WBEZ News

Tonika Lewis Johnson uses her art to show how racism and discriminatory housing practices have hurt Black families in Chicago. Her latest installation called "Inequity for Sale" in Englewood is direct and bold. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

South Side Rev. Norman Hernan Moran encourages residents to express the emotions brought forth by the pandemic instead of bottling them up. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Producer: Adora Namigadde

Reverend Emily McGinley offers reflections on comfort in the midst of isolation during the pandemic. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Adora Namigadde

In Illinois and other states, legal challenges have been filed arguing the federal “illegal re-entry” law violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause. Judith Miller, a law professor at the University of Chicago, discusses the arguments around illegal re-entry. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

West Side Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr. looked to the past for guidance as he led his community through COVID-19 and a racial reckoning. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Lauren Frost

The 1st District open seat, held by Rush for 15 terms, attracted a long list of hopefuls looking to represent the South Side and suburbs. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

How did this winter stack up to winters of years past? Illinois State Climatologist Doctor Trent Ford gives us the stats. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

For North Side Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a canvas upon which to practice patience, forgiveness and acceptance. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Lauren Frost

What started as a routine executive appointment changed into a monumental leadership opportunity with the arrival of COVID-19. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Alex Degman

Buildings across Chicago are lighting up at night in the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s flag. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Anna Savchenko

Chicago Public Schools is considering dropping part of its admissions process that benefits students who live in affluent Chicago neighborhoods. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Penny Smith, director of Learning and Impact at Erikson Institute, explains why using the right descriptors is key in advocating for children and families. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Investigators criticized Jennifer Lin’s response to the accusations in Evanston. But she has a new job with the circuit court clerk. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

The bombshell federal indictment of Illinois’s former House Speaker Michael Madigan last week has renewed a long-standing debate about the unwritten practice of aldermanic prerogative. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

"Go Green Community Fresh Market," a profound departure from corner stores on the city’s South and West sides, opens Tuesday at 63rd and Racine. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Pennsylvania has Hershey’s but it’s not the sweetest place on earth. WBEZ contributor and historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas talks to our producer Cianna Greaves about the Chicago's candy making history. Host: Mary Dixon

Long time Illinois statehouse watcher Chris Mooney of UIC doesn’t think the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan will lead to a culture shift in Springfield. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Alex Degman

Maria Soila Vega’s son Christopher Torrijos was murdered on Sept. 16, 2021. It’s one of hundreds of Chicago murders without an arrest. Host: Araceli Gómez-Aldana; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Federal prosecutors alleged the longtime Springfield power broker and former state Democratic Party leader ran a criminal enterprise dubbed “The Madigan Enterprise.” And Gov. JB Pritzker was interviewed by the feds recently. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Marta Farion of the Illinois division of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, discusses Chicago’s historical - and present - relationship with Ukraine. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The Mexican consulate in Chicago now issues birth certificates and passports for transgender nationals living in Illinois and northern Indiana. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Archbishop Daniel Zelinsky of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chicago speaks about ministering to his congregants living with the fear and uncertainty of the war in Ukraine. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Attendance has rebounded after plummeting last year, but hasn’t fully recovered. An early-college program is helping to keep students on track. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Guy Callendar was an amateur meteorologist who made a landmark discovery about human-caused climate change. Professor Sylvia Dee, climate scientist at Rice University, joined WBEZ to talk about his contributions. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

The founder of Citadel, the hedge fund and financial services behemoth, has hit Democratic Governor JB Pritzker on rising crime. Griffin’s critics call these investments and holdings “hypocritical.” Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney