The Chi-Side provides opportunity for young sports journalists to stay in the game
By Yousef Nasser Medill Reports The Chi-Side was credentialed to cover the eighth annual Chicago Elite Classic, giving young journalists their first taste of covering high school basketball. Developed by social media professional Evan Marshall along with sports broadcasters Brooke Weisbrod and Camron Smith, the Chi-Side identifies itself as an intersection of basketball and culture […]
Becoming ‘social equity’ is nearly a must for opening an adult-use cannabis dispensary in Illinois
By Yun Hao Medill Reports With “the status of social equity applicant” worth one-fifth of the entire 250 points of the state’s evaluation, many applicants seeking an adult-use cannabis license in Illinois are now trying to affiliate with individuals or groups that can qualify them as social equity applicants. A social equity applicant, according to […]
How Cesar Izquierdo started a premiere Chicago Peruvian restaurant
By Harrison Liao Medill Reports It’s no “fu fu restaurant.” That’s the first thing Cesar Izquierdo tells you about his restaurant, Taste of Peru in Rogers Park. Irene Ulbrich, owner of Caleo Cafe in Angola, Indiana, and a Peruvian native that frequents Cesar’s restaurant when she visits Chicago, says it’s what makes Taste of Peru […]
A grandfather’s battle against the lead in drinking water
By Henry Ren Medill Reports Hyde Park resident Gordon Berry had never imagined that the drinking water in his century-old house could be contaminated by lead, until his 2-year-old granddaughter, who resided with him, had a routine blood test in January 2016. “They found lead in her blood,” Berry said. Horrified by the result, Berry […]
Incumbent doesn’t object to challengers’ nominating petitions despite their expectations
By Samone Blair Medill Reports “We know the games that they unfortunately play and the tactics they utilize to basically try to silence the voices of anyone who dares to challenge the establishment,” said Anthony Clark, Democrat candidate for Illinois’ 7th U.S. Congressional District in the March 17, 2020 primary election. Sure enough, Kina Collins, […]
Leaders prepare for census throughout city, focus on hard-to-count areas
By Samone Blair Medill Reports City officials are teaming up with civic organizations to prepare for the 2020 Census, especially in hard-to-count neighborhoods like predominantly Latino Humboldt Park. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Chicago households responded to the 2010 census at a rate of only 66% whereas 74% of households responded nationwide. […]
No more rubber stamps: How city council’s new left is embracing socialism and calling for change
By Beth Stewart Medill Reports Mayoral budgets have a history of sailing through the Chicago City Council with little to no opposition. Rahm Emanuel’s first budget saw unanimous support, and in his last year the controversial mayor had a lone dissident. Only one year of his contentious time in office did opposition rise above single […]
Community drives three independent bookstores to thrive despite digital-heavy environment
By Hannah Farrow Medill Reports Between same-day shipping and instant Kindle ebooks, Amazon dominates book sales. Borders went out of business in 2011. Barnes & Noble was sold this year after its worst year in sales to date; they’ve also closed over 150 stores in the last decade. Yet the entire country is seeing a […]
Chicago’s Illegal drug market likely to thrive in the wake of marijuana legalization
By Shirin Ali Medill Reports Illinois will soon become the 12th state in the country to legalize the sale and possession of recreational marijuana on January 1, 2020, but legalization doesn’t come without significant uncertainty and risk. In particular, the law establishes a high barrier of entry for individuals interested in entering the industry, which […]
Obstacles in front of building art center with affordable space in Wicker Park
By Yilin Xie Medill Reports Alma Wieser’s plan of building an art center in Wicker Park needs to cross over many obstacles. Raising money is the first. Achieving sustainable affordability in a gentrified area is the second. Alma Wieser, the owner of Heaven Gallery, hopes to build a not-for-profit art center on North Milwaukee Avenue. […]
