Stories by Associated Press

Pfizer: Mid-November Earliest It Can Seek Virus Vaccine OK

Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated promises of a vaccine before Election Day, scientists have been cautioning that it’s unlikely data showing a leading shot actually works would come until November or December. 

Illinois Commerce Commission OKs Dakota Access Pipeline Expansion, Opponents Weigh Appeal Options

Owners of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline have been given the go-ahead by Illinois to double capacity. Opponents aren't ready to give up the fight to block the expansion.

GOP Pushes Barrett Toward Court as Democrats Decry ‘Sham’

The Senate Judiciary Committee set Oct. 22 for its vote to recommend Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the full Senate, with a final confirmation vote expected by month’s end.

‘We Are In a New Wave of COVID-19’: Pritzker

Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois residents Friday that the entire state is seeing a surge in confirmed cases of the coronavirus, as the state set a single-day record for new infections and reported 38 deaths linked to the virus.

CPS Enrollment Drops By 15K Students Amid Pandemic, Remote Learning

The school district announced Friday morning that its citywide enrollment had fallen from 355,156 in the 2019-20 school year to 340,658 this year.

Netflix Star Jerry Harris to Remain in Jail Pending Trial on Child Pornography Charge

A federal judge has ordered Jeremiah “Jerry” Harris, star of the Netflix documentary series “Cheer,” to remain in jail pending trial on a charge he sexually exploited underage children.

Pritzker Extends Ban on Evictions for 7th Month

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced on Friday that Illinois’ ban on evictions would be extended until Nov. 16, as state officials continue to send grants to Illinois residents struggling to make ends meet.

Join the ‘Big Sit’ at Big Marsh and Help Count the Migrating Birds

The all-day event Saturday will take advantage of a sweet spot in the migratory timeline, with organizers expecting to record outgoing and incoming species.

7 Officers Broke CPD Rules After Top Cop Found Drunk, Unconscious Behind Wheel: Watchdog

Inspector General Joe Ferguson’s report details several instances when Eddie Johnson got special treatment after being discovered unconscious behind the wheel of his vehicle near 34th Place and Aberdeen Street last year.

‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Wheaton

West suburban Wheaton, home to historic Wheaton College, hasn’t been spared the health and economic hit caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Illinois Made It Easier to Vote, But Obstacles Remain

The election is just weeks away and early voting is in full swing. How ready are voters and election authorities?

Winning Ugly: Bears Reach 4-1 Record But Fail to Convince

The Bears have a 4-1 record after eking out a 1-point win over the Buccaneers on Thursday, but that record may flatter them. Former Bears offensive lineman James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take.

Day of the Dead Exhibit Honors Those Who Died from COVID-19, Celebrates Life

The exhibit would normally feature authentic artwork from Mexican artists, including traditional ofrendas, or altars. This year, the artwork comes from both the museum’s personal collection and local artists.

As COVID-19 Cases Rise 32% in a Week, Chicago’s Top Doctor Voices ‘Grave Concern’

“This has not been a good week in Chicago,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, urging people to avoid gatherings, wear masks and keep 6 feet of distance from others. 

Ex-Top Cop Eddie Johnson Sued For Sexual Harassment By Female Officer

Cynthia Donald, who filed the lawsuit Thursday in Cook County Court, claimed that for more than three years, she was subjected to “unwanted and uninvited sexual advances” from Johnson inside his office at CPD headquarters.

CPS To Bring Back Pre-K, Some Special Education Students For In-Person Learning: Sources

Under the district’s plan, pre-K and cluster program students would return for full-day learning, five days a week beginning next quarter.

Ask Geoffrey: What to See at This Year’s Reimagined Open House Chicago

Geoffrey Baer takes a look at the redesigned event in the latest Ask Geoffrey.

Preckwinkle Vows to Protect Provident Hospital as Union Blasts Layoffs

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle plans to consolidate two clinics into Provident Hospital and change its full-service emergency room to a stand-by emergency department. “We are strengthening Provident Hospital. It is here to stay. Period,” she said.

South Side Market Box Program Tackles Food Insecurity By Tapping Into Network of Small Farms

Each week, 200 South Side households receive a free delivery of fresh produce, thanks to a collaboration between Star Farm and Experimental Station. To keep the program running through October, organizers need to raise $20,000.

October 15, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Oct. 15, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Drugstore Chain Walgreens Rebounds With $373M Profit in 4Q

The Deerfield, Illinois-based drugstore chain said Thursday it made $373 million in the final quarter of fiscal 2020 after losing $1.7 billion the previous quarter, when millions of shoppers stayed home to avoid the rapidly spreading pandemic.

US Jobless Claims Rise to 898,000 With Layoffs Still High

Thursday’s report from the Labor Department coincides with other recent data that have signaled a slowdown in hiring. The economy is still roughly 10.7 million jobs short of recovering all the 22 million jobs that were lost when the pandemic struck.

Preckwinkle Unveils Plan to Close $410M Budget Gap in 2021 Without Raising Taxes

The economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic presented an “extraordinarily challenging” set of circumstances to the county’s finance team, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said a day before unveiling her $6.9 billion spending plan.

Spotlight Politics: Pritzker Family Feud Over ‘Fair Tax’

Billionaire Pritzker cousins are hurling cash at opposing sides of the “fair tax” amendment. Our politics team tackles that story and more — including the battle over the Supreme Court — in this week’s roundtable.

Expanded Early Voting Kicks Off in Chicago

What you need to know about mail-in voting and voting in person as Nov. 3 — Election Day — approaches.

Takeaways: Pardon Power, Silent Mics on Barrett’s Final Day

Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett faced a second day of questions Wednesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee as Democrats kept up their focus on health care three weeks before the Nov. 3 presidential election. 
 

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