Plans to extend the heavily used train line south of its current endpoint at 95th Street have been discussed as far back as the 1950s. But the project has been steadily moving from idea to reality in recent years.
Stories by nick blumberg
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Geneva
West suburban Geneva has been under tightened coronavirus mitigations for nearly two weeks, with some business complying with the rules and others defying them, including serving diners indoors.
‘We Paid a Heavy Price’: Durbin on Madigan’s Leadership, the Presidency and the Senate
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says embattled House Speaker Michael Madigan’s leadership of the Illinois Democratic Party hurt Democratic candidates and causes statewide in Tuesday’s election.
Kim Foxx Wins Reelection as Cook County State’s Attorney
State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has declared victory in her contested bid for reelection against Republican challenger Pat O’Brien in what was likely the most contentious race on the Cook County ballot.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Kenosha
Kenosha, Wisconsin, just over the Illinois border, became the epicenter of violent unrest this summer after the police shooting of Jacob Blake. A few months later, Kenosha is in the midst of early voting – and it’s a hotly contested county.
New Documentary Series ‘City So Real’ Profiles Chicago at a Crossroads
For more than a year, documentary filmmaker Steve James and his collaborators fanned out across Chicago at a pivotal moment. James tells us about the resulting five-part series that premieres this week on NatGeo and Hulu.
New App Lets Cyclists Report Bike Lane Obstructions, Hazards
The coronavirus pandemic has given rise to a cycling boom in Chicago, but many riders face on-street bike lanes that are blocked or in disrepair. An advocacy organization wants to combat the problem with its new mobile app.
The Week in Review: COVID-19 Restrictions Return to Chicago
COVID-19 rollbacks hit Chicago and the collar counties. Tax hikes, borrowing and layoffs are in Mayor Lightfoot’s budget. A state supreme court race gets political. A recap of the final presidential debate.
North Lake Shore Drive’s in Line for an Overhaul, and Planners Want Your Input
Lake Shore Drive is iconic, but with that status comes aging infrastructure. Transportation officials have come up with potential ways to overhaul the Drive and they’re looking for feedback.
Transportation Advocates Seek Guarantee Transit Won’t Shut Down In Event of Post-Election Unrest
With a heated election drawing to a close and concerns about possible post-election unrest, transportation advocates are calling on the Lightfoot administration and Chicago-area transit systems to pledge they’ll continue operations during protests.
Candidate Forum: Fricilone, Newman Vying to Replace Lipinski in 3rd District
For the first time in decades, a candidate with a name other than Lipinski will represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District in Congress. We hear from Republican Mike Fricilone and Democrat Marie Newman.
‘Fair Tax’ or Tax Hike? Debating the Graduated Income Tax Amendment
Perhaps the most hotly contested race on Illinois ballots this year isn’t between two candidates. It’s a fight over income tax rates. We hear from both sides of the hotly contested measure.
The Week in Review: Virtual Trump-Biden Debate Canceled
After the president refuses to participate in a virtual debate, it is canceled by the Commission on Presidential Debates. The city faces a nearly unsolvable budget problem as federal stimulus talks break down. And the “fair tax” fight heats up.
New Funding to Bring Mental Health Care to Homeless Shelters, Encampments
Chicago officials on Tuesday announced $8 million in grants for expanded mental health care services across the city, including for some of Chicago’s most vulnerable residents: those experiencing homelessness.
Head of FBI Chicago Office on ‘Critically Important’ Work to Ensure a Fair Election
The COVID-19 pandemic has many Americans rethinking how they’re going to vote this year, with huge numbers applying for mail-in ballots. Emmerson Buie Jr. talks about the FBI’s priorities, and what steps they’re taking in Chicago.
New Biography Examines Jimmy Carter’s ‘Epic’ Life, ‘Surprisingly Consequential’ Presidency
Jimmy Carter, who served just a single term in the White House, is widely seen as a model ex-president but largely unsuccessful president. Now, the 96-year-old is the subject of a full-length, independent biography.
The Week in Review: Trump Tests Positive for COVID-19 Days After 1st Debate
Fallout from the shocking announcement that President Trump tests positive for COVID-19. Michael Madigan gets a challenger for Speaker. Chicago endures a deadly September, and Nick Foles takes over for the Bears.
Spotlight Politics: A Chaotic Presidential Debate
The first Trump-Biden debate. A fiery hearing on corruption in Springfield. Chicago’s loosening COVID-19 restrictions. Our politics team tackles those stories and more in this week’s roundtable.
‘Left For Dead’ No More: Officials Celebrate Renovation of Former Cook County Hospital Building
After sitting empty for nearly two decades, the old Cook County Hospital building has been given a new life. Leaders are touting the $140 million project as a sign of hope amid an economic downturn.
Boosting Chicago’s Stubborn Census Response Rate
Community leaders and elected officials have been making a big push to get the city’s and state’s response rates up.
Chicago Latino Film Festival Director on Going Virtual, Latino Representation in Hollywood
Latinos are easy to spot at movie theaters, but not so much on the big screen. A one-on-one conversation with the director of the Chicago Latino Film Festival.
State, City Census Leaders on Counting Hard-to-Reach Residents
A federal judge has ordered the 2020 census schedule to continue until the end of October. We discuss efforts to boost response rates and get as accurate a count as possible.
City Announces New Bus-Only Lanes to Reduce Crowding on 2 Busy Routes
Despite concerns over using public transportation during the coronavirus pandemic, many essential workers and residents without cars have been relying on the Chicago Transit Authority to get around.
Spotlight Politics: Another Illinois Politician Pleads Guilty
Another Illinois politician pleads guilty. The Cook County Democratic Party turns its back on a long-serving judge. Our politics team weighs in on those stories and more.
Metra Promotes Health and Safety Efforts Amid Massive Drop in Ridership, Revenue
Commuter rail agency Metra has seen the largest passenger decline of any of the Chicago-area transit systems. How the agency is working to reverse the slump.
Chicago’s Sustainability Officer on Legacy Pollution and Neighborhood Priorities
We speak with Angela Tovar, the city’s recently named sustainability officer, about a new air quality ordinance and improving Chicago’s environment.
