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What ‘home’ means for two Chicago immigrants Sep 11, 2023

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The concept of “home” means different things to different people, including those in Chicago’s vibrant immigrant community. We hear from Erwin Lopez Rada, a Venezuelan immigrant now living in Chicago who was forced out of his country by political persecution. “It’s terrible to feel like you don’t belong in your own country,” he said.

For Lola Wang, a queer therapist who immigrated to the U.S. from China in 2014, creating a sense of home for other queer immigrants is her priority. “I kinda wish there was a space I can be both Asian and queer,” she said, “and that’s something I’m trying to build up for myself and for the people around me.”

These stories were produced by Nidhi Shastri and Ryland Pietras as part of the NextGen Radio Project from WBEZ and NPR.

Bally’s opens, funding for Red Line extension, Bears lose season opener Sep 11, 2023

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A fight over school choice is brewing amid news that the Chicago Teachers Union president is sending her son to a private school. The federal government will provide a little over half the money needed to extend the Red Line. The city’s first-ever legal casino opens its doors for gamblers and employees searching for new job prospects.

‘I feel like I belong here now’: Jitesh Jaggi on calling Chicago home Sep 08, 2023

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What does it mean to be an American? A Chicagoan?

Jitesh Jaggi is a storyteller and writer who moved from India to Chicago a few years ago.

“I’m in my 30s,” he said, “but in American years I’m like five.”

His one-man-show at Steppenwolf – titled Suitcase Stories, which runs Sept. 14 and 16 – explores what it means to leave one home and find another. Rundown host Erin Allen talks with Jaggi about teaching kids how to breakdance on the streets of Mumbai, his move to America and the moment he fell in love with Chicago, and why learning about a person’s immigration experience is time well spent.

“I want people to hear my stories, my show, Suitcase Stories, and take it as a first hand account of an immigrant and kind of a sneak peek into the life of an immigrant, going from nothing, starting from scratch, to five years later feeling very confidently that this is his home and nobody can say otherwise,” Jaggi said. “I feel like I belong here now.”

Food for migrants, Johnson’s first budget, ending cash bail plan Sep 08, 2023

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Medical volunteers working with migrants say a lack of nutritious food at police stations and other shelters is causing an increased risk for malnutrition. Mayor Brandon Johnson hinted his first city budget will likely take incremental steps to his goals. Judges across Illinois are preparing for an end to cash bail.

Illinois union growth, U.S. Education Secretary visit, EV conversion study Sep 07, 2023

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A new report looks at union growth in Illinois, while other states see shrinking numbers. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was in Illinois to kick off the new school year. A study out of Northwestern University makes the case for converting trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles to electric.

The COVID-19 pandemic’s lasting impact on mental health Sep 06, 2023

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COVID-19 has had a profound impact on our collective mental wellbeing. From the isolation of early-pandemic lockdowns to the hardship of a COVID infection, our brains and minds are under a whole new kind of stress these days. But we’ve also changed the way we take care of ourselves. For example, telehealth has made therapy more accessible and easier to schedule. “Online mental health services can be as effective as in-person mental health services,” says Jonathan Singer, a social work professor at Loyola University and the host of the Social Work Podcast. In this episode, we talk about the big picture of mental health in the pandemic with Singer and University of Chicago psychiatry professor Royce Lee.

Campaigns officially start, immigrant health care updates, PPP fraud at CPS Sep 06, 2023

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Illinois politicians hit the pavement on Tuesday as nominating petitions began circulating to appear on next March’s primary ballot for U.S. president and other offices. The Pritzker administration is rolling back some changes the state made earlier this summer to curb costs for immigrant health insurance. New Chicago Public School inspector general report shows some high level staff wrongly got federal pandemic loans.

O’Hare temporary migrant shelter, professor Lightfoot, free books for kids Sep 05, 2023

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A Chicago Sun-Times report finds overcrowding and unsanitary conditions for migrants sheltered at O’Hare. Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot has a new title: Harvard professor. Chicago kids living in public housing can now pick up free books from any Chicago Housing Authority office across the city.

Mayadet Patitucci Cruz says healing is part of organizing Sep 01, 2023

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Mayadet Patitucci Cruz grew up in Gage Park and didn’t leave their neighborhood very often until high school. Now, they work to bring resources to LGBTQ youth around the city. “What led me to it was wanting to work more with queer and trans young people,” Cruz explained. “But also doing some other healing work at the same time, which is what happens when you’re doing organizing.” This episode was produced by Ari Mejia for WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo and their Chi Sounds Like series.

Police misconduct transparency, Skip the Line, migrant plan frustrations Sep 01, 2023

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Some Chicagoans speak out against allowing secret hearings on police misconduct. The Illinois Secretary of State’s plan to reduce wait times at driver’s services facilities is officially underway. A plan to move migrants into a hotel in the Kenwood neighborhood is drawing the ire of residents nearby.

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