Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Reporter, Race, Class and Communities
Previously, she was the communications manager for the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. Before her time at the IOP, Esther was an editor at Chicago magazine, where she reported, wrote, edited, photographed, designed and produced award-winning stories for the website and print magazine. Prior to Chicago magazine, she worked as a breaking news producer for the Tribune Company. Aside from her work on the web, Esther has covered the Chicago Public Schools and juvenile court beats and has written for various publications. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the journalism school.
Born in South Korea, she grew up in Paraguay and the Washington, D.C., area. She lives in Chicago with her family.
Stories by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Officers Disrespected Englewood Residents Following Police Shooting, Activists Say
“You got police officers that I watched with my own eyes pull people toward them just to beat them,” said activist Joseph Williams.
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South Side Redevelopment Effort Awarded Foundation’s $10 Million Chicago Prize
The winning proposal includes revitalizing a long-vacant office building and converting a brownfield into an urban farming campus.
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Census Deadline Change Sparks Fears Of An Undercount In Some Chicago Neighborhoods
Residents must now respond to the census by Sep. 30, but response rates in some parts of Chicago are less than half the national average.
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Chicago’s Mayor Calls On The Dreadhead Cowboy To Boost Census Response In The City
Just under 55% of Chicagoans have responded to the census, compared to 62% nationally. In some areas, the response has been less than 30%.
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Nursing Homes Are Linked To More Than 55% Of COVID-19 Deaths In Illinois. Should Residents Be Moved Out?
“If this were a fire or flood or hurricane, buildings and whole communities will be evacuated,” says a leader in a group pressing the governor to take emergency action.
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Asians Are The Fastest Growing Racial Demographic In Illinois
Illinois has witnessed the steepest decline in Black population of any state since 2010. White population has fallen in Illinois by 6%.
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Census Response Lags In Many Of Chicago’s Immigrant Communities
Nearly two-thirds of Illinois households have responded to the census. But the rates are much lower in Chicago’s immigrant communities.
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‘We’re Here To Pray For Peace’: Faith Organizations March In Bronzeville To Protest George Floyd Killing
“The church ain’t the church if you stay quiet,” said Pastor Chris Harris. “… You’ve got to come out of your four walls and get in the community.”
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Asian American Groups Call For More Services And Less Racism During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Groups unveiled a legislative agenda Thursday calling for translation services and an Asian American history curriculum in schools.
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As Coronavirus Spreads In Chicago Nursing Homes, Fears Grow Among Residents
“We’re like sitting ducks,” said a North Side nursing home resident seeking more details about the COVID-19 outbreak there.
