Starbucks workers at coffee shops in northwest suburban Cary and downstate Peoria have been voting by mail this month on whether they want to be represented by the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, an SEIU affiliate.
Stories by nick blumberg
Ken Griffin’s Trading Firm Tied to Company Aided by Richard Irvin: Report
Apr 21, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
WTTW News previously reported that communications company Scientel Solutions and its employees have given more than $135,000 to Richard Irvin’s mayoral campaign, a PAC run by his mayoral campaign manager, and his former private practice law partner Brittany Pedersen’s judicial campaign.
Chicago-Area Starbucks Workers Pushing to Join Nationwide Unionization Movement
Apr 19, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
In December, a Starbucks in Buffalo, New York became the first of the company’s thousands of U.S. locations to vote for unionization. Just weeks later, workers at Chicago’s Randolph and Wabash location moved to join the effort.
Amazon Warehouse That Collapsed During Tornado Had Structural Flaws, Attorneys Say
Apr 12, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
The Amazon facility in downstate Edwardsville where six workers died after the building was struck by a tornado appears to have had major structural flaws, according to a lawsuit and a government engineer’s report released by the plaintiff’s attorney.
Edgewater Store Marks Eighth Chicago-Area Starbucks Moving to Unionize
Apr 7, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
The Edgewater location brings the total to eight area Starbucks coffee shops seeking representation. Those workers are part of a rapidly expanding nationwide effort that organizers now say numbers 176 locations, 10 of which have voted in favor of joining a union.
Rideshare Drivers, Alderman Rally for Ordinance Guaranteeing Minimum Rates and Driver Protections
Mar 30, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
An ordinance introduced in the city council in February would mandate that rideshare drivers make a minimum rate per trip, per mile, and per minute. And it would prevent rideshare companies from taking a commission of more than 20%.
Seventh Chicago-Area Starbucks Announces Unionization Effort
Mar 28, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
The Bucktown coffee shop, located at Armitage and Hoyne avenues, joins four others in the city – Hyde Park, Logan Square, Edgewater, and downtown – and one each in suburban La Grange and Cary.
The Week in Review: Mayor Makes Historic Council Pick
Mar 25, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago casino proposal final three. City Council to consider replacements for 11th Ward alderperson. Will Congressman Mike Quigley make a bid for mayor? And Senate grills Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Leaders of DuSable Lake Shore Drive Redesign Tout Better Travel Times, Green Space and Ask For Public Input
Mar 24, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
At a virtual meeting of the task force working on the overhaul, members of the Redefine the Drive team outlined a study of how the different potential layouts would affect travel times for transit passengers and drivers under different weather conditions during morning and evening rush hour.
Sixth Chicago-Area Starbucks Moves to Join Union as City Council Voices Support
Mar 24, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
The Edgewater coffee shop, located at Clark Street and Ridge Avenue, joins three others in the city – Hyde Park, Logan Square, and downtown – and one each in west suburban La Grange and northwest suburban Cary. All six are seeking representation from the Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United, an SEIU affiliate.
Metra Joins Fight Against Proposed Freight Rail Merger That Would Impact Northwest Suburban Tracks
Mar 17, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
In a Tuesday filing with the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency overseeing rail companies, Metra argued the board shouldn’t let freight giants Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern combine operations.
City Facing Class Action Suit Over Lack of Accessible Signals for Blind Pedestrians
Mar 15, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
For decades, plaintiff Ann Brash commuted into the city each day for work. Blind since birth, she’s experienced at getting around using a cane. But Chicago’s noisy downtown poses a challenge, and in 2017 she had a near miss.
As New Community Market Opens in Englewood, Leaders Eye Next Steps for Redevelopment
Mar 8, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Residents and community leaders gathered in Englewood on Tuesday for the opening of the new Go Green Community Fresh Market. It’s designed to be as convenient as a neighborhood corner store but with fresh produce, a variety of healthy options, and meals cooked on site.
Rail Merger Would Mean Huge Spike in Freight Train Traffic, Suburbs Say. But Rail Companies Say Impact is Overstated
Mar 3, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Suburban officials are worried the proposed merger of two major rail companies would mean more frequent freight trains, which they say could take as long as 10 minutes to clear an intersection.
After December Walkouts, Organized Amazon Workers in Chicago Area Eye Next Steps
Feb 28, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
In Chicago, a group of workers called Amazonians United Chicagoland says it’s seen success from its organizing efforts.
Illinois Prepares for July Launch of 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
Feb 23, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Illinois is months away from the scheduled launch of a new suicide prevention hotline, and state lawmakers are working to make sure it gets funding.
Advocates Push for State Money to Replace Lead Pipes Connected to Illinois Child Care Facilities
Feb 21, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
In recent years, a patchwork of government and nonprofit programs have ramped up, offering help with lead testing and mitigation. But the need still far outstrips the available assistance, especially for high-priority places like child care facilities.
Industry Group Aims to Tackle Truck Driver Shortage in Illinois
Feb 15, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
While the U.S. isn’t experiencing the same upheaval as Canada, trucking advocates say the industry still faces huge challenges, many of which predate the pandemic.
Jesse Sharkey on His Time in Teachers Union Leadership, CTU’s Future
Feb 8, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Jesse Sharkey’s time in leadership has been marked by multiple teacher’s strikes, a contentious relationship with City Hall, and a protracted pandemic. In announcing his departure, Sharkey acknowledged the difficulties of the job, both politically and personally.
Keeping Health Care Workers Safe Amid Spike in Threats, Violence
Feb 7, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
The American Medical Association notes as many as 38% of health care workers face violence during their careers and that those in the field were 50% more likely to be harassed, threatened, or hurt during the COVID pandemic.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Jason Van Dyke, Russia-Ukraine, and SCOTUS Vacancy
Feb 3, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Two U.S. senators are pressing the Justice Department on a federal civil rights investigation into former Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth say the facts of the case are “shocking and upsetting” and are asking the Attorney General for an update into the probe.
The Week in Review: Top Doc Says Chicago Past Omicron Peak
Jan 21, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Mayor Lightfoot backs embattled top cop. Omicron wave may have peaked as local COVID-19 testing company faces fraud investigations. A shakeup in the Republican primary for governor. And a major merger in local journalism.
Illinois Nursing Homes Face Spike in Cases, Staffing Shortages Amid COVID-19 Surge
Jan 18, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
According to CDC data, Illinois saw its highest-ever case rate for nursing home residents this month, surpassing even last winter’s surge. Cases among staff have also reached record levels.
The Week in Review: CPS Classes Resume, But Tensions Run High
Jan 14, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago Public Schools students are back to in-person learning but tensions still surround the CTU. A new entrant is set to join the Republican candidates in the governor’s race. Mayor Lightfoot gets COVID-19. And the Bears search for a new general manager and head coach.
Longtime Anchor Pat Cassidy Reflects on Career in Radio News
Jan 11, 2022 | Nick Blumberg
“I just love breaking news, because I know I’m telling people things they don’t know,” said Pat Cassidy, who after 51 years as a radio news anchor has signed off.
Bears, Officially Out of Playoff Contention, Prepare to Face Seahawks
Dec 23, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago fell to the Minnesota Vikings 17-9 on Monday Night Football, the team’s third straight loss.