Stories by Matt Masterson

“While we’re very, very conscious that people want to get their kids back in schools, we want to be back in school too,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said Monday. “It’s also critical that people be safe. You can’t learn if you’re dead.”

Infected and contagious, President Donald Trump briefly ventured out in a motorcade on Sunday to salute cheering supporters, a move that disregarded precautions meant to contain the deadly virus that has forced his hospitalization.

It looked a little different this year due to the coronavirus, but an independent zine fest brought a steady stream of customers, vendors and artists together Sunday to experience art in person, some for the first time since March. 

Why some Black voters say more Black Americans should support President Trump. Colon cancer screenings in the Black community. And the special way South Shore neighbors are making their voices heard.

About 10%-15% of Chicago voters cast their ballots for the GOP. Republicans are even harder to find in the Black community, but they do exist — and they say they’d like to see more Black support for President Donald Trump.

Early voting is underway at the city’s downtown “super site” and another 50 neighborhood locations. Here’s everything you need to know.

State health officials reported 1,453 new cases of the coronavirus Sunday and 17 additional deaths, bringing statewide totals to 301,541 cases and 8,791 deaths since the first infection was reported in Illinois in late January.

Two Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee have tested positive for the coronavirus, raising questions about the timing of Supreme Court confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Chicago-based artist Raychel Steinbach has designed a series of prints that celebrate individual Illinois state parks. Now she’s using the same imagery, inspired by places like Starved Rock and Moraine Hills, in a line of handmade masks.

President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and faces a “critical” next two days in his fight against COVID-19 at a military hospital, his chief of staff said Saturday.

What were your takeaways from the first presidential debate? Two reporters share what they heard — and didn’t hear. The pandemic’s impact on sex trafficking. And meet a teenage mariachi band. 

Amid the chaos of Tuesday’s debate, the presidential candidates discussed COVID-19, health care, the economy and white supremacy, but neither spoke directly about how these issues affect the Latino community.

Setting Chicagoans up for a safe and secure election is a tall order in a year beset by a pandemic, post office woes and concerns about voter intimidation. 

Human trafficking has increased by as much as 40% during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the anti-trafficking group Polaris. Dr. Izabel Olson talks about how to break the cycle of abuse.

The goal of contact tracing is to alert people who may have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, and prevent them from spreading it to others. But the process isn’t easy. 

A herd of 65 sheep and goats replaced more traditional mowing equipment this summer at MWRD’s Calumet Water Reclamation Plant, where the animals helped maintain the native prairie landscape. 

No one knows how, when or from whom President Donald Trump became infected. Nor is it established who, if anyone, has contracted the disease from him. But to retrace some of his steps over the last week is to see risk at multiple turns.

Fallout from the shocking announcement that President Trump tests positive for COVID-19. Michael Madigan gets a challenger for Speaker. Chicago endures a deadly September, and Nick Foles takes over for the Bears.

A proposal by House Democrats to give the airline industry $28.8 billion to avert thousands of furloughs failed to advance on Friday, marking a fresh setback for airlines struggling with a massive downturn in travel during the pandemic.

President Donald Trump will spend a “few days” at a military hospital after contracting COVID-19, the White House said Friday. Trump “remains fatigued,” his doctor said.

The grand jury in Breonna Taylor’s case brought no criminal charges against the officers for her killing, angering many in Louisville and around the country and setting off renewed protests.

Performing arts venues closed by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for $10,000 grants from the city starting Monday, city officials announced.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said her office concluded that the “totality of the evidence is insufficient” to support criminal charges against Midlothian police Officer Ian Covey for the fatal 2018 shooting of Jemel Roberson, a Black security guard.

The coronavirus outbreak has hit Black, Hispanic and Native Americans disproportionately in hospitalizations and deaths. The disparities are thought to stem from people of color working in jobs on the front lines, having medical conditions associated with severe disease, higher rates of poverty and poor access to health care.

The community faces food insecurity, poverty and violence in addition to the coronavirus pandemic and fallout from this summer’s civil unrest. Meanwhile, residents have mobilized to support one another.

All season long, a fan in the south suburbs has scored all 63 games – and then illustrated the scorecards with original artwork.