Maestro Enrique Mazzola took over as music director of the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2019 with grand plans for the 70-year-old institution. Then the pandemic hit.
Stories by jennifer cotto
After Formula Shortage, Breast Milk Bank Aims to Meet Demand
In the Chicago area, Mothers’ Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes is the only accredited milk bank. Despite a slow increase in supply, the bank is still providing this valuable resource.
Study Finds Hair Straightening Chemicals Associated With Higher Risk of Uterine Cancer
A study from the National Institutes of Health last month showed women who use chemical hair relaxers or straighteners may have a higher risk of the cancer.
Students of Color Face Major Hurdles Around College Debt
When it comes to paying off that debt, Black and Latino graduates are struggling. Nearly half of Black students owe an average of 12.5% more than they borrowed, according to the Education Data Initiative.
Number of New Cases of HIV, AIDS Diagnosed in Chicago Drops
A new report from the Chicago Department of Public Health says not only are fewer people being diagnosed, but more people who are already living with HIV-AIDS are reaching viral suppression.
Changes Likely to SAFE-T Act as State’s Attorneys Raise Concerns
Changes are coming to the SAFE-T Act, the new law that, among many other things, does away with cash bail starting in the new year.
It's become a political flashpoint in the race for governor and took center stage at the last debate.
Check Your Polling Place Before Heading Out to Vote, Chicago Board of Elections Says
The Chicago Board of Elections is urging voters to look at their new precinct map before voting in the upcoming election.
Brookfield Zoo Researchers Honored for Work in Oil Spill Recovery Efforts
Recently, two researchers with Brookfield Zoo received prestigious awards for their work in the field. Their current work focuses on the impacts of major oil spills on marine life.
Highland Park Continues to Recover 3 Months After Fourth of July Shooting
It has been three months since seven people were killed and 48 others were injured in a shooting at Highland Park's Fourth of July Parade.
Meet the Local Composer Behind the New Theme Music for ‘Chicago Tonight’
The person behind the new sound is Chicagoan Aesha “Eesh” Dominguez. She’s a classically trained pianist and vocalist and is one of the few female sound engineers in town.
Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Advocating for Electoral Count Act
The effort comes after the numerous revelations of a fake elector scheme leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, and as election deniers in many races aim to win positions of power.
City of Chicago to Offer Workers 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave
As of Jan. 1, any city employee who’s worked for at least one year will receive 12 weeks of paid parental time off. In a country that has zero guaranteed paid parental leave, Chicago is one of a handful of cities expanding this benefit.
Hadiya Pendleton’s Mother Continues Fight to End Gun Violence
Nine years after Hadiya Pendleton’s death, her mother, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, is still fighting to end gun violence. She founded Hadiya’s Promise – a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending gun violence through education.
As Interest Rates Rise, What’s In Store for Chicago’s Real Estate Market?
The Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike means higher potential costs for things like credit card payments, bank loans and mortgages. It will also have an impact on the real estate market.
For Many, Split R. Kelly Verdict Is Long-Awaited But ‘Bittersweet’ Moment
For survivors of sexual assault and their advocates, it has been a long road as a federal jury yesterday convicted singer R. Kelly of six counts of producing child pornography and enticing girls for sex. The conviction comes more than two decades after the crimes took place.
Illinois SAFE-T Act Becomes Campaign Issue. What Does It Actually Do?
The Safety, Accountability, Fairness, and Equity Today Act — better known as the SAFE-T Act — was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2021. It has now become a campaign talking point.
Lack of Young Farmers a Concern for Agricultural Industry
The number of farmers in Illinois is declining and the most recent census data shows the average age of a farmer is nearly 60.
Local Organizations Join Together in Push for Equity in Illinois Marijuana Industry
Three local organizations are banding together in an effort to bring more equity to the Illinois marijuana industry.
CPS School Years Begins with New Guidelines
School is about a week and a half into session and CPS students have seen some changes around campus and in their classrooms. Also different this year - COVID protocols, which no longer require someone to quarantine if they've had an exposure. After two-plus years of work stoppages and labor disputes, will students finally get to enjoy a fully uninterrupted school year?
Racial Segregation Still Prevalent in Church Communities
According to the Equal Justice Initiative, 86% of American churches have no significant racial diversity. The Pew Research Center reports that 57% of churchgoers attend a predominantly White congregation.
Law Caps Monthly Insulin Cost for Medicare Users, But Cost Remains High For Others
President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law this week, which among other things, puts a $35 cap on insulin prices. But that will only apply to Medicare recipients, leaving the rest of Americans who depend on the life-saving medication to continue paying huge prices.
New State Health Director Starts Tenure with Challenges Around COVID-19, Monkeypox and Polio
Dr. Sameer Vohra took over the Illinois Department of Public Health earlier this month.
One-on-One with Mike Andrade, Indiana’s Only Latino State Representative
According to the Indiana Latino Institute, undocumented immigrants contribute nearly $100 million to the state’s economy. Yet when it comes to their representation in the general assembly the state has a single Latino representative.
Chicago Rideshare Drivers Push for Safety Precautions, Improved Working Conditions
With high gas prices and carjackings a growing job risk, gig workers from companies like Lyft, Uber and DoorDash are demanding more from their employers.
As Rents Rise, Push to Eliminate Illinois’ Ban on Rent Control Grows
Rent prices rose 9.4% in 2022, according to data firm CoStar Group. In response, groups of local tenants are unionizing in hopes of pushing for an end to a rent control ban that was passed in 1997.
CPS Teachers Who Are Keeping Their Jobs After Dispute Say Students’ General Iron Activism is Free Speech
The teachers say they were encouraging students to participate in the process of free speech by protesting metal scrap company General Iron, which planned to move into their South Side community.
