Stories by nick blumberg

(WTTW News)

Sixth Chicago-Area Starbucks Moves to Join Union as City Council Voices Support

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.

(WTTW News)

Metra Joins Fight Against Proposed Freight Rail Merger That Would Impact Northwest Suburban Tracks

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. 

(WTTW News)

City Facing Class Action Suit Over Lack of Accessible Signals for Blind Pedestrians

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.

Residents and community leaders gather for the opening of new Go Green Community Fresh Market in Englewood March 8, 2022. (WTTW News)

As New Community Market Opens in Englewood, Leaders Eye Next Steps for Redevelopment

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. 

(WTTW News)

Rail Merger Would Mean Huge Spike in Freight Train Traffic, Suburbs Say. But Rail Companies Say Impact is Overstated

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.

An Amazon facility in the Gage Park neighborhood is pictured in January 2022. (WTTW News)

After December Walkouts, Organized Amazon Workers in Chicago Area Eye Next Steps

In Chicago, a group of workers called Amazonians United Chicagoland says it’s seen success from its organizing efforts. 

(Jae Park / Unsplash)

Illinois Prepares for July Launch of 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline

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.

(WTTW News)

Advocates Push for State Money to Replace Lead Pipes Connected to Illinois Child Care Facilities

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.

(WTTW News)

Industry Group Aims to Tackle Truck Driver Shortage in Illinois

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.

Outgoing CTU president Jesse Sharkey appears on “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom, Feb. 08, 2022. (WTTW News)

Jesse Sharkey on His Time in Teachers Union Leadership, CTU’s Future

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.

(WTTW News)

Keeping Health Care Workers Safe Amid Spike in Threats, Violence

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 joins “Chicago Tonight” via Zoom. Feb. 3, 2022. (WTTW News)

Sen. Tammy Duckworth on Jason Van Dyke, Russia-Ukraine, and SCOTUS Vacancy

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.

(WTTW News)

The Week in Review: Top Doc Says Chicago Past Omicron Peak

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.

COVID-19 cases and deaths at U.S. nursing homes are once again on the rise. (Pixabay)

Illinois Nursing Homes Face Spike in Cases, Staffing Shortages Amid COVID-19 Surge

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. 

(WTTW News)

The Week in Review: CPS Classes Resume, But Tensions Run High

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.

Pat Cassidy has hosted mornings on WBBM Newsradio for most of the last 22 years. (Courtesy of WBBM Newsradio)

Longtime Anchor Pat Cassidy Reflects on Career in Radio News

“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. 

(WTTW News graphic)

Bears, Officially Out of Playoff Contention, Prepare to Face Seahawks

Chicago fell to the Minnesota Vikings 17-9 on Monday Night Football, the team’s third straight loss.

The James R. Thompson Building, designed by architect Helmut Jahn. (WTTW News)

Embattled Thompson Center Lands Buyer With Plans For Overhaul, Reuse

Late last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a deal to sell the love-it-or-hate it state building downtown to the Prime Group for $70 million. The development firm plans to overhaul the Helmut Jahn-designed structure rather than demolish it and start anew, as others had proposed.

A rendering of the Urban Sequoia prototype. (Courtesy of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill)

Beyond Net Zero? A New Prototype for a Building That Absorbs Carbon Pollution

What if our cities could be more like forests? That’s the question at the heart of a new building prototype developed by architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

The South Shore community lies just south of Jackson Park along Lake Michigan – which is also a point of concern for residents.  (WTTW News)

‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Concerns in South Shore

The Obama Presidential Center announced Thursday that a number of its spaces will be named for historic human and civil rights figures. But as that center marches closer toward its opening date, one neighboring community has concerns about the center’s impact on longtime residents.

New Book Argues Focus on Profit and Lax Oversight Led to Deadly Boeing Crashes

Boeing’s former CEO defended the company’s safety record after a pair of deadly crashes, and implied some of the blame lay with insufficiently trained pilots. But a new book argues changes in corporate culture and government oversight led Boeing to prioritize profit over safety.

(WTTW News)

The Week in Review: Looking Ahead to 2022, 2023 Elections

As 2021 draws to a close, the 2022 election is already well underway and Chicago’s election in early 2023 is looming on the horizon. On a special holiday edition of “The Week in Review,” a look at what offices are on the ballot, who’s running, and the key issues at stake.

Shawnee National Forest in Herod, Illinois. (WTTW)

Return Most Federal Land to Native Americans, Op-Ed Argues

The op-ed also raises the idea of doing away with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and says tribes would be “freed” of treaties with the federal government – an idea some Native Americans oppose.

New Book ‘Foxconned’ Argues Controversial Wisconsin Facility Was a Bad Deal

In 2017, federal and state leaders heralded a massive new factory in southern Wisconsin to be built by Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer Foxconn. The facility was supposed to create thousands of jobs and spur economic development, but a new book argues those promises have come up short.

(WTTW News)

Advocates Call For Chicago’s First Majority Asian American Ward

Some community leaders want to see Chinatown and the surrounding area included in a single ward as part of the city council’s once-a-decade remap process. Advocates are also calling for Asian American communities in Albany Park, West Ridge, and Uptown to stay together in their respective wards to ensure their voices are heard. 

Just a fraction of research funds into Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and autoimmune disease goes toward women, even though they disproportionately face those ailments, according to a new report by Women’s Health Access Matters. (WTTW News)

Improving Investment in Women’s Health Research, Health Care

A new report says we collectively understand women’s health far less than men’s health. That’s because just a fraction of research funds to study things like Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and autoimmune disease go toward studying women -- even though they disproportionately face those diseases.