Stories by Nick Blumberg
CTA Approves $1.75M Settlement With Cyclist Struck by Bus Driver
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago Transit Authority’s board of directors on Wednesday approved a $1.75 million settlement with Joseph Morgan, who was struck and run over by a CTA bus in June 2019 while riding his bike in River North.
The Pros and Pitfalls of an Increasingly Cashless Society
| Nick Blumberg
The Illinois Tollway last month announced that it would no longer accept cash tolls, making permanent a change it rolled out early in the pandemic. But does a cashless society leave some people out?
Evanston Mayor, Former State Lawmaker Daniel Biss on Tackling National Issues at the Local Level
| Nick Blumberg
One of Chicago's most populous suburbs is soon to have a leader who’s familiar statewide. Former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate Daniel Biss won the election for mayor of Evanston this week with nearly 74% of the vote.
How One Hospital Chaplain Maintains His Ministry During COVID-19: ‘This is a Very Hopeful Time’
| Nick Blumberg
Hospitals don’t just offer health care. Many offer care for the human spirit as well as the human body. We talk with a chaplain at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park about the challenges of ministering to patients and families during a pandemic.
Hunger Strike Against Southeast Side Metal Scrapper Reaches Eighth Day
| Nick Blumberg
A group of hunger strikers is protesting metal recycler General Iron opening up on the Southeast Side. We hear from opponents and a company representative.
Metra’s Eye-Popping Practice Keeps Trains Running During Frigid Weather
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago area saw dangerously cold weather over the weekend, and the week ahead doesn’t appear to offer much relief. But it takes more than a cold snap to bring the city to a standstill.
Ride-Share Drivers Face Carjackings, COVID-19 and Uncertain Income. A Fight Over Employment Status Could Be Next
| Nick Blumberg
Amid a surge in carjackings, drivers for ride-hailing companies have been working in close contact with other people during the pandemic. Meanwhile, those companies are gearing up for a fight over whether gig workers should be classified as employees.
Dangerously Cold Weather Expected to Hit Chicago Area
| Nick Blumberg
After getting walloped by two big snowstorms, the area is now bracing for bitter cold later this week. We asked Argonne National Laboratory climate scientist Scott Collis what to expect, and what’s driving the arctic chill.
Lakefront Trail Now Continues Over Chicago River; Full Navy Pier Flyover on Track for April Completion
| Nick Blumberg
After years of work, pedestrians and cyclists can now stay on the lakefront trail as it crosses the Chicago River – though the full Navy Pier flyover isn’t finished just yet.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
| Nick Blumberg
The Northwest Side community of Jefferson Park is known as the gateway to Chicago, in part because it’s a transit hub. The area’s thought of by some as typical “bungalow belt” Chicago. It’s predominantly middle class, but recently there’s been an uptick in homelessness.
CTU Vice President on Negotiations With CPS Over In-Person Learning
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said as Illinois moves into Phase 1B of vaccinations, a category that includes teachers, city leadership should prioritize staff at Chicago Public Schools.
Distribution Centers Are Growing Fast, But Some Worry About Inequitable Impact
| Nick Blumberg
The number of distribution centers being built in the Chicago area is on the rise. Supporters say they can create jobs in places that have long faced disinvestment and unemployment. But critics say they aren’t always good jobs.
CTA Bypass, Coming Soon, A Major Milestone for Red-Purple Line Overhaul
| Nick Blumberg
The CTA’s overhaul of the Red and Purple lines is well underway. This month, crews are putting into a place a major piece of that redevelopment effort – and passengers will start to see the benefits of the project later this year.
Bears Face Saints in Wild Card Matchup
| Nick Blumberg
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Saints.
Outdoor Dining, Carryout and Uncertainty: What Restaurants Are Facing This Winter
| Nick Blumberg
With cold weather here to stay for the foreseeable future, some restaurant and bar owners fear outdoor dining and carryout will not be enough to keep their businesses alive.
‘Laziness Does Not Exist’ Explores How and Why We Overwork Ourselves
| Nick Blumberg
Meet a local author who argues that the idea of laziness is a lie — one that’s having a detrimental effect on Americans during the pandemic.
Bears Face Jaguars With Playoff Hopes Still Alive
| Nick Blumberg
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Jaguars.
COVID-19 Delays Completion of Navy Pier Flyover; Now on Track for Early 2021
| Nick Blumberg
The eagerly awaited and often delayed Navy Pier flyover has been delayed yet again, this time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
CTA Wins Federal Approval for Next Phase of Red Line Extension; Construction Could Start in 2025
| Nick Blumberg
The CTA hopes to fund about half of the $2.3 billion project — the largest in the agency’s history — with grant money from the Federal Transit Administration.
Food Pantries Already Facing Unprecedented Demand in 2020 See Holiday Spike in Need
| Nick Blumberg
During the winter holidays, the demand on food pantries spikes, and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has already exacerbated hunger around the U.S. How food pantries are keeping their clients and volunteers safe.
How Essential Workers Who Rely on Transit Have Handled the Pandemic
| Nick Blumberg
Over the last nine months, the ways in which people are getting around Chicago — and their need to do so — have shifted dramatically. But the demand for public transit from essential workers has remained steady.
Jeannie Morris, Groundbreaking Sports Journalist and Author, Dies at 85
| Nick Blumberg
Trailblazing sports reporter Jeannie Morris, the first woman to cover the Super Bowl who is perhaps best known for her book “Brian Piccolo: A Short Season” that was later turned into the film “Brian’s Song,” died Monday.
City Says Long-Awaited Navy Pier Flyover on Track to Open by Year’s End
| Nick Blumberg
Chicago’s lakefront trail has been battered by winter storms this year and closed down by the mayor. But there is some good news on horizon: the long-awaited Navy Pier flyover appears to be close to completion.
Winter Biking in Chicago: A Guide to Gear, Care and Everything Else You Need to Know
| Nick Blumberg
Riding a bicycle through a Chicago winter may sound daunting, but with a bit of preparation and the right attitude, it’s a manageable feat. Here’s some advice from avid cyclists for your winter riding safety — and pleasure.
CTA Awaiting Federal Approval for Next Phase of Red Line Extension
| Nick Blumberg
The Chicago Transit Authority hopes to learn in the coming weeks whether it’s received federal approval to move into the next phase of its massive Red Line Extension project, which would extend the city’s busiest train line to Chicago’s southern border.
Chicago Businesses on Bracing For the Winter, Hopes for the Coming Months
| Nick Blumberg
With loan and grant money starting to run dry for some businesses—and what’s likely to be a difficult winter fast approaching—we check in with some familiar faces to ask how they’re coping with the coronavirus.
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