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There are 42 days until Election Day, but local election authorities want you to see that as your last day to vote in Illinois. WBEZ’s Claudia Morell shares lessons learned from the March Primary, and how local election authorities are preparing for No...

Six months into the pandemic, people are still anxious if every little cough and sneeze could be a sign of COVID-19. Now add seasonal allergies and the flu to the mix as we head into fall and winter.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

With COVID-19 restricting capacity and discouraging patrons, the summer for restaurants in Chicago was awful. Owners and workers worry the fall and winter will be even worse.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Vivian McCall

Under a 1983 Illinois state law, the consumer watchdog Citizens Utility Board can’t accept power company money. A WBEZ investigation has found the group took in $11.5 million from ComEd-funded foundations while it was taking up ComEd’s cause.

Host: Ma...

Dequarion Williams is 21 and lives in North Lawndale. Last month, he spoke to Brendan Epton, who’s the same age as Dequarion, but has had a different life trajectory.

Producer: Bill Healy

Barring any last-minute changes, the U.S. Census Bureau has less than two weeks to finish counting residents. But tech issues, decreased funding and a shortened timeline have led to a chaotic time for census enumerators and the people they’re counting....

Some Chicago Public Schools Teachers say it’s hard to keep students engaged for long hours online while supporting those who are lagging behind. This fall, reporter Adriana Cardona Maguigad is following a special education teacher who is helping stude...

A Congressional report out Wednesday reveals “multiple missed opportunities that could have turned the trajectory” of the Boeing 737 Max. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia is a member of the committee and discussed the recent findings.

Host: Melba Lara
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Universities across Illinois have started reporting fall student enrollment numbers. The data is highly anticipated because many schools had no idea what to expect as students figured out if they should start or continue college during a pandemic.

Hos...

More than 500 parents and students rallied Sunday to pressure Governor JB Pritzker to reinstate high school athletics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearby states have resumed fall athletics putting Illinois students at a disadvantage for athletic scholar...

State and federal orders are in place to keep renters from being evicted during the pandemic. Landlords say those orders are hurting them because many can no longer afford to pay their mortgages.

Host: Mary Dixon
Reporter: Michael Puente

Donald Dew directs the Counting on Chicago Coalition, and he's working to increase Chicago’s response rate in the 2020 census. Data collection is ending in just a few weeks, after the U.S. Census Bureau bumped up the deadline by a month to September 30...