Facebook icon Twitter icon Instagram icon YouTube icon

Stories by Nick Blumberg

Health Insurance Premiums Could Rise Because of Coronavirus

As companies start setting their premiums for the coming year, what can consumers expect — and will health care system see lasting changes prompted by the pandemic?

Lakefront Trail to Reopen June 22, But Beaches Will Remain Closed

Chicagoans are getting their beloved lakefront trail back, with the reopening of the 18-mile path set for next week. There’s just one condition: You’ve got to “keep it moving,” people.

Controversial Statues Honoring Christopher Columbus Vandalized in Chicago

Controversy over historical figures like Christoper Columbus is playing out with acts of vandalism in cities across the country. But in Chicago, statues honoring Columbus are not the only ones sparking tension.

Academy Delays 2021 Oscars Ceremony Because of Coronavirus

For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic’s effects on the movie industry. 

GoFundMe Campaign Started to Support Double Lung Transplant Recipient

Kate Ramirez is asking for prayers and donations as her 28-year-old sister, Mayra, recovers from a double lung transplant she received earlier this month as a result of complications from COVID-19.

June 15, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the June 15, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

US Revokes Emergency Use of Malaria Drugs for Treating COVID-19

U.S. regulators have revoked emergency authorization for malaria drugs promoted by President Donald Trump for treating COVID-19 amid growing evidence they don’t work and could cause serious side effects.

Justices Rule LGBT People Protected From Job Discrimination

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a landmark civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender people from discrimination in employment, a resounding victory for LGBT rights from a conservative court.

Perils of High-Speed Police Chases Spur Calls for More Reform

Movies have helped create a perception that high-risk, daredevil police chases are vital for catching bad guys and rarely have dire consequences for officers or bystanders. Statistics suggests otherwise. 

Meet the Chicagoan Who’s Working to Change the Face of Urban Ecology

Chicago native Deja Perkins was one of the organizers of the recent #BlackBirdersWeek campaign. Her mission is to get more people who look like her interested in wildlife, natural resources, ecology and conservation.

Another 627 Cases of COVID-19 Reported in Illinois

New statewide totals: 132,543 cases, 6,308 deaths

Illinois’ statewide positivity rate for the coronavirus fell to 3% this weekend – down from last Saturday’s rate of 5.5%.

Protesters in US Call Attention to Deaths of More Black Men

The fatal shooting of a black man by a white Atlanta police officer and the death of another black man found hanging from a tree outside a city hall in California ignited new anti-racism protests over the weekend.

UIC Study Analyzes How COVID-19 Has Changed Travel Behavior, Lifestyles

As Illinois businesses and schools closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, daily routines changed. How much of an impact will COVID-19 have on people’s future behaviors?

Lightfoot: Extend Chicago Ban on Evictions 60 Days After State Moratorium Ends

Chicagoans who lost their jobs or found their paychecks scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic would be protected from evictions for an additional two months after the state’s ban ends under a proposal from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

Aldermen Endorse Effort to Revoke Tax Incentives After Botched Smokestack Demolition

Companies that win multimillion-dollar tax incentives to bring industrial jobs to Chicago could be stripped of those benefits if they “betray the public’s trust” under a plan set to be considered Wednesday by the Chicago City Council.

City Lawyers: Pay Family of Man Who Died 5 Hours After Paramedics Left Without Treating Him $200K

The family of a 55-year-old Chicago man who died five hours after paramedics were called to his West Garfield Park home but left without treating him should be paid $200,000, city lawyers recommended.

Police Disciplinary Records Are Largely Kept Secret in US

Citizen complaints against police across the U.S. are largely kept secret, either under the law or by union contract — a practice some criminal justice experts say deprives the public of information that could be used to root out problem officers before it’s too late.

Temperature Spike: Earth Ties Record High Heat May Reading

Last month the global average temperature was 60.3 degrees, tying 2016 for the hottest May in 141 years of record keeping, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Trump Administration Revokes Transgender Health Protection

In a move applauded by President Donald Trump’s conservative religious base, his administration on Friday finalized a rule that overturns Obama-era protections for transgender people against sex discrimination in health care.

The Week in Review: Lightfoot Wants to License Police, Activists Call to Defund Cops

Activists call on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to defund the police – an idea she rejects. She’s pushing to license police after video caught a dozen officers lounging as looters destroyed businesses.

Judge Tosses Out Jussie Smollett’s Double Jeopardy Claim

A Cook County judge on Friday shot down actor Jussie Smollett’s attempt have the criminal charges against him dropped, telling the actor that the new charges against him do not violate his right against double jeopardy.

Chicago Will Not Create Reparations Commission After Lightfoot Objects

Chicago will not create a commission to study whether — and how — the city should pay reparations to Chicagoans who are the descendants of enslaved African Americans after Mayor Lori Lightfoot objected to the long-in-the-works effort.

City Council Sued Over Online Conference Call That Detailed Panic, Sorrow After Unrest

The Chicago City Council violated the Open Meetings Act by holding an online conference call with Mayor Lori Lightfoot in the wake of unrest that swept the city following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.

Illinois State Fair Canceled for First Time Since World War II

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday that the Illinois State Fair, scheduled for August, will be canceled in 2020 due to risks posed by the coronavirus.

Lightfoot Pushing for Legislation to License Police After Cops Caught Napping

“It is time, actually, it is way past time, for this change in our state,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday, adding that she'd already directed her legal team to begin drafting legislation to be presented in Springfield.

Chicago Could Move Into Next Phase of Reopening July 1: Officials

Nine days after Chicago began reopening — and after days of massive protests against police brutality and unrest — the rate of confirmed cases of the coronavirus is still dropping, city health officials said Friday.
 

Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors

Thanks to our sponsors:

View all sponsors