Stories by Quinn Myers
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince on Pandemic Fallout, Response
| Quinn Myers
Elected in 2019, Gary Mayor Jerome Prince promised to bring much-needed economic development and growth to the struggling Northwest Indiana city. But just a few months into his first term, things have changed.
COVID-19 Across Chicago: Gary, Indiana
| Paris Schutz
The city of Gary has struggled mightily, even in economic good times. The COVID-19 pandemic and statewide shutdown have only exacerbated existing problems.
Gary Health Commissioner’s Personal Battle With COVID-19
| Quinn Myers
The coronavirus has permeated every aspect of Dr. Roland Walker’s life. As health commissioner of Gary, Indiana, he oversees the city’s response to the pandemic. But it has taken a toll on his personal life, too.
CPS Updates Grading, Graduation Policies for Remote Learning During COVID-19 Pandemic
| Matt Masterson
With remote learning in place through the rest of the school year, the district is telling students they won’t be negatively impacted by “circumstances beyond their control” as in-person instruction has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
High School Students Share Lessons Learned from Staying Home
| Dan Andries
What are high school students really learning during this time of stay-at-home orders and remote learning? Maybe more than lesson plans intended.
‘Days of 50-0, 49-1 Are Over’: Aldermen Acknowledge Divided City Council Amid Budget Crunch
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot faces a divided City Council determined to help shape the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic that has likely created a financial crisis for Chicago, four aldermen said Thursday during an interview for “Chicago Tonight.”
A Virtual Visit With the National Museum of Mexican Art
| Marc Vitali
As part of our series of virtual art tours, we visit a collection of artwork that highlights the richness of Mexican art in Chicago.
Chicagoans ‘Do Their Part,’ Donate Handmade Face Masks to Those in Need
| Evan Garcia
The city is asking residents to donate handmade face masks for the city’s most vulnerable populations ahead of a statewide requirement for people to keep their faces covered in public.
Ask Geoffrey: The Story Behind the Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium
| Erica Gunderson
A onetime tree nursery became a bucolic place of rest and recovery for tuberculosis patients on Chicago’s North Side. Geoffrey Baer has the story of a decadeslong battle against a contagion.
Officials: Expanded Testing Key to Fighting Virus, Reopening the Economy
New statewide totals: 52,918 cases, 2,355 deaths
| Kristen Thometz
A day before a modified stay-at-home order takes effect in Illinois, officials used their daily press briefing to discuss efforts to ramp up coronavirus testing across the state, and to urge residents to stay home and wash their hands frequently.
Chicago Police Opening 2 New Operation Areas to Expand Resources Across City
Police Superintendent David Brown: “Chicagoans deserve policing excellence”
| Matt Masterson
The Chicago Police Department says the expansion will help streamline operations and control in order to meet public safety needs and increase collaboration between detectives and patrol officers.
Trump Administration Can’t Yank Funds From Chicago For Protecting Immigrants: Appeals Court
| Heather Cherone
The 2-1 ruling by a panel of the appeals court extends a nationwide injunction blocking the Department of Justice from withholding the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant from sanctuary cities like Chicago.
Fauci Warns States Against ‘Tempting’ a Coronavirus Rebound
| Associated Press
The nation’s top infectious disease expert said Thursday that new cases of the coronavirus are a certainty as states begin to roll back restrictions.
US Jobless Claims Soar Past 30 Million; Europe Reeling Also
| Associated Press
The layoffs amount to 1 in 6 American workers and encompass more people than the entire population of Texas, or more people than live in the New York and Chicago metropolitan areas combined.
AP-NORC Poll: Seeking Virus Data, People Struggle with Trust
| Associated Press
Sixty-eight percent of Americans say they highly trust the information that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing about the virus, 66% trust their doctor or health care provider, and 52% said the same about their state or local government, according to a recent poll.
‘Supply Chain Issues’ Threaten Cook County Sheriff’s Electronic Monitoring Program
| Matt Masterson
The number of detainees within the Cook County Jail is reaching historic lows during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as that number drops, the number of those being held on electronic monitoring devices has steadily risen.
Pilots Union: We Need Federal Safety Guidance During Pandemic
| Quinn Myers
Chicago’s airports have seen a steep reduction in traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic, but flights are still taking off and landing in the city everyday.
Rosemont Mayor Stephens on Pandemic’s Impact on Conventions, Entertainment
| Quinn Myers
Wedged between Chicago and O’Hare, Rosemont is known for its outlet malls, convention center and close proximity to the state’s largest airport.
From the Jungle to Chicago: Local Artist Returns Home Amid Pandemic
| Angel Idowu
An assignment in Peru turned into a nightmare for Chicago artist Sharon Bladholm, who was trying to get back home when the coronavirus pandemic hit.
O’Hare, Midway Grapple with Near Shutdown of Air Travel
| Paris Schutz
O’Hare International Airport is one of the engines of Chicago’s economy. But what happens when that engine is operating at about 5%? We check out the scene at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Is It Time to Get Back to Springfield?
| Amanda Vinicky
The last time Illinois lawmakers were in Springfield, the coronavirus had not yet been declared a pandemic. After nearly two months, Republican legislators are amplifying their calls to return.
Custodial Workers Ask for Hazard Pay: ‘We Are Front-Line Workers’
| Blair Paddock
Custodial workers are on the front lines of the coronavirus, but some of them say they’re not being treated as such. We speak with two workers who have more than 40 years of combined experience at Stroger Hospital.
UIC Nurse Battles COVID-19 at Hospital and at Home
| Erica Gunderson
If there’s one thing we’ve learned with certainty since the arrival of COVID-19 in the U.S., it’s that nothing is certain — least of all for the health care workers on the front lines of the crisis.
Illinois Acquires System to Decontaminate N95 Masks, Pritzker Says
New statewide totals: 50,355 cases, 2,215 deaths
| Kristen Thometz
With critical protective equipment in short supply, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday the state has a new system to decontaminate N95 masks, allowing them to be used up to 20 times.
Geese Are Living Their Best Lives With Fewer Humans Around to Annoy Them
| Patty Wetli
With fewer humans out and about during the coronavirus pandemic, Canada geese are more relaxed during this spring’s nesting season, according to researchers at Ball State University.
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