Long before the coronavirus pandemic, communities of color across Illinois and in Chicago were experiencing an epidemic of poverty. We discuss the root causes of poverty and what public officials are doing to address it.
Stories by Paul Caine
Argonne National Lab’s Key Role in Global Pandemic Fight
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, just outside Chicago, helped fast-track the development of coronavirus vaccines. Dr. Stephen Streiffer, director of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne, tells us more.
Chicago Doctor on Being the 1st to Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine
Dr. Marina Del Rios was the first person in Chicago to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 after receiving her second dose of the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday. “I felt reassured that this was safe and efficacious,” she said.
What a Second Round of Stimulus Checks Could Mean for the Economy
More stimulus checks will be coming to most Americans after Congress passed a $900 billion coronavirus relief package late Monday. But critics, including President Donald Trump, say it’s not enough.
Bears Need to Win to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Vikings.
State Regulators Vote to Keep Mercy Hospital Open, For Now
South Side residents have reason to hope that Mercy Hospital could yet be saved from closure. We speak with three people who are fighting to keep the city’s oldest hospital open.
Bears Desperate for Win Against 4-8 Texans
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Texans.
Reeling from Multibillion-Dollar Losses, Airline Industry Pins Hopes on Vaccines
The airline industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, but with vaccines seemingly on the brink of approval, airlines are hopeful that 2021 could see the beginnings of a recovery for air travel.
Hospitals Are Braced for Post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 Surge
Medical professionals in Chicago and across the country are braced for a fresh surge of coronavirus cases after millions of Americans ignored advice not to travel or gather over the Thanksgiving holiday. Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at UChicago Medicine, weighs in.
Nagy Under Pressure Ahead of Prime-Time Game Against the Packers
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Sewage Monitoring Could Provide Early Warning of Coronavirus Outbreaks
Researchers at UIC get over $1 million to develop an early warning system to detect COVID-19 outbreaks. Rabiah Mayas of the Museum of Science and Industry has details on this story and more science news.
An Infectious Disease Expert Offers Advice on Staying Safe During Thanksgiving
The COVID-19 pandemic means this year’s holiday season will be like no other. Dr. Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist at UChicago Medicine, gives advice on how to safely navigate the holidays.
Bears on 3-Game Skid as Offense Fails to Fire
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams weighs in on fans rushing the field after a Notre Dame win and the Bears upcoming Monday night game against the Vikings.
Chicago’s Top Doctor Says Pfizer Vaccine Potentially ‘Very, Very Important’ in COVID-19 Fight
Chicago and Illinois are in the midst of the largest surge in new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. We discuss a promising announcement from Pfizer with Dr. Allison Arwady.
Cook County State’s Attorney Foxx Doubles Down on Reform Agenda After Victory
“Moving forward, we want to double down on our efforts of focusing our attention on violent crime, on gun crimes that have devastated our communities this year and has been a stubborn issue for years past,” Kim Foxx said Wednesday.
Bears Coach Criticized for Poor Play-Calling, Quarterback Questions Return
An ugly loss for the Bears Monday night. Can fans hope for anything better against the Saints on Sunday?
Candidate Forum: Former Judge O’Brien Aims to Unseat Cook County State’s Attorney Foxx
It’s one of the most contentious races on the Cook County ballot. Former Cook County judge and prosecutor Patrick O’Brien talks about his campaign to unseat Democratic incumbent Kim Foxx.
Bears Start Season with Best Record Since 2012
Debating the merits of the Bears 5-1 record is all the rage, but we should know if it’s for real over the next several weeks, as they face some tough teams.
Candidate Forum: Campaign Veteran Oberweis Looks to Unseat Democrat Underwood in 14th District
Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis discusses his effort to unseat incumbent Rep. Lauren Underwood, a Democrat, in Illinois’ 14th Congressional District.
Winning Ugly: Bears Reach 4-1 Record But Fail to Convince
The Bears have a 4-1 record after eking out a 1-point win over the Buccaneers on Thursday, but that record may flatter them. Former Bears offensive lineman James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take.
Northwestern Study: 1 in 5 Chicagoans Test Positive for Coronavirus Antibodies
Far more Chicagoans may have been infected by COVID-19 than previously thought. We discuss the preliminary findings of a new study with Dr. Elizabeth McNally of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
New City Initiative Aims at Giving Young Learners the Chance to Thrive
“As a city, we must ensure every child, regardless of their ZIP code, receives a high-quality early education, providing them the tools and opportunities they need to thrive,” said Mayor Lightfoot in a statement.
Stuttering Bears Face Quarterback Legend Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback Nick Foles fails to get the job done against the Colts. Can the Bears find an offense Thursday night? Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams gives us his take.
Preying on the Vulnerable: Half of Trafficked Women and Girls Are Immigrants
Human trafficking has increased by as much as 40% during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the anti-trafficking group Polaris. Dr. Izabel Olson talks about how to break the cycle of abuse.
Bears Bench Trubisky, Foles to Start Against Colts
Former Bears offensive lineman James "Big Cat" Williams previews the matchup against the Colts.
Could Ranked-Choice Voting Reduce Partisanship in Politics?
Voters are about to go to the polls to choose one candidate for each race on the ballot. But what if they could pick multiple candidates for each race, ranked in order of their preference?
