WBEZ News

Immigrants with a lawyer are 11 times more likely to win removal cases but, in Illinois, 44% of immigrants face deportation without one. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: María Inés Zamudio

Summer in Chicago means food on sticks, bobbing to loud music, craft beer and art. Will the city reopen fast enough? Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Susie An

As Chicago grapples with the release of another video from a fatal police shooting, the investigation into the police killing of 13-year-old Adam Toledo is ongoing. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Anthony Alvarez was shot and killed on March 31 during a foot chase. Videos show he was armed, but had his back turned. Host: Becky Vevea; Reporter: Patrick Smith

This spring, people are emerging from their pandemic hibernation to shop, but experts say it likely won’t be enough to save some Chicago area malls. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Confidential documents show the inspector general is looking into “allegedly toxic and dangerous” work environments at beaches and pools. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Longtime Chicagoans know that “spring” is sometimes more myth than reality. Dr. Scott Collis, an atmospheric scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, helps explain the big variations we tend to see in spring weather. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Lauren Frost

Chicago didn’t prioritize Chinatown for COVID-19 vaccines. So community leaders set up clinics themselves. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

If you want a vaccine in Chicago, you can get one today. Chicago’s Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady, says now that demand is down appointments aren’t booked up within seconds. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/COVID

Lisa Doi is an organizer with Tsuru for Solidarity, a group of Japanese Americans using the folding of paper origami cranes as a way to spark changes to U.S. immigration policy. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Bill Healy

Advocates say the new state law would keep people out of cycles of debt, while opponents say it could significantly impact the financial makeup of Illinois and hurt communities of color. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Araceli Gomez-Aldana

The Chicago police superintendent has pushed reform, while leaning on old-school ways to address violence, carjackings and civil unrest. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Public health officials are focusing more and more on combating vaccine hesitancy. Brittany Norment, a 33-year-old from Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood speaks with Dr. Rochelle Bello, director of infectious disease at St. Bernard Hospital. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

For people in Chicago who have lost loved ones to police violence, the murder conviction of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd brings hope, but also pain and worry. Host: Mary Dixon; Guest: Arewa Karen Winters

A new discovery by a team of scientists at Fermilab in west suburban Batavia is challenging everything we thought we knew about Physics. Dr. Brendan Casey, head of the Muon Department, details their findings around a relative of the Electron with a lifespan of microseconds. Host: Mary Dixon; Producer: Cianna Greaves

Illinois State Climatologist, Dr. Trent Ford, clarifies the difference between climate and weather. If you have questions about our region’s climate, send an email to climate@wbez.org

As many as 26,000 public high schoolers were due back in schools beginning Monday. Teachers approved the reopening agreement this weekend. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Stewart Casey is a 48-year-old man from rural Illinois, and like over one third of Americans, he's unsure about getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Zachary Rubin, an allergist and immunologist in the Chicago area, spoke with Stewart to talk through his concerns. Host: Melba Lara; Producer: Mariah Woelfel

Illinois is about the middle of the pack, nationwide in COVID-19 vaccine administration — but Chicago lags. Starting Monday, eligibility expands to everyone 16 and older in the city. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Becky Vevea

One representative says it’s a shame the state must “babysit” utilities following the power company’s bribery scandal. But Democrats still haven’t agreed on a list of ethics reforms. Host: Araceli Gomez-Aldana; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Following the release of the police body cam footage of the shooting of a 13 year old boy, vigils and demonstrations were held around the city. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Linda Lutton

The Chicago Teachers Union voted in favor of a deal to reopen high schools, setting the stage to resume in-person learning in high schools on Monday for the first time in more than a year. Host: Lisa Labuz; Reporter: Sarah Karp

A lack of after-school care is making it impossible for some parents to send their children back to school in-person. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

As parents and students prepare to return to classrooms on April 19, the union is raising the alarm about rising COVID-19 cases. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Sarah Karp

The state public health department says the pause comes out of “an abundance of caution” as federal regulators investigate rare cases of people getting blood clots after receiving the shot. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Becky Vevea