Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Prior to arriving at WBEZ, she was a breaking news producer at the Tribune Company and an editor at Chicago magazine. Esther has also covered education and juvenile court, and did a stint in communications at the Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago before returning to journalism. Her work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered and Morning Edition, as well as Marketplace and Here and Now.
Esther has won numerous national and local awards, including a Sigma Delta Chi award from the Society of Professional Journalists and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Her work has also been recognized by the Asian American Journalists Association and the National Association of Black Journalists.
Esther graduated from Northwestern University and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at the journalism school. Born in South Korea, she grew up in Paraguay and the D.C. area. She lives in Chicago with her family.
Stories by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
After Foxtrot and Dom’s closings, Chicago-area vendors seek new places to sell
The abrupt closure of the grocers impacts dozens of local vendors — from cold brew to Japanese rice balls.
Talking to your kids about race can reduce bias, a Northwestern professor found
Psychologist Sylvia Perry studied conversations between white parents and their school-aged children to understand prejudice.
A U.S. Supreme Court case could affect homeless people in Chicago and Illinois
Later this month the justices will hear a case that will determine if cities can use local laws to ban homeless people from sleeping outside with a blanket or other bedding.
Crowdfunding campaign gives Roseland residents a chance to co-own a strip mall
A social enterprise firm is recruiting neighbors to invest in projects designed to open up real estate ownership to people in their communities.
Apple slices are a nearly forgotten piece of Chicago pastry history
The dessert was popular in the 1950s and ’60s, and was even a favorite of a former Chicago mayor. Today, only a few local bakeries sell it.
Migrants move out of two Oak Park shelters. What’s next for them?
The western suburb has housed 160 migrants since November. Two shelter sites closed this week, but local groups are working to fill the gap.
This Chicago dad created a cookie line inspired by his son who has autism
Many parents of children with special needs wonder what their kids will do when they need jobs. Al’s Cookie Mixx aims to tackle that problem.
How are the Chicago suburbs handling the influx of migrants?
After a crackdown in Chicago on unannounced buses dropping off migrants, a growing number of suburbs have been receiving newcomers.
Don’t take away dollar stores without ‘backup plan,’ community members say
Chicago City Council is considering limiting the number of dollar stores in the city, but many neighborhoods rely on these “small-box” stores.
After caring for little ones, Illinois’ home-based child care providers often make minimum wage — or less
As more daycare operators leave the field for better-paying jobs, families have fewer child care options, says the union that represents 15,000 providers.