Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Reporter, Race, Class and Communities
Prior to arriving at WBEZ, she was an editor at Chicago magazine and a breaking news producer at the Tribune Company. Aside from her work on the web, Esther has covered education and juvenile court and has written for various publications. She also 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. Her work has won numerous awards, including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and a National Headliner Award.
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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Cook County announces plans for the nation’s largest guaranteed basic income pilot
The Cook County Promise Guaranteed Income Pilot will provide $500 monthly payments to 3,250 county residents for 24 months.
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One in five early childhood educators in Illinois live in poverty, a new report finds
A new report documents the state’s child care crisis, including high costs for families and low wages for workers.
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Meet Chicagoans who plan to apply for the city’s guaranteed income pilot
“We’re not being lazy. It’s not about a handout. It’s about survival,” said South Side business owner and resident Cheryse Singleton-Nobles.
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Chicago’s guaranteed income pilot opens Monday. Here’s how to apply.
The city of Chicago will open up its application website at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 25. It will close on Friday, May 13, at 11:59 p.m.
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Mental health workers urge Mayor Lori Lightfoot to stop using police in crisis intervention teams
More than 300 psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and social workers say Chicago police officers should not respond to mental health emergencies.
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New census data confirms the continuation of Chicago neighborhoods’ gentrification
The five Chicago ZIP codes where household income is rising the fastest are gaining white residents and losing Latino residents.
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Chicago advocates say the pandemic and political interference led to a census undercount
Some groups worry the census undercount could result in fewer resources for Latino and Black communities in Illinois.
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Nearby residents oppose a casino for The 78 megadevelopment, survey shows
Nearly 80% of survey respondents were either “somewhat unsupportive” or “highly unsupportive” of a casino in The 78 megadevelopment.
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Chicago’s street vendors battle the omicron surge and inflation with little help
One community group continues to provide small grants, but says more resources are needed to help food-cart operators.
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Activists call on ICE to release immigrant detainees, not transfer them
Groups say ICE’s Chicago director has prosecutorial discretion to release undocumented immigrants from custody.
