You may have heard Chicago has a pension problem … to the tune of more than $35 billion of debt. Pensions affect nearly everyone — even if you’re not a public employee. Taxpayers have already been footing the bill to alleviate the pension debt.
Stories by eunice alpasan
Hospital Emergency Departments Saw Firearm Deaths, Injuries in Children Double During COVID-19 Pandemic: Study
The study compares firearm injury emergency department visits for kids at nine urban hospitals across the U.S. before and during the pandemic.
Trick or Treat? Community Health Workers Go Door to Door to Raise Awareness About COVID-19, Flu Vaccines
Their mission was to pass out flyers with information about an upcoming COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic at Richard J. Daley Community College on the Southwest Side.
Part-Time Faculty Members at Columbia College Go On Strike Amid Concerns Over Class Cuts, Increased Class Sizes
Nearly 600 part-time faculty members at Columbia College walked off the job Monday. The faculty union and administration have been contract bargaining since May.
More Than 90% of Pregnancy-Related Deaths Are Potentially Preventable; Black Women Face the Highest Risk, State Report Finds
The state still has a long way to go toward ensuring that all Illinois residents can have a safe and healthy pregnancy, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said in a press release.
Cook County Residents See Over $280M in Medical Debt Erased as Part of Medical Debt Relief Program
Neighborhoods on the South and West Sides of Chicago have seen the highest amount of medical debt erased so far, according to officials.
$1.2M Wetlands Restoration Project on City’s Southeast Side Aims to Alleviate Flooding, Restore Wildlife Numbers
A major effort to restore nearly 200 acres of wetland habitat at Powderhorn Prairie and Marsh Nature Preserve on the Chicago’s Southeast Side is now complete after more than three years.
Which States Are Truly In The Midwest? A New Poll Covering 22 States Has People Online Divided … And a Little Salty
A new study that aims to explore Midwest state boundaries and identity was a result of over 11,000 responses across 22 states.
Demand for Donor Breast Milk in Chicago Area Increasing, As Bipartisan Bill Aims to Improve Access Nationwide
Demand for donor breast milk has been growing as the country continues to recover from last year’s infant formula shortage that left many store shelves empty following a host of supply chain issues and product recalls.
Latest COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Off to Slower Start Than Last Fall, Chicago Health Department Reports
About 66,900 Chicagoans, or 2.4% of the city population, have received the new vaccine since updated COVID-19 vaccines were recommended in mid-September, the Chicago Department of Public Health reports.
First Measles Case in Illinois Since 2019 Identified in Cook County, State Public Health Department Confirms
The measles case involves an unvaccinated individual and was confirmed by public health officials on Wednesday.
Through Artistic Expression, Family Recipes and History Class, Filipino Americans In Chicago Are Exploring Identity and Reclaiming Narratives
Filipino American History Month in October puts a spotlight on the achievements of Filipino Americans, the stories of Filipino Americans throughout history and how that history is still felt today.
University of Chicago Launches Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression With Speaker Panels, Banned Book Collection
The Forum’s mission of “understanding, practicing and advancing” free inquiry and expression takes form this week with speaker panels as part of the initiative’s official launch.
What Chicago-Area Researchers Are Still Trying to Learn About Long COVID, as Treatment Clinical Trials Roll Out
Ongoing research efforts come as many long COVID patients have already exhausted available treatment options and are now left to manage and live with a variety of chronic symptoms.
Midway Airport to Open Its Own Fee-Based Lounge for Travelers Next Fall
The lounge will be accessible to travelers who buy an airport lounge membership or day pass. It is expected to open next fall.
The Physical and Mental Toll of Living With Long COVID: ‘I Feel Like We’ve Been Abandoned and Forgotten’
Amid many unanswered questions and the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration earlier this year, long COVID patients remain in limbo as they continue to manage and live with their symptoms.
Updated COVID-19 Vaccines and Flu Shots Are Arriving in Chicago. Here’s Where You Can Find Them
COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots will be available to everyone at no cost, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
Interactive Campaign Asks Chicagoans to Explore Impact of Segregation by Running Errands in a Different Neighborhood
The Folded Map action kit aims to help Chicagoans explore the effects of segregation in the city and how it continues to perpetuate racial inequities.
Chicago Chooses 10 Local Artists for New Job Training Program That Bridges Arts and Health in Communities
Ten Chicago-based artists will be taking part in a new job training program that has them apprentice at the city’s mental health clinics and become certified community health workers.
As Over-the-Counter Narcan Hits Store Shelves, Access Problems to the Life-Saving Overdose Reversal Drug Persist
Narcan, which comes as nasal spray and was initially approved for over-the-counter sale by the Food and Drug Administration in March, is expected to hit shelves at stores like Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy and Walmart as soon as next week. The life-saving medication is expected to retail at stores for $45.
Facilities Open for Cook County Residents Applying for Federal Help After Severe Storms. Here’s Where to Find Them
Facilities are open on the West Side and in nearby suburbs to assist residents applying for federal assistance for damage caused by severe storms that occurred between June 29 and July 2.
American Cancer Society in Search of More Chicago-Area Volunteer Drivers for Road To Recovery Program
The Road To Recovery program has only been able to provide 25% of the rides requested by cancer patients in Cook County so far this year.
Chicago-Area Nursing Home Workers Deliver 10-Day Strike Notice, Could Strike as Early as Labor Day
Workers at a group of nursing homes in the Chicagoland area owned by Infinity Healthcare delivered a 10-day strike notice Thursday. Workers say there is a worsening crisis of short staffing fueled by low wages.
How You Can Apply for Federal Flooding Assistance Following Severe July Storms
Representatives with FEMA and the SBA are in Cook County to assist people with applying for federal grants and loans as the agencies work to open a designated recovery center in the area.
Suburban Cook County Resident is First Person in Illinois to Die From West Nile Virus This Year
Of the 12 total cases of West Nile virus the state health department has seen so far this year, seven of those cases were reported in Cook County, including two in Chicago.
5 Chicago-Area Chefs to Host Fundraiser for Restaurant, Hospitality Workers Impacted by Maui Wildfires
All of the funds raised during the event will go directly to the Hawai’i Community Foundation—Chef Hui Fund, which supports Maui restaurants, hospitality workers and their families who were displaced due to the fires.
