Stories by Heather Cherone

Lightfoot Announces New Rules to Force Delivery Apps to Disclose Fees

Delivery companies would have to disclose the commission or service fee paid by a restaurant under new rules announced Tuesday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, as the apps have come under fire for hurting already-struggling restaurants.

Man Who Allegedly Used False Identity to Escape Cook County Jail Caught

Jahquez Scott, 21, was found in a home on the city’s West Side on Saturday, days after the FBI announced a $2,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

How Hospitals Will Decide Who Gets Remdesivir

A select group of Illinois hospitals can now treat patients with the only drug so far authorized by the FDA as a treatment for COVID-19. Now the question is: Exactly who will get remdesivir?

Archive: Bulls Coach Phil Jackson on Scottie Pippen’s 1.8-Second Strike

The behind-the-scenes story of Scottie Pippen’s infamous refusal to take the court during a 1994 playoff game as told by Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson on “Chicago Tonight” in 1995.

Alds. Reboyras, Cardona on COVID-19 Response in Belmont Cragin

The Belmont Cragin neighborhood has become a COVID-19 epicenter, reporting 1,993 cases in its major zip code Monday. We speak with Chicago Alds. Ariel Reboyras (30th Ward) and Felix Cardona, Jr. (31st Ward).

COVID-19 Across Chicago: Belmont Cragin

One of the new COVID-19 testing sites Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday will be in some of Chicago’s hardest-hit neighborhoods, including this largely Latino neighborhood on the city’s Northwest Side.

Pritzker Staying at Home After Senior Staff Tests Positive for COVID-19

A staff member who was in close contact with Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the governor to self-isolate and work from home, even though, as he said Monday: “I feel fine.”

Drive-in Theater Offers Escape from Pandemic with Trip Back in Time

About 90 minutes north of the city, a drive-in movie theater is bringing back the 1950s — and it’s giving families an escape from the coronavirus pandemic, too. We visit the McHenry Outdoor Theater.

Belmont Cragin School Adapts Services During COVID-19

The Northwest Side neighborhood has emerged as a COVID-19 hot spot, reporting the second highest number of cases in Illinois. We learn how Christopher House is serving the community during the pandemic.

A Preview of New PBS Documentary ‘Asian Americans’

From stories of Chinese railroad workers to the success of politicians and activists, the new five-part series highlights the stories of people from India and Turkey as well as China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines.

State Lawmakers at Odds Over Gov. Pritzker’s Recovery Plan

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recently unveiled five-phase plan to gradually reopen the state is already getting pushback. Joining us to share their views are state Reps. Deanne Mazzochi, a Republican, and Mike Zalewski, a Democrat.

Pritzker: Projections Show Illinois Reaching COVID-19 Peak as Late as Mid-June

New statewide totals: 79,007 cases, 3,459 deaths

Illinois was expected to reach its COVID-19 peak between late April and early May, but new projections show it could come as late as mid-June. Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the news “disheartening” but said it’s the result of a flattened curve.

New Coronavirus Test is Imperfect Step Toward Mass Screening

A new type of coronavirus test offers a cheaper, quicker way to screen for infections, moving the U.S. toward the kind of mass screening that experts say is essential to returning millions of Americans to school and work.

6 New Testing Sites to Open on South, West Sides of Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city would partner with a charity founded by Oscar-winning actor Sean Penn, fueled by a grant from Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, in an effort to conduct 10,000 tests per day in Chicago.

May 11, 2020 - Full Show

Watch the May 11, 2020 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”

Aldermen Endorse Plan to Spare Businesses from ‘Fair Workweek’ Lawsuits for 6 Months

Amid the pandemic, Chicago employers will still be forced to give their workers two weeks’ notice of their schedules starting July 1, but will be spared lawsuits for an additional six months under a measure that advanced Monday.

Spring Brings Surge in Coronavirus-Related Scams, BBB Reports

With consumers seeking personal protective equipment and companionship amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Better Business Bureau is reporting a surge in scams for fake masks, gloves and even puppies.

Blue Angels Plan Chicago Flyover for Tuesday

The Navy squadron will salute front-line workers with a 15-minute flyover on Tuesday, starting at 11:45 a.m.

Illinois Receives 1st Allotment of Remdesivir to Treat COVID-19 Patients: 90% Goes to Cook County

The only drug given emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with the coronavirus has arrived in Illinois. But there’s not enough to go around – in Illinois or elsewhere.

Pritzker: Illinois is ‘Going it Alone’ in Efforts to Increase COVID-19 Testing

New statewide totals: 77,741 cases, 3,406 deaths

Gov. J.B. Pritzker, in a Sunday appearance on CNN, said he “has not been counting on the White House” for help reaching new virus testing goals “because there have been too many situations in which they’ve made promises and not delivered.” 

US Census Stirs Uncertainty for Those Displaced by Virus

It’s not meant to be a trick question, but many filling out their 2020 U.S. census form struggle to answer: How many people were staying at your home on April 1?

New Police Union President Catanzara Praised by Trump After Appearing on ‘Fox & Friends’

Chicago’s new and outspoken police union President John Catanzara said Sunday there’s been mixed reaction to his election, but he’s coming into the job with backing at the highest level: the White House.

Mother’s Day This Year Means Getting Creative From Afar

As the pandemic persists in keeping families indoors or a safe social distance apart, online searches have increased for creative ways to still make moms feel special. 

Coronavirus Complicates Safety for Families Living Together

Tens of millions of Americans live in multigenerational homes where one of the main strategies for avoiding infection — following social distancing protocols — can be near impossible. The problem reverberates deepest in communities of color.

Chicago Police Union Elects John Catanzara as New President

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 announced Friday night that John Catanzara had won a runoff election with 55% of the vote – earning 4,708 votes to incumbent Kevin Graham’s 3,872.

IDPH: 2,325 COVID-19 Cases And 111 New Deaths Announced Saturday

The Illinois Department of Public Health said it conducted 16,617 tests in the 24-hour period from Friday to Saturday — down from Friday’s total surpassing 20,000. But on both days, the statewide infection rate was the same: 14%.
 

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