Stories by Heather Cherone
Chicago Set to Order Visitors From Wisconsin to Quarantine: Lightfoot
| Heather Cherone
Visitors from Wisconsin to Chicago will soon be required to quarantine for two weeks in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday.
Chicago Officials Launch 2nd Round of Rental Assistance Grants
| Heather Cherone
Chicagoans who lost their jobs or found their paychecks scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic can apply for a second round of grants of up to $3,000 to help them pay their rent or mortgages.
5 Businesses Fined, Beverly Bar Shut Down for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions
| Heather Cherone
City officials fined five businesses and shut down a Beverly bar for violating rules designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, officials said Monday.
Eerily Quiet, Wrigleyville Still Offers Cubs Fans ‘Something to Cheer For’
| Erica Gunderson
In any other year, a parking spot near Wrigley Field on a game day would be a mirage or a miracle. But on the third day of the 2020 baseball season, parking spots were easy to find, and the cheek-to-jowl lines were nonexistent.
Need a Quick Fix for Your Bike? Six Corners is the Spot
| Erica Gunderson
For cyclists, there’s never a good time for a slipped chain or flat tire, but there might be a good neighborhood for running into those hiccups: Portage Park. Here’s why.
1,541 New COVID-19 Cases in Illinois, 1 Additional Death
| WTTW News
Sunday marks the fifth consecutive day in which the state saw an increase of more than 1,000 new cases. So far, more than 28,000 people in Illinois have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in July.
100 Days: Trump Faces Headwinds as Election Day Draws Near
| Associated Press
With the November election 100 days away, more Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction than at any previous point in Donald Trump’s presidency, putting the incumbent in a perilous position.
In Pandemic Year, Wrigley Rooftops Give Rare Opportunity
| Associated Press
Little about this pandemic-delayed season is routine — but for fans looking to see major league baseball live, there are few options besides the rooftops along Waveland and Sheffield avenues.
‘Love March’ Showcases ‘Black Joy’ on Chicago’s West Side
| Quinn Myers
Several hundred people participated in a march against gun violence as neighborhoods across Chicago deal with a recent spike in violence — and as the city prepares for an influx of federal agents at the behest of President Trump.
General Iron Town Hall: City Says It Will Safeguard Health of East Side Residents But Neighbors Not Appeased
| Patty Wetli
The city outlined a laundry list of rules General Iron would have to abide by in order to start up its metal shredding operation on the Southeast Side, while neighbors continue to push officials to deny the company’s permit application — which has yet to be filed.
Open Letter Demands Lightfoot, Dart Not Cooperate with Federal Agents Coming to Chicago
| Quinn Myers
A coalition of Chicago-area politicians and community groups issued an open letter Saturday demanding that local officials not cooperate with federal agents being sent to the city by the Trump administration.
McDonald’s to Require Masks at All US Restaurant Locations
| Associated Press
McDonald’s says it will be requiring customers to wear face coverings when entering its U.S. restaurants as the number of new virus cases continue to surge in many states.
Government: New Foreign Students Can’t Enter US if Courses Online
| Associated Press
A week after revoking sweeping new restrictions on international students, federal immigration officials on Friday announced that new foreign students will be barred from entering the U.S. if they plan to take their classes entirely online this fall.
With No Crowds, Wrigleyville Has Different Feel for Cubs
| Associated Press
The Cubs were about to open their season at long last against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, and it sure sounded like a packed house at Wrigley Field. Of course, no fans were allowed inside the famed ballpark. The noise was piped in.
The Week in Review: Lightfoot Orders Removal of Columbus Statues
| Alexandra Silets
Chicago’s Christopher Columbus statues come down. Mayor Lightfoot and the president go toe-to-toe over federal law enforcement in Chicago. Some COVID-19 restrictions return, and baseball is back.
Extra Unemployment Aid Expires as Virus Threatens New States
| Associated Press
As public health officials warned Friday that the coronavirus posed new risks to parts of the Midwest and South, enhanced federal payments that helped avert financial ruin for millions of unemployed Americans were set to expire.
Barack Obama to Appear on Michelle Obama’s Podcast Debut
| Associated Press
The former United States president is expected to appear on “The Michelle Obama Podcast” on Spotify, the Obama’s Higher Ground and streaming service announced Friday.
Lightfoot’s Decision to Take Down Columbus Statues Splits Aldermen
| Heather Cherone
While some aldermen praised Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to take down the statues of Christopher Columbus, others said Friday she should not have acted unilaterally in the middle of the night.
Surge of Federal Agents Leaves Many Questions Unanswered
| Associated Press
The absence of a clear, publicly available plan has left city leaders, residents and even federal agencies to speculate about exactly what will happen and when. Here's a look at what's known so far.
Looking to Volunteer? ‘Pitch in for the Parks’ to Help Keep Them Clean
| Patty Wetli
The Chicago Parks Foundation has created a citywide volunteer program to help keep the parks clean.
Q&A: What Charges Might Longest Serving US Speaker Face?
| Associated Press
Federal prosecutors recently indicated Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is a subject of a criminal investigation into influence peddling to benefit an energy utility. Will the 78-year-old be charged and if so with what possible crimes?
Christopher Columbus Statue Removed from Grant Park
| Amanda Vinicky
A towering likeness of Christopher Columbus no longer stands in Chicago’s Grant Park after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot ordered for its “temporary” removal.
Local Musician Finds a Muse in Mister Rogers
| Marc Vitali
The feel-good music of Fred Rogers inspires a neighborhood musician.
Push to Keep Woodlawn Residents In Their Homes Near Obama Center to Include More Affordable Housing
| Heather Cherone
Even though the Obama Presidential Center has yet to receive final approval to break ground, Woodlawn’s real estate market is already bubbling, with the median sale price for single-family homes rising 90% from 2010 to 2019.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Gage Park
| Quinn Myers
Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood sits in two ZIP codes that have seen some of the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
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