WBEZ News

In Illinois and across the country, schools, hospitals and community organizations depend on social workers to function. 
 
 But there are never enough social workers to go around. 
 
 It’s one of those jobs that doesn’t pay well – and in most cases requires a master’s degree. 
 
 Now, President Donald Trump and Republicans are piling on yet another deterrent to becoming one:
 
 Limits on how much in federal debt students can borrow to attend graduate school. 
 
 WBEZ’s Lisa Kurian Philip has the story. 
 HOST: DIXON

As famine is declared in Gaza, Chicago area doctors are meeting with Illinois lawmakers to share their experiences and prompt action to end the war in Gaza. HOST: DIXON

There’s a small medical facility on Chicago’s Far South Side that calls itself ‘the little hospital that could.’
 
 But the chief medical officer at Roseland Community Hospital is not sure it can weather what’s coming next.
 HOST: MELBA

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we got this question.
 
 “I’m Kylie Jones, I’m 24, and I’m from Evanston, Illinois, and I was wondering, given the state of Social Security, that may not be a possibility for me in the future. Are there any extra steps that I should be taking to prepare for retirement?”
 
 To find out, we brought in an expert.

Chicago’s new police oversight chief has been wiping out or dramatically scaling back recommendations to fire officers who investigators say have committed serious misconduct.
 
 These reversals are undoing months and years of investigative work and they’re coming at the request of the city’s top cop. 
 
 
 HOST: DIXON

Decades after the Union Stock Yards closed, Chicago continues to be a steak destination.
 
 Steakhouses open regularly, but this year brings an especially large crop of newcomers. 
 
 Between the fresh faces and the old guard — is Chicago teetering on steakhouse saturation? 
 
 HOST: DIXON

Chicago’s love for Korean skincare might be facing a setback.
 
 A new trade deal between the U.S. and South Korea includes a 15 percent tariff on Korean goods.
 
 That means beauty products may get pricier or harder to find.
 
 HOST: DIXON

Everybody knows Wisconsin as the land of cheese. 
 
 But in Chicago, one industry expert wants the local cheese scene to ripen. 
 
 Chicagoan Alisha Norris Jones, is a part of a new wave of cheesemonger who want to make goudas and cheddars more approachable. She’s even got a cameo in a new documentary.
 
 WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers has more. 
 HOST: DIXON

It’s back to class on Monday for most Chicago public school students.
 
 And that means a lot of kids are taking care of one of the most important things: picking their first day outfits.
 
 WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana checked in with some high schoolers to find out what they’ll be wearing, what’s trending and to hear their advice for teens still sorting out what to wear.
 HOST: DEGMAN

Chicago students begin classes today in the city’s public schools. Students can expect some changes as Chicago Public Schools grapple with a massive budget deficit. Fewer lunchroom workers, crossing guards and custodians. Some start and dismissal times have also been shifted earlier. But CPS officials say they have done their best to keep cuts away from the classroom. HOST: GOMEZ-ALDANA

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 
 This week, we heard from Morgan from Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood.
 
 She says: “I hear a lot of things about inflation and tariffs, so I want to know a good way to budget and prepare for any changes in my spending habits."
 HOST: GOMEZ-ALDANA

Each fall, more than 15-hundred freshmen start class at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. 
 
 HALF of them are the first in their family to attend college.
 
 That’s a big milestone for a group that faces challenges not only in applying to college — but in adjusting to it and graduating.

Each fall, more than 15-hundred freshmen start class at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. 
 
 HALF of them are the first in their family to attend college.
 
 That’s a big milestone for a group that faces challenges not only in applying to college — but in adjusting to it and graduating.

"Stone Yard Devotional" isn't your typical beach read, but it's a novel that will stay with you. That's why local author Christina Henriquez thinks you should pick it up this summer.
 HOST: DIXON

Our show Prisoncast has been serving people in Illinois prisons and jails for more than three years.
 
 We’ve received hundreds of messages from incarcerated people – many saying they’re working to better themselves while they do time.
 
 But, there are barriers to that… some of which are only skin deep.
 
 Prisoncast producer Lauren Frost has this report on how tattoo removal programs could help people in custody to start fresh.
 HOST: DIXON

In the 1980s, nearly fifteen hundred bike messengers zoomed through downtown Chicago, rushing legal documents, packages, and contracts across the Loop.
 
 Today, just three registered courier companies and about fifty messengers remain.
 
 So how is this old-school job surviving in a city dominated by Uber Eats and Amazon deliveries?
 
 Sun-Times reporter David Struett breaks it down. HOST: DIXON

There's nothing better than spending a sunny summer afternoon in the park with a good book. Arts and Culture intern Camila Trimberger-Ruiz sat down with local author Rafael Frumkin to hear what's on her summer reading list. HOST: DIXON

Illinois is one of the bluest states in the country … so much so that more than two-dozen Texas House Democrats fled here to protest a proposed congressional map in their home state that could broaden Republican power in Washington.
 
 Governor J-B Pritzker is among the Democrats promising to fight – but does that include a new map in Illinois?
 HOST: DIXON

Summer is a great time to crack open a new book. Arts and Culture intern Camila Trimberger-Ruiz sat down with local author Sonali Dev to hear what's on her summer reading list. HOST: DIXON

MJ the Musical, an award winning musical about the days leading up to Michale Jackson’s 1992 “Dangerous World Tour” is coming back to Chicago. The production opens August 12 at the Nederlander Theatre. The show explores the father-son dynamic between Michael and his father Joe Jackson, as well as highlighting 25 of the King of Pop’s biggest hits. HOST: DIXON

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development dismissed two long fought Chicago cases the feds had previously said showed discriminatory practices.

Captain James Lovell, retired astronaut, part of Apollo 8 moon mission in 1968, died Aug. 7. In 2018, he joined Sun-Times reporter Robert Herguth for a conversation on the Face to Faith podcast. Lovell shared his journey from an upbringing in Milwaukee to his illustrious career with NASA. He discussed his childhood fascination with aviation, inspired by his uncle, and his path to the Naval Academy. Lovell reflected on his experiences as an astronaut, including his thoughts on space, religion, and the coexistence of science and faith.

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we get your questions answered by the people who know best.
 This week we’ll discuss what to know before you take out a travel insurance policy.
 HOST: DIXON

It’s been nearly two years since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
 
 There’s intense international pressure for the two sides to enter into a ceasefire to get food to starving women and children. 
 
 Souher Gonzales of northwest suburban Morton Grove is leading an effort to get much needed food and other necessities to Palestinians in Gaza. 
 
 She founded a non-profit group last year called the Watermelon Sisters. 
 
 Souher joins us to talk about the group’s efforts. 
 HOST: PUENTE

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was in the Chicago area today.
 
 She pushed a Trump administration narrative about immigrants and about federal efforts to get the dangerous ones out of the country.
 
 WBEZ’s Chip Mitchell was there today in west suburban Lombard.
 
 HOST: LARA

The days are long, hot, and humid - so what better way to pass the time than with a good book? Arts and Culture intern Camila Trimberger- Ruiz sat down with Chicago author Keir Graff to hear what's on his summer reading list. HOST: DIXON

This week, at an art gallery in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood a group of advocates and community members came together to make a quilt.
 
 But this quilt isn’t your average bedspread.
 
 Every square is a PORTRAIT of someone who is – or used to be – locked up inside an Illinois prison.
 
 WBEZ’s Lauren Frost was there, and has this story.
 HOST: DIXON

Finding a job can be a difficult task, but it can be especially hard for teenagers with little to no work experience.
 
 Sun-Times education reporter Emmanuel Camarillo sat down with WBEZ’s Melba Lara to share what he found after speaking with job placement experts, as well as Chicago teens working summer jobs.
 HOST: DIXON

Former ComEd lobbyist Jay Doherty received a one-year prison term – slightly less than the 15 months prosecutors wanted. HOST: MELBA

Chicago chef Curtis Duffy is opening up about life and restaurants in a new memoir out today [Tue].
 
 “Fireproof” is a deeply personal book that traces Duffy’s story ... starting with his parents’ death in a murder-suicide. Duffy also writes about his time in some of the city’s top kitchens. 
 
 And he talks about running his restaurant Ever… which is prominently featured in the FX series “The Bear.” WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers recently sat down with Duffy
 HOST: DIXON

Almost half of all home health care aides are immigrants.
 
 As the Trump administration continues its mass deportation campaign, Chicago area care agencies say they have immigrant employees who are afraid to go to work. 
 
 For people who rely on that care, it’s getting harder to find workers to come to their home. 
 
 WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang has the story of one Chicagoan with a disability who is struggling to get the help she needs.
 HOST: DIXON

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we bring you answers from the people who know best.
 
 This week, we got this question from Dan.
 
 He asks: "I have $500-thousand dollars in my 401(k), is there anything I can do to minimize taxes? I am thinking about retirement in a couple of years."
 
 To find out, we called up an expert.
 HOST: DIXON

Lollapalooza will bring thousands to Grant Park through the weekend. 
 
 On Sunday, local artist Kaicrewsade will make his debut at the festival.
 
 He sat down with host Nudia Hernandez from WBEZ sister station Vocalo to discuss his setlist and share advice for other young artists.
 
 HOST: LARA

They are ringing you up at the register, keeping swimmers safe and running social media accounts for a lot of grown-ups.
 
 Chicago area teenagers are on the job this summer. 
 
 Working teens faced a tougher time landing a job this year. The June unemployment rate for teenagers was up significantly over last year. 
 
 Chicago Sun Times reporter Emmanuel Camarillo and WBEZ’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana spoke to a group of teens who found work. 
 
 Here is what they have to say about finding a job, what they learned and how they’re spending their paychecks.
 HOST: LANE

Later today [Fri], teenagers from across the city will pitch social media campaigns they’ve created to ad executives and city officials.
 
 They aren’t trying to get their peers to buy hair care products or funny looking stuffed animals. They want them to turn away from guns. 
 
 WBEZ’s Sarah Karp tells us what one group of teens working with a West Side community organization came up with. HOST: LANE

Earlier this month we published a list of our 12 favorite artisanal ice cream shops in Chicago. 
 
 And we challenged our readers and listeners: The first person to try all 12 would get a prize. 
 
 If you’re still trying for the chance to win, I’m sorry to say that you have been beaten for quite some time. 
 
 The winner, Jeffrey Jacobs, joined WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz to tell us how he completed our ice cream bucket list challenge in fewer than 50 hours. 
 
 HOST: LANE

President Donald Trump’s new tax bill cuts the number of income-based repayment options from four to just two. 
 
 Critics say both options are more expensive for borrowers. 
 
 WBEZ higher education reporter Lisa Kurian Philip sat down with All Things Considered host Melba Lara to break it down. 
 HOST: DIXON

Every year, the musician-run Chicago Philharmonic performs a concert series in Chicago’s parks. 
 
 But this isn’t your average orchestra concert. 
 
 WBEZ contributor Hannah Edgar reports.
 HOST: DIXON

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has died at 65 after an extended battle with cancer.
 
 In 15 seasons with the Cubs, Sandberg was a 10-time All-Star, a nine-time Gold Glove winner, and the National League M-V-P in 19-84.
 HOST: MELBA

Lollapalooza returns to Chicago Thursday, and several local artists will nab the spotlight. 
 
 Chicago’s Emily Clairice Woods, who performs under the singular name Clairice, will perform during the Chicago Made Showcase.
 
 She stopped by the studios of WBEZ sister station Vocalo to talk to Nudia Hernandez about her setlist and the making of her new, heartfelt EP.
 HOST: DIXON

Alongside the Chicago Sun-Times, we’re gathering your questions about all things money and finances.
 
 Then each week, we bring you answers from the people who know best.
 
 This week, we got this question from John in the city’s Norwood Park neighborhood.
 
 He asks: “What’s the best way to build a financial portfolio for your children that won’t impact their tax liability or college financial aid, but will allow them to build credit?”
 
 To find out, we called up an expert
 HOST: DIXON

The musician Sinead O’Connor was a singular voice in music who inspired a generation of women artists.
 
 Two years after her death, the new book Nothing Compares to You: What Sinead O’Connor Means to Us asks 25 writers to consider her impact. 
 
 WBEZ contributor Alison Cuddy sat down in the studio with Martha Bayne, who coedited the book with Sonya Huber. 
 
 They were joined in conversation by Chicago essayist Zoe Zolbrod. 
 HOST: DIXON

They came for the ‘American Dream.’ The husband says conditions in detention were ‘inhumane.’ The wife has enrolled in the government’s program to self-deport. HOST: LARA

The beginning of the school year is just weeks away, but the Chicago Public School district is still staring down a massive budget deficit. 
 
 The district is grappling with a budget shortfall of $734 million dollars. 
 
 HOST: DIXON

President Donald Trump promised lower prices “on Day One” during his campaign last year.
 
 So last December, the Chicago Sun-Times started tracking prices at four different grocery stores – and found that very few items dropped in cost.
 
 Sun-Times reporter Stephanie Zimmermann and WBEZ editor Emilie Syberg met with Charlotte Maggio at a local grocery store to talk about how *she* shops for food as consumer prices stay high.
 HOST: DIXON

We’ve been following a couple seeking asylum in the US, until the husband was arrested and later deported under President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts. 
 
 He spent nearly three months in detention. 
 
 Alone and with three young kids …his wife is out of work and sometimes they don’t have enough to eat. She fears getting arrested herself. 
 
 Things are so bad, she is ready to self deport to Venezuela. She enrolled in Trump’s self deportation program and is scheduled to leave by the end of the month.
 
 WBEZ’s Adriana Cardona Maguigad brings us her story. 
 
 HOST: LARA

The Chicago soul producer and arranger Charles Stepney died at the age of 45, before his musical contributions could really be understood. 
 
 But now that is changing, thanks to his daughters — Eibur, Charlene and Chanté. 
 
 The sisters recently stopped by WBEZ and spoke with arts reporter Courtney Kueppers about their father’s legacy.
 HOST: DIXON

Since President Trump took office, we’ve been hearing a lot about federal agents arresting immigrants outside schools, on their way to work, or after appointments in immigration court.
 
 But, we don’t have many first-hand accounts about what happens next. 
 
 HOST: LARA

Since President Trump took office, we’ve been hearing a lot about federal agents arresting immigrants outside schools, on their way to work, or after appointments in immigration court.
 
 But, we don’t have many first-hand accounts about what happens next. 
 
 HOST: LARA

Illinois’ Democratic Congressional coalition is sounding the alarm after Congress voted to claw back $9 billion dollars in funding from public broadcasting and foreign aid.
 
 Chicago Public Media stands to lose $3 million dollars a year … or about six percent of its budget. 
 
 U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois joined WBEZ Reset host Sasha Ann Simons today to talk about the rescissions bill and the future of the Democratic party … including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
 HOST: LARA