The Rundown | Chicago News

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A tax plan to help the homeless, crisis pregnancy centers, changes to the Sox Aug 23, 2023

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Mayor Johnson throws his weight behind a tiered tax plan that could help the homeless. A WBEZ analysis found crisis pregnancy centers outnumber abortion providers in Illinois by a nearly three-to-one ratio. The White Sox shake up their staff as their season slump continues.

Johnson’s 100th day in office, staying healthy in heat, school starts Aug 22, 2023

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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson defends his governing style as he marks 100 days in office. A medical expert says get to know the warning signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion in order to prevent serious health damage to your body. On the first day of school, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union questioned whether the August start date was too early, given the uneven air conditioning and heat wave coming later this week.

Talking civic love and public housing with DJ Spinderella and Isaiah Sharkey Aug 21, 2023

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In 2024, the National Public Housing Museum will open in Chicago. Even in advance of their grand opening, the museum is working with community members to change the way we talk about public housing. That includes an art installation based on their project “36 Questions for Civic Love.” This Friday, WBEZ is co-hosting a concert with the museum. So we wanted to take the opportunity to sit down with two of the headlining artists: DJ Spinderella (yes, that DJ Spinderella) and Isaiah Sharkey. In this episode, we talk to them about music, civic love, and how growing up in public housing has informed their artistic practice.

CPS school year starts, funding to fight food deserts, Illinois job numbers Aug 21, 2023

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The first day of school for CPS is today, with more and more migrants enrolling in the district. There’s a renewed effort to help solve the issue of “food deserts” in Illinois. Illinois says jobs are up and the unemployment rate is steady, but the labor pool is shrinking.

Pandemic-era SNAP benefits are long gone. Here’s how food pantries are coping. Aug 18, 2023

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Food pantries are the first line of defense for people facing food insecurity. With the help of pandemic-era SNAP benefits, some Chicagoans stopped relying on them. Then earlier this year, the Biden administration ended the COVID-19 public health emergency—and pandemic SNAP benefits along with it. So organizations like the Irving Park Community Food Pantry have seen an uptick in traffic, including many who hadn’t needed to supplement their groceries since before the pandemic. In this episode, we get insight from Irving Park Community Food Pantry executive director John Psiharis and client services coordinator Elvia Esparza.

Child social media influencers, GOP prep for 2024, migrant safety Aug 18, 2023

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Illinois recently became the first state to ensure legal protections for child social media influencers. Illinois Republicans are embracing voting by mail as they prepare for the 2024 election cycle. Local volunteers aim to protect migrants arriving in Chicago from exploitation.

Federal disaster declaration, rent’s rising, migrant pop-up barbershop Aug 17, 2023

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The Biden administration declared Cook County a disaster area following major flooding before July 4. The cost of rent is becoming a burden for many Illinoians and local organizers say they want to lift the state’s Rent Control Preemption Act. A group of asylum seekers set up a pop-up barbershop near downtown Chicago.

Meet Major Taylor, then ride the Chicago trail that bears his name Aug 16, 2023

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Major Taylor is an American cyclist that once held seven world sprint records. He demanded justice during his competing days around the turn of the 20th century in the face of racist competitors and race organizers. A cycling and walking trail through Chicago’s South Side bears Major Taylor’s name, and a celebration ride in his honor is scheduled for August 26. Two local experts on Major Taylor and the Major Taylor Trail tell us his story and the story of the community through which his trail passes.

Keith Holt is a founding member of the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago and a pivotal part of the establishment of the Major Taylor Trail. Brenda Dixon is the secretary of the Major Taylor Cycling Club, vice president of the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and president of the board for the Major Taylor Trail Keepers.

Local indictment impact, soaring housing costs, Amazon zoning accusations Aug 16, 2023

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Two Trump allies based in Chicago are included in the latest indictment out of Georgia related to charges of election interference. The median sold price for homes in the Chicago area is up by nearly 9% from about this time last year. Some residents said Amazon violated zoning code at a West Side facility.

Prison healthcare contract, migrant housing uncertainty, religions conference Aug 15, 2023

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Illinois lawmakers are considering whether to renew a contract with a private prison health care company after hearing concerns over quality. Two migrant families who were kicked out of hotels after missing curfew by minutes say they haven’t heard from city leaders about other options. The Parliament of World’s Religions is meeting in Chicago this week.

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