Stories by Abena Bediako
How Trump’s Proposed Tariffs on Mexican Imports Could Impact Businesses, Consumers
| Abena Bediako
Fears are heightening over the potential of a new trade war and its possible impact across the country. President Donald Trump has agreed to a temporary pause on the 25% tariffs he is proposing on goods from Mexico and Canada — the country’s two largest trading partners.
As Trump Administration and Some Private Companies Move Away From DEI, Advocates Say Programs Are Still Needed
| Abena Bediako
Backers of Trump’s decision say DEI practices were discriminatory and promoted inequity. But advocates argue social equity initiatives are essential to create a fair and balanced society.
Chicago Immigrant Advocates Push for Increased Protections as Trump Administration Targets the City
| Abena Bediako
Increased immigration raids have been reported across the country. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, confirmed nearly 1,200 arrests on Sunday. Approximately 100 people have been detained by federal officials in the Chicago area, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Members of the Chicago Transgender Community Raise Concerns About Health, Safety After Trump Executive Orders
| Abena Bediako
For many in Chicago’s transgender community, the order and other policies of the new administration are cause for concern. They say the policy focus on transgender people is a distraction from other national issues.
UChicago Terrorism Expert Says Jan. 6 Pardons ‘Normalized Major Political Violence’
| Abena Bediako
More than 1,500 people received a “full, complete, and unconditional” pardon from the president last week. The assault on the Capitol — which injured more than 140 police officers — has been one of several displays of political violence in recent years.
US Congress Members From Illinois on Trump’s Immigration Plans, Environmental Concerns
| Abena Bediako
With his opening rounds of memoranda and executive orders, Trump repealed dozens of former President Joe Biden’s actions, began his immigration crackdown, withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate accords and sought to keep TikTok open in the U.S., among other actions. He pardoned hundreds of people for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Black Illinois Residents Are Experiencing Homelessness at Higher Rates: Report
| Abena Bediako
The report from the University of Illinois Chicago showed a number of structural issues contributing to this disparity — a lack of affordable housing and sufficient income chief among them.
When It Comes to Keeping a Resolution, the Why Matters. Tips for Staying Consistent in 2025
| Abena Bediako
For many, a new year often means new beginnings. But keeping up with resolutions is not always easy.
New Documentary Examines One Man’s Journey and the Politics of Parole in Illinois
| Abena Bediako
Ronnie Carrasquillo served nearly 47 years in prison before being released. A new documentary, “In Their Hands,” highlights his journey while raising questions about mass incarceration, the parole system and the meaning of getting a second chance.
Salvation Army Working to Ramp Up Donations as Need for Services Increases
| Abena Bediako
Charitable giving dropped more than 2% in 2023, according to a Giving USA report. But local organizations are making efforts to reach their donation goals just in time for the new year.
Advocate Health Care Announces $1B Investment to Expand South Side Services, Replace Trinity Hospital
| Abena Bediako
Chicago’s South Side residents have a 30-year life expectancy gap compared to their North Side counterparts. Advocate Health Care is working to address that disparity with a new $1 billion investment plan that includes replacing Advocate Trinity Hospital with a new facility.
Advocates Urge City Not to Clear Out Humboldt Park Homeless Encampment
| Abena Bediako
Last month, Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) announced the proposal to remove all tents from the area before the holidays as part of the Humboldt Park Encampment Housing Initiative. The city plans to start removal Friday morning, but advocates want officials to reconsider and explore other options.
Some South Chicago Residents Are Raising Concerns About New Quantum Computing Development
| Abena Bediako
The plan is to transform the former U.S. Steel South Works site into the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. Officials are calling the campus “history-altering,” but some neighbors want the process to slow down and are raising environmental and displacement concerns.
How Local Native Americans Are Working to Preserve Their Culture, History
| Abena Bediako
Chicago is home to one of the largest urban Native American populations in the United States. More than 65,000 Native Americans live in the greater metropolitan area, representing about 175 different tribes.
‘America’s Test Kitchen’ Celebrates 25th Season With New Cookbook
| Abena Bediako
With more than 600 episodes and 2 million weekly viewers, “America’s Test Kitchen” has become a household staple. The show has been on public television since 2001 with the aim of putting home cooks at ease by focusing on their needs.
How Local Attorneys and Community Advocates Are Preparing for Possible Mass Deportations
| Abena Bediako
President-elect Donald Trump said he’ll carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history — and has even promised to use the military to help that effort.
‘Hoop Dreams’ Director, Co-Star Reflect on Documentary’s Legacy 30 Years Later
| Abena Bediako
Six years, two high schoolers, one game. That was the winning combination for the groundbreaking documentary “Hoop Dreams” — which just turned 30 years old. The story follows two Chicago teens with dreams of making it in the NBA in the early ‘90s.
Newly Elected Members of Chicago’s School Board Share Their Visions for the District
| Abena Bediako
The Chicago Board of Education is in the midst of massive change. Residents just voted in 10 members of the city’s first elected school board.
Advocates Push Back Against City’s New Shelter Approach for Migrants, Unhoused Chicagoans
| Abena Bediako
Local organizations are pushing back on Chicago’s plan to merge its migrant shelter operations with its homeless shelter network. The city is set to launch the plan known as the One System Initiative on Jan. 1 with a total of 6,800 shelter beds.
What Comes Next After Judge Strikes Down Illinois’ Assault Weapons Ban
| Abena Bediako
Gun owners argue the ban infringes on their constitutional right to bear arms. Gun control advocates argue the ban is common sense and a way to protect Illinois residents from guns that are designed to be extra lethal.
Latino Voters Moved Toward Donald Trump, Helping Fuel His Election
| Abena Bediako
According to an exit poll conducted by NBC, 46% of Latinos voted for Trump in 10 key states, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. Historically, Trump surpassed former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush, which in turn resulted in the worst showing among Latinos for a Democratic presidential candidate in 20 years.
Chicago Republicans and Democrats on What Happened in the Presidential Election
| Abena Bediako
The decisive defeat leaves Democrats to pick up the pieces and figure out a path forward for their party after notching across the board defeats in the expected swing states. Both Republicans and Democrats in Chicago on Wednesday analyzed the results of the election and what it might say about the future of the country.
Ahead of Election, Americans Report Significant Stress Around Future of the Nation
| Abena Bediako
A study by the American Psychology Association reports that 77% of U.S. adults say the nation’s future is a significant source of stress in their lives. This category of mental health is known as socio-political stress and it seems more prevalent to people who are politically active compared to those not engaged in politics.
Community Groups Push for Pilsen Metal Shredding Facility to Show Emissions Are Being Contained
| Abena Bediako
At issue is the Sims Metal Management company in Pilsen, which was cited by state and federal officials for violating environmental laws. The company agreed to build new equipment to contain emissions from at the site.
Chicago Couple Funding Billboards in Swing States Urging Black Men to Vote
| Abena Bediako
The Black male vote has turned into a crucial bloc this election, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump making appeals to get their votes.
Anjanette Young on Chicago Police Reform: ‘We Are Still Waiting for Some Tangible Action’
| Abena Bediako
This month marks 10 years since the police murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Advocates say efforts to hold the Chicago Police Department more accountable and to change the way officers interact with residents have not shown much progress.
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