Latino Voices

Latino Voices

Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park

Antonio Santos and Katia Martinez founded the Gage Park Latinx Council. (WTTW News) In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the queer-led Gage Park Latinx Council has grown into a hub for families. Read more >

Latino Voices

New Short Film Showcases Life, Work of Puerto Rican Activist

The case and crew of the short film “Mataron A Pedro” at a screening in Chicago. (Carmona Rivera / National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture) Members of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community recently took park in a special screening of a new short film based on the life of Pedro Albizu Campos.  Read more >

Black Voices

Black Voices

Curating Sounds and Tastes: Meet 2 Chicagoans Working to Make the Obama Presidential Center a Success

Visitors enjoy lunch in Tafari’s Kitchen at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago on May 12, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) There are a host of locals who acted as the behind-the-scenes cast to prepare the Obama Presidential Center for its opening ceremony. Read more >

Black Voices

From a Replica Oval Office to Michelle Obama’s Dresses, What’s Inside the Obama Presidential Center

Visitors experience the “Yes We Can” installation at the Obama Presidential Center Museum on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) WTTW News visited the Obama Presidential Center for a firsthand look at the exhibits, installations and everything in between. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, December 4, 2021 - Full Show

Univision’s Alex Hernández guest hosts the 58th episode of “Latino Voices.” (WTTW News) A special Black Voices/Latino Voices crossover on the city's ward map battle. Plus, marketing to Latinos. A unique experience at a Pilsen shop. And La Ultima Palabra. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, November 27, 2021 - Full Show

Joanna Hernandez hosts the 57th episode of “Latino Voices.” (WTTW News) Helping households afford internet access. Meet a woman fighting fire with fire. And conserving monarch butterflies.  Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, November 20, 2021 - Full Show

WBEZ’s Araceli Gómez-Aldana guest hosts the 56th episode of “Latino Voices” (WTTW News) Are engineering companies ready for a business boom following the new infrastructure law? Plus, resources for managing epilepsy. And a Hall of Fame push for Minnie Miñoso. Read more >

Latino Voices

$17 Billion in Infrastructure Funding Means Big Business for Construction and Engineering Firms

Local engineering and construction firms are gearing up for big business after President Joe Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law. (WTTW News) The $1 trillion infrastructure plan was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Nationwide, the plan will send billions to state and local governments for long-needed upgrades. 17 billion of those dollars are headed to Illinois, adding to the 45 billion the state is already spending on infrastructure thanks to the 2019 Rebuild Illinois bill.  Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Nonprofit Awards Nearly $1M to Local Artists

“I love the tone of the instrument, I love how when it's placed on my shoulder it’s close to my heart. So I feel like I can truly just sing through my instrument and express you know whatever I'm going through, however I feel,” said violinist Caitlin Edwards. (WTTW News) Dozens of Chicago artists are receiving a total of nearly $1 million in cash grants from the Chicago-based nonprofit, 3 Arts. One of those recipients is violinist Caitlin Edwards, who shared her passion for music and the violin with us. Read more >

Black Voices

The Last Word: Oboi Reed

As part of our Last Word series, mobility equity activist Oboi Reed on transportation infrastructure and a safer Chicago. (WTTW News) Chicagoans are fortunate to have many options for moving about the city — from cars, buses and trains to bikes, scooters, and our own two feet. But the infrastructure for those transportation methods is not offered in equal measure to all of Chicago's communities. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, October 30, 2021 - Full Show

(WTTW News) What the city’s new budget could mean for Black Chicagoans. Efforts to get some of the city’s youngest residents vaccinated. Artistry pays off. And The Last Word on community mobility. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Aldermen Say 2022 Budget Is a Small Step Toward Equity

The newly approved 2022 Chicago budget includes several investments proposed and backed by progressives. (WTTW News) Key components include a universal basic income pilot program, $6.3 million to hire employees at the city’s public mental health clinics, $5 million to expand efforts to renovate single-room occupancy hotels to help prevent homelessness and investments in affordable housing, violence prevention and job programs. Read more >

Join WTTW News every weekend for analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts and life, entrepreneurship and innovation, and equity and justice across the sectors of our society and in the Black and Latino communities in Chicago. Make the VOICES series your definitive source for real conversation and a platform for different voices and perspectives.

Latino Voices

Black Voices

Latino Voices

Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park

Antonio Santos and Katia Martinez founded the Gage Park Latinx Council. (WTTW News) In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the queer-led Gage Park Latinx Council has grown into a hub for families. Read more >

Black Voices

Illinois Doesn’t Have Parole. A Group of Incarcerated Men is Working to Change That

The nonprofit Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project conducts a class at Stateville Correctional Center. (WTTW News) Parole Illinois was formed by men who are incarcerated in Illinois prisons. They’re working to reinstate the parole system after it was abolished in the state in 1978. Read more >

Latino Voices

New Short Film Showcases Life, Work of Puerto Rican Activist

The case and crew of the short film “Mataron A Pedro” at a screening in Chicago. (Carmona Rivera / National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture) Members of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community recently took park in a special screening of a new short film based on the life of Pedro Albizu Campos.  Read more >

Black Voices

From a Replica Oval Office to Michelle Obama’s Dresses, What’s Inside the Obama Presidential Center

Visitors experience the “Yes We Can” installation at the Obama Presidential Center Museum on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) WTTW News visited the Obama Presidential Center for a firsthand look at the exhibits, installations and everything in between. Read more >

 

Black Voices

South Side Residents Voice Gentrification Concerns Ahead of Obama Presidential Center Opening

The Women’s Garden at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Despite years of organizing and city ordinances being put in place, rising housing costs and investor activity continue to threaten gentrification in neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center. Read more >

Latino Voices

‘Like Lightning Struck’: Community Marks 60 Years Since the First Division Street Riot, Puerto Rican Rebellion

(Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum) While events for the community are planned for the entire weekend to celebrate Puerto Rican pride and culture, this year also honors the history of Chicago’s Boricua community — marking the 60-year anniversary of the first Division Street riot. Read more >