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Willing to work, in Colombia to stay
Colombia’s Temporary Protection Permit is a program that has benefited an estimated two-thirds of the 2.9 million Venezuelan migrants in the country. The legalized status lays the path to employment in the formal job market, and access to health care, schools, pensions and the financial system. Integrating Venezuelan migrants into the formal labor market could expand Colombia’s GDP almost 4% by 2030, according to a 2022 study by the International Monetary Fund.
How do you know when it’s time to retire?
Finances aren’t the only factor at play—health, boredom, purpose, and more all contribute to decisions about when to clock out of the work life. Do I have enough money saved? How will I spend my time once I’m no longer working? What if I have a medical emergency or accident?
How Chicago’s two-flat could build wealth for South and West Side residents
For some, being a homeowner is part of the American dream. For Mercedes Pickett, it was her dream to own a home in Garfield Park where she grew up. Mercedes’ journey to homeownership is the focus of an upcoming episode of the Change Agents Podcast, which focuses on community activists and organizations working toward social justice and grassroots efforts to solve problems around the city.
Temperatures at O’Hare hottest in 70 years
90-plus degree days expected through the end of the week. We’re not even officially in summer and it’s hot, hot, hot. So much so that Monday’s record-breaking temperature was the hottest it’s been in this area on that date (June 17) since 1887. Reset hears what’s...
Already on the margins and ostracized
Although Colombia and Venezuela share a language, a border and a religion, each country harbors negative cultural biases against the other that, in stressful times, can curdle into xenophobia and prevent migrants from integrating. While reporting in Colombia in April, WBEZ reporter Chip Mitchell frequently heard bigoted views against Venezuelan...
Violence programs to expand in four West Side neighborhoods as business group nears $100 million goal
Four West Side neighborhoods will see a boost in violence prevention programs targeted at people most at risk from gun violence, as a group of business leaders nears its ambitious goal of raising $100 million in private funding. The expansion was announced Monday by leaders of nonprofit groups who largely...
Chicago's historic heat wave may bring warmest stretch of nights in 91 years — what you need to know
With scorching weather Sunday and Monday, temperatures in Chicago have reached the 90s two days in a row, and the National Weather Service said this heat will stick around for the rest of the week. It’s not unusual to have this type of heat in mid-June, but forecasters say it’s...
How to help Venezuelan migrants in Colombia
These nonprofit groups in Colombia support Venezuelan migrants in a number of important ways: providing legal counseling; fighting xenophobia; providing shelter, food and education; training community leaders; and investigating abuse. All organizations listed here have websites where you can get more information about volunteering or contributing to their missions. El...
Illinois lawmakers call for more details on plan to replace prisons
The head of an advisory commission tasked with reviewing Ill. Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to tear down and replace two long-neglected prisons on Friday blasted the proposal as half-baked, capping off a week of contentious public hearings about the $900-million project. “A plan has details,” said state Senator Dave...
Nudia Hernandez, Erin Kilmurray and a hot ticket: ‘The Function’ dance show
Every Friday from here we’ll be checking in with Nudia Hernandez of WBEZ’s sister station Vocalo, who’s gonna bring us a conversation with an artist or musician doing big things in Chicago. Today, we hear from Erin Kilmurray, creator of “The Function,” an immersive dance production that’s...
Misinformation is a 'real danger to our democracy.' What can election boards do about it?
When a spokesperson for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners accidentally misreported mail-in ballot numbers during the Democratic primary for Cook County state’s attorney this spring, the online backlash was swift and harsh. Max Bever, who has worked for the Chicago elections board since 2021, says he was “harassed...
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