Coastal repairs and climate change mitigation are a huge concern for cities around the Great Lakes region. The group behind a new survey calls on the American and Canadian governments to fund local efforts to address these issues.
Stories by nick blumberg
Survey Finds $2B in Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Coastline Repairs in Coming Years
Jul 20, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
On Chicago Visit, Transportation Secretary Buttigieg Promotes Biden Infrastructure Plan
Jul 16, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says he’s confident the Biden administration’s infrastructure bill will pass Congress, touting on Friday its bipartisan support and saying both the president and the public are impatient to see the deal finalized.
As Local School Councils Vote on Keeping Police in Schools, Some Advocates Push for Alternative Models
Jul 14, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Wednesday marks the deadline for about 50 local school councils with Chicago Public Schools to decide whether they want to keep their school resource officers — Chicago police officers assigned to work on school campuses.
Taxi Industry Hopeful for Post-Pandemic Recovery
Jul 13, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Uber and Lyft say they’ve added thousands of drivers in recent weeks to address long wait times and surge pricing. But many passengers are still unhappy and some are turning to taxis — an industry hit hard by the popularity of ride-share services and by COVID-19.
After Florida Collapse, a Look at Condo Building Safety in Chicago
Jul 6, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The deadly collapse of a condo building in Surfside, Florida, has prompted quick action in nearby cities. It has also left some Chicagoans wondering whether any local condo buildings are at risk, and what sorts of inspections they face.
Survey Reveals Racial, Partisan Divides on American Identity, Political Violence and Guns
Jul 5, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
It’s no secret that America is divided across partisan and racial lines. But a new, nationwide survey of white and Black Americans from the University of Illinois at Chicago illustrates just how deep some of those divisions are.
New Book Explores the Legal and Political Fights That Shaped Chicago’s Lakefront
Jun 30, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago’s lakefront is often referred to as one of the city’s crown jewels, and as with many valuable things, it’s been the subject of frequent high-profile political and legal fights. A new history of the lakefront traces more than 150 years of nearly nonstop litigation.
Chicago Chef Erick Williams on Juneteenth, Promoting Equity in Hospitality
Jun 17, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
As Juneteenth becomes a widely recognized holiday, the award-winning chef at Virtue restaurant talks about what the day means to him, and how he tries to honor it through his work.
George RR Martin Talks Northwestern, Writing and ‘Game of Thrones’
Jun 16, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
A notable Northwestern alum is in town for some major recognition. “Game of Thrones” author George RR Martin was awarded an honorary doctorate at Monday’s commencement ceremony. We caught up with Martin to talk about the GOT phenomenon and his time at Northwestern.
Dates Announced for ‘Sundays on State’ Open Streets Events Downtown
Jun 16, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The Chicago Loop Alliance’s series of events shutting down a stretch of the city’s iconic street to cars, is scheduled to run for eight Sundays this summer starting July 11, CLA announced Wednesday.
The Chicago-Based Scientist Who Helped Find Art-World Frauds
Jun 14, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Walter McCrone championed the light microscope — and used it to analyze art world treasures and frauds. The late scientist is featured in the recently released Netflix documentary series “This Is a Robbery” and appeared years ago on WTTW’s “The New Explorers.”
Bike the Drive Set to Return Labor Day Weekend
Jun 9, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Bike lovers, get your rides ready. After it was canceled in 2020 over coronavirus safety concerns, the hugely popular Bike the Drive event is scheduled to return on Sunday, Sept. 5.
New Head of Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum on Lincoln’s Legacy and Inclusive Education
Jun 8, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Christina Shutt will be the fifth executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the first person of color to hold the title.
Ride-Share Passengers Complain of Long Waits, High Fares
Jun 1, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
A Chicago alderman wants ride-share companies to cap surge pricing amid a driver shortage, and drivers want Uber and Lyft to do more to keep them safe.
Chicago Hotels See Occupancy Upswing, but Full Recovery Still a Ways Off
May 26, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The last 14 months have been incredibly difficult for Chicago’s usually booming hospitality industry. Though many hotels are still grappling with lower occupancy rates and many employees are still laid off, a recent uptick in travel means things are starting to look up.
A Brief History of Chicago Police Reform Efforts
May 25, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The Chicago Police Department has been operating under a consent decree since 2019. The order, which was prompted by the 2014 police murder of Laquan McDonald, is the first consent decree the department has faced. But it’s not the first attempt at police reform in Chicago.
Meet the Black-Owned Engineering Firm Helping Oversee the CTA’s Massive Red-Purple Line Overhaul
May 11, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
For extra help with its massive $2.1 billion modernization project, the CTA hired a joint venture made up of three firms, including a locally owned company that started in a South Side attic. Rashod Johnson tells us about his company and his love of civil engineering.
Lawmaker Moves to Block State Financing for Massive One Central Development
May 10, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The proposed mega-development would create residential and retail space, parkland and a transit hub on top of the Metra tracks just west of Soldier Field. Why some lawmakers want to block state financing for the splashy, $20 billion plan.
City, State Officials Cut Ribbon on Long-Awaited Navy Pier Flyover
May 10, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The project’s many delays – some due to unexpected maintenance, some to funding availability – became a source of both frustration and humor for trail users and observers, who joked about the flyover taking longer than engineering marvels like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sears Tower.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Evanston
Reparations, equitable recovery top of mind for some residents
May 6, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Located along the lakefront just north of Chicago, Evanston is known for its dining scene, arts and culture, and Northwestern University. But it also has a history of racial segregation and redlining, which city leaders hope to address through a historic reparations program that passed in March.
Full Navy Pier Flyover Close to Completion, But Misses Latest Deadline
Apr 30, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
The long-awaited, sometimes-maligned structure carrying the lakefront trail over Grand Avenue, Illinois Street and the Chicago River has missed its latest target to wrap up in April. But the Chicago Department of Transportation says it’s “very close” to completion.
Open Streets Project ‘Sundays on State’ Set to Start in July
Apr 29, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
One of Chicago’s most iconic thoroughfares is putting on its Sunday best this summer in an effort to lure people back downtown.
State Lawmakers Advance Bill to Replace Toxic Lead Service Lines
Apr 27, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Chicago has more lead service pipes than any other U.S. city. Last year the city announced a plan to slowly replace those lines, an effort which has yet to get underway. Now, state lawmakers want to tackle the toxic problem—and they want Congress to foot the bill.
State Lawmakers Consider Letting Local Voters Decide on Rent Control
Apr 24, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Since 1997, rent control has been banned in Illinois. A bill working its way through the General Assembly would give cities and towns the chance to hold a referendum vote on whether their municipality should allow it.
Transit Ridership Expected to Rebound, But Telecommuting Could Drive Big Shifts: RTA Report
Apr 19, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
People who have stayed away from public transit because of the coronavirus pandemic say they expect to return to buses and trains, but the shift toward working from home is likely to change when, why and how often people ride, according to a just-released survey.
Protests Planned in Chicago Following Release of Toledo Shooting Video
Apr 15, 2021 | Nick Blumberg
Police and city officials have been preparing for anticipated demonstrations following the release of videos showing the police shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo, as well as a verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged in the death of George Floyd.