City and state officials are advising people to be on the lookout for untrustworthy COVID-19 testing sites. What you should know before walking into a pop-up testing site.
Stories by joanna hernandez
Demand for COVID-19 Testing Surges as Holidays Near
Pharmacies are dealing with a shortage of at-home COVID-19 tests as the demand for testing skyrockets ahead of the holidays.
Independent Humboldt Park Library Fighting to Keep Doors Open
For nearly 16 years, the Read/Write Library has been operating in the community, providing unique publications like creative books, neighborhood newspapers and personal narratives by people who are incarcerated.
DuPage County Organization Seeks to Uplift Refugee Women
Every year thousands of refugees seek asylum in the United States. Re:new is helping refugee women get back on their feet by teaching them how to become designers.
Ladies of Virtue Seeks to Empower Young Women, Prepare Them for College
Jamila Trimuel founded the nonprofit a decade ago and has made it her mission to help young Black girls go to college. “I see myself in the girls that I serve.”
Chicagoan Pours Love of Bikes, Coffee into Business
Michael Salvatore, a fifth-generation Chicagoan, opened Heritage Bikes & Coffee in Lakeview in 2012. The business combines two things he loves while paying homage to his family and the city’s cycling history.
Local Chefs Work to Bring Black and Brown Communities Together
The Consulate General of Mexico has partnered with two local chefs to host a collaborative dinner to continue to build unity between Black and brown communities and work to heal divisions between cultures.
Chicago’s Only Female-Owned, Queer-Friendly Bar Nobody’s Darling Aims to be Inclusive of Everybody
There’s a new bar in Andersonville that is one of the only bars left catering to queer women. Chicago Tonight’s Joanna Hernandez recently stopped by to learn more about the inspiration behind the bar’s name, Nobody’s Darling.
Wicker Park Resident’s Passion Project Swells Into Booming Business
Have you ever wanted to get a fish but had no idea where to start? We head to Wicker Park to meet Jamie Dalton, who began creating educational aquarium videos during the pandemic which led her to a new business venture.
Local Softball Player Hopes to Inspire Others, Help Women Go Pro
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, meet a woman who is proud of her Mexican roots and shares what drove her to play professional softball.
Tennis Festival Brings Pro Players to Chicago’s South Side
Tennis fans have the opportunity to catch some top professionals this week at the Chicago Tennis Festival. We meet the tournament’s promoter to learn more about his mission to give kids an opportunity to thrive.
Little Village Organization on a Mission to Conserve Monarch Butterflies
The nonprofit El Valor has raised thousands of monarchs, and each year the community comes together for a butterfly release.
From a Busy Suburban Kitchen, Sisters Make Lunches for Homeless
Ann Marie Frank is using social media to help feed homeless individuals in her community and beyond. We visit Des Plaines to see how she’s opened her kitchen to make thousands of lunches — with the help of family members and volunteers.
Chicago Westside Sports Aims to Build Community, Life Skills
A group of police officers and community leaders are using their time off to give back to underserved communities by getting young kids to play sports. We head to Columbus Park on the West Side to learn more.
Love of Pit Bulls Inspires Colorful Mission to Break Stigma
A Humboldt Park woman is on a mission to break the stigma surrounding pit bulls — one colorful outfit at a time. How Erin Crowley’s line of dog apparel aims to help change people’s preconceived notions about the breed.
High School Students Envision Clean Energy Future for Garfield Park
A group of students on the West Side are determined to make a big change by confronting environmental issues and working to bring solar energy to their community. We learn more about their vision for Garfield Park.
Chicago Park District Offers New Summer Camp Program for Teens
From starting a fire to pitching a tent, some Chicago teens are learning what it takes to camp in the great outdoors. We visit the Lincoln Park neighborhood to learn more about the program.
How a Shared Kitchen is Helping a Community of Street Vendors Build Its Future
Meet a group of Chicago food vendors who are now the owners of a shared kitchen after renting it for years. With it, they hope they can help their community achieve the American dream.
A Look at Efforts to Battle Mental Health Stigmas in Latino Communities
Black and brown communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 — in both their physical and mental health. We take a look at the stigmas surrounding mental health in the Latino community, and what some people are doing to break those generational barriers.
