Derek Cantù

Derek Cantù is NPR Illinois' graduate student Public Affairs Reporting intern for the spring 2021 legislative session.

Derek earned a B.S. in History and Secondary Education from Bradley University and an M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from Kansas State University.

Derek has previous experience working as a James H. Dunn fellow (education policy analyst), a high school social studies teacher, and a Fulbright fellow in the Slovak Republic.

Coronavirus

State Launches $1.5B Housing Assistance Program As Eviction Moratorium To Expire In August

Hannah Meisel

Illinois is launching a $1.5 billion federally funded housing assistance program for Illinoisians hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health, Science & Environment

Illinois Should Learn From COVID Crisis On Long-Term Care And Nursing Shortage, Advocates Say

Derek Cantù

The state should focus on home and community based services more than institutions for eldercare.
Health, Science & Environment

Minority Residents In Illinois Nursing Homes Died Of COVID-19 At Disproportionate Rates

Derek Cantù

According to data collected by HFS between March and July 2020, 60% of COVID-related deaths of nursing home residents on Medicaid occurred at facilities where at least 10% of residents lived in rooms with three-plus people.
Government, Politics & Issues

Illinois House Passes Bill To Extend Ballot Drop Boxes For Future Elections

Derek Cantù

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing to make permanent many of the voting options Illinois piloted for the 2020 General Election last fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.