WBEZ News

Chicago Public Schools and the teachers union are facing off in a heated debate about when it’s appropriate for the district to intervene in the relationship between teachers and parents. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

As we near the one year mark of the pandemic WBEZ is highlighting insights and advice from mental health professionals about how we’re coping. Giulia Casani is a couple’s therapist who says that quarantining is affecting peoples' sex lives. Reporter: Patrick Smith

Restaurant workers are furious that they’re not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine as indoor dining expands. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Vivian McCall

Preserving and persevering are the themes of Thursday's virtual Black History Month concert by the Chicago Children's Choir. Host: Mary Dixon; Guest: Judy Hanson, Coda Lewis

Chicago groups are leading bystander intervention trainings to teach people ways to help, like creating a distraction when someone is being harassed. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

From daily student check-ins, in-person learning hubs and a quality-over-quantity mentality, teachers say virtual learning can be improved. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Adriana Cardona Maguigad

Some Chicagoans who go to get the COVID vaccine are being hit with sticker shock: an administrative charge for a shot that's supposed to be free. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Mental health professionals in Illinois have seen a big increase in demand during the pandemic. John Hughes of Chicago Center for Relational Health shared some tips and insights. Reporter: Patrick Smith

State officials say vaccine providers can charge a fee to administer the vaccine, but should be charging that to insurance companies or the federal government, not customers. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

The local teen started by finding appointments for his grandparents. When word got out, he built a website to help the elderly figure out where to sign up on their own. Host: Marie Lane; Reporter: Edie Rubinowitz

Advice from a mental health professional, as the pandemic gets close to the one year mark. Reporter: Patrick Smith

Berrios lost his reelection bid for Cook County assessor in 2018, but he had continued to fight ethics board rulings against him. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Dan Mihalopoulos

Jes Scheinpflug and Tiffany Favers met on a dating app in the early days of the pandemic. On StoryCorps Chicago, they discuss the challenges and surprises of dating in the midst of a global health crisis. Producer: Bill Healy

Parents, particularly in Black families, say past experiences with CPS are coloring their view of how safe schools are now. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Sarah Karp

Some Chicagoans express caution about calls for harsh penalties for juveniles involved in carjackings. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Natalie Moore

Michael Madigan is no longer a member of the Illinois House. The historically long-time former Speaker resigned his Southwest Side seat on Thursday. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Dave McKinney

A new report by an independent investigator for the city of Chicago says failures by city leaders during last summer’s protests put the public and police officers at risk. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Patrick Smith

Former House Speaker Michael Madigan has resigned from the Illinois House of Representatives. The House that Madigan built turned against him after nearly 40 years, amid a federal corruption scandal in which Madigan’s not been charged. Host: Melba Lara; Reporter: Tony Arnold

Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Allison Arwady says COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with many common allergies. People with more severe allergies should talk to their doctor or allergist for more specific guidance. Find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ.

After 50 years in office, the Democratic boss is resigning his Southwest Side seat amid the continued federal investigation into his potential ties to a ComEd bribery scheme. Host: Sasha-Ann Simons; Reporter: Dave McKinney

Small pharmacies are joining the effort to get Chicago vaccinated but it’s not easy to secure vaccine supply. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Mariah Woelfel

Javier Ramirez was a Vietnam-era marine who was deported almost two decades ago. On Tuesday, he was laid to rest at the Abraham Lincoln National cemetery southwest of Chicago. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio

First, call your doctor. But if you don’t have one, or your doctor doesn’t have the vaccine, get ready to scour the internet. Dr. Vineet Arora, with the University of Chicago, says try the city’s vaccine appointment system at ZocDoc.com - find all our coverage at WBEZ.org/VaccineFAQ

With relatively little COVID-19 vaccine to go around, access to a shot has been incredibly tight. It’s been particularly difficult for Black Chicagoans, even though they’ve been disproportionately hit hardest by the coronavirus. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Kristen Schorsch

For more than three weeks, seniors in Illinois have been eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. But some seniors who don’t speak English are having to wait longer, just to add their names to the vaccine wait list. Host: Mary Dixon; Reporter: Maria Ines Zamudio