Marisol Vega

Marisol Vega

Marisol writes about how city decisions affect everyday people. From housing and schools to city programs, she breaks down the news so it’s easy to understand. Her focus is helping readers know what’s changing and how it matters to them.

Illinois' Student Loan Crisis: How Borrowers Can Navigate Debt, Find Relief, and Avoid Long-Term Financial Strain

Illinois’ Student Loan Crisis: How Borrowers Can Navigate Debt, Find Relief, and Avoid Long-Term Financial Strain

CHICAGO — Illinois residents are facing a mounting student loan crisis, with nearly $63 billion in collective debt affecting over 1.6 million borrowers statewide. ...

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Chicago’s Ban on ‘Granny Flats’ Faces Growing Backlash as Families, Seniors Seek Affordable Living Solutions

Chicago’s Ban on ‘Granny Flats’ Faces Growing Backlash as Families, Seniors Seek Affordable Living Solutions

CHICAGO — For Lakeview residents Brian and Fiona Peterman, building a small second home in their backyard meant more than just adding property value ...

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Chicago Uber and Lyft Drivers Push for New Law After Pay Plummets, Safety Fears Rise

Chicago Uber and Lyft Drivers Push for New Law After Pay Plummets, Safety Fears Rise

CHICAGO — Gig work once promised freedom and flexibility for thousands of Chicagoans driving for Uber, Lyft, and other app-based services. But today, many ...

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When Seniors Face Expensive Home Repairs, the Solution Can Be a Lifeline — Or a Burden for Their Families

CHICAGO — As the aging housing stock in Chicago continues to deteriorate, seniors across the city are being forced into difficult decisions — repair ...

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Black Yacht Weekend Sparks Safety Concerns After Reports of Overcrowding, Fights on Lake Michigan

Black Yacht Weekend Sparks Safety Concerns After Reports of Overcrowding, Fights on Lake Michigan

CHICAGO — What was meant to be a festive celebration of summer and community on Lake Michigan turned dangerous over the weekend, as Black ...

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Heat Concerns Loom Over Chicago Pride Parade As Officials Urge Crowd To Stay Hydrated

Heat Concerns Loom Over Chicago Pride Parade As Officials Urge Crowd To Stay Hydrated

CHICAGO — With scorching weather in the forecast for this year’s Chicago Pride Parade, officials are urging attendees to prepare for extreme heat — ...

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Chicago Tenor Rodell Rosel on Finding Joy, Identity, and Unity Through Opera

Chicago Tenor Rodell Rosel on Finding Joy, Identity, and Unity Through Opera

CHICAGO — From the grandeur of international opera houses to the vibrant neighborhoods of Chicago, Rodell Rosel has spent over two decades using music ...

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Chicago Braces for Scorching Weekend, With Storms Possible Late Sunday

Chicago Braces for Scorching Weekend, With Storms Possible Late Sunday

CHICAGO — As the city heads into another summer weekend, forecasters are warning of intensifying heat across the Chicago area — with temperatures expected ...

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Activists Fight to Save Damen Silos From Demolition, Pitch Plan for Riverfront Park and Concert Space

Activists Fight to Save Damen Silos From Demolition, Pitch Plan for Riverfront Park and Concert Space

CHICAGO — A historic industrial relic visible to thousands of commuters daily may soon vanish from the city’s skyline, as plans to demolish the ...

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Duckworth and Illinois Lawmakers Demand IRS Explain False Tax Bills Sent to Americans Who Already Paid

Duckworth and Illinois Lawmakers Demand IRS Explain False Tax Bills Sent to Americans Who Already Paid

CHICAGO — Illinois’ U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth is leading a congressional outcry after the IRS mistakenly sent tax bills to individuals who had already ...

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