WBEZ News

The candidates running for president of Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police lodge both talk up Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s choice for police superintendent. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Chip Mitchell

The settlements follow a years-long WBEZ investigation into the state’s mishandling of Legionnaires’ outbreaks that killed more than a dozen. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Tony Arnold, Dave McKinney

Social gatherings are the focus of a new CDC case study that traces how the virus spread quickly from one person to several Chicago families this year. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois prisons have reported over 400 cases of covid-19. The prison healthcare system has struggled, coming under federal control after it was found numerous preventable deaths occurred. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

It’s spring break for Chicago Public Schools. But for many students this time doesn’t come with much excitement. Parents share what their stay-at-home-spring-break looks like. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Lawsuits have been filed to force Illinois to release more than 10,000 prisoners to slow the spread of the coronavirus. An update on what the state has, and hasn’t, done. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

John Prine was a staple in the early 70's on Chicago’s folk scene. The singer-songwriter died yesterday at the age of 73 from coronavirus complications. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

While Illinois schools are closed during the coronavirus pandemic, districts are responsible for getting out resources. In one community, families were confused and didn’t get the information they needed. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

Nearly a month after being forced to close down, Chicago Public Schools is finally going to open back up remotely on Monday. Officials say the transition to online learning is going to be uneven and rocky. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Sarah Karp

Resources used to help people overcome their addictions often include therapy or group meetings. But with stay at home orders in place, those services have changed a little. Host: Mary Dixon Interviewee: Maggie Dix Producer: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

Aldermen in the Chicago's 50 wards are leaning into their role even while their jobs at City Hall are on pause. They've been connecting their constituents with city services during the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Becky Vevea

12 year old Chloe Langford had a creative take on a homework assignment about life at home during the COVID 19 pandemic. “All Day Long, the Coronavirus Song” now has over 33,000 views on YouTube. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Carrie Shepherd

Colleges in Chicago are becoming increasingly flexible with grading policies as a result of the COVID-19 shutdown. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

The local Jewish community is finding ways to make this year’s holiday meaningful despite the coronavirus crisis. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

Ari Mejia built a fort inside her house to help cope with staying at home. She shares one of many personal dispatches to come from folks who now find themselves alone, together. Host: Melba Lara Producer: Joe DeCeault, Linda Lutton

With schools closed due to COVID-19, this year has been particularly hard on Chicago public high school seniors. The year that usually marks an end of an era, is now marked by loss. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

The coronavirus pandemic has canceled all the big events in the Chicago area. On one block in the northwest suburbs, neighbors have found a way to be together for a little bit, even while they keep apart. Host: Annie Russell Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Not everyone can work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. Some are providing essential services during the outbreak, but they're living on the margins. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Natalie Moore

Meydi Guzman Rivas has been living with her school counselor for over a month now. She moved in after being held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Now, she’s hopeful she’ll be given asylum. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Susie An

WBEZ News spent the weekend covering the COVID-19 pandemic. Since most of us were likely trying to relax and forget about this stuff for a short time, a quick catch up on the latest from Illinois. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Many schools are using Zoom for online class during the COVID-19 closures. And like many things on the internet, racist trolls have followed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

Retired Dallas Police Chief David Brown recounts his life and policing philosophy in a memoir he wrote after retiring. Brown has been tapped to be Chicago’s next top cop. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

The 2020 Summer Olympics have a new start date, and while the Games will go on some local Olympic hopefuls have been impacted by the delay. Host: Lisa Labuz Reporter: Cheryl Raye Stout

As residents are staying at home, the U.S. Census Bureau is reminding households to fill out their 2020 census forms. A look at how the decennial count affects how everyone does business. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

A former Dallas police chief who was thrust into the national spotlight following a shocking tragedy is slated to be the next leader of the Chicago Police Department. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Patrick Smith

Illinois hospitals are scrambling to beef up their staffs as they prepare for a surge in coronavirus cases. Experts say the number of COVID-19 cases in the state could peak in the next month. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

A group of high school broadcast students are continuing their regular TV news show while school is closed. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Susie An

In Illinois, there are nearly 50 confirmed cases of COVID-19 at one DuPage County nursing home. Six residents there have died from the disease. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting the funeral home industry. With CDC guidelines restricting mass gatherings and health officials urging social distancing, services are being altered. Host: Mary Dixon Interviewee: Barbara Kemmis

About 40% of households in Illinois have filled out the census. That’s higher than the nationwide figure, but still short of the count the state is hoping for. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

All across the country workers are worried about making ends meet during Coronavirus shut downs. A look at how Chicagoland workers worried about their bills have been managing. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Patrick Smith

While the new coronavirus pandemic hasn’t derailed college admissions decisions, it is raising a lot of questions for Chicago area students as they decide where to attend. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

CPS announced that it won’t move instruction completely online when remote learning starts on April 13th. That’s because there are big differences not just in who has technology, but also who knows how to use it Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Sarah Karp

April 1st means for many people that rent or mortgage payments are now due. That’s making the economic crisis brought about by the coronavirus outbreak very real for people. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Linda Lutton

If you need a nudge to finally fill out your census form, here's one. Experts say, in national emergencies like the COVID-19 outbreak, census data is key to relief and recovery efforts. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Like many of Chicago’s cultural institutions, the Shedd Aquarium is closed to the public,. But that doesn’t mean the animals inside aren’t getting visitors. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Lauren Frost

Many colleges and universities across the Chicago area are starting online classes this week after schools extended spring break and closed down campuses to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kate McGee

A west suburban high school is donating a cache of equipment from its science labs to a hospital on Chicago’s West Side, to help treat coronavirus patients. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Chip Mitchell

As part of a series called Schools Out, WBEZ is talking to Chicago area teachers, parents and students about how they’re spending their time during the school shutdown. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad, Kate McGee

Since the outbreak began, there have been reports nationwide of Asian Americans being verbally abused, physically attacked and spat upon. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Officials in resort towns are asking owners of vacation homes and tourists to keep their distance during the coronavirus outbreak. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Chicago Public Schools is giving 100,000 devices to its highest-need students, but that isn't enough to deal with the city's digital divide. Host: Melba Lara Reporter Sarah Karp

18th Street Distillery harnessed its four stills to produce 1,000 gallons of sanitizer for nurses and first responders in Northwest Indiana. Host: Annie Russell Reporter: Michael Puente

The news on COVID-19 keeps on coming, and this weekend was no exception. A look at what you might've missed since Friday. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

Michael Bane, a 42-year-old Berwyn resident hospitalized since March 21, says his experience has been nothing short of ‘brutal.’ Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The COVID-19 crisis is blocking many important rituals in our lives. But one Chicago high school teacher recently put on his online minister hat to help a couple have their big day. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Monica Eng

The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois is now climbing dramatically every day. Chicago leaders say they’re dipping into their emergency stockpile to make sure hospitals have enough supplies. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Last month, Amari Allen and T-Nice Gresham talked about their childhoods and what it means to take responsibility for their lives at a young age. Host: Melba Lara Reporter: Bill Healy

While a record number of Illinois workers have filed for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands remain ineligible for such benefits: undocumented immigrants. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

A Northwestern University researcher is trying to develop a new medical face mask that would sanitize itself and deactivate viruses on contact. Host: Mary Dixon Reporter: Kate McGee