Stories by Associated Press

AP-NORC Poll: Half of Americans Would Get a COVID-19 Vaccine

Only about half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine if the scientists working furiously to create one succeed, a number that’s surprisingly low considering the effort going into the global race for a vaccine.

What Killed a Plan to Transform Health Care on the South Side

A group of South Side hospital leaders are dropping a planned joint medical system after the state failed to come through with funding. What happened — and what it means for South Side residents.

Spotlight Politics: The Latest on City, State Reopening Plans

Chicago scores a casino win in the legislative session that just wrapped up.  And both Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot expand on what reopening across the city and state will look like.

COVID-19 Across Chicago: Chicago Lawn

It was the site of a 1966 race riot where Martin Luther King Jr. was attacked. Today, the Marquette Park neighborhood in the Chicago Lawn community is staring down one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the city.

How to Protect Your Credit Score’s Health During the Pandemic

For the 1 in 6 Americans who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus, their credit score might be the last thing on their minds. 

In Chicago Lawn, IMAN ‘Doubles Down’ to Combat Virus Fallout

As part of our series COVID-19 Across Chicago, we speak with Rami Nashashibi, executive director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network.

Illinois Hair Salons Prepare to Open Friday, But Not in Chicago

On Friday, all salons and barbershops in the state — except those in Chicago — will be allowed to reopen as part of phase three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan. What will the new salon experience be like?

State Budget Approves Lawmakers’ Cost-of-Living Raise, But Sets Aside $0

Lawmakers will not get a pay raise as part of the newly approved state budget — even though state law requires that members of the Illinois House and Senate get an annual boost, Comptroller Susana Mendoza said Wednesday.

Writers Theatre Devises a Flexible Plan for 2020-21 Season

How do you design a pandemic-era theater season? The Glencoe-based theater has devised a multifaceted plan that combines a degree of certainty with the option of built-in flexibility, with the ultimate goal of keeping live theater alive.

Plans Call for 130K Chicago Employees to Head Back to Work in Early June

With city officials preparing to cautiously reopen Chicago’s economy as the peak of the coronavirus pandemic appears to have passed in Illinois, one-third of the city’s workforce could head back to their jobs early next month.

CPS: More Than 3 in 4 Students Participating in Remote Learning Online

The percentage of Chicago Public Schools students accessing materials and getting grades has steadily risen during the remote learning period, but new data shows some high-need populations have fallen behind.

SpaceX Set to Launch First Astronauts. Here’s How to Watch

It’s a big day for NASA and Elon Musk’s SpaceX as they send humans into space Wednesday, the first crewed launch from American soil since 2011 and the first by a private firm.

‘These Are Real People’: Coronavirus Kills More Than 5,000 Illinoisans

New statewide totals: 114,306 cases, 5,083 deaths

As of Wednesday afternoon, the coronavirus death toll in Illinois stood at 5,038 people. “These are real people whose lives came to an end because of this pandemic,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said, speaking from East St. Louis.

Filing for Unemployment in Illinois? Here’s What You Need to Know

More than 1.2 million unemployment claims have been processed in Illinois since March, and many people are filing for unemployment insurance for the first time. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process.

May 27, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the May 27, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Are Appeals Court Judges Kicking the Can on Obama Center Lawsuit?

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

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

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’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

May 26, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the May 26, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
 

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