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Stories by Marissa Nelson

Iris Martinez to be 1st Latina to Lead Cook County Circuit Court

The current Democratic state senator ran on a promise to reform an office plagued by a reputation of inefficiency and corruption.

‘We Paid a Heavy Price’: Durbin on Madigan’s Leadership, the Presidency and the Senate

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership of the Illinois Democratic Party hurt Democratic candidates and causes statewide in Tuesday’s election.

Trump Sues in 3 States, Laying Ground for Contesting Outcome

President Donald Trump’s campaign filed lawsuits Wednesday in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia, laying the groundwork for contesting battleground states as he slipped behind Democrat Joe Biden.

COVID-19 Cases Increasing ‘Exponentially’ Across Illinois, Officials Say

“This amount of disease in our community, it’s hard to think you could go anywhere and not be exposed,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the state’s top doctor.

Public Health May be US Election Loser as Coronavirus Surges

Regardless of the presidential election outcome, a vexing issue remains to be decided: Will the U.S. be able to tame a perilous pandemic that is surging as holidays, winter and other challenges approach? 

After Defeat of ‘Fair Tax’ Pritzker Says There Will Be Painful Cuts

The defeat of a constitutional amendment to overhaul how Illinois taxes income will mean painful cuts and will not avert tax increases, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday.

Behind-the-Scenes Virtual Tour Showcases MWRD at Work, Chicago River Reversal

An upcoming virtual tour will offer insights into the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District’s inner workings and will revisit the reversal of the Chicago River. 

Michael Toomin, Other Eligible Cook County Judges Appear to Earn Retention

With more than 98% of precincts reporting by Wednesday afternoon, each of the 61 Cook County judges seeking retention in Tuesday’s election appear to have surpassed the 60% voting threshold necessary to remain on the bench.

Presidency Hinges on Tight Races in Battleground States

The fate of the presidency hung in the balance Wednesday morning, as President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden battled for three familiar battleground states: Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Illinois Voters Reject ‘Fair Tax’ Amendment

In a blow to Gov. J.B. Pritzker and to his hopes of injecting billions of dollars more revenue into the state budget, Illinois voters on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment to overhaul how the state taxes income.

Illinois Congressional Races: Dems Look to Cement Gains in Suburbs

Two years after challengers ousted long-serving suburban Chicago Republican congressmen, helping Democrats to seize control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Democrats are looking to cement those gains.

CPS to Purchase 20K Air Purifiers Before In-Person Learning Resumes

With a return to in-person learning nearing for some groups of Chicago Public Schools students, the district has announced it will spend $8.5 million on air purifiers for classrooms and staff spaces to protect against the coronavirus.

Kim Foxx Wins Reelection as Cook County State’s Attorney

State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has declared victory in her contested bid for reelection against Republican challenger Pat O’Brien in what was likely the most contentious race on the Cook County ballot.

Election Day Unfolds Smoothly, Chicago Officials Say

After months of anticipation, weeks of record early voting and vote-by-mail totals, Election Day is here, and in Chicago it has been “smooth and uneventful,” Chicago election officials said Tuesday.

Stressed Out? How to Cope With Election Anxiety and Uncertainty

If you’re experiencing some fear and trepidation around the 2020 election, you’re not alone. That heightened stress and anxiety has a name that was coined in 2016: election stress disorder.

Pritzker: Officials Flouting Mitigations Will be Responsible for Rising COVID-19 Rates

“Local officials who are not doing the right thing are going to be the ones responsible for our rates of infection going through the roof,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday.

November 3, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the Nov. 3, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Amid Pandemic and Racial Unrest, Echoes of 1920 Election in 2020

In November 1920, change was in the air as the country geared up for a presidential election in the wake of a global pandemic and racial unrest. Sound familiar? We check out  “Decision 1920” at the Newberry Library.

Rumbling Threats of Legal Challenges Echo on Election Day

Even before Election Day, the 2020 race was the most litigated in memory. President Donald Trump is promising more to come.

General Iron to Pay $18K in Fines as Relocation to Southeast Side Looms

After being hit with a dozen citations from city inspectors in the past year, General Iron has agreed to pay a penalty. Meanwhile, environmental activists continue their fight to block the scrap metal recycler’s move.

Election 2020: States To Watch Closely on Election Night

President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden each have a path to win the White House. Grab the binoculars and focus on these 10 states as election returns start rolling in.

US Judge Blocks Trump Immigration Rule on Public Benefits

The decision marked the latest turn in a complex legal battle over the rule that has been among President Donald Trump’s most aggressive steps in overhauling the nation’s immigration system. 

How Soon Will We Know the US Election Outcome?

A shift to mail voting is increasing the chances that Americans will not know the winner of the 2020 presidential race on election night. But that doesn’t mean the results will be flawed or fraudulent. 

Firearm Sales Increase Drastically Amid Pandemic, Civil Unrest

In October, Americans purchased an estimated 1.92 million guns — an increase of 67% from October 2019, according to an analysis of FBI data. Why more Americans are purchasing guns in 2020.

In 2020 Finale, Trump Complains, Biden Stays on Offense

Plus: A special edition of Spotlight Politics

Never before in modern history have voters faced a choice between candidates offering such opposite visions as the nation faces multiple crises.

North Chicago Nonprofit Gives Students In-Person Support During Remote Learning

The majority of North Chicago’s public school students are learning from home. But since September, a nonprofit is offering in-person support to vulnerable children. We go for a visit to learn more.
 

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