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Stories by Marissa Nelson

‘Relief on the Horizon’: Some Health Care Workers Optimistic as US Rolls Out Vaccine

Health care workers have been among the first Illinoisans to get the coronavirus vaccine. Has the immunization provided relief? We hear from two doctors.

Many More in GOP Rejecting Trump’s Bid To Undo His Defeat

With mounting desperation, President Donald Trump called on Republican lawmakers Monday to reverse his election loss to Joe Biden when Congress convenes for a joint session this week to confirm the Electoral College vote.

Erica Reddick Becomes 1st Woman to Oversee Cook County’s Criminal Court Division

Erica Reddick, a longtime public defender and judge, is replacing Judge LeRoy Martin Jr., who has been assigned to serve as an appellate court justice.

Negligence Claims Filed in Shootings Amid Wisconsin Protest

Claims filed on behalf of two men shot by an Illinois teen during a night of protests over a police shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, allege the city and Kenosha County were negligent in their response to the unrest.

Wrigleyville Bar Shuttered by City After Cops Discover New Year’s Eve Party

The Dugout Bar in Wrigleyville will remain closed indefinitely after police officers responding to a call for help about a person being attacked in the 900 block of Addison Street found a large New Year’s Eve party, officials said.

Trump Pressures Georgia Elections Chief: ‘Find 11,780 Votes’

Plus: A look at the legal questions surrounding the call on ‘Chicago Tonight’

President Donald Trump pressured Georgia’s Republican secretary of state to “find” enough votes to overturn Joe Biden’s win in the state’s presidential election, repeatedly citing disproven claims of fraud, according to a recording of the conversation. 

‘Laziness Does Not Exist’ Explores How and Why We Overwork Ourselves

Meet a local author who argues that the idea of laziness is a lie — one that’s having a detrimental effect on Americans during the pandemic.

Crain’s Headlines: High Note for Illinois Pot Sales

Recreational marijuana has been legal in Illinois for just over a year — and sales were better than expected. Crain’s Chicago Business editor Ann Dwyer has details.

January 4, 2021 - Full Show

Watch the Jan. 4, 2021 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Cook County Medical Examiner Reports Record Number of Deaths in 2020

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office handled a record 16,049 deaths in 2020, with coronavirus-related deaths accounting for more than half of those cases, according to officials.

Some CPS Teachers Not Returning to Schools as In-Person Learning Set to Resume

More than 5,800 Chicago Public Schools employees were due back in their classrooms Monday to prepare for students’ return next week. But not all of them showed up.

Chicago Notches 5th Warmest Year on Record in 2020

2020 was a wacky weather year. Chicago was warmer and wetter than normal in 2020, according to a National Weather Service climate summary.

Pelosi Narrowly Reelected Speaker, Faces Difficult 2021

Nancy Pelosi was narrowly reelected Sunday as speaker, giving her the reins of Democrats’ slender House majority as President-elect Joe Biden sets a challenging course of producing legislation to tackle the pandemic, revive the economy and address other party priorities. 

City Council Supermajority Urges Lightfoot to Rethink School Reopening Plan

A cross section of aldermen — including some of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s closest allies  — urged her on Sunday to rethink her plan to reopen the Chicago Public Schools for in-person learning, 24 hours before the first teachers must report to school buildings for work.

COVID-19 in Illinois: 4,469 New Cases, 81 Additional Deaths

Noting over the weekend that the holidays may result in lower numbers related to the coronavirus, state health officials announced just under 4,500 new and probable cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

Fauci: Vaccinations Are Ramping Up In a ‘Glimmer of Hope’

The U.S. ramped up COVID-19 vaccinations in the past few days after a slower-than-expected start, bringing to 4 million the number of Americans who have received shots, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday.

The ‘Wildebeest of the Great Lakes’ Is Just One of the Region’s Unsung Aquatic Wonders

Walking along Lake Michigan or the Chicago River, it’s difficult to imagine an underwater world teeming with life. But it’s there, promises Karen Murchie, a research biologist at the Shedd Aquarium, and we have to protect it.

Cruz Leads 11 GOP Senators Challenging Biden Win Over Trump

A growing number of Republican lawmakers are joining President Donald Trump’s extraordinary effort to overturn the election, pledging to reject the results when Congress meets next week to count the Electoral College votes. 

McConnell, Pelosi Homes Vandalized After $2,000 Relief Fails

Vandals lashed out at the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate over the holiday weekend as Congress failed to approve an increase in the amount of money being sent to individuals to help cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

Chicago Ends 2020 With 769 Homicides as Gun Violence Surges

The number of homicides and shootings in Chicago spiked dramatically in 2020, ending with more bloodshed than in all but one year in more than two decades, statistics released by police on Friday revealed.

The Week in Review: A Year Unlike Any Other

COVID-19, civil unrest, a chaotic election, spiking homicides and the walls close in on House Speaker Madigan. Looking back at a year nobody will ever forget, and what lies ahead in 2021.

Illinois Drivers Licenses Facilities to Open Again for Business

State driver service facilities will reopen on Tuesday for the first time since mid-November.

The Year In Weather: Wildfires, Hurricanes, A Derecho and More

Hurricanes, wildfires, a destructive derecho and more: it was a banner year for intense weather events around the world and right here in the Midwest. 

December 31, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Dec. 31, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Bears Fight for a Playoff Spot in Regular Season Finale Against Packers

Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Packers.

State Officials: Nearly 500,000 Marijuana Arrest Records Have Been Expunged

In the first year since Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, the Illinois State Police expunged 492,192 non-felony cannabis arrest records, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced on Thursday.
 

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