WBEZ News

Parents feeling uncertain about Chicago Public Schools’ plan for the fall are seeking other options for their kids. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

100 years ago this week, the 19th amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. To mark the occasion, WBEZ starred an “inspiration chain:” asking women in Illinois politics what challenges are still ahead, and who inspires them to be public servants. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois Republicans are low on money, prestige and power. But here’s how they’re hoping to energize voters during their party’s national convention this week. Host: Mary Dixon, Becky Vevea Reporter: Dave McKinney

College students are returning to school in pandemic-adjusted ways, and international students are concerned about how all the changes could affect their potential futures in the U.S. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Minju Park

The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will likely hit harder and last longer in Chicago’s Black neighborhoods than in the city’s white communities, according to research from Chicago State University. Reporter: Natalie Moore Guest: Ernst Coupet

This summer has not been easy in Chicago: a global pandemic, civil unrest, all while the city’s beaches remain closed. But Chicagoans and tourists alike are often jumping in the lake off concrete slabs that line the lakefront path - even though that’s technically against the rules.
 
 Host: Becky Vevea
 Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois Democrats concluded their party's national convention Thursday night albeit remotely. It was a week of awkward pauses, silent applause lines, and lots of reminders to politicians that their computers were on mute. Host: Odette Yousef Reporter: Tony Arnold

Chicago Public Schools is promising a better experience for students than when classes were abruptly cancelled in the Spring. At least, that’s what it says in the remote learning guidelines for the Fall released this week. Host: Odette Yousef Reporter: Sarah Karp

This week the FDA authorized a COVID-19 test for emergency use that was created by faculty at the University of Illinois. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called it “game-changing” for statewide and even national testing. Professor Paul Hergenrother helped develop the saliva-based and fast-acting test. Host: Becky Vevea Producer: Lauren Frost

Through laughs and tears, family members shared with WBEZ the health journeys and personal stories of people who died from COVID-19. Host: Greta Johnsen Producer: Joe DeCeault Speaker: Antonia Lopez, Darryl Johnson, Britt Anderson, Pat King, Dameon Madison, Larry Price, LaFreida Poe

From jibaritos to rib tips, lines are forming down the block at some comfort food spots in Chicago. “The lines just got longer during the pandemic,” said one owner. “People want something they can’t make at home.” Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Monica Eng

Villa at Windsor Park, a nursing home in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, has the highest COVID-19 death toll in the city. Federal data shows that Villa at Windsor Park is in the bottom 20% of nursing homes when it comes to staffing levels for nurses and CNAs.
 
 Host: Greta Johnsen
 Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Many teens in Chicago have spent their summers protesting about life challenges and racial injustice. Others are finding their voice through audio storytelling with After School Matters, a program that connects high school students with hands-on experiences. Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

A group of twenty women of color who are leaders in Chicago’s philanthropy community wrote an op-ed about anti-Black racism. They’re calling on their own sector to combat racial disparities through investment and advocacy. Host: Becky Vevea Guest: Felicia Davis

Black and Latino neighborhoods in Chicago have been ravaged by the coronavirus. One of the most heavily affected is the 60623 ZIP code, which includes the mostly immigrant community of Little Village and the mostly Black North Lawndale neighborhood.
 
 Host: Greta Johnsen
 Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

As colleges and universities gear up to restart, faculty and staff are increasingly speaking out about concerns for their safety. So what will colleges look as they try to reopen?
 
 Host: Greta Johnsen
 Reporter: Kate McGee

Over the next few weeks, the Archdiocese of Chicago is opening its schools for in-person learning after shutting them down in March due to COVID-19. The reopening of Catholic schools has been welcomed by many working parents, but it’s also facing criticism from teachers. Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Almost all the city’s majority black schools voted this summer to keep police officers. The 15 of the 17 schools that will have them removed are mostly Latino or mixed. Host: Becky Vevea Reporter: Sarah Karp

We know who the presidential nominees will be. And this year is all virtual. But here’s three reasons why some Illinois politicos say we still need a national convention. Host: Susie An Reporter: Becky Vevea

Thompson was known as “Big Jim” during his long career, which eventually made him the state’s longest-serving chief executive. Host: Susie An Reporter: Dave McKinney

College freshmen already had a rough end to high school. Many are nervous and uncertain how their first semester of college will unfold. Host: Greta Johnsen Reporter: Kate McGee

WBEZ spoke with the relatives of 50 Chicago COVID-19 victims to understand the systemic conditions behind the pandemic’s disproportionate impact. All week we’ll bring stories from communities with the highest death rates.
 
 Host: Greta Johnsen
 Reporter: Natalie Moore

Even though they’re meeting remotely, Illinois Democrats are facing a lot of questions about the future of their leader due to a sprawling corruption investigation. Host: Greta Johnsen, Mary Dixon Reporter: Tony Arnold

Author and longtime Knox College Professor Robert Hellenga spoke from hospice to his former student, Joseph Lennon, about literature, death and grades. Producer: Bill Healy

All across Illinois, local election authorities have been mailing out applications for voters to request a mailed ballot. It’s part of a temporary vote by mail expansion in the state ahead of the November election. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Claudia Morell

Instead of Milwaukee sight-seeing, parties, and balloon drops, Illinois delegates to the DNC will be delegating from their couches. But these first-time delegates say they’ll still push for their platforms. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Tony Arnold

Englewood residents are still grappling with the aftermath of another police shooting of a Black man on Sunday. Some contradict the police version of events. They want authorities to release any video of the shooting. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Cabrini-Green came together following the shooting death of a child this summer, just as they did after a similar tragedy in the ‘90s. As the community grieves, residents share how they are coping and responding to turmoil. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

Between COVID-19, social unrest, violence and burgeoning budget deficits, the first-term Chicago mayor has been tested like no other. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Becky Vevea

As Harris is chosen as the first Black woman to be nominated vice president of a major party, Illinois Black women leaders say there’s more than one reason to celebrate. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

In Chicago many Black teens have been at the forefront of recent marches. They are part of a movement for social justice that began long before this summer’s wave of demonstrations. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Chicago resident Jeff Skrentny is spending 2020 listing insects, plants, birds and other natural things. Host: Becky Vevea Reporter: Jerome McDonnell

As COVID-19 cases climb in Illinois, some businesses are becoming virus trackers of sorts. They’re collecting information from customers that would normally be something public health officials would do. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Chicago rapper FBG Duck was fatally shot in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood Tuesday. On social media many are mourning his death, while rival rappers are celebrating and mocking his murder. Host: Becky Vevea Guest: Lance Williams

With COVID-19 cases rising and pressure building, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS drop preliminary plans for both remote and in-person school. Host: Becky Vevea, Mariah Woelfel Reporter: Sarah Karp

Chicago’s first jury trial in months is underway at the federal courthouse downtown. It looks a lot different because of the pandemic. Jon Seidel covers the federal courts for the Chicago Sun-Times and shares what court proceedings look like in the time of the coronavirus. Host: Mary Dixon Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Some parents say in-person school isn’t realistic during a pandemic. Others say they can’t revisit poor e-learning plans. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Experts say painless mouth and shallow nose swabs can be nearly as good as, or possibly better than, nasopharyngeal samples for detecting COVID-19. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Monica Eng

Visitors from hot-spot states are still coming to Chicago, saying they didn’t want to cancel their planned vacations or cross-state day trips. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

New data shows what CPS’ contract with police calls for: a full year's salary and benefits for 10 months of work. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp

First-year teacher Alexia Dukes spoke with her mentor, Maria Rivera, about how the pandemic changed everything. Producer: Bill Healy

Latinos are testing positive for COVID-19 at a higher rate than other groups, and that’s especially true for residents of East Chicago in Northwest Indiana. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Michael Puente

Mercy Hospital has served Chicago’s South Side for nearly 170 years. This week, it announced plans to close next year, citing financial problems. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

As school districts backtrack on plans to mix remote and in-person school, parents are divided on the push to start all remote in the fall. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

The pandemic has upended summer plans for college students, from internships to travel to jobs. Instead, many turned to summer school. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee

Chicago-born music artist Juice WRLD had his life and career tragically cut short when he passed away in December. He was 21 years old. Earlier this month, his estate released a new album of his music called “Legends Never Die.” Host: Susie An, Mariah Woelfel Guest: Bekoe

In just the past two months there have been more than 850 shootings in Chicago. But throughout the city there are hundreds of anti-violence workers who have not given up hope. Host: Susie An

Do you need a car for drive-thru COVID-19 testing? Are self-administered tests accurate? Sadiya Khan, an epidemiologist at Northwestern University, answers these questions and more. Host: Lisa Lazbuz Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

During ComEd’s eight-year bribery scheme, the company won two lucrative bills – and customers across northern Illinois are paying for it. Host: Melba Lara, Lisa Labuz Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

After a memorial at Rhodes Funeral Home in Gresham ended in a gunfight, one funeral home owner says a shift in gang culture is to blame. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng