Taking a Break from the News

It’ll Be There When You Get Back [READER]( I know, I know: I’m a journalist—Co-Editor and Co-Publisher of this esteemed newspaper, no less—encouraging you to take a break from the news. But sometimes it’s what we have to do to stay sane. Even those of us in the news business. Last Wednesday, Co-Editor Sujay Kumar and I told Reader staff that it was OK to take a step back from work, from their computers, from the news, if they—like us—were too freaked out to concentrate. I can only speak for myself, but watching those events unfold in D.C. left me paralyzed and terrified. I, like so many of you, will forever be haunted by those images. As vital a role as the Reader plays in the news ecosystem, no one was looking to us for breaking news from the Capitol. No one would miss us if we just needed a minute to pull it together. Our e-mails, stories, and work were there when we returned. And the same is true of the news: the horrors, triumphs, heartache, and hope playing out across our city, country, and world aren’t going anywhere. They’ll be there when we tune back in. I hope you are all able to take a break from the news every now and then. And I appreciate that when you do tune back in, you turn to us. From now on, Co-Publisher Tracy Baim and I plan on tag-teaming the publisher letters, and I’ll be back with you in two weeks. Sincerely, Co-Publisher Wear a mask please! For more details on the Reader, see [www.chicagoreader.com]( and for ways to support, see [www.chicagoreader.com/support](. [Domestic violence survivors battle to keep legally protected housing subsidies]( She fell behind on rent. Then her landlord sued. Then the Chicago Housing Authority threatened to terminate her voucher. By [Yilun Cheng]( [@ChengYilun]( [Inside the fight for racial equity at SAIC]( Current and former students, staff, and faculty at the top-ranked art school describe microaggressions, discrimination, and a failed anti-racism campaign. By [Kerry Cardoza]( [@booksnotboys]( [It's in her blood]( Three generations of unapologetic Latina activists continue the Lozano family legacy. By [Neena Rouhani]( [@neenaroe]( [Lori and her lawyers]( Mayor Lightfoot hires an investigator to tell her what she already knows about the Anjanette Young raid. By [Ben Joravsky]( [@bennyjshow]( [Tell us what you need as an essential worker]( Essential workers have kept our economy going; now we want to hear what they need to keep going. By [Reader staff]( [Issue of Jan 7-20, 2021 Vol. 50, No. 8]( [Download Issue]( (PDF) 1971 Chicagoans have relied on the Reader for trusted alternative coverage of our city. The Chicago Reader is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization which means our survival is in your hands. In order to continue to be your trusted alternative voice of Chicago, we need your help. If you can donate just $5 today, we can show the world that community funded, independent journalism is the future. [DONATE TODAY!]( [View this e-mail as a web page]( [@chicago_reader]( [/chicagoreader]( [@chicago_reader]( [Chicago Reader on LinkedIn]( [/chicagoreader]( [chicagoreader.com]( [Forward this e-mail to a friend](. Want to change how you receive these e-mails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. Copyright © 2021 Chicago Reader Store, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Chicago Reader Store Our mailing address is: Chicago Reader Store 2930 S. Michigan Ave.Chicago, IL 60616 [Add us to your address book](