The Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment Coalition has gathered over 300 members to take part in this year’s Asian American Action Day events to advocate for language and immigration services and education equity, among other causes.
Stories by Emily Soto
‘A Safer City’ Community Conversation: Addressing the Root Causes of Gun Violence
“Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” host Joanna Hernandez moderated a conversation about how supporting victims of gun violence and finding a path toward healing plays a role in ending cycles of violence.
Rainbow PUSH Coalition Searching for New Leader After CEO Steps Down Just Months After Taking the Job
The Rev. Frederick Haynes III announced last week he would step down as president and CEO after just months on the job. It has raised questions about the future of the historic civil rights organization.
New Bill Would Make It a Felony for Protesters to Block Major Roads in Illinois
The bill comes on the heels of recent pro-Palestinian protests that blocked traffic on I-190 near Chicago O’Hare International Airport, causing many travelers to pull their luggage along the freeway to catch their flights.
As Illinois Launches ‘New Stores in Food Deserts’ Grant Program, Local Groups Work to Fill the Gaps
A city report found 29% of Latinos in Chicago are experiencing food insecurity. Not only do families struggle to access enough food, but finding nutritious foods to stay healthy can also be more difficult.
Concert to Celebrate Chicago’s Place in Gospel Music History
Some of gospel’s biggest stars are coming together for a night of performances in the city where it all began.
Suicide Rates Rising Among Black and Latino Chicagoans, Study Finds
Mental health resources and early intervention can play a crucial role in preventing suicides, but researchers say those services are becoming harder to access.
Former Gov. Quinn Wants Voters to Weigh In on Stadiums: ‘It’s Better to First Ask the Taxpayers’
As the Bears and White Sox are on the hunt for taxpayer cash to fund new stadiums, Quinn says it’s once again time to ask the voters what they think.
Chicago Has Recorded 56 Cases of Measles This Year, More Than Half of the National Total
The Chicago Department of Public Health says they are fighting the spread through testing and vaccinations — particularly in the Pilsen migrant shelter where the majority of cases are emerging.
Beyoncé’s New Country Album Highlights How the Genre Has Long Been Shaped by Black Culture
Black artists and culture have shaped the country genre for generations, pulling from the melodies of Black hymns and incorporating African instruments like the banjo.
Friends of the Parks Encourage Thoughtful Approach as Bears Prepare Proposal for New Lakefront Stadium
While the team hasn’t yet released plans, Bears president Kevin Warren stated they would commit over $2 billion to transform the Museum Campus and revamp the surrounding infrastructure — all of which Warren hopes could begin as soon as this year.
It’s Increasingly Difficult for Bilingual Parents to Raise Bilingual Children, Research on Chicago Spanish Speakers Finds
Research shows it’s becoming harder for bilingual speakers to raise bilingual children — but also points to factors that can improve opportunities for Spanish development.
What Efforts to Expand Access to Sickle Cell Treatment Could Mean for Illinois Patients
Sickle cell disease affects about 5,000 people across Illinois — and it’s mostly impacting Black communities. While gene therapies have emerged to treat the disease, high costs can limit access.
‘A Safer City’ Community Conversation: Violence Intervention
“Chicago Tonight” co-anchor Paris Schutz was joined by Vaughn Bryant, executive director of Metropolitan Peace Initiatives, and Kenoya Ali, the housing coordinator for Chicago CRED, to talk about violence reduction efforts.
After Illinois Supreme Court Loss, Jesse Reyes Reflects on Latino Representation on the Bench
The campaign highlighted the lack of Latino representation on the state’s top court — which has long been a concern of many in the Latino legal community and beyond.
Bring Chicago Home Referendum Still Too Close to Call as Mail-In Ballots Counted
The ballot measure would give Chicago City Council the power to hike the Real Estate Transfer Tax on property sales over $1 million to help fight homelessness. The close race could point to some disagreement among Chicagoans over how to support the city’s unhoused.
Chicago Voters to Decide Whether City Council Can Hike Taxes on Sales of Million-Dollar Properties to Address Homelessness
The question asks Chicago voters to decide if they support an increase of the real estate transfer tax on property sales over $1 million. The additional revenue would be used on programs to fight homelessness.
Chicagoans Are Dying From Cardiac Arrest at Younger Ages: UIC Study
While researchers haven’t yet pinpointed the cause for the decreasing age, they caution it indicates a need for awareness from both patients and responders.
Chicago Community Groups Look to Build Support Systems as Part of Violence Reduction Efforts
Local organizations are focusing on those areas in an effort to work directly with those most impacted in an effort to stop cycles of violence
Syphilis Cases in Babies on the Rise in Chicago, Health Department Says
It’s part of a nationwide increase in congenital infections, passed along to an infant during pregnancy. If undiagnosed, the baby can be born with a number of health issues, including cataracts, deafness and a low birth weight, or can even be stillborn.
New Bill Aims to Eliminate the Road Test for Seniors in Illinois
Illinois is the only state in the country to require behind-the-wheel road tests for seniors renewing their licenses. Proposed legislation in Springfield is looking to eliminate that mandate despite conflicting research from some national safety groups.
‘Do You Want to be Informed or You Want to be Influenced?’: Navigating Social Media Misinformation
Nearly half of surveyed Latinos rely on social media sites like TikTok and WhatsApp for their news and information. This has allowed for the spread of misinformation and disinformation, where fact checking in Spanish is less available.
New Documentary Aims to Shine Light on Health Care Disparities Faced by Black Mothers
The new documentary “The Fight for Black Lives” chronicles the stories of Black mothers who faced racial inequities in the health care system. The film comes as Gov. J.B. Pritzker is proposing $4 million dollars in his new budget proposal aimed at addressing the issue.
A ‘Latino Voices’ Community Conversation: Homelessness in Chicago
“Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” host Joanna Hernandez spoke to those working directly with Chicago’s unhoused population to understand what work is being done, the barriers to finding help and some possible solutions.
Chicago Group Gets Kids on the Ice With ‘Figure Skating on Your Block’
The Chicago Youth Foundation offers a new program to introduce figure skating to diverse neighborhoods across the city.
Rapper and Activist Vic Mensa on His Chicago Roots, Work to Support South Side Neighborhoods
Vic Mensa has taken on many different roles over the years — rapper, organizer, actor and more. Most recently, he partnered with the “Feed the Block, Warm the Block” initiative to bring food and clothing to the city’s unhoused population.
