Stories by WTTW News
Are Appeals Court Judges Kicking the Can on Obama Center Lawsuit?
| Patty Wetli
After hearing oral arguments last week, appeals court judges are questioning whether a lawsuit against the construction of the Obama Presidential Center has any standing in federal court.
Virtual Art Gallery Explores Why the Stay-at-Home Order Isn’t Ideal for All
| Angel Idowu
A new virtual art gallery is starting a conversation on why the current stay-at-home order isn’t ideal for everyone, as it explores race and social class issues.
State Sen. Martwick on Spring Session, Pandemic Response
| Quinn Myers
When legislators returned to Springfield last week after more than two months away because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sen. Robert Martwick was not among them – at least at first.
Memorial Day Weekend Violence ‘Unacceptable,’ Strategy a ‘Fail’
| Alexandra Silets
With 49 shot and 10 killed over Memorial Day weekend, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is ripping her new police superintendent’s strategies. “This was a fail and whatever the strategy is, it didn’t work,” Lightfoot said.
Ald. Napolitano on Pandemic Response on Northwest Side
| Quinn Myers
Ald. Anthony Napolitano says he respects Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s responsibility to see the coronavirus pandemic from a bigger perspective when it comes to allowing businesses to reopen, but hopes she’ll act soon to loosen some restrictions.
Special Session Recap: Casinos and Curbside Cocktails, No Hearings on Restore Illinois Plan
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois legislators wrapped up a whirlwind special session that stretched to the wee hours of Sunday morning. A look at what they accomplished.
Chicago Planning to Create Miles of ‘Shared Streets,’ City Data Shows
| Nick Blumberg
The city appears poised to follow the lead of cities like New York City, Oakland and Seattle by designating miles of Chicago roadways as “shared streets for physical distancing.”
Battling COVID-19: Filmmaker Spends Month in Hospital, Weeks in Rehab
| Dan Andries
Documentary filmmaker Gordon Quinn was diagnosed with COVID-19 and spent a month in the hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator multiple times. He shares his story.
COVID-19 Across Chicago: Edison Park
| Paris Schutz
The far northwest side neighborhood is home to city workers, like first responders, teachers and trades workers. We visit Edison Park to see how residents, businesses and others are coping with the pandemic.
Ban on Evictions to Remain in Place After Bill to Waive Rent, Mortgage Payments Fails
| Heather Cherone
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday he would extend the ban on evictions in Illinois past Friday, when the latest version of his stay-at-home order is scheduled to expire.
‘We Seem To Have Come Off The Peak’: Pritzker
New statewide totals: 113,195 cases, 4,923 deaths
| Heather Cherone
Illinois appears to have passed the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, with the rate of confirmed cases of the coronavirus dropping significantly, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday.
Southeast Side Coalition Unveils ‘Good Neighbor’ Blueprint for Developers
| Patty Wetli
Southeast Side residents have created guidelines for the types of development they want to see in their neighborhoods, outlining their priorities in a blueprint for developers.
Chicago to Spend $56M, Hire 600 People to Track COVID-19 Infections
| Heather Cherone
Contact tracing is “one of the most important weapons that we have in this fight” against the coronavirus, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday.
Fishermen Cast Away from Chicago’s Lakefront Find New Spots During COVID-19
| Evan Garcia
Chicago fishermen are adjusting to COVID-19 regulations keeping them off Chicago's lakefront, a popular fishing spot.
49 Shot, 10 Killed in ‘Alarming’ Memorial Day Weekend Violence
| Matt Masterson
Chicago saw its most violent Memorial Day weekend in five years, despite a stay-at-home order meant to keep people inside during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Worker Shortage Concerns Loom in Immigrant-Heavy Meatpacking
| Associated Press
There are roughly 175,000 immigrants in U.S. meatpacking jobs. The industry has historically relied on foreign-born workers, but now that reliance and uncertainty about a virus that's killed at least 20 workers and temporarily shuttered several plants fuels concerns about possible labor shortages to meet demand for beef, pork and chicken.
Health Inequality Plus Coronavirus Creates Perfect Storm in Chicago’s Black Community
| Paul Caine
Black Chicagoans are almost six times more likely to die from the new coronavirus than white residents, according to state and city health officials. We talk about the city’s ongoing health disparities with the Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Church.
How Chicago-Area VA Hospitals Have Pivoted to Treat COVID-19
| Quinn Myers
Memorial Day is traditionally a time to honor dead members of the armed forces. But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a new war for many veterans.
US Communities Face Tough Choices on Opening Public Pools
| Associated Press
Public pools will look very different this summer if they open at all with the coronavirus threat still looming.
Deaths Linked to COVID-19 Drop to 7-Week Low, IDPH Data Shows
New statewide totals: 112,017 cases, 4,884 deaths
| WTTW News
On Monday, Illinois recorded its fewest number of deaths linked to the coronavirus since early April, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Statewide, 4,884 people have died across 100 counties.
US Faces Memorial Day Like No Other Under Virus Restrictions
| Associated Press
Americans marked a Memorial Day like no other Monday as the coronavirus pandemic upended traditional commemorations. In Chicago, a neighborhood group that’s been holding a parade for more than a half century moved its event online.
US Muslims Try to Balance Eid Rituals With Virus Concerns
| Associated Press
Eid al-Fitr — the feast of breaking the fast — marks the end of Ramadan, when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Just like they did during Ramadan, many are resorting to at-home worship.
After a Year in Office, Lightfoot Finally Gets a Win in Springfield With Casino Bill
| Heather Cherone
Before this week’s whirlwind four-day emergency session of the General Assembly, Mayor Lori Lightfoot rolled snake eyes twice in her bid to shape the rules for a Chicago casino. What her victory means for the city.
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