Black residents in IL 8 times more likely to be homeless
Public News Service - April 8, 2025
Black residents in Illinois are almost eight times more likely to be homeless than white people, with lack of livable wages and affordable housing among the primary drivers.
Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago said homelessness is an issue of equity with Blacks disproportionately represented across the state. Rent burdens and economic hardship are both driving factors. ...(Read More)
Chicago nonprofit transforms former toxic site to feed community
Public News Service - April 2, 2025
By Angela Burke for Civil Eats.
Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service Collaboration
A towering, two-story arch, trimmed in barrel tiles with an all-caps marquee, makes it very clear where you are: "BIENVENIDOS A LITTLE VILLAGE." The structure rises high above bustling 26th Street in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, where independent restaurants, retails, and street vendors make it one of the highest-grossing commercial corridors in Chicago. This is the threshold of the Little Village neighborhood, home to many immigrants from Central America as well as the largest community of Mexican Americans in the Midwest.
At the base of the Little Village Arch, a group of protesters gathered earlier this month. Braced against the biting winter chill, they loudly decried the raids of immigrant communities ordered by the incoming Trump administration, which aimed to arrest and deport an estimated 2,000 immigrants across this sanctuary city, and more nationwide. In this climate, members of this tight-knit community must rely on each other now more than ever.
One of the strongest advocates for the neighborhood is the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO). ...(Read More)
Nonprofit races to save science, environmental-justice website data
Public News Service - April 1, 2025
As U.S. government website purges continue, one nonprofit is racing to track and save as much data as possible.
The Open Environmental Data Project is one of several organizations working to preserve public access to federal climate science and environmental justice data and tools. ...(Read More)
Facing funding hurdles, IL 'March for Meals' event moves forward
Public News Service - March 26, 2025
A local "Meals on Wheels" organization is forging ahead with an event to provide meals and personal care items to seniors in four Illinois counties, despite the looming uncertainty about federal funding helping to run the programs.
"March for Meals" brings community members and elected officials together, who volunteer to deliver and serve nutritious meals to seniors in Cook, Grundy, Kendall and Will counties.
Caitlin Wilson, manager of the Schaumburg Community Café, said they also help pack care bags to deliver to those who are homebound.
...(Read More)
'March for Meals' de IL sigue adelante pese a obstáculos de financiación
Public News Service - March 26, 2025
Una organización local de "Meals on Wheels" está impulsando un evento para proporcionar comidas y artículos de cuidado personal para personas mayores de cuatro condados de Illinois, a pesar de la incertidumbre sobre la financiación federal que ayuda a poner en marcha este tipo de programas.
"March for Meals" reúne a miembros de la comunidad y funcionarios electos, quienes se ofrecen como voluntarios para entregar y servir comidas nutritivas a personas mayores en los condados de Cook, Grundy, Kendall y Will.
Caitlin Wilson, quien administra Schaumburg Community Café, comenta que también ayudan a preparar bolsas de ayuda para entregar a quienes están confinados en casa.
...(Read More)
EPA workers in Chicago protest cuts to agency
Public News Service - March 25, 2025
Nearly 100 probationary workers for the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago have had their jobs cut and then reinstated in the last month. They have also been ordered to close all environmental justice offices in the agency, affecting another 30 employees in the region.
The latest threat is the possible closure of the EPA's Office of Research and Development, which could mean firing more than 1,000 scientists and support staff.
...(Read More)
Potential NOAA cuts spell trouble for IL weather warnings
Public News Service - March 21, 2025
One of many federal agencies facing cuts by the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in states like Illinois with plenty of extreme weather events, scientists said the cuts could threaten people's safety.
NOAA employees are bracing for expected layoffs of up to 20%, or more than 1,000 jobs. Among other roles, NOAA's National Weather Service provides data used by most weather forecasters, including for warnings and advisories.
...(Read More)
Film highlights reform need of IL’s parole system through one man’s fight
Public News Service - March 19, 2025
An Illinois documentary takes a deep dive into the Illinois Prisoner Review Board and the politics that influence its decision-making through one man's fight for a second chance.
"In their Hands" follows the life of Ronnie Carrasquillo, who was charged with murdering a plainclothes Chicago police officer in 1976. He was 18 years old when a judge sentenced him to 200 to 600 years in prison. ...(Read More)
Barriers to tracking bird flu mount amid federal changes
Public News Service - March 11, 2025
By Nina B. Elkadi for Sentient.
Broadcast version by Judith Ruiz-Branch for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration
Cases of influenza A or H5N1, also known as avian flu, are now being detected in humans across the United States. At least one person has died from the virus, and at least 67 people have been infected. ...(Read More)
Data, history show mass deportations harm U.S. economy
Public News Service - March 10, 2025
As nationwide deportation efforts continue, new research examined the labor market of a past president to help forecast what could happen if President Donald Trump follows through on his plans.
The Obama administration deported more than 3 million people. Trump said he wants to deport more, to increase jobs for U.S. ...(Read More)
Immigration courts offer many barriers, few solutions
Public News Service - March 5, 2025
As the Trump administration's deportation efforts continue, more people find themselves in immigration court.
Immigration law is complicated, and most immigrants who navigate the court system do so by themselves.
Kelly Garcia, a reporter for Injustice Watch who covers immigration courts in Chicago, said the lack of legal representation and language barriers add to the complexity. ...(Read More)
IL report calls for juvenile-justice reform; proposed bill would initiate
Public News Service - March 3, 2025
A recent report is highlighting the need for a complete overhaul of the Illinois juvenile justice system. It called for a renewed rehabilitative focus while prioritizing the rights, needs and safety of children, which it argued is sorely lacking across the board.
The report by the Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative found the majority of juvenile detention centers fail to meet even basic standards to keep children safe, which has opened counties up to lawsuits.
...(Read More)
IL CAFOs on rise as industry remains underregulated
Public News Service - February 25, 2025
Illinois is known for having some of the weakest environmental laws for concentrated animal feeding operations, with a lack of oversight and public transparency for the entire process. A coalition of rural landowners is working to change it.
In Illinois, it is estimated there are more than 21,000 concentrated animal feeding operations.
...(Read More)
Pritzker budget plan called out for lack of focus on Black, Latino residents
Public News Service - February 24, 2025
Illinois' Legislative Latino Caucus and Black Caucus have responded to Governor JB Pritzker's budget address he delivered last week, and each criticized the lack of support for their constituents across the state.
In his speech, the governor outlined a $2 billion spending increase without tax increases. Some proposed cuts include eliminating Medicaid-like coverage for noncitizen adults ages 42-65 as a way to make up for the state's budget gap, which is estimated to top $3 billion.
...(Read More)
Report: Nearly 30% on Medicaid risk losing coverage under proposed cuts
Public News Service - February 20, 2025
As Congress continues to threaten deep cuts to the Medicaid program, a new KFF report shows how some of the proposed changes could end coverage for an estimated 20 million people nationwide, more than 800,000 in Illinois. One idea targets the Medicaid expansion federal match rate. The federal government currently pays 90% of the costs for people covered under what's known as the Medicaid expansion, that extended coverage to nearly all low-income adults. ...(Read More)