Government and Politics
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she’s ending poverty in a generation. Is it possible?
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The STEP summit dissected the scope of poverty in Chicago and examined policies that have been successful so far.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
‘Green gentrification’ and lessons of the 606
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A six-month development freeze around the new Northwest Side trail gives community groups a chance to explore strategies to preserve affordable housing — and park projects like El Paseo and the Obama Presidential Center could benefit from its lessons.
Perspectives
What happens when black Americans leave their segregated hometowns
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Black Americans who grow up in racially segregated areas tend to have worse health, education and future economic prospects. Moving out can make a big difference.
Criminal Justice
An innovative strategy to reduce gun violence: beautify Chicago neighborhoods
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The city is spending millions on creating jobs to clean up vacant lots and green public spaces in areas with high shooting rates, an approach backed by research on blight and crime.
Perspectives
Why community-owned grocery stores like co-ops are the best recipe for revitalizing food deserts
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Prodded by Michelle Obama and other government leaders, Walmart and other major US retailers vowed to build hundreds of stores in food deserts. What happened?
Perspectives
Can parks help cities fight crime?
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Some parks reduce violence in the local vicinity. Other parks attract crime. The difference has to do with how these urban green spaces are designed, programmed and managed, experts say.
Perspectives
US poverty statistics ignore millions of struggling Americans
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In the US, poverty is measured by income level. But that measure misses many other aspects of poverty – like unemployment, poor health and a lack of health insurance.
Perspectives: The Powers That Be
Lightfoot administration waffles on ending driver’s license suspensions
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Ticket fine reform is coming to Chicago, but one key measure requires state legislation.
Government and Politics
Report: Chicago’s wealthy, white communities most likely to have park projects approved
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Friends of the Parks says it may seek legal action to ensure parks are funded equally.
Government and Politics
Chicago agrees to refund duplicate tickets since 1992, following lawsuit
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The suit alleges that black and brown communities were targeted with illegal double ticketing, relying heavily on data uncovered by a joint investigation by WBEZ and ProPublica Illinois.