Literacy program helps immigrants overcome language barriers
By Shanshan Wang Zubeda Begum, who came to the United States from Pakistan 15 years ago, believes that practice makes perfect. That is why the 67-year-old has just passed examinations and graduated from the ESL (English as a Second Language) program at the Indo-American Center in West Rogers Park. “I learn so many things,” Begum […]
Chicago: A City Divided on Dental Care
By Danielle Prieur and Neil Murthy T his is a tale of two clinics. At first glance, it may seem that Drs. Robert Krueger and Susana Torres share much in common. Both are dentists in the Chicago area who have practiced for many years. Both have a passion for their profession and share a special […]
Chinatown reflects on its 100-year history through public art
By Sophie Zhang Red and yellow pigment splashes above glittering glass mosaic on two Chinatown murals, connects dozens of photos featuring residents to the body of a huge dragon sculpture. Under the Metra railroad bridge on Archer Avenue, these murals commemorate the 100th year of Chinatown. To integrate the ancient and the modern, artists applied […]
Affordable Care Act Deadline Looms for Uninsured
By Ruojing Liu As the deadline for applying for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act open enrollment draws near, punishment for the uninsured is also getting real. At a press conference Tuesday at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital, officials from the federal to the city level urged local uninsured residents to get a health […]
Suburbs Grapple with Heroin Epidemic
By Jack Adams PJ Newberg’s daughter, Paula Nixon, tried to refuse the heroin her boyfriend offered her, but eventually she gave in, becoming a heroin addict at 16. (Heroin) is just a f***ing nightmare, that’s what it is. It steals your soul,” Newberg said. “I don’t recognize my kid.” Nixon has been in and out […]
New Ordinance Brings New Opportunities for Urban Agriculture
By Anna Boisseau CHICAGO—As part of the Food Justice and Sustainability weekend, dozens of local environmentalists came out on a frigid Sunday to learn more about Chicago’s new composting ordinance. Set to go into effect this spring, the ordinance will give urban farms and community gardens the chance to improve their compost piles. Some will […]
Proposed law aims to take sting out of police spy-tech
By Thomas Vogel State lawmakers are working to prevent local law enforcement agencies conducting investigations from violating the privacy of Chicagoans. Any resident using a phone to place a call, send a text message or browse the web may be at risk. “Stingrays,” refer to a broad category of so-called cell site simulator devices, which, […]
Local activists trying to energize millennial voters
By Kierra Gray Robert Moses thinks millennials can have a big say in the outcome of the upcoming presidential election. The 23-year-old University of Illinois at Chicago student is an organizer for the non-profit Chicago Votes. Its goal is to register new voters and makes complex political issues easy for young people to understand. “I feel like they’re [millennials] engaged by doing […]
Olympic diver goes for a new title: Ph.D.
By Peter Dawson Nine-time U.S. national diving champion Christina Loukas, 30, always thought preparing for two Olympic games would be the hardest challenge she would ever face. Then she went to graduate school. “Going to PT [physical therapy] school is harder than training for the Olympics,” Loukas said. “[The Games] are physical, but it’s only […]
Choir finds harmony, hope, healing from addiction
By Brendan Hickey The members of the Harmony, Hope, & Healing choir all have something in common: They struggle with drug addiction and homelessness, they are enrolled or have completed a 12-step recovery program, and they all know Tina Villapando. Kevin Tamila abused drugs for much of his life. After joining Harmony, Hope & Healing […]