Nearly 1,000 young adults and social service professionals are expected to attend a conference this weekend to talk about the daily challenges of life in Chicago, from gun and gang violence to poverty.
Stories by maya miller
WePlay Offers Safe Space, Community at Chicago Children’s Museum
May 2, 2017 | Maya Miller
Five years ago, Saleem Penny decided to create a program offering safe play spaces in Chicago to young parents and their children. Learn about WePlay, which just wrapped up its first session.
Housing Prices Soar in Humboldt Park, Garfield Park
May 2, 2017 | Maya Miller
Data released by the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University outline substantial year-over-year gains in the price of single-family homes in Chicago neighborhoods of Humboldt Park and Garfield Park.
Rumi Spice to Pitch its Chicago Business on ‘Shark Tank’
May 1, 2017 | Maya Miller
After serving tours in Afghanistan, attending Harvard Business School and launching a global business, Emily Miller and Kimberly Jung face another, daunting challenge: pitching their company Rumi Spice to potential investors on reality TV.
5,000 Chicago-Area Nursing Home Workers Threaten Strike
Apr 28, 2017 | Maya Miller
Thousands of nursing home workers at 53 Chicago-area facilities have threatened to go on strike beginning next week, according to an announcement from SEIU Healthcare Illinois.
Chicago Celebrates Independent Bookstore Day
Apr 27, 2017 | Maya Miller
This Saturday, bookstores across the country will celebrate their status as indie shops, including two dozen stores across the Chicago area. “It’s like a pub crawl for bookstores,” said Lynn Mooney, co-owner of Women & Children First.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 27-30
Apr 27, 2017 | Maya Miller
Independent bookstores, wine tastings, James Beard-inspired menus and hundreds of artists usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Fairy Tale Exhibition Aims to Level the Playing Field
Apr 25, 2017 | Maya Miller
By eschewing traditional tiaras, thrones and knightly armor, a fairy tale-minded exhibition at the Chicago Children’s Museum hopes to spark children’s imaginations without imposing gender stereotypes.
From Homeless Pasts, a New Crop of Public Speakers
Apr 25, 2017 | Maya Miller
A program called Speak Up connects formerly homeless individuals with seasoned storytellers so they can learn how to speak more effectively about their life experiences. We meet a recent graduate of the program.
Chicago ‘Dooring’ Reports Saw Steep Increase in 2015, Data Shows
Apr 21, 2017 | Maya Miller
Crash data for 2015 released this week by the Illinois Department of Transportation shows a rise in the number of reported “doorings” in Chicago – collisions that occur when the door of a parked vehicle is opened directly in the path of an oncoming cyclist.
Obama to Speak on Civic Engagement at University of Chicago
Apr 21, 2017 | Maya Miller
Former President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak Monday in Chicago as part of his goal to “encourage and support the next generation of leaders,” according to his press office.
Chicago to House 100 Homeless Families, Address ‘Doubled-Up’ Population
Apr 20, 2017 | Maya Miller
This fall, 100 homeless families with school-age children will gain permanent housing and support services, thanks to a partnership between the city and the nonprofit Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 20-23
Apr 20, 2017 | Maya Miller
A giant pop-culture convention, Earth Day celebrations and a wine festival usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.
Report: Chicago’s Homeless Population More Than 80K in 2015
Apr 19, 2017 | Maya Miller
Chicago’s homeless population was 82,212 in 2015, according to figures released Wednesday by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.
Find Outdoor Dining Options at Chicago’s Open Data Portal
Apr 18, 2017 | Maya Miller
Could the city’s open data portal be your new go-to website for restaurant planning?
Panel to Address Human Rights on Chicago’s South Side
Apr 18, 2017 | Maya Miller
A discussion about human rights on the South Side of Chicago – including public health and criminal justice – takes place Tuesday evening at a River North gallery.
Immigrants’ Abuse Complaints Rarely Investigated, Group Says
Apr 17, 2017 | Maya Miller
Reports of abuse at U.S. immigration detention facilities, including those in Illinois, are rarely investigated, according to data obtained by a national nonprofit agency.
Data Shows Impact of Budget Impasse on Social Services
Apr 17, 2017 | Maya Miller
Nine out of 10 social services agencies said they were unable to raise 25 percent or more of the funding owed to them by the state, according to a new survey.
In Chicago, Tour Guides Take Measured Approach to Trump Tower
Apr 14, 2017 | Maya Miller
The 92-story skyscraper is a regular feature of Chicago architecture tours. But a changing political landscape has led some tour guides to be more careful with their comments about the structure.
MCA to Offer Free Youth Admission Starting June 1
Apr 14, 2017 | Maya Miller
Area teens can add one more freebie to their summer to-do lists.
Monarch Butterflies Signal Immigrant Support
Apr 14, 2017 | Maya Miller
The orange-and-black insect has flocked to a Chicago neighborhood, but its presence is more of a political act than a natural one.
10 Things to Do This Weekend: April 13-16
Apr 13, 2017 | Maya Miller
Spring is in the air. From dance parties to an art fair and family Easter party, here are 10 ways to celebrate the weekend in and around Chicago.
BUILD Chicago Offering Alternatives to Gang Life for Nearly 50 Years
Apr 13, 2017 | Maya Miller
After sustaining a life-threatening gunshot wound, 16-year-old Latee Smith began plotting revenge on his attacker. But a local intervention specialist helped Smith refocus his energy.
Art in Space Sparks Discussion on Technology, AI
Apr 12, 2017 | Maya Miller
As artwork by a Chicago artist orbits the Earth aboard the International Space Station, a medley of professionals will explore how technology and artificial intelligence have shaped their industries.
Northwestern Crew Team Student Dies After Falling Overboard
Apr 11, 2017 | Maya Miller
The body of 19-year-old Mohammed Ramzan, a member of the Northwestern University men’s crew team, has been recovered from the North Shore Channel in Lincolnwood. Authorities say he fell into the water early Monday morning during a rowing practice.
Cook County Sheriff: ICE Agents Shouldn’t Identify as Police
Apr 7, 2017 | Maya Miller
A recent wave of videos on social media show Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents arriving at Chicago residences in unmarked cars, knocking on doors while donning vests and jackets that say “police.”