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Chicago Will Not Create Reparations Commission After Lightfoot Objects

Chicago will not create a commission to study whether — and how — the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans after Mayor Lori Lightfoot objected to the long-in-the-works effort.

City Council Sued Over Online Conference Call That Detailed Panic, Sorrow After Unrest

The Chicago City Council violated the Open Meetings Act by holding an online conference call with Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the wake of unrest that swept the city following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

Illinois State Fair Canceled for First Time Since World War II

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday that the Illinois State Fair, scheduled for August, will be canceled in 2020 due to risks posed by the coronavirus.

Lightfoot Pushing for Legislation to License Police After Cops Caught Napping

“It is time, actually, it is way past time, for this change in our state,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday, adding that she'd already directed her legal team to begin drafting legislation to be presented in Springfield.

Chicago Could Move Into Next Phase of Reopening July 1: Officials

Nine days after Chicago began reopening — and after days of massive protests against police brutality and unrest — the rate of confirmed cases of the coronavirus is still dropping, city health officials said Friday.

CDC Posts Long-Awaited Tips for Minimizing Everyday Risk

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted the guidelines Friday, along with a second set for organizing and attending big gatherings such as concerts, sporting events, protests and political rallies.

Fed: Will Use ‘Full Range of Tools’ to Boost Economy

In its semi-annual monetary policy report to Congress, the central bank said Friday that the COVID-19 outbreak was causing “tremendous human and economic hardship across the United States and around the world.”

Chicago Journalist Sues City, Says He Was Pepper-Sprayed While Covering Protest

Jonathan Ballew, a credentialed journalist who has worked with multiple local media outlets, filed a federal lawsuit Thursday claiming he was “assaulted with a chemical agent” during the May 30 protests in River North.

COVID-19 Across Chicago: Evanston

As part of our ongoing series, we speak with local officials and activists about Evanston’s reopening and recent calls for police reform in the near north suburb.

How Arts Organizations in Chicago Are Challenging Systemic Racism

Enrich Chicago has been working to support arts and culture groups dedicated to building diversity, equity and inclusion since 2014. We speak with the organization’s director and others about their work locally.

Is That Cough COVID-19 or Allergies? Here’s How to Tell

As those of us who are accustomed to sniffling, coughing and sneezing our way through spring and summer already know, it’s allergy season. But during a pandemic, those coughs could signal something more than a high pollen count.

Argonne Uses Supercomputer to Model Coronavirus Spread in Chicago

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have created the most detailed simulation that exists to model the spread of COVID-19 in Chicago — and what it shows is sobering.

Aldermen Endorse Plan to Fast-Track Outdoor Dining

A plan to fast-track applications from restaurants and cafes to serve customers outdoors cleared a key city panel Thursday, as city officials vowed to do everything possible to help restaurants stay afloat amid the pandemic.

Mayor Names Chief Sustainability Officer, Stops Short of Creating Department of Environment

Angela Tovar, a Chicago native who grew up in the South Chicago community, has been named the city’s chief sustainability officer.

Preservationists Race to Save Historic West Ridge Building

The celebrated nonprofit Misericordia is looking to expand its campus by demolishing a historic building next door. Preservationists have a plan to save that building, but the timeline is tight.