WBEZ News

The first-term incumbent senator for Illinois and GOP challenger Kathy Salvi are far apart on gun control, abortion and immigration policy. Host: Mary Dixon: Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Animal Care and Control talked budget with City Council. From poop pick-up to wandering deer – aldermen raised a slew of animal-related complaints. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The winner will have a lot of discretion responding to a legal landscape being dramatically changed by a conservative U.S. Supreme Court. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Dan Brady square off to replace the politically popular Jesse White, who is retiring. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Mawa Iqbal

Last year, the federal government gifted the city around $2 billion in COVID-19 relief money. Now, that money is trickling down to our most vulnerable. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Nidia Ruedas-Gracia, a psychology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, speaks about the racial reckoning happening in her profession. Host: Melba Lara; Reporters: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Lauren Frost

Urban farms grow fruits, vegetables and flowers all over Chicago. They produce food, offer educational opportunities, and they can have an impact on our climate. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Indira Khera, Lauren Frost

Illinois is allowing the use of food stamps at a handful of restaurants. The program is designed for people who are elderly, experiencing homelessness or are disabled. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

It’s the final week of the Chicago International Latino Theater's Destinos Festival. It's the first festival since the death of the theater alliance's co-founder, Myrna Salazar. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Guest: Sara Carranza

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is about finding solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Laura Frost

The Metropolitan Planning Council and the Latino Policy Forum offers a glimpse at some obstacles facing Latino workers and some solutions. Host: Mary Dixon, Reporter: Natalie Moore; Cianna Greaves

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today we are hearing from two poets. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Some candidates are hoping divisive national issues — such as access to reproductive healthcare — will galvanize Illinois voters. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is based on a memory from a West Side liquor store. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

A question before voters in Illinois asks whether protections for collective bargaining rights should be expanded and added to the constitution. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is a celebration of the Quincy “L” station. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

Chicago’s mayor proposed her election-year spending plan as a “stability” budget, and it includes more spending on police and progressive programming. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

An atmospheric scientist explains the connection between hurricanes like Ian and our weather in Illinois. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

We’re airing poems about Chicago all this week on WBEZ. Today’s poem is an ode to the Humboldt Park community. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Lauren Frost

We break down the records of the two candidates for Illinois governor — incumbent Democrat JB Pritzker and Republican State Senator Darren Bailey. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporters: Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold

An independent expert who has monitored the mental health care was terminated reducing the transparency around an often failing system. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Shannon Heffernan, Lauren Frost

The guidelines call for preserving the façade while including affordable housing, green infrastructure, open space and public art. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

The number of teams has more than doubled in the league’s second year. “This isn’t a boys sport. Girls can play too,” one coach said. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Nereida Moreno

Illinois State Senator Ram Villivalam says his son tested high for lead levels. We talk to him about what needs to be done about this citywide problem. Host: Clare Lane; Producer: Lauren Frost

The Chicago Board of Education will likely move forward this week with plans for a new high school on the Near South Side. School district leaders say the 120-million dollar school is needed for Black and Asian students who travel far outside the area for school. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporters: Sarah Karp, Natalie Moore