Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Reporter, Race, Class and Communities
Prior to arriving at WBEZ, she was a breaking news producer at the Tribune Company and an editor at Chicago magazine. Esther has also covered education and juvenile court, and did a stint in communications at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago before returning to journalism.
Esther graduated from Northwestern University and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the journalism school. She has won numerous national and local awards, including a Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists and an Edward R. Murrow Award. Her work has also been recognized by the Asian American Journalists Association and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Born in South Korea, Esther grew up in Paraguay and the Washington, D.C., area. She lives in Chicago with her family.
Stories by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
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A church in Urbana-Champaign reverses on promises to address abuse allegations
Former members say Covenant Fellowship Church has reneged on its vows to investigate allegations of sexual and spiritual abuse.
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Chicago agencies and local groups tell migrants, ‘We’re so glad you’re here’
Asylum seekers bused from Texas are met with cheers and applause as Mayor Lori Lightfoot slams Gov. Greg Abbott’s “cheap political stunt”
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Chicago becomes the latest sanctuary city to receive migrants bused from Texas
City agencies and nonprofits are providing temporary shelter and other services to about 60 migrants who arrived by bus Wednesday night.
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Illinois workers would see boost in wages if a proposed constitutional amendment passes, study finds
Study says guaranteeing Illinois workers the “fundamental right” to collectively bargain would boost wages and improve working conditions.
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Fewer pharmacies found on Chicago’s South and West sides, an analysis finds
Research shows that the number of ‘pharmacy deserts’ on Chicago’s South and West sides has increased in recent years.
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Illinois has the most Muslims per capita in the US. A new report provides a snapshot of their needs.
The report highlights assets, like business ownership, and needs, like mental health services, for more than 350,000 Muslims in Illinois.
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Amazon workers file complaint alleging racial discrimination at Joliet warehouse
Black employees say colleagues wore Confederate flag clothing and wrote racist and threatening messages, but Amazon took little action
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Chicago issues the first payments for its new guaranteed basic income program
City officials said that 3,500 residents have gotten their first monthly $500 payments in the yearlong Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot.
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Advocates say language access issues could jeopardize voter turnout among Asian immigrants
Groups say Chicago election officials have not provided up-to-date information about the June 28 primary elections in key Asian languages.
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Some Chicago Asian Americans are working to make sure their heritage month is not forgotten
There’s Black History Month in February, and Women’s History Month in March. Asian Americans say their commemorative period gets little fanfare.
