Stories by Quinn Myers
How COVID-19 is Impacting Businesses in Chicago’s Uptown Neighborhood
| Quinn Myers
We speak with Martin Sorge of Uptown United, the neighborhood’s chamber of commerce, to see how area businesses and local nonprofits are making ends meet during the pandemic.
This 5-Year-Old’s Coronavirus Podcast is Just What We Needed
| Nick Blumberg
These days, it’s as important as ever to stay informed. But the glut of coronavirus content can, at times, be overwhelming. A new, locally produced podcast offers a much different perspective on the pandemic.
Pritzker Extends Illinois’ Stay-at-Home Order to April 30
| Kristen Thometz
The expected three-week extension of the governor’s order mirrors a move Sunday by President Donald Trump to lengthen social distancing guidelines to April 30. Illinois now has 5,994 COVID-19 cases, and 99 deaths.
Farmers Markets Rally to Create Virtual Hubs for Hard-Hit Local Growers. Here’s a Roundup
| Patty Wetli
From Green City Market’s spanking new app to McKinley Park’s Google spreadsheet, farmers market organizers are working overtime to support growers and get fresh, local food in the hands of Chicagoans.
Report: Illinois Again Leads Nation in Exonerations
| Matt Masterson
For the second year in a row, Illinois saw the highest number of criminal exonerations last year, and once again, that total was driven largely by false convictions tied to a corrupt former Chicago sergeant, according to a new report.
Preckwinkle: Cook County Jail is a ‘Petri Dish’ for COVID-19
| Kristen Thometz
More than 150 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in Cook County Jail. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said the situation poses the “biggest health problem in the county.”
Mayor Lightfoot is in on the Joke, Spoofing Her Own ‘Tough Mom’ Image
| Patty Wetli
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s tough love in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic has spawned a million memes. Now the mayor gets in on the joke with her own video.
Reusable Bags Aren’t ‘Banned’ But Stores Are Wary of Them. Here’s How to BYOB Safely
| Patty Wetli
Grocery stores remain one of the few places in Chicago where large numbers of people are still able to mingle, and that — rightfully — has put both employees and customers on edge.
Beverly Residents, Businesses Band Together During Shutdown
| Paris Schutz
Beverly and surrounding communities have been hit hard with business closures and worker furloughs. But the area is infused with a spirit of collaboration, especially when it comes to helping those most vulnerable to the virus.
How Health Care Providers Are Preparing for COVID-19 Peak in Illinois
| Alexandra Silets
The Chicago Medical Society says that intensive care units in Chicago are full as of Monday. But experts say a peak in cases is still two to three weeks away.
Democratic Lawmakers Call for Racial Data in Virus Testing
| Associated Press
Democratic lawmakers are calling out an apparent lack of racial data that they say is needed to monitor and address disparities in the national response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Ald. Matt O’Shea Talks Police Safety, Community Response to COVID-19
| Quinn Myers
The 19th Ward alderman is calling for greater protections for police officers amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of Monday evening, 50 Chicago police officers have been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Olympic Dreams Deferred: Chicago-Area Athletes Look to 2021
| Evan Garcia
The coronavirus pandemic has caused organizers to postpone this summer’s Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. We discuss the delay with three Olympic athletes from the Chicago area.
Highland Park Resident Describes Experience Living With COVID-19
| Nicole Cardos
Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 have described a range of symptoms, and they’ve lived with a fear of spreading the illness to their family and friends. A Chicago-area resident shares her story.
McCormick Place to Be Transformed into 3,000-Bed COVID-19 Care Center
| Kristen Thometz
A portion of the convention center will become an alternate care center for patients with mild symptoms of the novel coronavirus, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Urgent Question From Small Businesses: When Will Aid Arrive?
| Associated Press
Small business owners are awaiting help from the $2 trillion rescue package signed into law Friday. But with bills fast coming due, no end to business closings and an economy that’s all but shut down, owners are worried about survival.
CPS Unveils Remote Learning Plan for Kids During COVID-19 Pandemic
| Matt Masterson
The new instruction plan includes the distribution of 100,000 technology devices to the highest-need families as well as both online and non-digital learning activities.
Hay Fever or Virus? For Allergy Sufferers, a Season of Worry
| Associated Press
For millions of seasonal allergy sufferers, the annual onset of watery eyes and scratchy throats is bumping up against the global spread of a new virus that produces its own constellation of respiratory symptoms.
Mariano’s Joins List of Stores Offering Special Shopping Hours for Seniors
| Patty Wetli
A number of grocers and big-box retailers have announced special shopping hours for senior citizens and others vulnerable to COVID-19 to ensure less crowded situations, as well as access to essential items.
Dispatches from the Block, Week 2: ‘I Hate Remembering’
| Erica Gunderson
As Chicagoans hunker down amid the pandemic, we check in with some familiar faces on how they’re weathering the storm and meet a new couple that is finding creative ways to stay connected with their grown children.
Chicago Showdown, Round Three: Windy City Cinema
| Nick Blumberg
We’re spending a lot more time indoors. Join us as we get reacquainted with our beloved city through film. The polls are now open!
Forest Preserves Will Be Shut Down if People Don’t Maintain Distance, Preckwinkle Warns
| Patty Wetli
Most trails remain open in Cook County’s forest preserves, offering people a respite from home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that could change if people congregate like they did along Chicago’s lakefront.
Specter of 100K-Plus Virus Deaths as Trump Seeks Reopening
| Associated Press
As President Donald Trump looks for ways to restore normalcy in parts of the U.S., his foremost infection disease expert says the country could experience more than 100,000 deaths and millions of infections from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Week in Review: Pandemic Shutters Chicago Lakefront, Parks
| Alexandra Silets
The latest coronavirus cases and deaths in the state. Lakefront and park closures — what might be next? And what the $2 trillion economic rescue package means for the state budget — and your wallet.
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