University of Illinois Chicago
Coverage of University of Illinois Chicago in the Nexus archive.
- Garfield Ridge resident crafts neighborhood's first community framework plan
Danny Villalobos, a Garfield Ridge resident, created the neighborhood's first comprehensive community plan called Garfield Ridge 2050. The plan outlines goals for the next 25 years and has support from Ald. Mike Rodriguez and Ald. Silvana Tabares. Villalobos used skills from his University of Illinois Chicago master's degree in urban policy and planning to develop the framework.
- As temperatures soar, critics say Johnson administration needs to improve extreme heat plan
Critics argue that Chicago's Johnson administration needs to enhance its extreme heat response by providing nighttime cooling solutions for vulnerable residents. Advocates like Lonette Sims from People's Response Network call for outreach teams, cooling buses, and utility shut-off moratoriums during heat emergencies, citing the disproportionate impact on low-income and unhoused communities.
- After a civil rights complaint, Chicago built the nation’s largest air monitoring network
Chicago built the nation's largest air monitoring network, Open Air Chicago, following a civil rights complaint over relocating General Iron's operation. The network, with 277 monitors, focuses on overburdened neighborhoods to provide real-time pollution data and inform urban planning. The project aims to address uneven air quality, especially during hotter summers exacerbated by climate change.
- The loss of local news isn’t just making voters less informed, it makes taxpayers poorer, study says
A study by Rebuild Local News links the decline of local newspapers to increased taxpayer costs due to higher municipal borrowing rates. Without local journalism oversight, governments face reduced scrutiny, leading to $12 million annual tax increases in Ohio and $1.1 billion nationally.
- Air pollution is often worse in the summer. Now, Chicago can monitor it neighborhood by neighborhood
Chicago has deployed 277 solar-powered air quality monitors across all wards, focusing on neighborhoods disproportionately affected by pollution. The network, part of the nation's largest community air quality monitoring system, provides real-time data, such as a safe air quality index of 31 recorded in Grant Park.
- Federal grant delays could jeopardize essential disability services, research
Federal funding delays may jeopardize disability services and research at the Great Lakes ADA Center, which works to advance understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Robert Gould, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, warns of potential harm to decades of institutional work within 73 days.
- Suspect charged in cross-burning says it was anti-Trump protest, not hate crime
A suspect charged in cross-burning claims the act was an anti-Trump protest, not a hate crime. The burned cross was found at a Chicago park, and the suspect is an anti-Trump former student at the University of Illinois Chicago who is not White.
- Man Charged With Hate Crime, Arson After Grant Park Cross-Burning
A 21-year-old man has been charged with hate crimes, arson, and property damage after burning a cross in Grant Park. He claimed the act was a protest against Trump, not a hate crime. St. Sabina offered a reward for information leading to the arrest.
- Man accused of burning cross in Grant Park faces hate crime, arson charges
A 21-year-old man from Chicago's Near West Side faces hate crime, arson, and property damage charges after burning a cross in Grant Park. Merlin Lu admitted to setting the cross during an NBC5 Chicago interview, though University of Illinois Chicago officials stated he is not currently enrolled there. The FBI, Illinois State Police, and other agencies are investigating.
- Chicago student says cross burning in city park was anti-Trump MAGA protest, not racism
A 21-year-old University of Illinois Chicago student admitted to burning a cross in Grant Park, claiming it was an anti-Trump MAGA protest, not a racist act. The Chicago Police confirmed a person of interest is in custody, and the student apologized for the offense caused while reiterating his intent to oppose the Trump administration.