Stories by Quinn Myers
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: North Lawndale
| Quinn Myers
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.
Biden Unveils $1.9T Plan to Stem Virus and Steady Economy
| Associated Press
Called the “American Rescue Plan,” the legislative proposal would meet Biden’s goal of administering 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his administration, while advancing his objective of reopening most schools by the spring.
Trump Impeachment Trial to Focus on His Attacks on Election
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment could go to trial as soon as Inauguration Day, with U.S. senators serving not only as jurors but as shaken personal witnesses and victims of the deadly siege of the Capitol by a mob of his supporters.
Teen Charged in Fatal Bridgeport Carjacking
| Matt Masterson
Denroy Garcia, 16, was charged as an adult after he allegedly shot and killed 33-year-old Shuai Guan during an attempted carjacking last month.
City Probing Gibsons for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions After Fire Forces Evacuation
| Heather Cherone
No one was injured in the fire, which was caused when the restaurant’s fireplace damper malfunctioned around 9 p.m. Wednesday, said Liz Lombardo Stark, a spokesperson for the Rush Street landmark.
US Unemployment Claims Jump to 965,000 as Virus Takes Toll
| Associated Press
The latest figures for jobless claims, issued Thursday by the Labor Department, remain at levels never seen until the virus struck. Before the pandemic, weekly applications typically numbered around 225,000.
Lightfoot Again Calls on Pritzker to Allow Indoor Dining, Drinking
| Heather Cherone
Chicago restaurants and bars have been prohibited from serving patrons indoors since Oct. 30, when a sustained and grave surge of coronavirus cases threatened to overwhelm the city and state’s hospitals and health care system.
City to Run 6 Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Sites for Health Care Workers
| Heather Cherone
New mass vaccination sites will open on Friday at Olive Harvey City College, on Tuesday at Kennedy-King City College and on Wednesday at Truman City College, officials announced.
High Court Rules for City of Chicago in Vehicle Impound Case
| Associated Press
In an opinion announced Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito wrote for a unanimous eight-justice court that “mere retention" of a debtor's property by a creditor does not violate the law.
Jacob Blake Says He Was Ready to Surrender Before Being Shot
| Associated Press
Kenosha, Wisconsin erupted with violent protests for several nights after Jacob Blake was shot by a police officer in August. Hundreds were arrested, and multiple businesses were destroyed.
Prosecutors Seek Restrictions on Rittenhouse After Bar Stop
| Associated Press
The request comes a week after Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, was seen drinking at a bar after he pleaded not guilty to homicide and other charges resulting from the Aug. 25 shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
New CPS School in Belmont Cragin to Have Unexpected Landlord: Chicago Park District
| Patty Wetli
During Wednesday’s monthly meeting of the Chicago Park District Board, commissioners unanimously agreed to lease property within Riis Park to Chicago Public Schools for the construction of a new elementary school.
Chicago Botanic Garden Cancels Orchid Show, Wilts Under COVID-19 Restrictions
| Patty Wetli
The annual show was to have opened in February, but the garden’s greenhouses are still closed due to mitigations put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Spotlight Politics: Trump Impeached, Madigan Dethroned
| Alexandra Silets
It was a historic day in Washington and Springfield. Our politics team of Amanda Vinicky, Heather Cherone and Paris Schutz dives into the second impeachment of President Trump and the end of an era in state politics.
What to Know About Extremist Groups Involved in Capitol Attack
| Marissa Nelson
The deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol one week ago brought together many extremist organizations, from right-wing militias to members of the Proud Boys. We discuss those groups and the potential threats they pose.
Argonne National Lab’s Key Role in Global Pandemic Fight
| Paul Caine
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, just outside Chicago, helped fast-track the development of coronavirus vaccines. Dr. Stephen Streiffer, director of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne, tells us more.
Northwest Side Man Charged in Connection with Capitol Riot
| Heather Cherone
A Chicago man has been charged in connection with the pro-Trump riot that swept the Capitol on Jan. 6 after he posted a picture on Instagram outside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s office with the caption “WHOS HOUSE? OUR HOUSE!”
Illinois Legislators Approve Massive Criminal Justice Reform Bill
| Matt Masterson
Both the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives approved the sweeping measure Wednesday, which could end the practice of cash bail in Illinois and make it easier to decertify officers who commit misconduct.
Trump Impeached After Capitol Riot in Historic Second Charge
| Associated Press
President Donald Trump was impeached by the U.S. House for a historic second time Wednesday, charged with “incitement of insurrection” over the deadly mob siege of the Capitol in a swift and stunning collapse of his final days in office.
McConnell Blocks Quick Trump Trial, Unsure How He’ll Vote
| Associated Press
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Wednesday blocked a quick Senate impeachment trial for President Donald Trump but did not rule out that he might eventually vote to convict Trump.
Scott Silven Casts Poetic, Mystical Spell in ‘The Journey’ at Chicago Shakespeare
| Hedy Weiss
Created and performed by Scott Silven, a young actor, writer, illusionist, mentalist and masterful storyteller, “The Journey” is a mesmerizing riff on time, space, memory, human connection, and the tricks that our very own existence can play on us.
Chicagoans Older Than 65 Could Get Vaccinated Starting ‘Next Week’: City’s Top Doctor
| Heather Cherone
City health officials will allow Chicagoans 65 and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting next week — if there are doses available after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are vaccinated, the city’s top doctor told aldermen Wednesday.
Madigan Reign Ends as Welch Becomes Illinois’ First Black House Speaker
| Amanda Vinicky
On the 50th anniversary of his becoming a state representative, Michael Madigan lost the gavel to Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch – making the representative from suburban Hillside the first Black House speaker in state history.
US COVID-19 Deaths Hit Another One-Day High at Over 4,300
| Associated Press
The nation’s overall death toll from COVID-19 has eclipsed 380,000, according to Johns Hopkins University, and is closing in fast on the number of Americans killed in World War II, or about 407,000. Confirmed infections have topped 22.8 million.
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