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Posts published in “Latest News”

Rep. Chris Welch Front-Runner For IL House Speaker

After an all-night session, Democratic state Rep. Chris Welch appeared best positioned to replace embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Tony Arnold

Madigan Suspends Bid For Another Term As House Speaker

A major political earthquake in Illinois, as Michael Madigan has suspended his campaign to retain the title of Illinois House Speaker. The Chicago Democrat is often described as the most powerful politician in the state. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Ton...

Chicago Public Schools Students Return to Classrooms

But how many teachers will show is unclear amid strong opposition to reopening from the Chicago Teachers Union, nurses and aldermen. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Chicago Colleges Revise Performing Arts Programs

Colleges are trying to instruct and create performance opportunities for their arts students despite COVID-19 limitations. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mark LeBien

Hospitals Race To Vaccinate Staff Against COVID-19

As second doses begin for health care workers, Chicago hospitals met with Mayor Lori Lightfoot to figure out how to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations so that next priority groups can start. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

Students Try To Make Sense Of U.S. Capitol Violence

Chicago teachers check in with high school students after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

How Would Capitol Police Treat Chicago’s Black Activists?

Some young black activists in Chicago compared how police treated white extremists yesterday in the Capitol to their own experiences demonstrating this summer. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Linda Lutton

Symbols Of White Supremacy Seen At DC Capitol Riot

WBEZ’s Odette Yousef chronicled the rise of the modern day hate movement in the most recent season of the Motive podcast. She helps decipher some what was seen during yesterday’s attempted coup at the nation’s Capitol. Host: Lisa Labuz; Producer: Laure...

How IL Lawmakers Reacted To Violence At U.S. Capitol

Illinois lawmakers who witnessed firsthand yesterday’s historic and violent day at the nation’s Capitol talked about their experience as protesters stormed the building. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois Delegation Members Sheltered In Place At Capitol

Members of Illinois’ congressional delegation sheltered in place at the U.S. Capitol after a mob of pro-Donald Trump extremists stormed the building. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from the northwest suburbs was among them. Host: Melba Lar...

Those Who Did Not Die: Wrong Place, Wrong Time

19 year old Ieisha Lowe told her story to WBEZ’s Patrick Smith about the stray bullet that hit her this summer while she was walking near her house. Host: Mary Dixon

Those Who Did Not Die: It Ain’t Easy To Leave

For every person killed in a city shooting, five are shot and survive. Those victims — about 50,000 since 2000 — are marked for life. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

CTU Showdown As CPS Transitions To In-Person Classes

The first wave of CPS staff is due back Monday to prepare for the return of students. The Chicago Teachers Union is strongly opposed to reopening. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Illinois Nature Preserves Get Some Much Needed Love

Too many Illinois Nature Preserves don’t get the care they deserve. The new group Friends of the Illinois Nature Preserves rallies support for what remains of the real Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Jerome McDonnell

Surviving Chicago’s Epidemic Of Gun Violence

There’s a city’s worth of people living in Chicago with injuries from gun violence. Their experiences are unique, their suffering is real and their needs are great. Stories from those who did not die. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Five Books to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

At the beginning of each year, many of us make resolutions. But often, it’s hard to know just how to get started or stay committed. That’s where we come in! Books are one of the best ways to explore how to best fulfill a resolution, and so we’ve offered some suggestions below of books to get you started on the path to self-improvement. Improve your writing with Wordcraft: The Complete Guide to Clear, Powerful Writing. In one of the most broadly useful writing books ever written, legendary writing coach Jack Hart breaks the writing process into a series of manageable steps, from idea to polishing. Filled with real-world examples, both good and bad, Wordcraft shows how to bring such characteristics as force, brevity, clarity, rhythm, and color to any kind of writing. Find new ways to relax: Doodling for Academics: A Coloring and Activity Book With the help of hilarious illustrations by Lauren Nassef, Julie Schumacher infuses the world of campus greens and university quads with cutting wit, immersing you deep into the weirdly creative challenges of university life. Offering a satirical interactive experience for scholars, the combination of humor and activities in this book will bring academia into entertaining […]

The post Five Books to Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on The Chicago Blog.

There’s Beauty In The Challenge

Eve Creelman speaks with her young daughter Vivian about what it's like to go to second grade online. Host: Greta Johnsen; Producer: Bill Healy