Led by City Bureau’s senior reporter Sarah Conway, four emerging reporters explored Chicago’s guaranteed income pilot program and private efforts provide cash directly to individuals who struggle to access the social safety net, including people who have been incarcerated.
The History of Guaranteed Income, Explained
The pandemic made Chicago’s guaranteed income pilot possible — but at the federal level, the push to solve poverty through government-backed income is nearly a century old. Read the story.
Chicago’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, Explained
Over 176,000 people applied, making the program more competitive than admission to Harvard University. Read the story.
Why Mothers Need Cash
Two Chicago mothers speak out about the raising cost-of-living, the struggle of parenting and working during a pandemic, and why more support in the form of cash is needed. Read the story.
Guaranteed Income Offers Formerly Incarcerated People a Glimpse of Stability
Many formerly incarcerated people struggle to find employment because of the stigma of a criminal record. To help, one organization is offering cash. Read the story.
Where To Find Support After Incarceration
Find record expungement, housing aid, cash assistance and community healing in 2022. Read the story.
Who Are We?
City Bureau Civic Reporting fellows spend 11 weeks improving their journalism skills and immersing themselves in community reporting. (Photos by Ireashia Bennett/City Bureau.)
Brian Young Jr.
By Davon Clark
Brian Young Jr. is a Black, nonbinary writer and socialist who was raised in the small working class neighborhood of Shady Grove, Alabama. After high school, Young earned a degree in creative writing and theater from Auburn University. In 2019, they moved to Chicago in search of home and queer community. Inspired by the artists and activists of the Black radical tradition, Brian uses their work to express and document their life and gain perspective. Their writing seeks to tell the story of historically marginalized people under capitalism.
“I find my duty is to use this medium to tell the truth,” Young said.
Outside of journalism, Brian’s poetry and essays have been featured in various publications, including Tempest Magazine, Rampant Magazine and Luya Poetry. They’re a cat-lover who sometimes enjoy dogs, and a pop culture enthusiast whose efforts are always political. You can find out more about their work at linktr.ee/yobrian.jr.
Francisco Saúl Ramírez Pinedo
By Erica Scalise
For Francisco Saúl Ramírez Pinedo, journalism is all about reporting on issues that hit close to home.
Born in Mexico, Ramírez Pinedo immigrated with his parents to the Southeast Side of Chicago when he was three years old. He is passionate about elevating immigrant voices, and learning and documenting the history of the labor movement and modern-day changes to workers’ rights.
His journey into journalism began at a year-long storytelling program that was part of WRTE-Radio Arte 90.5 FM and continued at South Side Weekly, where he began research on a police brutality project following the protests for racial justice sparked by George Floyd’s murder. His interest in local news piqued and a lasting commitment to the Weekly formed. His contributions to the magazine earned him a space on the masthead and a contributing editor title.
“So many of the people I admire at South Side Weekly were former fellows,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to get on their level so this seemed like the perfect program to try out for and the fact that it’s in person – when the Weekly has been pretty much all virtual – is really great.”
Currently studying data journalism at Harold Washington College, Ramírez Pinedo has committed himself to becoming a well-rounded journalist. When he’s not on his reporting grind, he finds himself in the depths of the Criterion Channel, watching classics and international films or thinking about his baby — a four year old gray tabby cat named Ziggy.
Leslie Hurtado
By Charlene Rhinehart
Leslie Hurtado didn’t have to search far to unwrap her life calling. At a young age, her love for poetry and writing became powerful clues into who she wanted to become. With the encouragement of educators and family, she decided to pursue journalism.
In 2020, Hurtado graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a major in communications and a minor in journalism. While in school, she served as the editor of The Independent, the student-run newspaper, a role that helped her land internships at Telemundo, WBEZ, WYCC PBS.
Hurtado is an aspiring journalist who cares deeply about doing work that positively impacts communities of color. The Chicago native hopes to become a reporter for a non-profit media outlet.
Last year, Hurtado moved one step closer to that goal. She was a 2021 fellow focusing on stories about environmental justice issues in Pilsen. Now, she’s back again and ready to dive into another year of impact.
“I’m excited to tell the stories of people in the community and get them involved in our work,” Hurtado said.
J. Patrick Patterson
By Frederique Desrosiers
For J. Patrick Patterson, journalism is rooted in community and political education.
Patterson grew up on the South Side and lives in Ravenswood. They are pursuing a master’s in economics and are committed to making information about the economy accessible to working people. “If you don't know anything about a problem, you can’t solve it,” Patterson said.
Patterson also volunteers with South Side Weekly as a fact-checker. It’s a role that requires a person to be detail-oriented, thorough, and meticulous — traits Patterson has and continues to develop.
Working as a fact-checker opened the door to journalism and developed their appreciation for the profession. They are passionate about communities having accessible and accurate information, which they believe is critical to creating positive change. “Some things are intentionally convoluted by people in power to maintain the status quo,” they said.
Attracted by the democratic nature of City Bureau’s mission, Patterson comes to the reporting fellowship to build and develop their journalism skills and to inform communities.
In their free time, Patterson enjoys crossword puzzles, reading, bowling, and trying new craft beer in the city.
Sarah Conway
By Jerrel Floyd
For Sarah Conway, her journalism career is both a full circle moment that was meant to be and an untraditional journey.
The City Bureau’s award-winning senior reporter has engaged with communities for stories ranging from addressing the needs of pregnant women of color to food production worker demands.
Her journey with the organization began with fellowships in 2016 and 2017. She was quickly hired as a resident reporter and later had stints as a special projects manager and an editor.
Before joining City Bureau, the Joliet native worked as a teacher, in project management overseas and with public surveying. She also had occasional waitressing gigs. Combined with her love for writing, those experiences added to her self-taught relationship with journalism. It’s an experience she carries with her when working with fellows who also reach journalism through non-traditional paths.
Her own appreciation for journalism began with her great grandmother who annotated Joliet’s Herald-News with pencil.
Conway’s curiosity, paired with her love of writing and creating space for people, helped birth the empathic journalist she is today. Reporting, Conway said, is a tool to craft stories that provide resources and support for communities throughout Chicago’s South and West sides.
“I want to create a space where people can both share and experience their own healing,” she said.
Have Your Say
Want to share your opinion about the city’s guaranteed income program? Or want to share a tip? Reach out via email at tips@citybureau.org. You can also leave a voicemail or text message for us at 312-361-0881.