Kristen Schorsch
Reporter, Health and County Government
Previously, she covered health care, government, crime, courts, higher education and news of the weird (think coffin parties) for Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Southtown and the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Kristen has won more than a dozen local and national awards for her work. Her stories have sparked policy changes and spurred investigations.
Kristen is a former longtime board member of the Chicago Headline Club and helps organize the club’s annual FOIAFest about public information and transparency. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois and is a proud Daily Illini alumna.
Stories by Kristen Schorsch
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Preckwinkle pitches no new taxes in the Cook County budget — but faces a big staffing crunch
The county board president’s $8.75 billion election-year budget is flush with COVID-19 relief money, but hiring health care staff is a challenge.
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Cook County forest preserves pitch a property tax hike to voters
Cook County property owners would be asked to pay about $1.50 more a month in taxes toward the preserves, which became a haven during the pandemic.
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Republicans look to keep what few seats they have on the Cook County Board
There’s only one incumbent Republican on the 17-member board running for re-election. Will Democrats take full control?
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Staffing crunch hits Cook County Health
One quarter of the jobs at the safety net health system are open, and morale is low as officials look to expand services.
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An Illinois abortion clinic on the Wisconsin border is a window into the post-Roe world
Abortion providers from Wisconsin are making two-hour treks each way, hoping to help provide access in Illinois to patients from their home state.
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With abortion nearly banned in their state, Wisconsin doctors head to Illinois
Planned Parenthood in Illinois and Wisconsin have created a partnership that could be a model for providers in states restricting abortion.
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Gov. JB Pritzker taps a new public health director to face pandemic and health disparities challenges
Downstate pediatrician Dr. Sameer Vohra would take over the role of Dr. Ngozi Ezike, who helped lead the state through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Cook County officials want to offer $300 million in loans to suburban towns to pay bills
With property tax bills — a main revenue driver for suburban taxing districts — delayed, County officials want to loan money to suburban schools, fire departments and local governments to tide them over. Chicago can’t apply.
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With Roe v. Wade overturned, Chicago area residents share their perspectives on abortion
A teen abortion opponent. A woman not ready for children. Eight people’s stories about abortion, told in their own words.
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During election season, Toni Preckwinkle touts no new taxes or layoffs in 2023
The Cook County Board President says she’s expecting an $18.2 million budget hole next year, the smallest gap since she took office.
