The NASCAR Chicago Street Race will take place July 6-7. Setting up and tearing down for the race is expected to take 19 days.
Stories by Eunice Alpasan
Street Closures for NASCAR Chicago Street Race Start Monday. Here’s What to Look Out For
Jun 7, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
7th Annual ‘We Walk for Her’ March Demands More Help in Finding Missing Black Girls and Women
Jun 7, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
People marched the streets in Bronzeville to demand that elected officials and law enforcement authorities do more to resolve missing persons and murder cases. Black girls and women are overrepresented in missing persons cases in Chicago, according to reports.
Chicago LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Celebrate Start of Pride Month With Flag-Raising Ceremony at Daley Plaza
Jun 3, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Progress Pride flag raised Monday at Daley Plaza features rainbow-colored stripes along with black and brown stripes to symbolize marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color. The blue, pink and white stripes symbolize transgender and non-binary members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Piping Plover Egg Spotted at Montrose Beach, A Win for Groups Working to Restore Population of the Endangered Bird Species
May 31, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The egg is the product of a recent pair bond between native-born Imani, who hatched at Montrose Beach in 2021, and Searocket, one of the 5-week-old captive-reared piping plover chicks released at the beach last year.
City Health Department Declares End of Measles Outbreak in Chicago
May 30, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The end of the outbreak comes after nearly six weeks, or two incubation periods, without any new measles cases, according to a news release. The last measles case was reported April 20.
Large-Scale Study in Illinois, Other States Seeks to Better Understand Cancer in Black Women
May 29, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
A major long-term study launched by the American Cancer Society aims to better understand cancer risk factors and outcomes for Black women in the U.S, who continue to face disparities in cancer prevention, detection, treatment and survival.
Designs Unveiled for Expansion of O’Hare Airport’s Concourse C, Expected to Be Complete in 2028
May 28, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
An expansion of O’Hare International Airport’s Concourse C would add more gates and serve both international and domestic passengers, according to elected officials who unveiled design renderings Tuesday.
Chicago’s Animal Shelter on Pace to Surpass Last Year’s Record-High Euthanasia, Stray Counts After 669 Animals Put Down in 4 Months
Chicago Animal Care and Control saw a 16% increase in euthanasia in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same time last year, data shows
May 28, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Chicago’s city shelter is waiving adoption fees on weekends through the end of the year, in addition to waiving adoption fees for animals who have been in the shelter for more than 60 days.
Chicago Beaches Will Open Friday, Just in Time for Memorial Day Weekend: Here’s What You Need to Know
May 23, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Beaches in Chicago will open Friday at 11 a.m. for the 2024 season – just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Here is everything you need to know to enjoy those Chicago summer days.
‘Are You Proud of Me Yet?’: Second City’s Latest Show Features Up-and-Coming Asian American Cast
May 18, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Victor Wong fellowship involves three months of intensive training in sketch comedy writing, performing and improv. The “Youth in Asia (Are You Proud of Me Yet?)” showcase, written and performed by Second City’s latest cohort of fellows, is a culmination of the program.
Museum of Science and Industry Changes Name Following $125M Donation From Billionaire Ken Griffin
May 14, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Museum of Science and Industry will officially be renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. The donation, previously announced in 2019, is the largest in the museum’s history.
Social Service Organization The Ark Celebrates Reopening of $21.5M Renovated Facility Serving Chicago’s Jewish Community
May 10, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The renovations include a four-fold increase in the size of its food pantry, which features new walk-in refrigerators and freezers. The pharmacy was relocated to the first floor for better accessibility, and the community space doubled in size.
Local Officials, Developers Mark Start of Construction on Redevelopment of Iconic James R. Thompson Center
May 6, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Elected officials and developers gathered at the Thompson Center on Monday to help mark the start of Google’s $280 million makeover of the former state government building.
Expanded Amtrak Service Between Chicago, Milwaukee and Twin Cities to Begin May 21
May 1, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Starting May 21, Amtrak is adding a second daily passenger rail service dubbed Borealis, which connects Chicago and St. Paul through Milwaukee. The new rail service serves 13 train stations for an estimated travel time of 7 hours and 24 minutes between Chicago and St. Paul, according to Amtrak’s website.
How Prepared is Cook County for Natural Disasters? Officials Seek Input From Residents
May 1, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The input from residents will help communities create strategies and take action to reduce the future risk of death, injuries and property damage from natural disasters, officials said.
New Summer Meals Program Will Give Low-Income Illinois Families $120 in Grocery Benefits Per Child. Here’s How to Apply
Apr 29, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Starting this summer, families in Illinois with school-age children can receive a preloaded card to purchase groceries during summer break as part of a new permanent federal program called Summer EBT, or the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children.
Former Foxtrot Employees Rally to Demand Back Pay After Abrupt Store Closures, Layoffs
Apr 26, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The upscale grocery retailers Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen and Market announced Tuesday they would cease operations, shuttering 35 stores across Chicago, Austin, Dallas and the D.C. area.
JoJo Siwa, Natasha Bedingfield and Bob the Drag Queen Among Headliners for Chicago Pride Fest 2024
Apr 24, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Chicago Pride Fest, a celebration of LGBTQ+ life & community, is set for June 22-23 in the city's landmark LGBTQ+ neighborhood Northalsted.
Hyde Park Art Center Transitions to Contribute-What-You-Can Model for All Art Classes
Apr 23, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The center will now offer all its art classes on a contribution-based model in order to ensure more equitable access to artmaking, education and community engagement.
Providers Should Consider Giving Kids 2nd Dose of Measles Vaccine Sooner as Chicago Sees New Cases, Health Officials Say
Apr 23, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Measles cases in Chicago account for more than half of reported cases in the U.S. so far this year. More than half of the measles cases in the city were in children ages 4 or younger.
Illinois Sees Lowest Presidential Primary Voter Turnout in Decades: State Election Officials
Apr 22, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Voter turnout for the March 19 Illinois primary election was 19.07%, the lowest in at least the last 50 years, according to official vote totals certified Friday by state election officials.
Illinois Now Home to Federally Recognized Tribal Land After Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Given Back Portion of Ancestral Land
Apr 19, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
A U.S. Department of the Interior decision places portions of Shab-eh-nay Reservation land, which is located in DeKalb County, into trust for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, which gives the tribal nation sovereignty over the land.
Afghan Evacuees’ Resettlement in Chicago Offers Lessons for Caring for Future Humanitarian Arrivals: Report
Apr 18, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
After the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, an initial 80,000 Afghans were evacuated to the U.S. in 2021 following America’s botched withdrawal from the country. More than 2,300 Afghan evacuees have since resettled in Illinois, according the Illinois Department of Human Services.
For 25 Years, Guest House Has Provided Temporary Medical Lodging to Patients and Families in Need
Apr 11, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
The Chicago nonprofit helps patients access advanced care or specialized treatment often only found in major cities at a limited number of hospitals or academic medical centers. A 25th anniversary celebration is planned for Monday.
‘Two Dads Defending Democracy’ Tour Aims to Highlight Importance of Having Conversations Across Political Divides
Apr 8, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Joe Walsh, former Republican congressman for Illinois, and Fred Guttenberg, a gun safety advocate whose daughter Jaime Guttenberg was murdered in the Parkland school shooting in 2018, have come together for their ‘Two Dads Defending Democracy' tour.
Traveling This Summer? Avoid Packing These Items in Your Carry-On to Steer Clear of Delays, TSA Says
Apr 3, 2024 | Eunice Alpasan
Get to the airport early and do your research ahead of time about what you can pack, TSA officials said.