For many homeless people in Chicago, staying safely sheltered and isolated during the coronavirus outbreak simply isn’t an option. How one nonprofit is helping people in need.

A young Chicagoan is celebrating the season of giving year-round with his “blessing bags.” Jahkil Jackson tells us about his mission to help the homeless and his recent appearance on Marvel’s “Hero Project.”

More than 16,000 CPS students dealt with some form of homelessness last school year. Now, Chicago aldermen and a local nonprofit are calling on Mayor Lori Lightfoot to support what they believe could be an “immediate solution.”

In his new film “The Public,” writer, director and actor Emilio Estevez examines the intersection of homelessness and public spaces. Estevez joins us to discuss the film along with Chicago-based artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith and author Ryan Dowd.

The mayor said he understands the seriousness of homelessness and the city’s lead pipes, but he doesn’t think homeowners should be treated “as an ATM machine.”

Caring for patients is a vital part of the medical school experience. Armed with knowledge and backpacks full of supplies, a group of students is taking its skills to the streets of Chicago.

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless says its newly announced proposal could generate $150 million per year for homeless services and decrease the city’s homeless population by 36,000 in just 10 years.

Organizations in Chicago have spent decades helping the city’s homeless find housing. But until recently, there was no overarching system in place to help track those efforts – or the people in need.

“So many people experiencing homelessness won’t come to us,” said Chris Robinson, Heartland Alliance Health outreach manager. “We have to come to them.”

How a simple storage system is proving to be so much more for homeless youth trying to unlock a brighter future.

About 15,000 Chicago Public Schools students are homeless, and a proposal to close four Englewood high schools would disproportionately harm part of that population, the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless says. 

Lloyd DeGrane spent three years photographing homeless encampments in Chicago. He shares images and stories from the streets.

Designed with the homeless, for the homeless: How a durable, simple backpack is meeting a basic need.

“The impact it had on people will likely last for far more than two years, and not just from the past two years but also going into the future,” said Mitch Lifson, one of the report’s co-authors.

City Clerk Anna Valencia joins us to discuss her position and Chicago’s municipal ID program.

Chicago Tonight rides along with the Rev. Faith Miller and the rest of the Night Ministry for a scheduled stop in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.