Top Stories
How Extremists Weaponize Irony To Spread Hate
Some extremists weaponize irony and absurdity as a method for recruiting new members and avoiding criticism. Such tactics can mask the danger that extremists pose, experts say.
Chicago Will Have New Rules On Outdoor Masking As It Offers Residents Incentives To Get Vaccinated
Chicago’s going to offer a “VaxPass” that would give vaccinated people access to concerts, entertainment and other free events.
USDA Moves To Feed Millions Of Children Over The Summer
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it’s expanding a pandemic program into the summer to help families pay for meals their children won’t get in school.
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- TRACKING THE VIRUS
COVID-19 in Chicago and Illinois
WBEZ’s news coverage of the coronavirus pandemic focuses on equity, the vaccine rollout in Chicago and the state, and the impact on our daily lives.
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MAP: COVID-19 Cases And Vaccination Rates In Chicago By ZIP Code
Select your ZIP code to see the current COVID-19 cases and vaccination rates near you.
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Illinois Will Lose One Congressional Seat. How To Redraw The Map Is Next.
The anticipated loss reflects the state’s population slide reported in the latest census. Politicians are gearing up for the battle over who will be the odd-congressman-out.
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LISTEN: The Nerdette Book Club Discusses ‘The Office Of Historical Corrections’
We discuss Danielle Evans’ darkly funny short story collection with author Rebecca Makkai and Jenn White, host of NPR’s ‘1A.’
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A New Illinois Law Caps Payday Lenders — But What Happens If They Leave The State?
The Illinois Predatory Lending Prevention Act will cap the interest rates of payday lenders in the state, but could have unintended consequences for communities of color.
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Vaccinated U.S. Travelers Will Be Allowed To Visit Europe Again Starting This Summer
The European Commission president says she expects all 27 EU member states will accept visitors who’ve received COVID-19 vaccines, but the CDC is still warning against travel to much of Europe.
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How Maps Show The Need For Racial Equity In Chicago’s Road To COVID-19 Recovery
More than two dozen groups are using maps displaying inequality to urge public- and private-sector investment in communities of color.
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StoryCorps Chicago: “Our Liberation Is Bound With Each Others’ ”
Lisa Doi is an organizer with Tsuru for Solidarity, a group of Japanese Americans using the folding of paper origami cranes as a way to spark changes to U.S. immigration policy.
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Illinois And Chicago Resume Use Of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine
Federal regulators found the one-shot vaccine is safe for people 18 and over. They’d recommended a “pause” on using it after some patients developed rare blood clots.
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The Story Behind The ‘You Can’t Jail The Revolution’ Poster
We trace the history of the iconic phrase and raised fist gesture on a protest poster from the 1969 trial of the ‘Chicago 8.’
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Class Of 2021: Reflect On Your Senior Year With WBEZ
We’re looking for four high school seniors to work with us to produce short radio stories to air on 91.5 FM. Here’s how you can participate.
