The Pritzker administration can increase incomes and shore up struggling employers by finally implementing a program that allows workers to stay on the job at reduced hours on partial unemployment insurance.
Perspectives
America’s Black female mayors face dual crises of COVID-19 and protests – but these women are used to uphill battles
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Four decades after Ellen Craig-Jones of Urbancrest, Ohio, became the US’s first Black woman mayor, seven of the nation’s largest cities are lead by Black women. And what a time to be in charge.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Community oversight or control? Coalitions meet on competing police accountability proposals
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Both the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability and the Civilian Police Accountability Council campaigns want to maximize the community’s role in selecting public safety leaders.
Perspectives
Hip-hop is the soundtrack to Black Lives Matter protests, continuing a tradition that dates back to the blues
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Rap songs from Public Enemy and Ludacris have been heard at marches over the killing of George Floyd. But the history of Black American music as a form of protest dates back to the 19th century.
Perspectives
Black Americans, crucial workers in crises, emerge worse off – not better
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In many national crises, black Americans have been essential workers – but serving in crucial roles has not resulted in economic equality.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Denying arrestees access to lawyers a longstanding problem at the Chicago Police Department
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A lawsuit became necessary after Mayor Lori Lightfoot failed to back an ordinance on the immediate right to legal counsel in police custody, a measure called for by her Police Accountability Task Force four years ago, advocates say.
Perspectives
Land loss has plagued black America since emancipation – is it time to look again at ‘black commons’ and collective ownership?
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Black farmers own far less land than they did in 1910 and the racial gap in homeownership is at the highest level for 50 years.
Perspectives
High-tech surveillance amplifies police bias and overreach
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Police forces across the country now have access to surveillance technologies that were recently available only to national intelligence services. The digitization of bias and abuse of power followed.
Perspectives
What the Supreme Court’s decision on LGBT employment discrimination will mean for transgender Americans
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In a national survey, transgender individuals had worse employment outcomes, lower incomes and higher rates of poverty than cisgender people.
Perspectives
Native American tribes’ pandemic response is hamstrung by many inequities
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Many Native American tribes are reporting high COVID-19 infection rates. State and federal agencies are impeding tribes’ efforts to handle the pandemic themselves.
Perspectives
Asian Americans invisible in COVID-19 data and in public health response
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In Illinois and beyond, specific action is needed to better understand how the pandemic is impacting Asian American communities especially at risk of infection.