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Somer Van Benton on Muck Rack

Somer Van Benton

(She/Her)
Chicago
As seen in: NPR, Chicago Sun-Times, La Voz Chicago, WBEZ-FM (Chicago, IL)
Covers:  Art, Culture, Community, Black History, Entertainment
finding inspo in everyday life
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Somer Van Benton’s Journalist Portfolio

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'A ray of sunshine with basketballs': WNBA All-Star Weekend lights up Chicago

'A ray of sunshine with basketballs': WNBA All-Star Weekend lights up Chicago

The WNBA host the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend events in Chicago.

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What to know about diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasis in Illinois

What to know about diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasis in Illinois

Illinois reports 309 cases of the intestinal infection that causes "explosive diarrhea." Taylor Farms volunta…

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South and West sides have highest rates of infant sleep deaths in Cook County

South and West sides have highest rates of infant sleep deaths in Cook County

Researchers found 208 sudden and unexpected infant deaths in Cook County from 2019 to 2023, with many concent…

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Forever Mine Festival brings Y2K nostalgia and Chicago house culture to Union Park

Forever Mine Festival brings Y2K nostalgia and Chicago house culture to Union Park

Day 1 of the inaugural festival was a celebration of house music, 2000s R&B and the city's Black and brown cu…

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As Red Line expands, South and West Siders run along 103rd Street to imagine something new

As Red Line expands, South and West Siders run along 103rd Street to imagine something new

Hundreds of Chicagoans gathered Saturday for the inaugural 103rd Street 5K Peace Walk/Run and sparked a conve…

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Women in Illinois prisons reclaim their beauty with limited resources

Women in Illinois prisons reclaim their beauty with limited resources

Some people locked up in prison in Illinois say personal appearance takes on a whole new significance behind …

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Casi 70 grupos de Chicago reciben microbecas tras recortes de SNAP y campaña de inmigración

Casi 70 grupos de Chicago reciben microbecas tras recortes de SNAP y campaña de inmigración

Las subvenciones de $4,500 de la Municipalidad están destinadas a apoyar a negocios pequeños y grupos comunit…

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Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign

Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign

The $4,500 city grants are meant to support small businesses and community groups struggling after the federa…

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Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign

Nearly 70 Chicago groups receive micro-grants after SNAP cuts, deportation campaign

The $4,500 city grants are meant to support small businesses and community groups struggling after the federa…

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Protesta 'Sin Reyes' atrae a miles al Grant Park de Chicago

Protesta 'Sin Reyes' atrae a miles al Grant Park de Chicago

Las manifestaciones a nivel nacional en oposición al presidente Donald Trump se producen en medio de la guerr…

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'No Kings' rally draws thousands to Chicago's Grant Park: 'More and more people are horrified and...

'No Kings' rally draws thousands to Chicago's Grant Park: 'More and more people are horrified and...

The nationwide rallies to oppose President Donald Trump come amid the ongoing war in Iran.

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Route 66 centennial celebrated with new sign at Navy Pier

Route 66 centennial celebrated with new sign at Navy Pier

The storied highway, which spans 2,400 miles between Chicago to California, is celebrating its centennial thi…

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Park District paints over César Chavez mural as calls grow to rename public buildings in Chicago

Park District paints over César Chavez mural as calls grow to rename public buildings in Chicago

On Friday Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García called to rename a post office in Pilsen, while leaders at Cesar E. Chavez…

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Cubren mural de César Chávez en parque de Pilsen; también piden renombrar edificios públicos en C...

Cubren mural de César Chávez en parque de Pilsen; también piden renombrar edificios públicos en C...

El viernes, el representante Jesús "Chuy" García pidió renombrar una oficina de correo en Pilsen, mientras lo…

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Melissa Bean wins 8th Congressional District primary, moves to reclaim seat she lost 16 years ago

Melissa Bean wins 8th Congressional District primary, moves to reclaim seat she lost 16 years ago

Voters decide today which Democratic hopeful will be on the ballot in November for the general election. Lear…

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A final farewell from the people to civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson

A final farewell from the people to civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson

After a private service at Rainbow PUSH headquarters Saturday, Jackson was buried at Chicago's Oak Woods Ceme…

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Jesse Jackson's hometown determined to preserve its rich shared history amid rapid change

Jesse Jackson's hometown determined to preserve its rich shared history amid rapid change

There is little marking Jackson's ties to Greenville, SC, and its larger civil rights history today, but lead…

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Girls run the court at Chicago Bulls' annual clinic

Girls run the court at Chicago Bulls' annual clinic

For Women's History Month, the Bulls and Gatorade hosted 150 girls and 50 coaches for the third annual Girls'…

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How Greenville, South Carolina, shaped Jesse Jackson's life and legacy in Chicago

How Greenville, South Carolina, shaped Jesse Jackson's life and legacy in Chicago

As dignitaries and celebrities gather on Chicago's South Side to celebrate the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse …

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As thousands gather for viewing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, elders reflect on his impact

As thousands gather for viewing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, elders reflect on his impact

Thousands of people from all walks of life visited the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's headquarters in Kenwood Thurs…

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Here's how Chicagoans remember civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson

Here's how Chicagoans remember civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson

In Chicago, Jackson was everywhere - in churches, at protests, at City Hall, at Rainbow PUSH. WBEZ's Somer Va…

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From Operation Breadbasket to presidential politics, here's how Rev. Jesse Jackson shaped Chicago

From Operation Breadbasket to presidential politics, here's how Rev. Jesse Jackson shaped Chicago

A protege of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson left an indelible mark on …

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Teams of lawyers put drivers back on the road by reinstating suspended licenses

Teams of lawyers put drivers back on the road by reinstating suspended licenses

Twice-yearly driver's license reinstatement expos connect motorists with lawyers and advocates working to res…

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Cider lovers and the cider curious are brought together for the annual Cider Summit

Cider lovers and the cider curious are brought together for the annual Cider Summit

The 12th annual Cider Summit festival brought more than three dozen cider producers and roughly 125 cider pro…

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