Our Community Media - Uplift and Empower Local Stories and Local Action

TL/DR - 1984 Olympics champion Mary Lou Retton revealed she had no health insurance when she fell gravely ill with pneumonia. Retton was unable to afford insurance due to the cost and her pre-existing conditions, which included a history of over 30 surgeries. A crowdfunding campaign started by her family raised $459,000 to cover her treatment…

TL/DR - Despite standard economic measures indicating a robust U.S. economy, Americans' confidence in the economy is at its lowest since 2008 due to perceived economic hardship. The authors argue that these sentiments stem from economic inequality, corporate power, and economic insecurity, with many facing low wages, irregular work hours, and…

TL/DR - A significant winter storm is expected in the Chicago area, with forecasts predicting 2-5 inches of snow accumulation and winds of up to 30 mph. The winter weather advisory starts at 8 p.m. and will last until noon on Tuesday in parts of Chicago and surrounding counties. The city Department of Streets and Sanitation plans to deploy over…

TL/DR - The author describes his experience with medical bill confusion, highlighting how difficult it is to determine upfront costs of procedures due to opaque billing and insurance systems. Carolyn McClanahan, a physician and certified financial planner, recommends three steps to manage this issue: getting to know your insurance thoroughly,…