Stories by Angel Idowu
Chicago Children’s Theatre Offers Spring Break Alternative With Spring Red Kite Camp
| Angel Idowu
Described as a unique learning experience with theater as the focal point, The Red Kite Project specifically works with children on the autism spectrum.
Government Relief Loans to Restaurant Chains Draw Complaints
| Associated Press
Some big restaurant chains have obtained loans from the government under a small-business relief program, leading business groups to cry foul even though the loans are within the guidelines of the lending program.
4/20 Fizzle: Pot Industry Tested as Virus Slams Economy
| Associated Press
For businesses, 4/20 is usually their once-a-year Black Friday, when sales soar. Instead, they are reporting up-and-down buying and pondering an uncertain future.
Chicago Organizations Join Lawsuit Against EPA’s ‘Free Pass for Polluters’ During COVID-19 Crisis
| Patty Wetli
Environmental organizations have petitioned the EPA to establish rules requiring companies to minimally disclose to the public that they’ve stopped monitoring and reporting pollution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wrigley Field Turns Into Food Pantry for Hungry Chicagoans
| Evan Garcia
One of America’s most iconic baseball parks is doubling as a food pantry as a growing number of Chicagoans struggle to provide for themselves and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Illinois Elections Officials to Get $13.9M in Federal Funds to Hold 2020 Election
| Heather Cherone
The Illinois State Board of Elections told federal officials they planned to use the funds to help local elections officials prepare for an expected “considerable increase” in the number of ballots cast by mail.
Pritzker Won’t Interfere with Hydroxychloroquine Prescriptions Despite Fears of Shortage
| Amanda Vinicky
Gov. J.B. Pritkzer says he recognizes that hydroxychloroquine “is being overused without a lot of testing to back it up,” but he will not interfere with doctors prescribing the drug.
Masks Are (Mostly) Optional in Illinois, But Please, Wipe Down Your Groceries: Governor
| Amanda Vinicky
Masks are now mandatory in a handful of states, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not yet followed suit in Illinois. He does, however, recommend that shoppers should “absolutely” wipe down anything they buy from stores.
Pritzker: ‘Millions’ of Gloves, Masks Headed to Illinois from China
New statewide totals: 30,357 cases, 1,290 deaths
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois is set to receive a shipment of personal protective equipment from China, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday as cases of the coronavirus across the state grew to 30,357, with 1,290 total deaths.
Global Health Crisis Pits Economic Against Health Concerns
| Associated Press
The global health crisis is taking a nasty political turn with tensions worsening between governments locked down to keep the coronavirus at bay and people yearning to restart stalled economies and forestall fears of a depression.
Illinois Publishes Nursing Home Data on COVID-19
| Amanda Vinicky
The new coronavirus is causing fatalities in Illinois nursing homes, and data made publicly available on Sunday begins to provide insight into how many deaths are occurring, and where.
Chicago Nurse Raising Funds to Keep COVID-19 Patients Connected With Loved Ones
| Erica Gunderson
Cellphones are lifelines for hospital patients. But when batteries run out, a patient’s ability to call home might also. Meet a Logan Square nurse practitioner who’s making an effort to keep patients plugged in with family.
Stunning Image of Lurie Garden Takes Top Prize in International Photo Competition
| Patty Wetli
An image of Lurie Garden in full summer bloom—and it’s “wonderfully romantic glow”—was declared the overall winner in the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual competition.
COVID-19 Telehealth Program Expands to Chicago, Northern Illinois
New statewide totals: 29,160 cases, 1,259 deaths
| Amanda Vinicky
The program has so far been available only in central and southern Illinois. Its expansion comes as the state saw an increase of 1,585 COVID-19 cases and 125 deaths on Saturday.
Cover Up, Or Else: Parts of Illinois Already Requiring Masks in Public
| Amanda Vinicky
If you venture out despite Illinois’ stay-at-home order – to go to work, to buy groceries, maybe to take a walk – you generally won’t get in trouble for not wearing a mask, though it is encouraged. But in some pockets of Illinois, it’s mandatory.
Chicago Sky Center Stefanie Dolson Says She Got COVID-19
| Associated Press
Dolson said in a video that she and her “whole family” tested positive about a month ago, making her the first known Chicago professional athlete to contract COVID-19.
Experts Worry Politics Will Guide Voters’ Virus Precautions
| Associated Press
With November’s presidential and congressional elections on the horizon, the question of whose advice voters follow – and whether it proves wise or disastrous – carries major political stakes.
The Week in Review: Pritzker Suspends In-Person Learning for Rest of Year
| Alexandra Silets
Gov. J.B. Pritzker closes schools for in-person learning for the rest of the year to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus as cases and deaths continue to climb. Meanwhile, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot fines the company behind the Crawford Power Plant implosion.
Lightfoot Hits Hilco With $68,000 in Fines After ‘Botched’ Demolition
| Heather Cherone
Mayor Lori Lightfoot vowed on Friday to hold Hilco Redevelopment Partners accountable for botching the demolition of the smokestack at the former Crawford Power Plant, sending a plume of dust over six blocks of homes in Little Village.
Pritzker Announces Schools Closed for In-Person Learning for Rest of Academic Year
New statewide totals: 27,575 cases, 1,134 deaths
| Matt Masterson
“The science says our students can’t go back to their normal routine,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during his daily press conference Friday.
No Plan In Sight: Test Troubles Cloud Trump Recovery Effort
| Associated Press
The United States is struggling to test enough people to track and control the spread of the novel coronavirus, a crucial first step to reopening parts of the economy.
How the Public Health Crisis is Hurting Illinois’ Livestock Farmers
| Amanda Vinicky
Agriculture is one of Illinois’ main industries. But like many other sectors, it’s taking a beating because of the coronavirus.
Trump Gives Governors Options on How to Reopen the Economy
| Associated Press
The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations.
Jordan: Winning 6th NBA Title With Bulls Was ‘Trying Year’
| Associated Press
A 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the 90’s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years will debut Sunday night on ESPN and on Netflix over five consecutive Sundays through May 17.
Warm Up Your Vocal Chords, Chicagoans. We’ve Got 2 Weekend Singalongs
| Patty Wetli
Get ready to belt out “I Won’t Back Down” and “Sweet Home Chicago” during citywide singalongs.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Trending
‘This is Only the Beginning’: Illinois Accountability Commission Hears First Testimony on Federal Agents’ Use of Force in Chicago
Chicago Bears’ Threat to Move to Indiana a ‘Slap in the Face,’ Gov. Pritzker’s Office Says
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss Confronts Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino as Immigration Enforcement Continues
City Council Votes 30-18 to Approve Final Part of 2026 Budget. Will Mayor Veto It?
City Council Votes 29-19 to Approve Rival Spending Plan, Rebuking Mayor Johnson
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter