adan diaz is a 20-year-old Mexican-American singer from Northlake, just outside of Chicago, and he made his Lollapalooza debut the first night of the music festival, just a year after attending the event for the first time . Ahead of his performance, he talked with Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about how surreal it was to be on the stage, especially during a prime time slot. “I told the band, just be ready to get there early,” diaz said. “And then I saw the slot, and we literally emailed back like, ‘...
Aug 02, 2024•17 min
The EPA issues a fuel waiver for four states including Illinois, the union suing the Illinois House Speaker responds to his attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, the Racial Healing Collaborative culminates with art installations in Bronzeville and Chinatown
Aug 02, 2024•4 min
Newly released 911 calls show the mother of Sonya Massey called police for help with her daughter less than 24 hours before Sonya was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy. A Chicago man with a long criminal record is being held in jail on charges that he murdered an off-duty sheriff’s deputy during an attempted robbery. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker may still be a contender to be Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate: a source tells the Sun-Times that Pritzker met virtually with Harris's vett...
Aug 01, 2024•4 min
Former President Donald Trump’s confrontational interview at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists got mixed reviews. Several Black Chicagoans made their way downtown in hopes of greeting the former president. Plus, local indie artist Adan Diaz is set to perform next to big names in Chicago’s Lollapalooza festival.
Aug 01, 2024•5 min
Former President Donald Trump had a confrontational conversation with Black journalists in Chicago. Advocates say six more years under Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s unpopular regime could have a long-term impact on cities like Chicago. Lollapalooza kicks off Thursday – along with the threat of severe weather.
Jul 31, 2024•4 min
Jonathan “Jojo” Alsberry – known by some in the dance community as “the Kevin Bacon of dance” – is taking the reins this year as the lead choreographer of the finale of Dance For Life. The annual Chicago dance showcase features performances from several local companies, including Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Trinity Irish Dance Company and Visceral Dance Chicago. “I want the work to be a celebration of the beaut...
Jul 31, 2024•17 min
Former President Donald Trump will speak at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago on Wednesday. Many attendees aren’t happy about it. Civil rights leaders, who say the killing of Sonya Massey should prompt sweeping, national police reform. Illinois signs a law strengthening abortion protections the same day Iowa reduces abortion access.
Jul 31, 2024•6 min
Sonya Massey’s family will be on Chicago’s West Side tonight for a rally hosted by Black clergy leaders. The son of imprisoned Mexican drug kingpin El Chapo Guzman pleaded not guilty today in a Chicago courtroom. WBEZ data analysis shows the number of traffic stops made by the Chicago Police Department has gone down this year.
Jul 30, 2024•3 min
A listening session meant to heal relations between law enforcement and Black Springfield residents quickly devolved into a screaming match. Chicago police are pulling over fewer drivers than previous years, a new WBEZ data analysis shows. Illinoisans on Medicaid could soon get coverage for things like rental assistance and nutrition counseling.
Jul 30, 2024•5 min
The U.S. Department of Justice will be in Springfield tonight for a listening session on healing relations between law enforcement and Black communities following the shooting death of Sonya Massey by then-sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson. Insurance plans in Illinois will have to cover pregnancy, postpartum and newborn care from doulas and midwives as part of the state’s so-called “Birth Equity Initiative” signed into law today. The new CTA Damen Green Line station will open August 5th just in time...
Jul 29, 2024•4 min
The Sugar Hole is a walk-up, soft-serve ice cream window in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood, not exceptionally unique but for one significant factor: the staff are puppets. “That’s gonna be $10,” said Puddles, a blue alien, to his first two customers on a hot Saturday afternoon in July. “And I don’t have arms so can you put it between my eyeballs?” Josh Dihle and Abby Monroe are the husband and wife co-owners of both The Sugar Hole and Color Club, an adjacent arts and events space they opened...
Jul 29, 2024•12 min
The U.S. DOJ is looking into the employment history of the police officer who shot and killed Sonya Massey, the Illinois hemp industry tries to work with Republicans and what to do if you see a black bear in Illinois
Jul 29, 2024•4 min
County officials in Springfield released the autopsy report of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month. The autopsy report shows that 36-year-old Massey died from a gunshot wound under her left eye. Student groups in Chicago are reacting to Vice President Kamala Harris' sudden run for the presidential election. Chicago’s largest improv festival, iO Fest, continues this weekend.
Jul 26, 2024•3 min
Lori Branch, Lady D and VITIGRRL are the Good Girls , a Chicago DJ trio that’s “not good for girls, just good.” They talked to Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez about their path to becoming DJs, creating the collective and their advice for the next generation. “You do have to find your community,” said Lady D. “You’ve got to find the people who are going to push you, who are going to support you, people who are going to say while you’re practicing, like ‘That didn’t sound good,’ and make you work harder ...
Jul 26, 2024•19 min
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city is preparing for tens of thousands of migrants to arrive on short notice. Illinois celebrates a new quantum technology research campus on the southeast side of Chicago. Federal and local officials outline their security plan for next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Jul 26, 2024•5 min
Chicago officials vow street closures ahead of the Democratic National Convention will not upend daily life for residents. Chicago Public Schools is offering a glimmer of hope to magnet and selective enrollment students who need transportation to school. A new ad on social media and on TV is trying to inform people about Firearm Restraining Orders to help prevent gun suicides and other shootings.
Jul 25, 2024•4 min
Illinois’ Lieutenant Governor says JB Pritzker should be in the running for Vice President. A new report says crime rates in U.S. cities have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Southside Blooms, a non-profit Englewood flower shop that seeks to employ at-risk youth, has been tasked with making the DNCs floral arrangements.
Jul 25, 2024•5 min
Chicago Public School officials closed a $500 million budget deficit, in part, by counting on thousands of positions to be vacant for part or all of the school year. Illinois U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky boycotted today’s address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Congress because of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. People who live in some south suburbs say any changes to public transportation in the region *must* include better accessibility.
Jul 24, 2024•3 min
DJ and producer Irwin “Chip E.” Eberhart says his contributions to the creation of the House music genre – alongside his crew of Kurt Landrum, Eric Taylor and Joe Smooth – often go unrecognized. “A lot of people make the assumption that House music just accidentally happened, but it didn't,” he told Rundown podcast host Erin Allen. “There was an existing House culture, but there was no genre of House until Kurt Landrum, Joe Smooth, Eric ET Taylor, and myself put together the Jack Trax EP.” “We i...
Jul 24, 2024•18 min
An attorney for Sonya Massey’s family says the U-S Department of Justice is now investigating her death. A new $7 billion dollar investment project is coming to the Near West Side. City officials are preparing for a surge of migrants arriving in Chicago ahead of the DNC.
Jul 24, 2024•5 min
An attorney for the family of Sonya Massey, a Black woman killed in Springfield by Sean Grayson, a white sheriff's deputy, said the U.S. Department of Justice is now investigating the shooting. Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker did not reject the idea of becoming Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate in his first public appearance since President Joe Biden dropped out of the race for president. More than 10,000 Cook County residents will receive property tax refunds.
Jul 23, 2024•4 min
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is singing Governor J.B. Pritzker’s praises but stops short of a vice presidential endorsement. Despite the change at the top of the Democratic ticket – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is vowing a smooth Democratic National Convention. Body camera footage of Springfield woman Sonya Massey’s death is sending shockwaves throughout the community.
Jul 23, 2024•4 min
Illinois U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is among several key Democrats to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president. Voters in Northwest Indiana had mixed reactions to the news that Harris is President Joe Biden’s pick. President Biden’s decision to end his campaign could significantly alter next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Jul 22, 2024•4 min
House music was born in Chicago 40 years ago. To celebrate the genre’s birthday, the city is celebrating with events all year long. Darlene Jackson – also known as DJ Lady D, who the Chicago Reader named “Best House Music DJ in Chicago” – is on the House Music 40 planning committee and is scheduled to spin some music at Wicker Park Fest July 28 . “The roots of House come from disco,” she said on the Rundown podcast. “Frankie Knuckles actually popularized that statement, that House music is disco...
Jul 22, 2024•20 min
The majority of Illinois’ Democratic congressional delegation are backing Vice President Kamala Harris as the party’s presidential nominee this fall. Springfield community members are calling for change at a funeral for an unarmed woman shot by police earlier this month. The private foundation The Commonwealth Fund released a healthcare scorecard showing where Illinois excels and has room for improvement.
Jul 22, 2024•5 min
Cook County prosecutors are dropping the charges against four Northwestern educators who were charged with obstructing police during the pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus in April. Democratic Congressmen Sean Casten and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia are the newest members of Illinois’ congressional delegation to call on President Biden to end his reelection bid. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has come out against federal plans to expand a lakefront disposal site on the Southeast Side.
Jul 19, 2024•4 min
Oak Park-born musician Kara Jackson is taking the stage at Pitchfork Music Festival for the first time. Vocalo’s Nudia Hernandez spoke with her ahead of her performance, and asked her how she would describe her sound. “While the foundation feels like folk – and I really just write songs mostly with me and my guitar – I think there’s so many other influences that show themselves,” Jackson said. “I’ve loved jazz and R&B and all types of music, so I think those influences definitely bleed out i...
Jul 19, 2024•20 min
Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says the head of the Secret Service needs to resign immediately. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is in hot water with progressive organizers urging him to drop charges against them for a civil disobedience protest for Gaza in April. The state of Illinois is hoping to reduce climate change through capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Jul 19, 2024•5 min
Illinois Republican Congressman Mike Bost is joining the growing chorus of calls for the head of the Secret Service to either resign or be fired after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Northwestern University police arrested and charged four educators earlier this month for allegedly obstructing law enforcement during the pro-Palestinian campus encampment. Chicago-born actor and comedian Bob Newhart has died at age 94.
Jul 18, 2024•4 min
The Illinois GOP’s incoming chairwoman says it’s time to put aside differences and get to work. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is denying residents experiencing homelessness are being moved because of the DNC. Southeast Side environmentalists have a new report out about cumulative health impacts.
Jul 18, 2024•5 min
