President Joe Biden is expected to announce legislation this week that would overhaul the country’s immigration laws. The plan comes after a chaotic four years for immigration activists and lawyers under the Trump administration.
Stories by quinn myers
The Growing Problem of Poverty in the Suburbs
Poverty is not just an urban issue. We speak with Lake County resident Gary Ladehoff, who is featured in WTTW’s new documentary series “Firsthand: Living in Poverty,” and Maggie Morales of the Lake County Community Foundation.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: North Lawndale
North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side has faced challenges of economic depression, unemployment and violence for many years, all before the pandemic exacerbated those issues last spring.
Dr. Emily Landon on Vaccine Distribution, COVID-19 Spread
The Trump administration on Tuesday instructed states to begin vaccinating Americans over age 65 for COVID-19, as well as those with chronic medical conditions. We discuss Chicago’s rollout with an infectious disease specialist.
After Months of Empty Stages, Chicago Venues See ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’
Late last month, Congress allocated $15 billion to music venues, movie theaters and other cultural institutions under the Save Our Stages Act. What it could mean for Chicago’s independent music and performing arts venues.
The Year In Weather: Wildfires, Hurricanes, A Derecho and More
Hurricanes, wildfires, a destructive derecho and more: it was a banner year for intense weather events around the world and right here in the Midwest.
Terrorism Specialists Weigh in on Rise of Extremism in US
Many details surrounding the Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville remain unclear, but the incident has renewed concerns about the rise of domestic terrorism, and the proliferation of racist ideology by white supremacists.
Firsthand Gun Violence: Victim Advocate Reflects on Chicago’s Violent Year
It’s been an extraordinarily violent year in Chicago, which has seen around 750 homicides, according to police. As part of our series on gun violence, we talk with victim advocate Pastor Donovan Price.
After Battling Civil Unrest and COVID-19, South Shore Looks Ahead to 2021
Businesses along the 71st Street commercial corridor experienced extensive damage and property theft in late May and early June. Six months later, it’s still difficult for some business owners to talk about the past as they look ahead to what’s next.
Ask Geoffrey: Chicago’s Beautiful Utility Buildings
When it comes to designing buildings, form may follow function, but that doesn’t mean function has to be without form. Geoffrey Baer joins us with the story of the O’Brien Water Reclamation Plant and other ornamented utility buildings.
Ask Geoffrey: The Peter Schuttler Wagon Works
Geoffrey Baer has the story of a famous wagon supply company once based in Chicago.
Englewood Keeps Focus on Revitalization 6 Months After Looting, Unrest
Area businesses along commercial corridors like 63rd Street and Ashland Avenue experienced extensive damage in late May and early June. Business owners and community organizers talk about what’s next.
Six Months After Looting and Property Damage, South Chicago Eyes Next Chapter
Commercial Avenue has long been the main business corridor in South Chicago, but in recent years the strip has struggled to fill vacant storefronts – a trend that was seriously exacerbated by civil unrest and looting this summer.
World AIDS Day Marks Launch of New Online Exhibition ‘I’m Still Surviving’
The stories of women living with HIV in Chicago and across the country take the focus of a new online exhibition organized by the History Moves project.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Rogers Park
Chicago’s northernmost neighborhood has reported 5,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. The pandemic and rising case counts have heightened food insecurity across Chicago, and Rogers Park has been anything but immune.
New WTTW Special ‘Chicago from the Air’ Premieres Thursday
Taking in the city’s expanse via drone, the special explores Chicago’s famous grid system, its industrial legacy, and the natural areas that weave through the dense urban jungle.
What Joe Biden’s Transportation Agenda Could Mean For Chicago
On the campaign trail, Joe Biden said he’d expand federal investment in America’s infrastructure and transportation systems, at a time when they desperately need it. But will Biden’s rhetoric turn into concrete action?
Ask Geoffrey: The Angles, Names and Numbers of Chicago’s Streets
Angles, curves, one ways and dead ends. Chicago’s street system has long been a source of pride for the city’s residents. Geoffrey Baer has more on the history and quirks of the city’s street system.
What a Biden Administration Could Mean For Environmental Issues In the Midwest
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to make combating climate change a central pillar of his administration. And he campaigned on rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.
How the COVID-19 Surge is Impacting Chicago’s Black Communities
The coronavirus has dealt a blow to the Black community, and the numbers are again on the rise. We discuss the surge with Dr. Doriane Miller, director of the Center for Community Health and Vitality at UChicago Medicine.
How the COVID-19 Surge is Impacting Chicago’s Latino Communities
COVID-19 continues to have a disproportionate impact on Latino communities. We discuss the pandemic with Dr. Marina Del Rios, director of social emergency medicine at the University of Illinois hospital in Chicago.
Congressional Winners: Casten, Davis and Newman on What Lies Ahead
U.S. Reps. Sean Casten and Rodney Davis, and Rep.-elect Marie Newman talk about their respective wins and agendas, and the 2020 presidential election.
What to Make of National, Statewide Polls Ahead of Election Day
National and statewide polls show former Vice President Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump ahead of Election Day. But as we learned in 2016, polls are by no means definitive indicators of victory or defeat.
How Chicago’s Travel Agencies Are Surviving the Pandemic
Airline layoffs, travel bans, quarantine orders – it’s been a calamitous year for the travel and tourism industry. Chicago’s independent travel agencies, scattered in storefronts across the city’s neighborhoods, have been anything but immune.
Ask Geoffrey: The Story of Hyde Park’s Rosalie Villas
A tucked-away street on the city's South Side is a time capsule from the days before the neighborhood was even part of Chicago. Geoffrey Baer explains.
Candidate Forum: Curran, Wilson Outline Visions for US Senate Seat
Sen. Dick Durbin has become one of the most powerful members of the Senate, but challengers say he is the ultimate Washington insider who’s lost sight of what’s best for Illinois. Meet two of those challengers.
