Illinois farmers torn about health insurance options
By Alexis Shanes Medill Reports Illinois farmers, faced with exploding health care costs, are turning away from the individual health insurance market as they seek solutions to one of several ballooning financial woes. Association healthcare plans could provide an answer, said Christina Nourie, an Illinois Farm Bureau legislative coordinator. Association plans allow small businesses or […]
A new wave of Islam: Masjid al-Rabia welcomes women leadership and LGBTQ acceptance in Islam
By Aqilah Allaudeen Medill Reports To some imams, a mosque that promotes LGBTQ-affirming beliefs is almost unfathomable. Homosexuality is shunned by many conservative Muslim communities in the United States and abroad. Kifah Mustapha, the imam and director of The Prayer Center at Orland Park, supports the conservative view. A mosque that accepts homosexuality and actively […]
Cultural Center’s “The Nutcracker” invited all dance lovers to perform
By Xiaoyi Liu Medill Reports “The Nutcracker”ballet is a holiday classic that sets the tone for the season at national opera houses and school stages across the world. Through beautiful music and charming choreography, it celebrates the holidays by taking audiences on an unforgettable journey with young Clara as she travels from her home on […]
Illinois embraces indigenous legacy through ethnobotany
By Katie Rice Medill Reports When Gina Roxas was about four years old, she was hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia. Heartbroken at being separated from her family, she ripped the IVs out of her arms, cried and refused to eat while in the hospital. Her condition deteriorated, and doctors had to restrain her. One […]
Garcia’s fourth district win serves as milestone for Illinois immigrants
By Hannah Magnuson Medill Reports Democrat Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s 4th District landslide victory on Tuesday marks the first time a Mexican-American has been elected to represent Illinois in Congress. Garcia, a Cook County commissioner, captured more than 86 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Mark Lorch, a financial analyst who lives in Riverside. He […]
Chicago boxing coach lifts female fighters to new heights, motivated by tragedy
By Chris Cadeau Medill Reports Israel Gonzalez is a decorated Chicago boxing coach. He fought “semi-professionally” until his career suddenly ended on Christmas day in 2003. Once Gonzalez got back on his feet, his journey as a coach began at Northeastern Illinois University, while pursuing an education. Today, Gonzalez is regarded as one of the […]
Masjid al-Rabia leads nation’s first LGBTQ Muslim prison outreach program
By Aqilah Allaudeen Medill Reports Hannah Fidler – a Chicago-based musician, teacher, activist and organizer – spends time writing letters to incarcerated LGBTQ Muslims across the United States every week, as part of Masjid al-Rabia’s prison outreach program based in Chicago. She writes to them about their favorite colors, commiserates on the tendency of many […]
Puerto Rican superhero wrestles hurricanes and empowers her culture in comics
By Valerie Nikolas Medill Reports SAN JUAN – The typical comic book thriller culminates with a superhero fighting an evil villain. In Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez’s “La Borinqueña,” the title character fights not a mere villain but, rather, a hurricane. An art director, designer, and most recently a graphic novelist, Miranda-Rodriguez created La Borinqueña, a female Afro-Boricua […]
Indiana caps off unbeaten Big Ten season with tournament title
By Nicholas Hennion Medill Reports When the Indiana men’s soccer team started the season almost three months ago, players set three goals for themselves. Become Big Ten regular season champions, win the Big Ten Tournament and win a NCAA tournament title to cap it off. After defeating the University of Michigan Wolverines 3-0 Nov. 11 […]
An Unlikely Cinderella, Loyola Tops Brother Rice for 8A Title
Alex Campbell Medill Reports The last week of the regular season, then 8-0 Brother Rice defeated 8-0 Montini Catholic to be crowned Catholic League Blue Division champions. Given the incredible seasons of both teams (Rice coming off a 2-7 season, Montini making their debut in the conference), it seemed there was no better possible ending […]