Stories by Alexandra Silets

The statistics are sobering. Data shows that nearly a quarter of all COVID-19 deaths in Illinois are tied to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. 

The only drive-thru COVID-19 testing site within Chicago city limits is now welcoming anyone with symptoms of the virus. We go for a look.

For parents who share custody of their children, or those in the process of divorce, the pandemic has turned situations that are challenging at best into much more complicated scenarios — virtually overnight.

We discuss the history of Earth Day and the environmental challenges the planet is facing today with Denis Hayes, the organizer of the very first event in 1970, and local environmental activist Kim Wasserman.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state has secured relief options for student loan borrowers who weren’t previously covered by the federal CARES Act. The new options could benefit more than 138,000 Illinoisans, according to the governor’s office.

Aldermen advanced a measure Tuesday that grants Mayor Lori Lightfoot expanded spending and contracting authority to respond to the coronavirus pandemic without the approval of the City Council.

The rapid spread of the coronavirus sparked the shutdown last month of colleges around the country. But not every student on campus had somewhere to go, or the ability to live without assistance.

Environmental organizations have had to scale back plans for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Get ready for lots of livestreams and calls for digital action this week. Here’s a sampling of what’s on offer.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she expects Gov. J.B. Pritzker to extend the statewide stay-at-home order beyond April 30, which is “no longer a viable date” for that order to be lifted.

The mayor is calling on residents to make and donate cloth masks to help the city's fight against the coronavirus. Find out how you can help.

Watch the April 21, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Returning to a divisive issue at a time of national crisis, President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus.

As Chicagoans hunker down amid the pandemic, we check in with some familiar faces on how they’re weathering the storm – and what weird shortage their households are experiencing. 

Countries across Europe and beyond — joined in the U.S. by a cascade of states — moved to gradually reopen amid warnings that acting too quickly could enable the virus to come back with a vengeance.

Sheila Rivera, 47, had worked with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office since 2012. Rivera and another corrections officer died Sunday. Officials are awaiting autopsy results to see if his death was related to COVID-19.

In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we’re going to have to clean up the planet individually. Creative ideas from the Earth Day Network include “plogging” and #TrashTag.

When MetroSouth closed down last year, residents worried about the impact on their community. Now, the hospital is set to reopen as an alternate care facility for COVID-19 patients—and many hope it will stay open for good.

Amid stay-at-home orders, park leaders are wondering how to help residents while keeping them safe. Thomas Wogan, executive director of the Blue Island Park District, says he’s trying to stay optimistic.

Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas said his move last month to have the city’s police force stand down was a matter of public safety—and that he’d do it again if need be.

Calls to reopen the state’s economy are fueling a nationwide protest. We talk with an organizer behind a local effort.

A new bill to replenish a multibillion-dollar fund aimed at helping small businesses keep workers on the payroll failed to materialize Monday. We get a status check on the Paycheck Protection Program.

The burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and Arthur Miller, died last week at age 81.

Newly released data offers a look at the scope of the coronavirus outbreak at long-term care facilities throughout Illinois. It’s a population officials have been working to protect since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On Sunday night, Chicago sports fans were treated to the much-anticipated premiere of an ESPN documentary. Former Bulls beat writer Melissa Isaacson shares her take on the 10-part series.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order is set to expire April 30. And while he has yet to announce his plans for the state come May 1, he says he’s “looking at every aspect of the order” on a daily basis.

Aldermen unanimously advanced Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s pick to lead the Chicago Police Department on Monday, after quizzing him on his promises to rebuild trust in the police.