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Articles on Chicago

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Today’s low-income housing developments, like this one in St. Louis, are of a much higher quality than those of the past. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Building subsidized low-income housing actually lifts property values in a neighborhood, contradicting NIMBY concerns

The concentration of subsidized low-income housing developments isn’t as bad as residents fear: It actually increases property values – at a faster rate than other neighborhoods.
When schools shut down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, moms took on the burden of supporting students at home. AP Photo/Shafkat Anowar

I’m a Black sociologist, and a mom – by listening to other Black mothers, I’ve learned about their pandemic struggles and strengths

As the world locked down and a country’s racial reckoning heated up, this social scientist refined her approach to studying the lives of Black moms.
Shelter-in-place measures have made it more difficult for victims of domestic violence to escape from their abusers. Elizabeth Livermore/Moment via Getty Images

Domestic violence 911 calls increased during lockdown, but official police reports and arrests declined

A change in how witnesses, victims and authorities respond to domestic violence reports paired with limited social services placed victims in a vulnerable position during the pandemic.
A team photograph of the 1919 Chicago White Sox squad, many of whom would be implicated in throwing that year’s World Series. Heritage Auctions

How gambling built baseball – and then almost destroyed it

Up until the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, gambling and baseball had a marriage of convenience. A century later, gambling is again being seen as a solution to the sport’s woes.
Contact with nature reduces stress and aggression, one reason scholars say urban green space may reduce violence. Shutterstock

Can parks help cities fight crime?

Some parks reduce violence in the local vicinity. Other parks attract crime. The difference has to do with how these urban green spaces are designed, programmed and managed, experts say.
Despite being known for high college acceptance rates, Urban Prep Academies recently lost a charter to operate a school on Chicago’s west side. Charles Rex Arbogast/AP

Chicago’s Urban Prep Academy – known for 100% college acceptance rates – put reputation ahead of results

Urban Prep Academy in Chicago made a name by boasting about its 100% college acceptance rates for graduating seniors. A founding teacher at Urban Prep explains why that statistic is misleading.
Public bikes are meant to complement a city’s existing mass transit network, so the location of docking stations is critical. MusikAnimal/Wikimedia

Chicago, New York discounted most public input in expanding bike systems

Under 10 percent of new Citi Bike and Divvy bike docks are sited where residents suggested using interactive online maps, a new study shows. But that doesn’t mean city officials weren’t listening.
Chicago is often invoked in political debates on crime. Scott Cornell/shutterstock.com

Why the US needs better crime reporting statistics

What’s really the most dangerous American city? The way crimes are currently counted in the US can easily confuse and mislead.

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