Stories by Nick Blumberg

First-term congressman Sean Casten was unopposed in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for Illinois’ 6th District, but in the general election he’ll face outspoken competition from Republican candidate Jeanne Ives.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood is competing in one of Illinois’ most watched congressional races this fall. She joins “Chicago Tonight” in discussion.

For everyone cooped up and quarantined, the government – make that, all governments, from the federal down to your city or town – has an assignment for you: fill out your census questionnaire.

For many homeless people in Chicago, staying safely sheltered and isolated during the coronavirus outbreak simply isn’t an option. How one nonprofit is helping people in need.

Facing what could be the biggest challenge to the American economy since the Great Depression of the 1930s, Congress is now urgently trying put together a relief package to keep U.S. households afloat.

Chicago’s public schools were set to reopen by the end of the month, but students will instead remain out of class until April 21, according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

While the state of Illinois has enacted a partial shutdown for restaurants and bars and nixed big public gatherings, one local community has taken it a step further.

Three more people have died from the novel coronavirus in Illinois, where the number of people who have tested positive for the illness now stands at 422 across 22 counties, state officials said Thursday.

Across a country where lines are long, some shelves are empty and patience is thin, authorities are receiving a surge of reports about merchants trying to cash in on the coronavirus crisis with outrageous prices, phony cures and other scams. 

Watch the March 19, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Adventurous penguins, art exhibits, live concerts, and plenty of podcasts – you don’t have to go out (and risk getting sick) to have a fun-filled weekend. Here are 10 things you can do from the comfort of your own home.

Cancellations and closings are affecting everyone, but they present a unique challenge for freelance artists, whose livelihoods are already dependent on an uncertain stream of income. Now, a group of local artists is stepping in to help.

For weeks, people have been told to stay home if they are sick. Now, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health are issuing a public health order making that a requirement.

Concern among Americans that they or a loved one will be infected by the coronavirus rose dramatically in the past month, with two-thirds of the country now saying they’re at least somewhat concerned about contracting the COVID-19 illness.

Live web cam feeds of nature and wildlife are a great way to bust free of quarantine without leaving home. Here are 10 to check out.

Jim Oberweis is a veteran of many campaigns: he’s run for Senate, governor and state office. He’s currently the state senator from North Aurora, and he will take on Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood in November.

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer on Wednesday declared the availability of testing for COVID-19 – or the lack thereof – to be the greatest challenge Illinois has faced in combating the outbreak. But he’s hopeful that will soon change.

Can Jeanne Ives flip Illinois’ 6th Congressional District back to red? We sit down for a one-on-one with first-term congressman Sean Casten.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx came away the winner in Tuesday’s primary against three Democratic challengers. She joins us in discussion.

We discuss viruses and the role they’ve played in shaping who we are with University of Chicago paleontologist and author Neil Shubin.

What to make of the election results Tuesday? And did the governor make the right call to hold the election amid COVID-19 fears? Our politics team takes on the primary election in this week’s roundtable.

State officials on Wednesday announced the largest single-day jump in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. The total now stands at 288 positive tests for the virus across 17 counties in the state.

The Trump administration has announced that most individuals and businesses will be allowed to delay paying their federal tax bills for 90 days as part of an emergency relief plan amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Watch the March 18, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

What can older adults and their families do to keep them safe during this crisis while still getting the food and care they need? We speak with Dr. John Holton, director of strategic initiatives at UIC’s Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research.

The Sheriff’s Department says it has placed a “high priority” on reducing the number of nonviolent, low-level offenders in its custody, particularly those who are at an increased risk of the new coronavirus.