Illinois prisons were ordered to improve health care for inmates. They've spent seven years failing. Even though the Illinois Department of Corrections has been under a consent decree since 2019, the state continues to fail to provide adequate medical and dental care to incarcerated people, according...

Johnnie Flournoy, a 74-yr-old man incarcerated in IL, says he's nearly blind bc for years he has been denied a simple treatment for glaucoma. He's not at all alone. His story of medical neglect is a common one in IL prisons. @chicago.suntimes.com chicago.suntimes.com/health/2026/...

Growing healthy food to narrow Chicago's 20-year life expectancy gap: ‘If we eat better, we do better’ Chicagoans are expected to die earlier in West Garfield Park than in any other neighborhood in the city. Sammie and Angela Taylor support a network of community gardens to help close that gap.

Your Friday joy ... a trip to a community garden in Chicago's West Garfield Park, where Angela & Sammie Taylor are doing their part to help people live longer on the West Side: tinyurl.com/mwfetr2c @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @shiakapos.bsky.social @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social

Gov. JB Pritzker's affordability-focused $56B budget proposal includes new tax on social media companies In his annual State of the State address, Pritzker, a likely 2028 presidential contender, denounced the “cruelty and rage” of the Trump administration while highlighting affordability issues just like...

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker quietly included about $144M in his proposed state budget to keep funding health insurance for elderly immigrants who don’t have legal status. Tune in to @wbez.org/91.5FM at 3:30/5:30PM for details. More on the budget pitch from @mitchtrout.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/uucufte5

Longtime incumbent Preckwinkle faces stiff challenge from Ald. Reilly in Cook County board president primary Brendan Reilly, one of the more conservative Democrats on the City Council, looks to unseat Toni Preckwinkle, who doubles as the powerful leader of the Cook County Democratic Party.

Lots to dig into as longtime Cook County Board Prez Toni Preckwinkle runs for a 5th term against Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly, a conservative Democrat, w/@mariahwoelfel.bsky.social.Their takes on:
✅ICE
✅Medicaid losses
✅prop tax system delay
tinyurl.com/hv48j7ws @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

Lurie Children's Hospital pauses gender-affirming meds for new patients under 18 after feds threaten probe Lurie Children’s Hospital, which has one of the oldest gender-affirming programs in the U.S., said it won't give any prescriptions to patients younger than 18 who would be new to the care. HHS announc...

DHHS officials announced the referral for investigation on social media Jan. 15, naming five other hospitals in addition to Lurie's.

In response, the hospital said it won’t give any prescriptions to patients <18 who would be new to gender-affirming care at its hospital.

w/ @kschorsch.bsky.social

West Siders die younger than other Chicagoans. This running club is trying to change that. A son’s mission to transform his mom’s health turned into Peace Runners 773, a running and walking group around Garfield Park. It’s part of a broader effort to help people live longer.

ICYMI: A homegrown solution to closing the 20-year life expectancy gap in Chicago between West Garfield Park & the Loop ... an inspiring story from a mom & her son. Pls press play, read & share! tinyurl.com/65chevtr @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @wbez.org

A family rallies the West Side to fight the life expectancy gap one mile at a time A son’s mission to transform his mom’s health turned into Peace Runners 773, a running and walking group around Garfield Park. It’s part of a broader effort to help people live longer.

Your moment of joy today: A son’s mission to transform his mom's health turned into Peace Runners 773, a running & walking group on Chicago's West Side. It's part of a broader effort to help close a 20-year 'death gap' in the city: tinyurl.com/65chevtr @wbez.org @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social

Chicago's head tax was long called a job killer, but is there evidence to back that up? A WBEZ analysis of employment data finds a lack of evidence that Chicago’s previous head tax, or its repeal, is to blame for job trends in Chicago, and sheds light on who the mayor’s new proposal coul...

📣A must-read fact check about one of the biggest talkers in Chicago right now.

The city's head tax was long called a job killer, but is there evidence to back that up? Via @mariahwoelfel.bsky.social @amyqin.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yertb9bw @wbez.org @civicfederation.bsky.social

There’s a 20-year life expectancy gap in Chicago. Many of these deaths are preventable. West Garfield Park residents are expected to live on average until 67 years old, compared to Loop residents living to age 87. This is widest death gap in Chicago and the biggest gap of any big U.S. ci...

Press play! 📻 My first radio story on the staggering 20-year life expectancy gap in Chicago is out. Hear what it's like for a mom & her son to live in the death gap, and what they're doing about it: tinyurl.com/47r2vcj5
@chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @wbez.org

There’s a 20-year life expectancy gap in Chicago. Many of these deaths are preventable. West Garfield Park residents are expected to live on average until 67 years old, compared to Loop residents living to age 87. This is widest death gap in Chicago and the biggest gap of any big U.S. ci...

In Chicago, there’s a 20-year life expectancy gap between a West Side community & the Loop downtown — the widest death gap across neighborhoods of any big city in the U.S. Many of these deaths are preventable. Here’s what families are doing about it. tinyurl.com/yd8bx2r5 @longreads.com @wbez.org

Another stunning data viz about the 20-year death gap in Chicago. Many of these early deaths are preventable. Data viz by @justinmyers.net. Full story: tinyurl.com/yd8bx2r5 @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

A stunning visual of Chicago's 20-year death gap, mapped on the L, via @myersjustinc.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com. Here's what residents & community leaders are doing to close this gap: tinyurl.com/47r2vcj5 @wbez.org @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @watchdogdiva.bsky.social @kffhealthnews.org

Three-generation West Side family fights to overcome Chicago’s vast life expectancy gap West Garfield Park residents are expected to live on average until 67 years old, compared to Loop residents living to age 87. This is the widest death gap in Chicago.

In West Garfield Park in Chicago, residents can expect to die *20* years earlier than those in the Loop. Even kids know they might not grow old. Meet the families & community leaders working to close this death gap. Pls read & share: tinyurl.com/47r2vcj5 @wbez.org @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social

Black neighborhoods hit hardest with Cook County property tax bill increase, analysis finds Residential property tax bills are rising fastest in Black neighborhoods on the South and West sides as the county's tax burden shifts away from the economically depressed Loop.

I've spent a lot of time in Chicago's West Garfield Park community recently. Being priced out of their homes is a big fear. Some of that fear has come to fruition -- huge property tax bill hikes in one of the poorest areas of the city: tinyurl.com/4ernvc7y, via @davidstruett.bsky.social

Where to find Chicago-area food pantries if SNAP goes away during the shutdown The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will be cut off Saturday unless Congress acts. Here’s a list of food pantries across Chicago and the suburbs.

Nearly 2 million people in Illinois could lose SNAP benefits starting Saturday. Here's a list of food pantries in Chicago & the suburbs if you're looking to donate or you need extra food. tinyurl.com/2zxvrxx5

NEW: U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis is allowing the deposition of Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino to expand to FIVE hours (she'd limited it to 2), and she wants to hear about use of force by CBP in Little Village on Wednesday and Thursday.

Plus a reminder to "preserve all body-worn camera footage."

📣Hey Chicago! I'm digging into the *20-year* life expectancy gap here. Your ZIP code can determine how long you live. I'm looking to share your stories & ideas for solutions. Pls take my brief survey & share: bit.ly/ChicagoLifeGap @wbez.org @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social @chicago.suntimes.com

Good news for Chicagoans: Life expectancy is nearly back to pre-pandemic levels New city data shows the stark life expectancy gap between Black and Chicagoans of other races has also shrunk, though the gulf is still wide.

Good news for Chicagoans, but with some caveats:
✅ life expectancy is nearly back to pre-COVID levels
✅ stark gap between Black & Chicagoans of other races has shrunk
✅can the momentum last w/dwindling government $$?

Story via me & data viz via @justinmyers.net: tinyurl.com/455a2m8x @wbez.org

Chicago sees its fewest summer murders since 1965 The Chicago Police Department’s criminal homicide tally for June, July and August is the lowest in 60 years. And overall violent crime remains near its lowest point in more than four decades.

There are still way too many shootings and murders in Chicago, but by the numbers this was the safest summer in 60 years. Great analysis by @chipmitchell1.bsky.social

chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/09...

Forced Hospitalization Increasingly Used by Chicago Police Analysis of Chicago Police Department data reveals that officers are increasingly using forced hospitalization in mental health crises.

A must-read about Chicago police forcibly hospitalizing thousands of people. This largely untracked system can leave people in crisis traumatized & not willing to actually get treatment, per a big team including @mindsitenews.bsky.social @invisible.institute: tinyurl.com/yhmrjyr7

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📣In Chicago, where you live determines when you could die. I'm digging into this stark life expectancy gap - the biggest of any big city in America. Help me understand how this impacts your life. Pls fill out & share this brief survey: tinyurl.com/3622pj9b @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown on brink of closure The government is dropping Weiss from Medicare and Medicaid after months of failing to meet federal standards. Hospital staff say it could close Friday.

Weiss in Uptown is losing Medicare & Medicaid payments on Saturday, which make up the majority of the $$ the hospital makes. Here's why Weiss closed, per digging into documents and sourcing via me & @kwashburn.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/jp8hb2ey
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

@Suntimes

Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago closed this morning. The owner plans a news conference today not at Weiss, but at the other hospital he owns. Interesting choice.

'Community hospitals are more than buildings – they are a promise,' state Rep. Lilly says per the release.

Community members, elected officials say Weiss closing will have 'severe' consequences The North Side safety-net hospital will likely close Friday as it's set to lose major federal health insurance payments starting this weekend.

Community orgs, elected officials: closing Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago would have 'severe' consequences. They ask for more time for Weiss' owner to make repairs. The hospital has been in and out of compliance w/fed regulations for months, via @kwashburn.bsky.social tinyurl.com/mvae9kcd

Saving Mercy Hospital

We know what happens when a hospital closes. Look at the unwinding of historic Mercy Hospital in Bronzeville before it was bought for $1. Patients scrambled to find new docs. Other hospital ERs got slammed w/patients: tinyurl.com/3tpzafjw @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown on the brink of closure Hospital staff say it could close Friday. The government is dropping Weiss from Medicare and Medicaid after months of failing to meet federal standards.

Chicago could lose another hospital. After months of being in and out of compliance, the feds are cutting off Medicare & Medicaid payments to Weiss Memorial Hospital on Saturday. This made up 84% of their $$$ last year, w/
@kwashburn.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/4j64y7xh
@wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown on the brink of closure The government is dropping Weiss from Medicare and Medicaid after months of failing to meet federal standards. Hospital staff say it could close Friday.

BREAKING: Weiss Memorial Hospital in Uptown could close as soon as Friday as the feds cut off Medicare & Medicaid funding, via me & @kwashburn.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/jp8hb2ey @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com @shiakapos.bsky.social

Illinois sues the Trump administration to protect access to gender-affirming care The multi-state lawsuit says the Trump administration has intimidated providers into ceasing care with threats of investigations and criminal prosecutions.

NEW: 'These actions are causing chaos, confusion, and fear ...'

@ilattygeneral.bsky.social sues the Trump administration to protect gender-affirming care for young patients:
tinyurl.com/4fyeskds @wbez.org @chicago.suntimes.com

UI Health suspends gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19 UI Health is the fourth major hospital in Chicago to scale back trans health care for young people amid threats to federal funding.

NEW: @uihealth.bsky.social suspends gender-affirming surgeries for patients under 19, making it the fourth major hospital in Chicago to stop or cut back trans health care for young people as the Trump administration threatens to cut federal funding: tinyurl.com/49k4smjz @wbez.org

Weiss emergency room is ‘not safe for patients,' ER medical director tells state A state investigation found Weiss Memorial Hospital's emergency room is not providing adequate care and the medical center is not staffed with enough nurses. However the hospital's owner claims the fi...

So much to unpack in this must-read about a Chicago hospital and 'unsafe conditions in the makeshift ER,' via @kwashburn.bsky.social: tinyurl.com/yw7cdbc4