💻 From Under the El
All you have to do is look around to see how Chicago builds things — it’s all around us. But when I was gathering today’s good news, I was thinking about how Chicago builds relationships. Here, all kinds of people work together to solve all kinds of problems they wouldn’t be able to tackle alone, and that’s what a lot of today’s stories are about. A lot of good can happen when we help each other out. It’s Monday, Chicago. Let’s get to some good news.
⏰ tl;dr
Kidney stone surgeries could become faster and safer, thanks to a breakthrough by UChicago researchers
Sky-high energy bills charged by private utility companies would be capped by a proposed law that’s working its way through the statehouse
Families can learn to bike to school and work together safely at an upcoming Bike Bus meetup
🌻 What’s Going Right In Chicago Today
Image credit: UChicago
🔬 Chicagoans discover a new solution that could make kidney stone surgery faster and safer
Researchers at the University of Chicago developed a nanoparticle-infused saline solution that dramatically improves the efficiency of kidney stone laser treatments.
Anyone who has experienced kidney stones knows they’re notoriously painful, and treating them isn’t always simple. During a procedure called laser lithotripsy, doctors use a tiny laser to break stones into fragments that can be removed from the kidney. The challenge is that much of the laser’s energy gets lost in the saline fluid used during surgery, forcing doctors to use more power and increasing the risk of damaging surrounding tissue.
A collaboration between engineers at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and doctors at Duke University found a potential fix: add specially designed nanoparticles to the saline solution. These particles absorb the laser’s wavelength and help focus the energy directly on the kidney stone rather than letting it dissipate in the fluid.
This is a classical example of how connecting dots can create something that's transformative.
The results are dramatic. In lab tests, the nanoparticle-infused saline improved stone-breaking efficiency by as much as 700 percent. That could mean shorter surgeries, less heat damage to surrounding tissue, and faster recovery times for patients. Researchers say the technique could potentially cut some procedures from about 30 minutes to closer to 10.
⚡ A proposed Illinois law aims to protect consumers from utility price gouging
A new Illinois bill would strengthen protections for residents who unknowingly sign expensive contracts with private energy suppliers.
Many Illinois residents have learned the hard way that switching to a private utility reseller doesn’t always mean lower bills. Some customers sign contracts believing they’re locking in cheaper energy rates, only to see prices jump dramatically later.
A proposed law called the No More Utility Bill Rip-Offs Customer Protection Act (HB 4313), sponsored by State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet, would require clearer notifications when rates increase and limit how much resellers can charge compared with standard utility prices.
“Many constituents sign up with resellers thinking they are going to get a lower rate. Unbeknownst to them, contract renews and rates go up and they don't know.”
Consumer watchdog groups like the Citizens Utility Board say the issue has become increasingly common as energy prices have climbed in recent years. If passed, the law could give customers more transparency and protection — much needed as we all navigate the rising cost of living.
🏐 After brain cancer and 2 surgeries, a teen athlete is back on the court
A Palatine high school junior is returning to competitive volleyball just months after a rare brain cancer diagnosis.
Last summer, Finn Chapin, a junior at William Fremd High School, was preparing for another volleyball season when severe headaches and nausea suddenly sent him to the emergency room. Within days, doctors diagnosed him with pineoblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain tumor.
The diagnosis set off a whirlwind of treatment: emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, followed by a nine-and-a-half-hour operation to remove the tumor. Recovery was grueling. At one point Finn struggled to speak, move his eyes normally, or even walk down a hallway without exhaustion.
After surgery, I had all these troubles moving around and seeing and stuff, but I wouldn't let it stop me from doing what I wanted to do.
Throughout rehab, he kept returning to the same motivation: volleyball. And just three months after surgery, Finn was back practicing with his club team, even while undergoing chemotherapy. Now he’s setting his sights on his next goal: making the varsity team at Fremd.
🗓️ Eye On the Chi
NHS Chicago 51st Anniversary Gala
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago is celebrating 51 years of helping families achieve homeownership and stronger neighborhoods.
When: March 21, 7 p.m.
Where: Museum of Science and Industry
Chicago Family Biking Bike Bus Leader Training & Meetup
Want to help more kids bike safely to school? Chicago Family Biking is hosting a training and meetup.
When: March 12, 6 p.m.
Where: Butcher’s Tap
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Till next time,
Good News, Chicago
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