Stories by Associated Press
‘Stop The Pain,’ George Floyd’s Brother Pleads With Congress
| Associated Press
Philonise Floyd challenged Congress to “stop the pain” as lawmakers consider a sweeping law enforcement overhaul, so his brother George won’t be just “another name” on a growing list of black Americans killed during interactions with police.
$270M of Illinois’ Federal Coronavirus Funding to Help Child Care Providers
| Kristen Thometz
While schools and nonessential businesses temporarily closed in March, hundreds of child care centers stayed open to care for the children of essential workers. The state is now dedicating millions of dollars toward their financial health.
Aldermen Endorse Plan to Earmark $20M for 2nd Round of Housing Assistance Grants
| Heather Cherone
Aldermen on Wednesday endorsed Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to use federal money to create a $20 million fund to offer grants to Chicagoans struggling to pay their rent and mortgages because of the pandemic.
Ald. Garza Asking Illinois EPA, in Writing, to Put Brakes on General Iron Permit Process
| Patty Wetli
Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza is joining the chorus of 10th Ward neighbors calling for the Illinois EPA to delay consideration of General Iron’s permit to move from Lincoln Park to the Southeast Side.
What is Herd Immunity And Could it Work With COVID-19?
| Associated Press
Herd immunity is when a virus can no longer spread easily because enough people are immune to it. That lowers the chances of the virus jumping from person to person and reaching those who haven’t been infected yet.
City to Use $5M in Private Funds to Help Chicagoans Left Out of Federal Coronavirus Relief
| Heather Cherone
Chicagoans who did not get financial help from the federal government during the coronavirus pandemic can apply for $1,000 grants from the city, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday.
Mark Your Calendars: Park District Summer Camp Registration Opens This Week
| Patty Wetli
For parents who’ve been strapped for child care during the coronavirus shutdown, relief is in sight. But there will be even less capacity than normal this year, so prepare to act fast.
‘Hood Feminism’ and Police Brutality: A Conversation with Mikki Kendall
| Blair Paddock
We discuss the role of feminists in the fight against racism and police brutality with the author of “Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women that the Movement Forgot.”
COVID-19 Across Chicago: South Chicago
| Paris Schutz
On the Southeast Side, a community deals with the aftermath of property damage and looting against the backdrop of ongoing concerns over COVID-19 and environmental pollution.
Navy Pier Partially Reopens, But Bars, Lakefront Still Closed
| Amanda Vinicky
One of the state’s top tourist attractions has been closed to visitors throughout the coronavirus pandemic. That changes Wednesday, even as other popular Chicago destinations remain closed — including the lakefront.
Journalists Wage Legal Fights After Facing Protest Attacks
| Associated Press
Journalists alarmed by dozens of incidents where reporters were shot at, manhandled, gassed or arrested while covering demonstrations touched off by the death of Minnesota man George Floyd are fighting back legally.
Pro Sports Make a Game Plan for Returning to Play
| Erica Gunderson
Sports fans, the countdown can finally begin. As the country takes its first steps out of a coronavirus-induced slumber, plans for the re-emergence of pro sports are surfacing.
Lightfoot to Unveil New Protections From Evictions for Renters as Pandemic Eases
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot will ask aldermen to approve an ordinance designed to minimize the number of evictions across the city as the coronavirus pandemic eases, officials said.
Pandemic Blows $700M Hole in Chicago’s Budget: Lightfoot
| Heather Cherone
The dire financial picture for Chicago comes after Mayor Lori Lightfoot insisted through mid-April that the city was well-prepared to weather the economic storm whipped up by COVID-19.
Chicago Officer Who Flipped Off Protesters Relieved of Police Powers
| Matt Masterson
A Chicago police officer who was caught on camera last week extending his middle fingers toward peaceful protesters has been relieved of his police powers, days after Mayor Lori Lightfoot called for him to be fired.
City Cancels Summer Festivals Through Labor Day
| Kristen Thometz
This year’s summer festival season will look a little different, with large outdoor festivals canceled or moved online, including Lollapalooza.
Wall Street Hits the Brakes After Strong, Weekslong Rally
| Associated Press
Skeptics have been saying for weeks that Wall Street’s huge rally, which reached 44.5% between late March and Monday, may have been overdone.
Rethinking Policing: Can New Approaches Repair Police-Community Relations?
| Dan Andries
Negative police interactions can have a lasting impact on individuals and entire communities. We speak with two activists and a mental health worker about the changes they believe would improve police-community relations.
Having ‘The Talk’: How Families Prepare Black Children for Police Interactions
| Erica Gunderson
Just about every teenager gets safe-driving tips from their parents when they get their first driver’s license. But for black teens, the freedom and independence that comes with driving necessitates an added conversation.
For Black Children, Learning How to Drive Steers Conversation to ‘The Talk’
| Angel Idowu
It’s a conversation that goes hand-in-hand with learning how to drive. But many people argue “the talk” should not have to happen at all.
Chicago’s History of Police-Community Relations is Complex, Painful
| Nick Blumberg
When it comes to the relationship between Chicago’s residents of color and the police and political leaders who are supposed to serve them, the city has a long, complex and deeply painful history.
MLK Once Called it Home. How North Lawndale is Coping with Racial Injustice Today
| Paris Schutz
Chicago is an important city in the history of segregation and civil rights. How one neighborhood in particular is grappling with events from more than 50 years ago as it reacts to fallout from George Floyd’s death.
Illinois Wades into Permitting Pools to Open as New COVID-19 Cases Appear to Slow
New statewide totals: 128,415 cases, 5,924 deaths
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois officials are dipping their toes into the idea of allowing swimming as the state begins its second week in phase three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan.
What You Need to Know About Chicago Parks in Phase 3 of City’s Reopening
| Patty Wetli
Chicago parks have reopened — though technically the outdoors was never “closed,” except along the lakefront — but access to facilities and equipment will remain limited.
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