Dear Chicago

Janean Watkins and her son Ramil Griggs fill out high school applications in the kitchen of their East Garfield Park home. Watkins and her partner have struggled to get their children into public schools that aren't failing.

Shauna Bittle

In the chorus of voices surrounding the upcoming election, pundits sometimes drown out people. Using text, photographs, audio, and video, WBEZ’s Dear Chicago commentary series flips the script by having Chicago residents talk about urgent problems affecting their lives--in their own words.

Dear Chicago is a project of WBEZ’s Partnership Program.

Mar. 28, 2011

Dear Chicago: Make biking, walking safer

If you’ve ever ventured out into one of Chicago’s famous six-corner intersections, you know the streets don’t always feel safe. The facts bear this out...more

Mar. 28, 2011

Dear Chicago: Green the fleet

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Mar. 21, 2011

Dear Chicago: Fight the AIDS epidemic

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Mar. 15, 2011

Dear Chicago: Keep the grip on gun laws

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Mar. 15, 2011

Dear Chicago: Rebuild our historic commercial streets

If the Loop is Chicago’s economic engine, architect David Walker wants to make sure there’s a miniature version of the bustling commercial and retail hub in...more

Mar. 07, 2011

Dear Chicago: Help us go to college

Jesus Palafox, 21, came to the U.S. illegally when he was 11. He was the last member of his immediate family to make it across the border, posing as a son of a relative...more

Feb. 21, 2011

Dear Chicago: Get banks to lend again

Chicago residents might not realize it, but some of their favorite neighborhood retail strips are in trouble – partly because lenders have tightened access to...more

Feb. 14, 2011

Dear Chicago: Don’t forget the mentally ill

The tight economy has governments cutting back where they can, and that has many Chicago residents worried the social safety net is getting frayed. For example,...more

Feb. 07, 2011

Dear Chicago: Stop criminalizing our youth

Allegations of police misconduct are not new to Chicago. Recently, former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for lying...more

Jan. 31, 2011

Dear Chicago: Secure space for artists to live and work

This October the Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates the 10th anniversary of its 12x12 series. The monthly show features up-and-coming Chicago artists, most of whom...more