By Gabby Valente and Atzin Anguiano

Erica Wallace, a customer service representative who has dedicated 33 years to CTA, doesn’t need to see the data on Chicago’s homeless crisis. She sees it at work each day.

Wallace recalled the interactions and encounters she had experienced at the UIC Blue Line Station on Halsted.

“It’s daily,” Wallace said, mentioning the times she’s encountered unhoused people at work. “This station in particular, because we have a UIC train that stops here, and goes back toward O’Hare. Everybody has to get off the train; a lot of homeless people are shifted off and so they come up here.”

In 2024, Chicago’s migrant surge relocated thousands of asylum seekers from the southern borders to the Windy City. Since the surge, Chicago’s homeless population tripled and remains an issue today.

The Chicago 2025 Annual Report on Homelessness estimates that, through a PIT Count, a total of 7,452 people are experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, the racial breakdown shows 53% are African American, followed by 35% Hispanic or Latino. This estimate, however, was conducted in late January 2025 and does not account for the number of people currently experiencing homelessness.

Claude Interactive Chart: This link directs you to our interactive chart that displays the information when hovered over the bars.

The report estimated that about 6,136 individuals experiencing homelessness reside in sheltered locations, with 32% being children under the age of 18. Alternatively, the estimated number of unsheltered individuals was noted as 1,316 with the ages ranging from 45 to 64.

Homelessness Reliance on CTA

Many Chicagoans rely on the Chicago Transit Authority, whether it’s the bus or the train. It has also become a heavily relied-on temporary shelter for unhoused individuals.

Wallace said that in all her years of working at CTA, not a day has gone by that she has not seen homeless people using CTA stations and transportation as temporary shelters to sleep or spend their days.

“It’s always been a problem,” Wallace said, “but it has gotten really bad in the last few years. I would say since COVID, it’s been really bad.”

With COVID-19 being one of the biggest national crises, it impacted many residents’ ability to maintain jobs and as a result, many individuals lost their homes. Due to this, many homeless individuals resort to temporary shelters, such as CTA stations and transport.

“We’re not supposed to have loitering,” she said. “It’s not supposed to be riding back and forth but I mean, it’s kind of hard to control because there’s so much right now.”

Wallace claimed desensitization is one of the traits she has had to pick up in order to truly work such an extended period of time at CTA. She recalls the many times she witnessed homeless individuals being removed from UIC trains once they had reached the final destination. She explains the unwell state they are usually in, and how unfortunate it is for them to feel like they have nowhere else to go.

Wallace talked about the CTA’s outreach program to support unsheltered riders. CTA is aware of the reliance homeless individuals have on the transportation system, and partnered with the City’s Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to offer services and support to individuals who need assistance.

“It’s important to have compassion. CTA does an outreach program at the end of the line at Forest Park,” Wallace said. “I believe it’s two nights a week. They feed the homeless and give them resources that they can take advantage of.”

25th Ward Alderman’s Advancements to End Homelessness

Ald. Byron Sigcho Lopez (25th Ward) is working to help the homeless population in Chicago, specifically in Pilsen. He is an open supporter of the organization Bring Home Chicago, an organization dedicated to helping the homeless population of Chicago gain resources.

“Having shelter is fundamental, in Chicago, at least, we believe this is a human right. In some of the changes that the current federal government is proposing, we can’t get away with housing first, and it’s almost like housing last,” Sigcho Lopez said.

Despite the United States being the wealthiest country in the world, it has one of the highest rates of homelessness across developed nations. Federal laws and policies continue to make housing and resources for the homeless across the United States extremely difficult to access, experts say.

An article from April 2026 from the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities said “the Administration’s approach is at odds with evidence-based solutions — namely, low-barrier affordable housing and customized, community-based services — that are proven to help ensure people have consistent access to safe, stable housing.”

Sigcho Lopez said that on July 15, Little Village will open its first non-congregate, permanent supportive housing program.

“I think that’s an important policy. There are about 100 to 120 basically SROs, like single rooms,” he said.

Lopez is advancing projects to help local homeless people. He and others at the local level are creating more stable options for the unhoused community in Chicago.

Anti-Homeless Architecture is taking over Chicago

Anti-homelessness architecture is all around big cities in America and in Chicago. Though this is more than just making benches and tables with bars across them to prevent people from sleeping on them.

“It’s about aesthetics, and I don’t support that [anti-homeless architecture],” Sigcho-Lopez said. “There have been multiple occasions where we’ve been told, ‘You need to add infrastructure to keep the plaza aesthetically pleasant.’ But in an immigrant community that has long been a point of entry, the real beauty is having open spaces that are welcoming to people.”

This is also an issue in many places as Chicago transitions to a cashless system. Even before COVID-19, many restaurant and retail stores started to become cashless.

An April 2026 Chicago Tribune article, cited some statistics: In Illinois, 7.1 percent of Illinois households do not have bank accounts, which is a bit higher than the national average, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.”

According to a July 2025 article in the Belleville News Democrat businesses in Illinois are allowed to decide whether or not they are a cashless business or not. It’s up to the business’s discretion what types of payments they take in Illinois. Although some states have laws requiring businesses to accept cash payments.

A September 2025 article from WGN News said, “You’ve likely seen it outside businesses, at bus stops, along sidewalks, and in parks, as it can take many forms. Hostile architecture is ‘hostile’ because it subtly (or sometimes quite plainly) keeps people away.”

Many people walk past a bench with an armrest bar through the middle of it and don’t think anything of it but this is a prime example of anti-homeless architecture hiding in plain sight. Anti-homeless spikes are also very popular in the architecture around Chicago, this is where they add spikes to ledges or otherwise flat areas to spot people from lying down there.

“It’s like bottling stereotypes and stigmas, and unfortunately equating unhoused residents with violence,” Sigcho-Lopez. “It is part of the dehumanization and criminalization of the unhoused residents. We’re seeing that unfortunately, with way too many lawmakers who think that they can address the issue of unhoused residents by just putting people in jail.”

Learn more

If you or anyone you know in the Chicagoland area is experiencing homelessness and needs help you can reach out to the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness ((312) 641–4140) or the city of Chicago also has many trusted resources on their website.

QUIZ: Test Your Knowledge on our Article by taking this interactive Quiz. Quiz created by LM Notebook. Directions for Quiz by Gabby Valente.

AI disclosure: This project incorporated AI tools for select components. Summarize Wise Custom GPT was used to generate the summary, Gemini was used for image creation, and Google Veo was used to produce the video content.

Summary: The story explains how local air monitoring helps Little Village residents understand pollution risks that state monitoring can miss. Resident Jocelyn Gomez describes industrial activity and health concerns in the neighborhood. UIC researcher, Susan Kaplan, emphasizes the importance of neighborhood-specific data from local air monitoring. The article highlights Chicago’s air-quality challenges, gaps in monitoring, concerns of new facilities, and the role of “Open Air” Chicago’s monitor network advancements.

_________________________ *** _____________________________

For Jocelyn Gomez, air pollution is a reality of daily existence rather than just a statistic. She has been a resident of Little Village for more than 20 years, and she discusses the neighborhood’s traffic, industrial activity and diesel vehicles.

“You always see diesel trucks in our neighborhood in the mornings, afternoons, and even at night,” Gomez said.

An industrial corridor, Little Village is surrounded by residences, schools, and industrial facilities. Gomez was eventually exposed to pollutants while attending elementary and high school in this area.

“There is a pipeline where growing up here has an impact on your health,” she said. She added that several of her classmates had asthma and used inhalers all day.

When Gomez started learning about environmental health in high school through neighborhood outreach initiatives, such as those run by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, her awareness of air pollution became personal.

She became aware of potential connections between kidney disease and coal pollution during that period, which corresponded to her family’s experience. After years of waiting, her mother was given a kidney transplant after being diagnosed with kidney failure.

“Maybe this is why my mom got sick,” Gomez said after learning about the connection. Although she acknowledges that it is difficult to establish a direct link, the situation shaped her awareness of environmental hazards. Her mother eventually required a kidney transplant, which deepened Gomez’s concern about the potential health impacts.

“It’s people’s lives, not just data.”

Gomez said she didn’t realize how serious the problem was until high school. She went outside with her classmates to count the number of trucks that passed through a local junction as part of a class exercise.

“In just one hour, we counted nearly 300 trucks,” Gomez stated. “It was shocking.”

The test demonstrated the volume of industrial traffic passing through residential areas, especially those near schools. For Gomez, it revealed what had been invisible before.

Local Air Monitoring In Chicago

Air Monitoring is a mandatory requirement by the Government, upheld by the Clean Air Act (CAA), in order to ensure the safety and well-being of residents. According to a 2025 State of Air report, Illinois was graded an overall “F” in Air Quality, making it one of the lowest graded US states. Out of 23 counties that were testing in the state of Illinois, 22 of them received overwhelming low grades, with the highest being ranked a “C”.

Interactive Graph: This link directs you to our interactive graph which displays the data for the Illinois “State of Air” 2025 report.

Susan Kaplan, a Research Assistant Professor for the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the UIC School of Public Health, said air monitoring is “really important for the environment and for human health.”

“People are breathing air 24 hours a day, you don’t really think about it but it has a huge impact on their health,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan discussed the significance of maintaining consistent monitoring of air quality within Chicago. She explained that local air monitoring can provide more accuracy and can inform community members of changes that occur more frequently in comparison to statewide air monitoring.

“Federal air monitors aren’t going to capture some of the sources that local monitoring can,” Kaplan said. “It can help fill in those missing pieces and has a really important role in helping us understand.”

The American Lung Association reports that new technologies can help communities and families take action to protect their health. Furthermore, advocates can use that information to improve air quality by pushing for policy changes.

With more consistent monitoring done by local community groups, it allows for more location specific results. These specific sources can provide assistance in decision making and planning to help understand how to move forward or what needs to change or be done.

“We want to understand what is in the air that we’re breathing,” Kaplan said.

These statewide grades show a widespread issue, but they don’t accurately reflect the distribution of pollution inside communities. Air quality varies significantly by neighborhood in Chicago. Because of the major transportation corridors and adjacent industrial activity, communities such as Little Village are subject to a highly concentrated and localized type of pollution.

Data Gap

Many communities lack access to local air quality data, despite federal mandates to monitor it. This disparity has long been a problem in areas like Little Village, according to Gomez.

“We didn’t get to see what was actually happening in our community; there was always that data gap,” she said.

In the past, the Environmental Protection Agency ran about eight monitoring sites throughout Illinois, which were dispersed throughout larger areas, including the North Side, South Side, Cicero, and suburban communities like Burbank. Nevertheless, none of these monitors were installed in areas where people are more likely to be exposed to industrial pollutants, such as Little Village, Pilsen, or McKinley Park.

As a result of the lack of monitoring in local areas, the data that was available often misrepresented the reality faced by people. The effect of diesel traffic, industries, or other pollution sources in the immediate vicinity was impossible to measure using regional averages. Without information gathered in a specific locality, residents had no concrete evidence to support their claims.

Air Monitoring Advancements

Currently, a proposal for a Mayo Factory is in the works to open up in the Little Village location. With this new factory, diesel emissions would be brought into residential neighborhoods which could have a negative impact on the already low air quality.

The Petroleum Coke case, also known as Petcoke, in the Southeast Side of Chicago was one of the biggest air monitoring cases in Chicago. The case discussed the vast quantities of piles of “Petcoke” and coal that created dangerous and hazardous contamination to residents within the area.

In a region where pollution levels are already high, the proposed facility might increase diesel traffic if approved. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exhaust from diesel engines releases tiny particulate matter that can enter the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and other long-term health problems.

Situations like this emphasize the importance of localized surveillance, according to Kaplan. “Being aware that local data gives communities proof to advocate for change and helps them understand what they’re being exposed to,” she stated.

Currently, as the fight for better air quality continues in Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago Public Health partnered with the Chicago Department of Public Health and others to launch “Open Air Chicago”. Open Air Chicago has become one of the largest air monitoring networks with 277 monitors deployed across the City of Chicago.

“I think local air monitoring has been important to Chicago and it’ll continue to work,” Kaplan said “It’s a way to empower community members.”

As a student who was constantly told by professors that AI was banned in the classrooms, I never paid much attention to the advanced technology. Of course, I knew of the existence of the most popular AI apps, but I wouldn’t use them.

After taking an AI course, I realized how helpful AI tools could be useful for writing. Not only can AI be used to organize, brainstorm and gather information, but text to speech voice generation AI tools can help writers hear the mistakes they overlook when reading.

By using the AI too, Eleven Labs, the user can generate a voice and even control the tone to best fit the text as a writing tool. The text-to-speech feature allows you to upload any writing to the open space and the voice generated will read it outloud. When this is done, it’s like hearing someone read the work to outload to the writer, When this is done it makes it easier to catch mistakes writers tend to overlook.

Exercise 1:

Concerns about public safety continue to grow, an analysis of crime data reveals the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicgo., this map, maps out the areas with the highest incidences of violent crimes over the past year to now, incidences of violent crimes over the past year to now.

The map below uses a color coding system to illustrate heightened crimes in more low-income neighborhoods. As the map begins to move down in the lower West-end to the Southside it can be depicted in Maroon points crimes committed within that area are more associated with the listed above locations. What can also be depicted as the neighborhoods are more riddled with crime is also multiple police stations in communities near the South and Lower Westside compared to North neighborhoods, and communities

Chicago’s South East and Westside areas continue to be labeled as dangerous by news reports and residents. Challenges continue to shape the city’s landscape, An analysis of crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department highlights neighborhoods where residents and visitors face the highest risks in communities that consistently relate to areas pinpointed with the most maroon marks represented for crime committed in Chicago on Google Maps are the same areas being faced with homicides, and other related crimes.

Staggering crime rates in highly populated areas of homicides, and other related crimes. Since 2011, Chicago has faced struggles in taking control of the high profile of crime that continued to grow. In recent years, little has progressed.

In 2020 COVID-19 epidemic crimes such as thefts and robberies were reported low, while crimes related to homicides and shootings rose. As reported in 2021 Homicide rates in predominately African American neighborhoods experienced 40x times the murder rate in proximity to Caucasian neighborhoods.

Impoverished and underfunded environments in Chicago’s South East and Westside areas continue to be labeled as dangerous by news reports and residents. Challenges continue to shape the city’s landscape, new data reveals the most dangerous areas in Chicago in 2024. An analysis of crime statistics from the Chicago Police Department highlights neighborhoods where residents and visitors face the highest risks. While rates are still comparatively high, it was also reported that in 2023 it showed a 50% decrease in the disparity of homicide between African Americans and Caucasians.

In efforts to aid residents in lower-income neighborhoods to feel more at ease in 2021 the State Of Illinois budgeted $100 Million, donating 60% of efforts to Violent Crime Prevention in high-crime areas in Chicago. Sources also reported that another $93 million, reported in 2024, was funded for Violence Crime prevention and other programs. $38 million from private funds, $36 Million from the city,13 Million From the County, and $13 million from the State.

Editing changes I’d make:

• “Chicgo” to → “Chicago”
• Personally, I just took the text from the exercise, but what map? where’s the attribution? Where did the information come from?
• Lots of punctuation errors and periods missing. Goes straight from paragraph 2 to 3 that you almost don't notice until you hear the voice seemingly trying to catch up/catch it’s breath.
• “South East and Westside” → “Southside, Eastside and Westside” because South East becomes confusing and is a different direction. This Occurs twice.
• “Sources also reported that another $93 million, reported…” find synonyms for “reported” or transition the information better.
• Some phrases like “Challenges continue to shape the citys landscape” are repeated, either cut or replace.
• “13 Million From the..” to → “$13 Million from the..”

Exercise 2:

With a significant increase in new cases noted in June 2023 based on globe Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, the COVID-19 epidemic still affects nations all throughout the globe By far the highest levels recorded since the commencement of the epidemic, the chart displaying the global new confirmed cases from January 23, 2020, to June 13, 2023 shows a tremendous spike peaking at nearly 7 million daily instances early in June 2023.

This startling reminder that the SARS-CoV-2 virus still presents a major worldwide health hazard even years after it originally arose comes from somewhat lower case counts during 2022 and early 2023. This abrupt June surge is worrying. The strong climbing trajectory points to a highly transmissible novel variety maybe fast spreading beyond boundaries.

Although vaccination campaigns have achieved great success, this data emphasizes the continuous requirement of public health policies, continuing immunization programs, and worldwide cooperation to manage epidemics even if efforts toward vaccination have made great progress. Governments, health organizations, and people have to be alert to guard underprivileged groups and avoid another overload of health systems.

This most recent comeback underlines that COVID-19 is not yet beaten as the globe approaches the fourth year of the epidemic and complacency might have a great cost. If the world is to prevent such terrible losses, closely monitoring case patterns, genetic sequencing to track mutations, and promoting fair access to immunizations and treatments remain top concerns.

Editing changes I’d make:

• Personally, I would rearrange the first sentence by introducing the information first of COVID and then mentioning the increased spike of cases.
• Change “Organisation” → “Organization”
• Period between “globe” and “By”
• Change “January 23, 2020, to June 13, 2023” to “January 2020 to June 2023". All the numbers make the sentence a little hard to follow.
• The information provided in the end of the first paragraph is repeated again in a manner that you’re hearing it back-to-back so kind of throws the listener/reader off.
• Paragraph 3 is basically a long sentence and one shorter one. The first sentence can be cut down or split into two with proper transitioning.
• Final paragraph is also a long sentence that lists a lot of “top” concerns. A long run on sentence, either transition better or keep the list short to the main 2–3 concerns.
• Attributions could also be done better, it brings up one source and focuses on it but the attribution transitions feel to fall a bit short.

Exercise 3:

Future of AI

With AIs growing advancements, it is important to not diminish or fear it, but to learn to adapt alongside it. AI, like much of the technology the world has learned to adapt to such as phones, computers and the internet, is something that will be alongside us long-term. If the world continues to fear AI instead of embracing it responsibly, then risks of being left behind take place.

It is important to maintain a responsible mindset and reasonable usage of artificial intelligence in order to protect ecosystems that are affected by AIs negative impacts. In addition, using AI responsibly to prevent the spread of misinformation creates trust and builds support within the community.

While AI advances and appears as a threat, there are many things it can not do. It can not replace Journalists, who interact with people to better understand and connect with the community. AI can not replace natural ecosystems and animals that thrive through the protection of the people. AI can not replace real human experience.

Will you use AI responsibly?

Editing changes I’d make:

• There are many run on sentences that could either be cut down or use punctuation changes. Cut or replace some words to avoid confusion.

“AI, like all technology the world has learned to adapt to, *cut the list* is something that will be alongside us long-term.”

• The word responsible comes up a lot, perhaps I could use alternative synonyms that still get the same message across.
• Substitute “Can not” to → “Cannot” and perhaps
• I feel like I also say “AI” one to many times throughout the section, I could replace the world with “It” or create better transitions.

After BTSs’ enlistment for their Mandatory 2-year Korean Military Services, many other Korean Boy groups. Stray Kids gained more traction and grew in popularity. Stray Kids, one of the biggest record-breaking groups that gained more popularity during BTSs’ enlistment. This created a close-knit interest between BTS and Stray Kids.

According to an analysis of Google search data. Over the past few year, Stray Kids and BTS have remained neck-and-neck in terms of gaining interest from the general U.S public.

BTS, Stray Kids and Kpop Analysis — Google Trends

Over the past year, BTS and Stray kids have remained in a balanced consistent rate. The peak spikes around the beginnings of January, slightly after BTS announce their newest comeback and begin promotional content. The spike begins again at the end of the graph as BTSs comeback officially dropped March 20, 2026. Stray Kids, who has not announced a comeback remains in their similar trend.

Chicago Preliminary Elections:

The Preliminary Elections have concluded, and Illinois results have been deemed “higher than previous midterm years” according to a report by National Today, following a 26% increased voter turnout since the Midterm elections back in 2022.

The heated battle between Democratic candidates for the 2026 Primary Elections have been campaigning for months in hopes of securing the democratic seat for the upcoming November Election. The Democratic Candidates: Juliana Stratton; the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi; Illinois 8th district representative, Robin Kelly; Illinois 2nd district Congresswoman.

Democratic Candidates for Preliminary Elections — Google Trends

According to an Analysis of Google search data, Raja Krishnamoorthi took the lead in gaining interest from Illinois residents, with a peak in January of 2026. We also notice in this analysis, as Krishnamoorthi begins to gain traction from the people, Juliana shortly makes her entrance. As the months go by, the heated battle remains neck-and-neck until Juliana begins to take the lead as the election date drew closer.

Stratton vs Tracy Search Results — Google Trends

With the Election concluded, Juliana Stratton takes home the win for Illinois Democratic seat. Now awaiting the upcoming November election where she will face Don Tracy, head-to-head for the U.S Senate seat currently vacated.

AI video directed by Atzin Anguiano || Video created by Sora

Matcha Pancakes in 6 Easy Steps:

Step 1: Gather all the ingredients: For dry ingredients gather; 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp matcha powder (Culinary grade), 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. For wet ingredients gather; 1 cup of milk, 1 large egg, 1–2 tbsp melted butter or oil, and 1 tsp of vanilla extract.

Step 2: Sift the Matcha: It is very important to sift the Culinary Matcha powder into the pancake mix as this will avoid clumps. Make sure the matcha is sifted properly before combining all ingredients.

Step 3: Combine all Ingredients together: Combine all the dry ingredients first by mixing everything thoroughly. Proceed to whisk the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until the batter is fully mixed and smooth.

Step 4: Heat the Pan: Pre-heat a pan on medium or low heat and grease it with butter or cooking spray of your choice. Allow the butter to melt but be sure to switch the heat to low before adding pancake mix. This prevents the butter from burning.

Step 5: Cook and Flip Pancakes: Pour about 1/4 cup of Matcha pancake batter mix into the pan, or until it is a shape you desire. Allow the pancake to cook for 2–3 minutes or until bubbles become visible on the surface. Flip the pancake and allow the flipped side to cook for 1–2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve Pancakes: Serve your Matcha pancakes on a plate and top it with fruits, syrup or toppings of your choice.

After following all 6 steps, you will be able to enjoy your Home-made Matcha Pancakes. Measurements for Matcha and pancake mix can be adjusted based on your personal taste preference and quantity of pancakes.

AI Discretion: Video generated by AI tool, Sora, using the following prompts.

Prompt 1: Sift the matcha powder into the pancake mix and combine wet and dry pancake ingredients to make Matcha pancake batter. Make the batter a deep matcha green color.

Prompt 2: Heat a pan and have butter melt on it.

Prompt 3: Pour deep green Matcha pancake mix into pan until it cooks. Make sure the batter is flipped perfectly. Make multiple pancakes and top them with fruits, whipped cream and maple syrup.

AI disclosure: AI was used to help organize as well as format thoughts and ideas. All Photos and Videos are AI generated through different AI mediums. All research, Image directions and writing were done by author.

Artificial Intelligence, more commonly known as AI, integrates itself more into the world each passing day. AI can be found in everyday life, whether it’s social media, apps, academic, creative, or other fields.

AI advances and learns from its past programming, ensuring it becomes more efficient and can provide more accurate results that the user is asking for. As a result, content produced by AI constantly tests peoples’ skills to identify whether what is being presented to us is real or fake. In a world where everything is being consumed by AI, what does this mean for the generations to come?

With AI advancing and adapting at an abnormally quick speed, it leaves many people with concerns about what this could mean for the future. Many people worry about the environmental damage AI will have on our ecosystem as well as its current increasing presence in the job market and work.

AI’s Infiltration in the Job Market

Recently, the job market has been an increasingly difficult threshold to break into and many seekers are left struggling to even secure interviews.

In recent years, with new adaptations of technology and experience being a need for employers, newly graduated students are being left behind. A Graduate Employability report provided by Cengage found that 2 million global students graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2025; However only 30% of those 2 million found full-time employment in their field of study.

Within the report, there is concern about employers using knowledge with AI as a skill requirement for employment. Within the same study, only 51% of graduates said they feel prepared with AI skills when applying for jobs.

With low numbers of entry-level jobs postings, the theory that AI “taking jobs” is a concern for students. In an interview on CNBC, Nich Tremper, a senior economist at Gusto, mentioned AI as a potential cause of companies pulling back on hiring.

“AI is another reason why businesses have pulled back on hiring,” Tremper explained. “The technology isn’t necessarily replacing human workers en masse, but it’s allowing businesses to hire more slowly as they evaluate the best place to add new employees.”

Gen Z’s Concerns on AI and Work

Instead of companies hiring graduates to do entry-level work, employers may feel more inclined to save the cost of hiring someone by having AI fill in those gaps. In an article written by Linked in Editor Taylor Borden, research was conducted on how the younger generation lack confidence in comparison to older generations with AI advancements in work fields.

The study reported that nearly half of U.S. employees agree that using new AI tools makes them more efficient at work and feel it will help them grow in their careers. However, in comparison to this, it is noted that only 45% of those employees say they feel supported in gaining AI skills and knowledge.

This shows that there are a lot of issues and concerns that an AI-fueled workforce brings up. It will ultimately impact the next generations more heavily than it already does Gen Z. With new advances that AI makes daily, it is a fear embedded in the younger generations, experts say.

Randstad CEO Sander van’t Noordende has said that employees’ recognition that companies are under pressure to “save costs and increase efficiency,” acknowledging the dynamic that makes AI within the workforce as both a positive and negative factor. AI is as much a threat to newer generations who struggle to adjust to it, as it is an opportunity for those confident enough to adapt to it.

Suggestions on how to better adapt AI within the workplace responsibly is approached by the UNRIC–United Nations:Regional Information Centre, in an interview with Janine Berg. Janine within the interview emphasizes the importance of integrating technology through social dialogue between employers and workers. Janine states, “changes can occur through formal settings or informally, in workplaces with a high degree of employee engagement, such as organizations that support teamwork, problem-solving and decentralized decision-making.”

While the usage of AI is something that is causing concern for graduates, mostly in the form of fear that AI is taking jobs away from humans who need them. It is noted in the Graduate Employability Report, that 79% of educators believe it is important for students to have AI skills.

In comparison to that, it is noted that only 37% of educators who believe students should be skilled in AI also believe it is their responsibility to teach those AI skills. This clear distinction between the importance of knowing and learning skills and wanting to teach it, is yet another obstacle students face after graduation.

Incorporating classes that teach students AI skills, helps graduates feel they are being provided with the support and skills to set them for a positive experience in an AI-fueled world.

Furthermore, this will help students who have a harder time applying to jobs due to lack of AI skills get a foot in the door which will create better opportunities post college.

Journalism impacted by AI

AI not only continues to create worries for Gen Z in the job market, but it also causes concerns for Journalists as it challenges their field of work. Journalism is the biggest branch for news outlets, as without journalists working to research what’s happening in the world, consumers who rely on journalism would have no reliable news.

Katrina Pham, an Audience Engagement Reporter for Borderless Magazine, talked about both the positive and negative aspects of AI in journalism. As an audience engagement reporter who interacts with people involved in her reporting, she has expressed usage of transcription tools and translation tools that incorporate AI. She explained the importance of doing research on privacy regulations when using an AI app for anonymous interviews.

“I’m very cautious of about where I’m putting interview files because sometimes in interviews and transcription services, they’re going to talk to me about personal stuff, they’ll say names, maybe I’ll say their names during the interview and there’s a risk of that information being taken or used in another way,” she said. “There are tools that we use that use AI. We have to understand what their privacy regulations are. For us, we work with a lot of vulnerable sources, we have to be mindful of that.”

Pham, who will often use translation tools when she interviews people who would prefer to speak in their own language. AI translation and transcription tools help her connect with the people she interviews to truly document the raw and personal side of her audience. However, she highlights the problems she encounters with the AI tools while she conducts interviews.

“I do a lot of immigration reporting, and there are times when people want to speak in their own language, and so I’ll use transcription and translation tools,” she said. “And sometimes, they [AI tools] will mistranslate my questions or get translated or transcribe the interview file wrong. We have to be careful with that too.”

As concerns for the future of journalism and the usage of AI-generated content to real-life issues occurring in recent events came about, Pham explained the importance between having a connection as a reporter to their audience.

“AI will test us. Journalism is already experiencing a struggle with trust. The whole idea of journalism is that you trust someone to tell you the truth and to be ethical and diligent about their reporting,” she said.

“We’ve been questioned about journalism and our ethics and whether or not we’re telling the truth. I think AI with its increase in amount of information people are getting at one time and how many people they’re getting it from, it’ll be even harder to break through that noise as a journalist and to secure and build trust.”

The idea of trust is something that AI continuously challenges Journalists on. With new technology able to create realistic videos and photos based on real content that is currently occurring with the world, trust is becoming harder for journalists to maintain with their audiences.

“We already have a trust problem and as AI continues to flood peoples’ feeds, it’ll continue to test journalists’ ability to continue holding that trust.”

AI’s increasing Negative Impact on the Environment

AI is growing, and its impacts hit much harder than Journalism and job markets. AI holds an impact on the environment as usage of any AI based program requires real water, electricity and minerals.

According to research by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) AI usage produces electronic waste, consumes large amounts of water, and relies on critical minerals and elements which have become hard to find. Furthermore, the impact it currently has, which negatively affects the generations to come, as these issues are not quick turnaround solutions.

Within the research, a report conducted by the International Energy Agency states that using AI-based programs as virtual assistance consumes 10 times more energy than a traditional Google search. As further information comes about, it is stated that by 2026 AI could rise to see data centers for nearly 35 percent of the country’s energy.

Furthermore, water consumption has been an increasing concern for many people who worry about AIs impact on the environment in which the water is consumed from. With many locations in the U.S already experiencing droughts, it is important to set limitations and transparency on how and who uses AI.

Future of AI

With AIs growing advancements, it is important to not diminish or fear it, but to learn to adapt alongside it. AI, like much of the technology the world has learned to adapt to such as phones, computers and the internet, is something that will be alongside us long-term. If the world continues to fear AI instead of embracing it responsibly, then risks of being left behind take place.

It is important to maintain a responsible mindset and reasonable usage of artificial intelligence in order to protect ecosystems that are affected by AIs negative impacts. In addition, using AI responsibly to prevent the spread of misinformation creates trust and builds support within the community.

While AI advances and appears as a threat, there are many things it cannot do. It cannot replace Journalists, who interact with people to better understand and connect with the community. AI cannot replace natural ecosystems and animals that thrive through the protection of the people. AI cannot replace real human experience.

Will you use AI responsibly?

Step 1: Purchase high quality Matcha Powder

Art directed by Atzin Anguiano || Art created by ChatGPT

Step 2: Gather and prepare your Matcha Set.

Art Direction by Atzin Anguiano|| Art created by Midjourney

Step 3: Whisking your Matcha until it is a smooth and creamy consistency.

Art Directed by Atzin Anguiano || Art created by ChatGPT

Step 4: Carefully pour your whisked Matcha into a cup of milk of your choice.

Art Direction by Atzin Anguiano || Art created by ChatGPT

Step 5: Mix your Matcha completely with your milk

Art directed by Atzin Anguiano || Art created by ChatGPT

Matcha Lattes can often be difficult to perfect as many people have different ratios they prefer, however the Golden Ratio listed above tends to be the most liked within the Matcha community. Adjustments can be made to your own taste; At the end of the day, once all 5 steps are completed, you will be able to enjoy your own Matcha Latte at home with supplies to last a good while.

The previous images were created with AI with the following prompts:

Image 1: Can you generate a photo of a black small can of Matcha powder with the words “Ceremonial Matcha Powder” spelled correctly. Have it placed on a counter surface with the can open. The powder must be a deep shade of green.

Image 2: Can you generate an image of a can of open ceremonial grade matcha powder and a clean empty matcha set on a kitchen counter table. Supplies are individual and clean in a realistic style. The matcha can is black with no details and only says “Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder” spelled correctly.

Image 3: Can you generate an image of a matcha being hand whisked with a Matcha whisk in a Matcha Bowl. The Matcha must be a deep green color, not clumped. The photo must look realistic and from a view looking down on a counter table.

Image 4: Can you generate an image of pouring whisked matcha into a cup of milk. Make the matcha a deep shade of green and make the style realistic. Have the matcha slowly mix in with the cup of milk.

Image 5: Can you generate an image of a fully mixed Matcha Latte in a cup with ice. The image should look realistic, and the drink should look a deep shade of green, not clumpy. Simple and appealing to drink.

Art Direction by Atzin Anguiano || Art created by Midjourney and ChatGPT

10 Matcha Spots to Check out in Chicago - Google My Maps

What is Matcha? Matcha grounded up powder from green tea leaves that have taken the newer generations by storm. Matcha provides many positive health benefits in heart and liver protection as well as weight management. With its increasing popularity, it has created a Matcha shortage. Increase in demand causes its scarce supply that finds it hard to keep up, price has increased.

Many low-quality matcha for high price has become an issue for matcha enjoyers. With high-quality matcha being much more expensive now, low-quality is alternative people will often be drawn to. However, why spend money for poor quality? Matcha quality can be determined by the shade of green that is produced post hand whisking the powder in semi-hot water allowing it to form a smooth consistency. With many Matcha bars using ceremonial or premium Matcha powder, the shade of the drink becomes a rich dark green.

So where can good high quality matcha be found in Chicago? Attached above is a map of 10 Matcha Cafes that can be found within the Chicago-land area created by Atzin Anguiano. Many of these locations are favorites and praised to be worth the price. Have a look, have you been to any of these?

Gov. Pat Quinn talks about MAP grants at DePaul University. (Photo/Bob Smith)

Editor’s note: This story was originally posted on Dec. 12, 2012 and is housed at RedLineProject.org

By Bob Smith

Gov. Pat Quinn visited DePaul University’s Loop campus on Wednesday to discuss how pension reform is harming the Monetary Award Program (MAP) college scholarships and access to higher education in Illinois.

“This is so important to our state, not only in the past, but certainly now and in the future,” Quinn said. “We want everyone to have the opportunity to go to college that has the ability to go to college.”

MAP grants are need-based college scholarships that allow merit students who are in need across the state and do not need to be repaid by the student. Quinn said that due to cutbacks and having to pay more money in the pension amount, almost 18,000 students lost their MAP grant scholarships this year.

“We do not want anyone denied that opportunity because of finances,” Quinn said. “We can’t afford to lose all the talent that exists, all the ability that exists for higher education to help our economy and to help all of us, because there are financial challenges that deny someone the opportunity to go to community college or a four-year university — public and private — in our state.”

Quinn was joined by several Illinois college students, including DePaul Student Government Association Vice President Casey Clemmons.

“Every year over 5,000 DePaul students receive MAP grants, and just like the students who have already spoken here today, all of these DePaul students rely on this funding in order to continue their college careers,” Clemmons said.

“Because the number of Illinois students eligible to receive MAP is currently increasing, existing funding does not allow the state to assist all the eligible students. As a result, without action by the Illinois state leadership, more DePaul students than ever will see their MAP funding disappear this year and more

DePaul students than ever will be forced to give up their education due to finances.”

More than 150,000 students nationally receive MAP grants each year.

Clemmons told the audience that on Tuesday, DePaul’s SGA unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Illinois general assembly and the governor to ensure the longevity of the MAP program. He read the resolution aloud and presented a copy to Quinn.

Ken Thomas, a University of Illinois Board of Trustees student member, MAP recipient and University of Illinois Chicago student, told how he wouldn’t be where he is today if it wasn’t for the MAP grant.

“My mom, when I was in high school, had to work two jobs just to keep food on the table,” Thomas said, “and if we didn’t have [the] MAP program like we do today, I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today; graduating with a degree, hoping to be a productive member of society.”

Having a productive and functioning society and economy is what Quinn says it’s all about.

“Jobs follow brainpower,” he said. “We want to make sure we have smart people in Illinois. Well-skilled, well-educated students coming out of college with graduate degrees and diplomas so they can create jobs, create new businesses,” he said. “Our goal in Illinois is to have at least 60 percent of the adults in our state with a college degree or college associate degree or career certificate by the year 2025. In order to achieve we have to make sure we have a good scholarship program.”

Clemmons said that in order for that to happen, state legislatures need to reflect upon the question, “What must be done?” and do what’s required.