and previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The Board of Education approved a one year school police contract while also approving a plan to come up with an alternative by March. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

We asked women in Illinois politics how they’re marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and what challenges are still ahead for women. Lori Lightfoot is Chicago’s first Black female and openly gay woman to be elected to the office. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Police in Northern Illinois have arrested a 17 year old in connection to the killing of two people last night during unrest in Kenosha. The killings came on the third night of protesting in the town just over the Wisconsin border following the shooting by police Sunday of Jacob Blake. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

We asked women in Illinois politics how they’re marking the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and what challenges are still ahead for women. Illinois state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit is in her third term representing the 84th District, and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel