Starting July 1, Illinois will limit access to programs that provide medical coverage for undocumented immigrants and low-income lawful permanent residents. Here’s what those programs do and how to enroll.
Katrina PhamJune 29, 2023
If passed, the bill would implement universal health insurance for low-income residents, regardless of immigration status.
Adriana Martinez-SmileyMay 19, 2023
As Gov. Pritzker declares an end to the public health emergency brought on by the pandemic and subsequent relief funds, four community-led efforts work to make sure their neighbors’ needs are still met.
Chelsea VerstegenMay 17, 2023
On the heels of a wide-ranging sexual abuse scandal, parents of Marine Leadership Academy students say the school is in a state of chaos with widespread fights, bullying, drug and alcohol use and mental health struggles.
Mina BloomApril 3, 2023
Chicago has experienced more frequent and severe storms in recent decades, putting immigrants and low income Chicagoans living in basement units at increased risk of flooding.
Siri ChilukuriDecember 20, 2022
Despite a growing Muslim population in the Chicago area, few public schools offer students halal food options.
Tasmiha KhanNovember 16, 2022
Reproductive justice advocate Joy Pettigrew talks about barriers to abortion for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Youcef O. BounabJuly 20, 2022
The Immigrant Health Academy is helping Chicago area immigrants navigate the health care system and access funding for their medical bills.
Leslie HurtadoMay 19, 2022
Despite financial challenges, these Chicago shops are surviving with help from Ethiopian, Somali and other East African immigrant communities.
Sayou CooperMay 11, 2022
As misinformation about natural cures soars during the pandemic, trained herbalists in Chicago are educating vulnerable immigrant communities.
Leslie HurtadoApril 6, 2022
Caught in the crossfire between Chicago’s school district and the teachers union, students ask who is protecting their health.
Leslie HurtadoJanuary 11, 2022
PCR and rapid testing is available throughout the Chicago area. Stay on top of your health and find a testing site in your neighborhood.
Diane Bou KhalilNovember 1, 2021
A confusing rollout has left many immigrants detained by ICE relying on local governments to get a COVID vaccine.
Adriana RezalOctober 13, 2021
The developer who ordered the eviction will demolish the Little Village building that housed the community space La Casa del Inmigrante.
Alexandra ArriagaSeptember 16, 2021
Max Pars, owner of Pars Cove, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest challenge in his four decades in the restaurant industry.
Daniel KonstantinoSeptember 9, 2021
Remote learning exposed cracks in the CPS system, hurting some students more than others. Are schools prepared for their return?
Adriana RezalAugust 31, 2021
Supported by grants and loans, the Nordic brewery Ørkenoy now looks to become a Humboldt Park community hub.
Mark DovichAugust 25, 2021
Photographer Natalie Garcia visits immigrant-run street vendors on Chicago’s Northwest Side that have persisted through the pandemic.
Natalie GarciaAugust 12, 2021
Mi Fogata: An award-winning Mexican restaurant owner is weathering the COVID pandemic with support from Chicagoans in North Center and beyond.
Alexander ShurAugust 10, 2021
For Altyn and Enesh Mantyyeva, co-owners of the iconic Chicago restaurant Russian Tea Time, serving the dishes of their childhood isn’t just business — it’s a personal responsibility.
Mark DovichAugust 5, 2021
With social media savvy, owners of brunch spot Wake 'N Bacon have held onto their dream — even in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Izzy StroobandtJuly 28, 2021
After years in the corporate world, Patricia Gonzalez decided to pursue her passion project in Chicago. She opened it right when the city was shutting down due to COVID-19.
Maria AriasJuly 21, 2021
Chef Alfonso Sotelo’s Mexican restaurant and taqueria, 5 Rabanitos, is rooted in family.
Kelly MilanJuly 20, 2021
Facing an uncertain future, immigrant-owned restaurants are navigating recovery after a pandemic hiatus with creativity and grit.
Diane Bou KhalilJuly 8, 2021
A Mexican immigrant in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood reflects on the pressures to support his family during the pandemic.
Esperanza SandovalJune 24, 2021
A young Bosnian woman reflects on her family’s journey to the United States and her personal fight with COVID-19.
Dominique TorresJune 23, 2021
Legendary Mexican chef Geno Bahena is dealing with long-haul COVID, staff shortages and financial strains at his mole restaurant.
Alexander ShurJune 16, 2021
La orden de quedarse en casa y las reglas de capacidad reducida presentadas durante la pandemia del COVID-19, son solo algunas de las batallas que enfrentan propietarios de negocios como Quang Minh Lê y LoanTh'Thu Nguyễn, dueños del restaurante Phở Loan.
Woojae Julia SongMay 24, 2021
Fueled by a love of cooking and economic necessity, out-of-work chefs like Jasmine Sheth have launched restaurants without brick-and-mortar locations during the pandemic.
Woojae Julia SongApril 8, 2021
Here's where, how and when you can get vaccinated against COVID-19 in Chicago.
Kelly BauerMarch 10, 2021
Along with financial assistance, the Road to Recovery program offers technical help for businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Mauricio PeñaMarch 9, 2021
The pop-up vaccinated 1,000 Little Village residents Sunday. It was held at a community location in hopes of eliminating barriers, organizers said.
Mauricio PeñaMarch 5, 2021
During the past few months, Catherine Shieh has been leading bystander intervention trainings over Zoom to help stem the rise in anti-Asian attacks throughout the country.
Esther Yoon-Ji KangMarch 2, 2021
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order in March 2020, closing nonessential businesses and encouraging people to work from home, Little Village resident Estrella Hernandez continued to report to her temporary job at a west suburban warehouse.
Kristen ThometzFebruary 16, 2021
Activists are addressing low vaccination rates within Latinx communities, but they face major hurdles from conspiracy theories to distrust of the government.
Yilun ChengFebruary 3, 2021
With few Spanish-language news outlets, Latino immigrants often rely on social media. But Martina Sanchez said those platforms have shared a lot of conspiracy theories and misinformation about COVID-19.
María Inés ZamudioJanuary 26, 2021
Essential workers have kept our economy going, now we want to hear what they need to keep going.
Borderless Magazine StaffJanuary 7, 2021
Nearly half of Chicago school district students are Hispanic, yet families say help for Spanish-speaking families has not gone far enough.
Amaris E. RodriguezDecember 17, 2020
The local mom’s group gave out over $50,000 in mutual aid assistance to Chicago families who were unable to get the COVID-19 federal stimulus check.
Amaris E. RodriguezDecember 10, 2020
During the day, immigrant teenagers attend high school. At night, they work in factories to pay debts to smugglers and send money to family. The authorities aren’t surprised by child labor. They’re also not doing much about it.
Melissa SanchezNovember 23, 2020
Cheaper medicine and doctor visits have drawn Mexican-Americans to Ciudad Juárez during the pandemic, despite concerns about COVID.
Claudia HernándezOctober 28, 2020
In a recent Illinois survey, temp workers say that they do not feel safe during COVID-19 working in food processing, manufacturing, warehousing and logistics.
María Inés ZamudioOctober 1, 2020
Mmapula Miller lost her restaurant job due to the pandemic but is now using her time to help other African immigrants in Chicago.
Mmapula MillerJuly 1, 2020
Coronavirus has devastated Latino communities in Illinois. But in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, one family is working and hoping for a better tomorrow.
Fernando MorenoMay 20, 2020
Chicago’s thriving, multicultural neighborhood West Ridge has been my beloved home ever since I left Lebanon four years ago. It is now a COVID-19 hotspot.
Diane Bou KhalilApril 29, 2020
Immigration advocate Fred Tsao reacts to Trump's new immigration ban and shares his hopes for a better future.
Nissa RheeApril 22, 2020
How the coronavirus pandemic is straining immigration court and detention systems in the Midwest.
Nissa RheeApril 15, 2020
A coronavirus outbreak at a Heartland Alliance facility on Chicago’s South Side may be the largest outbreak of the virus in any shelter for immigrant youth in the country.
Melissa SanchezApril 15, 2020
Author Daniel Denvir on the “bipartisan war on immigrants” and how it’s falling apart.
Nissa RheeApril 8, 2020
As COVID-19 continues to spread in Illinois, immigrant organizations are looking to protect their oldest, most vulnerable community members.
Leslie HurtadoMarch 18, 2020
After 21 years of secrecy, Zarna Patel is stepping out of the shadows and claiming her undocumented identity.
Zarna PatelMarch 20, 2017
