After getting walloped by two big snowstorms, the area is now bracing for bitter cold later this week. We asked Argonne National Laboratory climate scientist Scott Collis what to expect, and what’s driving the arctic chill.
Stories by nick blumberg
Lakefront Trail Now Continues Over Chicago River; Full Navy Pier Flyover on Track for April Completion
After years of work, pedestrians and cyclists can now stay on the lakefront trail as it crosses the Chicago River – though the full Navy Pier flyover isn’t finished just yet.
‘Chicago Tonight’ in Your Neighborhood: Jefferson Park
The Northwest Side community of Jefferson Park is known as the gateway to Chicago, in part because it’s a transit hub. The area’s thought of by some as typical “bungalow belt” Chicago. It’s predominantly middle class, but recently there’s been an uptick in homelessness.
CTU Vice President on Negotiations With CPS Over In-Person Learning
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said as Illinois moves into Phase 1B of vaccinations, a category that includes teachers, city leadership should prioritize staff at Chicago Public Schools.
Distribution Centers Are Growing Fast, But Some Worry About Inequitable Impact
The number of distribution centers being built in the Chicago area is on the rise. Supporters say they can create jobs in places that have long faced disinvestment and unemployment. But critics say they aren’t always good jobs.
CTA Bypass, Coming Soon, A Major Milestone for Red-Purple Line Overhaul
The CTA’s overhaul of the Red and Purple lines is well underway. This month, crews are putting into a place a major piece of that redevelopment effort – and passengers will start to see the benefits of the project later this year.
Bears Face Saints in Wild Card Matchup
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Saints.
Outdoor Dining, Carryout and Uncertainty: What Restaurants Are Facing This Winter
With cold weather here to stay for the foreseeable future, some restaurant and bar owners fear outdoor dining and carryout will not be enough to keep their businesses alive.
‘Laziness Does Not Exist’ Explores How and Why We Overwork Ourselves
Meet a local author who argues that the idea of laziness is a lie — one that’s having a detrimental effect on Americans during the pandemic.
Bears Face Jaguars With Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Former Bears offensive lineman James “Big Cat” Williams previews the Bears matchup Sunday against the Jaguars.
COVID-19 Delays Completion of Navy Pier Flyover; Now on Track for Early 2021
The eagerly awaited and often delayed Navy Pier flyover has been delayed yet again, this time due to the coronavirus pandemic.
CTA Wins Federal Approval for Next Phase of Red Line Extension; Construction Could Start in 2025
The CTA hopes to fund about half of the $2.3 billion project — the largest in the agency’s history — with grant money from the Federal Transit Administration.
Food Pantries Already Facing Unprecedented Demand in 2020 See Holiday Spike in Need
During the winter holidays, the demand on food pantries spikes, and this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has already exacerbated hunger around the U.S. How food pantries are keeping their clients and volunteers safe.
How Essential Workers Who Rely on Transit Have Handled the Pandemic
Over the last nine months, the ways in which people are getting around Chicago — and their need to do so — have shifted dramatically. But the demand for public transit from essential workers has remained steady.
Jeannie Morris, Groundbreaking Sports Journalist and Author, Dies at 85
Trailblazing sports reporter Jeannie Morris, the first woman to cover the Super Bowl who is perhaps best known for her book “Brian Piccolo: A Short Season” that was later turned into the film “Brian’s Song,” died Monday.
City Says Long-Awaited Navy Pier Flyover on Track to Open by Year’s End
Chicago’s lakefront trail has been battered by winter storms this year and closed down by the mayor. But there is some good news on horizon: the long-awaited Navy Pier flyover appears to be close to completion.
Winter Biking in Chicago: A Guide to Gear, Care and Everything Else You Need to Know
Riding a bicycle through a Chicago winter may sound daunting, but with a bit of preparation and the right attitude, it’s a manageable feat. Here’s some advice from avid cyclists for your winter riding safety — and pleasure.
CTA Awaiting Federal Approval for Next Phase of Red Line Extension
The Chicago Transit Authority hopes to learn in the coming weeks whether it’s received federal approval to move into the next phase of its massive Red Line Extension project, which would extend the city’s busiest train line to Chicago’s southern border.
Chicago Businesses on Bracing For the Winter, Hopes for the Coming Months
With loan and grant money starting to run dry for some businesses—and what’s likely to be a difficult winter fast approaching—we check in with some familiar faces to ask how they’re coping with the coronavirus.
Andrew Bird on New Holiday Album, Acting Debut on ‘Fargo’
He’s a talented violinist, singer, songwriter — and whistler. Chicago-area native Andrew Bird has long been celebrated for blending styles. And he recently added a new skill to his resume: acting.
Some Catholic Schools May Move to Remote Learning After Thanksgiving
The Archdiocese of Chicago has announced schools will have the option to transition to remote learning after Thanksgiving, but says it’s not yet clear how many schools will choose to do that.
‘It’s About Time’: City Outlines Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Infrastructure Backlog
A newly released five-year plan to invest in Chicago’s roads, bridges, bikeways and other infrastructure needs is a welcome shift away from short-term, less comprehensive projects, some analysts and city officials say.
CTA ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ About Second Round of Transit Stimulus Money
The Chicago Transit Authority’s Board of Directors approved the agency’s 2021 operating budget of $1.645 billion on Wednesday, but CTA staff warned of drastic service cuts without another infusion of cash from Congress.
Joe Walsh: ‘We Can’t Normalize’ President Trump’s Behavior
President Donald Trump has aggressively promoted misinformation and disinformation questioning the results of the election, which he lost. Former Illinois U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, a fierce Trump critic, weighs in.
Food Insecurity Still High Amid Pandemic in City, Suburbs and Rural Areas Alike
One of the many devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past several months has been a dramatic increase in food insecurity.
CTA Hopes to Start Next Phase of Red Line Extension Planning ‘Very Soon’
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.
