Thursday, August 27
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White Plans to Retire when his Term Ends
Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, the only African American official serving in a statewide office, says he plans to retire when his term ends in 2019.
Wednesday, August 26
Ballerina Misty Copeland will close Broadway's 'On the Town'
In this June 7, 2015 file photo, Misty Copeland arrives at the 69th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall, in New York. The high-energy revival of “On the Town” will close this summer - but not before the ballerina Copeland makes her Broadway debut in it. Producers said that the show will close after Copeland completes her already-planned stint on Sept. 6. She started Aug. 25 as Miss Turnstiles.
Morgan Park’s Charlie Moore Turns Heads while Staying Humble
When Morgan Park High School student Charlie Moore first joined the school’s basketball varsity team, he had to wait patiently for his turn to play. That’s because the team was already stocked with future college players, making playing minutes hard to come by.
New Law Reduces Length of Stay for Non-Violent Cook County Jail Inmates
More than 100 non-violent, unjustly incarcerated Cook County Jail inmates could now be eligible to fight their cases while living and working within the community as a result of groundbreaking legislation effective immediately. Senate Bill 202, sponsored by Rep. Mike Zalewski and Sen. Bill Cunningham in partnership with Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart, was signed late last Friday by Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Governors State University is now a 4-Year College with its First Sophomore Class
A year ago, Justin Smith wasn’t sure he could attend a four-year university. “I put in 150 applications for scholarships but I got no offers,” said the south suburban Ill. resident.
10,000 Get Help at Convoy of Hope Event at Marquette Park
Johnny Byrd struggles to make ends meet as a single parent of two young children. On Saturday, the Englewood resident got some help along with more than 10,000 others who received free groceries, haircuts and other assistance at the Convoy of Hope organization’s gathering at Marquette Park, 6743 S. Kedzie Ave., in Chicago.
Tequila Tales Brings the Flavor without Limes or Salt
A native of Chicago’s south side believes that adult conversations, like tequila, are best served straight up with no chaser.
African-American Becomes Top Officer at Naval Station Great Lakes
Nearly three decades ago, Stephen C. Evans simply wanted to get a good education and prepare for law school as a student at The Citadel military school in South Carolina.
Online Activists Interrupt Chicago and Baltimore Police “Tweetalong”
Last Thursday night, the official Twitter accounts of the Chicago and Baltimore Police Departments scheduled a “Tweetalong” that was designed to showcase to their Twitter followers, what police officers in both cities encounter nightly while on duty.
“Straight Outta Compton” Reason for Increased Security at some Theater Houses
As movie goers flocked to see the film, “Straight Outta Compton,” a biopic about the pioneering hip-hop group, N.W.A., some of them noticed an increase of security guards and police officers at the theaters.
City Panel Might Decide in November on Planned Medical Marijuana Dispensary
A decision on whether a medical marijuana dispensary will open in the heart of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood may not occur until at least November. The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) agreed last Friday to extend its hearing to Nov. 20 to allow meetings between residents and the business group that wants to build the dispensary at 1111 E. 87th St.
Thursday, August 20
Daymond John The Man behind FUBU
A young entrepreneur, an industry pioneer, a highly regarded marketing expert, and a man who has surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success are just a few ways people have described Daymond John. Over the last 20 years, Daymond has evolved from one of the most successful fashion icons of his generation to one of the most sought after branding experts, business, and motivational speakers in the country.
Wednesday, August 19
Terrence Howard in Court to Undo Divorce Agreement
Terrence Howard agreed to a 2012 divorce settlement with his ex-wife after she threatened to leak details about his sex life, his attorney said last week at a hearing on the actor’s efforts to overturn the agreement.
Julian Bond, former NAACP chairman and activist, dies at 75
Julian Bond's life traced the arc of the civil rights movement, from his efforts as a militant young man to start a student protest group all the way to the top leadership post at the NAACP.
Swastikas, Graffiti Found on Several Properties in Tinley Park
Swastikas and other markings were recently found on several Tinley Park businesses and residences, officials said. Tinley Park, Ill. police said they don’t have any suspects and aren’t sure if any of the incidents over the last two months are connected. The south suburban police also added that the vandalism hasn’t been classified as hate crimes. “We are still working at it,” Deputy Police Chief Lorelei Mason said. “We don’t have any leads. This has run in spurts. We think it could be kids.”
Englewood Woman Celebrates 104th Birthday with a Big Bash
Collard greens, gospel music, gum and family. Those are some of the secrets that helped Rosie Atchison live to be 104, quipped her granddaughter, Tammy Barnes, 47.
31st Street Beach and Park Named after Margaret Burroughs
The Chicago Park District Board named a second beach and park after an African-American – the late artist Margaret Burroughs. Last week, the board agreed to name the 31st Street Beach and Park after Burroughs, a long-time Chicago Park District Commissioner who co-founded the DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl.
Rauner Vetos Marijuana Bills
Last week, Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner used his executive powers to veto a pair of bills that together would have, decriminalized and increased fines for individuals caught by law enforcement with small amounts of marijuana and extended the state’s medical cannabis pilot program.
Fallen Black Firefighters Honored at Chatham Neighborhood Park
A Pierce model fire truck, named in memory of fallen Chicago Firefighter Sidney Brown, has logged about 37,000 miles since arriving to a South Side fire station a dozen years ago.
Rauner Signs Bill Prohibiting Police Chokeholds, Establishing Guidelines for Body Cameras
When Kwame Raoul was a Ill. state prosecutor, he recalls getting patted down by police officers as he exited his car in an area south of downtown Chicago on Financial Street.
Wednesday, August 12
New ABA President to Work on Diversity and Inclusion in Justice System, Legal Profession
Paulette Brown, a labor and employment law partner and co-chair of the firmwide Diversity and Inclusion Committee at Locke Lord LLP in Morristown, N.J., took office last week as president of the American Bar Association at the conclusion of the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago. She is the first woman of color to become president of the 136-year-old organization and will serve as president until the close of the ABA Annual Meeting in August 2016.
Rapper 50 Cent seeking to lease Connecticut mansion
Rapper 50 Cent, who filed for personal bankruptcy last month, is trying to lease his Connecticut home valued at nearly $8.3 million.
New Jersey Teen, Shanice Williams to star as Dorothy in NBC’s ‘The Wiz Live!’
NBC has found the young woman who will ease on down the yellow brick road. The network last week unveiled newcomer Shanice Williams from New Jersey as its Dorothy for the Dec. 3 live production of “The Wiz Live!”
Vogue Japan Releases Its August 2015 Cover Featuring Kanye West, Kendall Jenner
Ricardo Tisci revealed Fashion’s newest gang on his instagram account earlier this week as he shared the upcoming Vogue Japan August 2015 cover. The highly anticipated issue entitled “Fashion Gang” has a lineup worthy of a lifetime of cover stories in itself. The bonafide A-list cast includes Riccardo Tisci, Kendall Jenner, Kanye West, Jessica Chastain, Joan Smalls, Mica Arganaraz, Jamie Bochert and Akimoto Kozue completely outfitted from head to toe (face jewels included) in Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci.
Polo Ralph Lauren Show to Promote Literacy, Movie
How do you get a bunch of pint-size models to halt and turn at the end of a fashion runway?
Elected Officials Tout Local Jobs Program, Healthcare
Larome Levy, an Austin neighborhood resident, is looking forward to college. But first, he must pay $500 in fees he owes to Steinmetz High School. The 18-year-old senior is now able to pay off the debt because of his new clerk job at Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central Ave., Chicago.
Country Club Hills Amphitheater Could Open Next Summer
Country Club Hills outdoor amphitheater, closed for nearly two years, could be back in business next summer with more seats, city officials said. The Country Club Hills Council agreed Monday night to use about $1.7 million in tax increment financing (TIF) money to more than triple fixed seating at the amphitheater to about 2,100. The south suburban, Ill. venue currently has about 640 such seats.
Man charged with punching Ald. David Moore
A 22-year-old man was charged with punching Ald. David Moore as the Chicago official tried to disband alleged prostitutes on a South Side street, officials said.
Jordan Davis’ Mom: Shield Children from Gun Violence
On the anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed African American teen killed in Ferguson, Mo. after a controversial run in with a white police officer, a mother of another dead teen asked Chicagoans to save their children from gun violence.
Boykin Eyes Hotly Contested Senate Race
Cook County Commissioner, Richard Boykin, is taking steps to enter Illinois’ hotly contested U.S. Senate race.
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Discussed at CBA Monthly Meeting
Should a medical marijuana dispensary be allowed to open and operate on Chicago’s south side? Members of the Chatham Business Association (CBA) and other concerned citizens chimed in on the controversial matter during the organization’s monthly meeting on Tuesday at the QBG Foundation/Chicago Citizen Newspaper headquarters building, 806 E. 78th St, Chicago.
Thursday, August 6
MAC Cosmetics Plans Collection to Honor the Late Selena
A multi-product collection from MAC Cosmetics inspired by the late Latin icon Selena Quintanilla is planned for next year, the company said last Thursday.
Mariah Carey to direct and co-star in Christmas TV movie for Hallmark Channel
Mariah Carey is making her directorial debut on the Hallmark Channel. Carey will direct and co-star in "Mariah Carey's Christmas Project," the network announced last week. Production will begin in the fall. The scripted film is slated to air in December as part of its annual "Countdown to Christmas" programming.
Bill Cosby’s Lawyers Ask Judge to Keep Settlement Sealed
Lawyers for Bill Cosby argue in a new court filing his admission he used quaaludes in the 1970s doesn’t mean he drugged and sexually assaulted women.
Minimum Wage Hikes Gain Momentum Around the Country
The push for a higher minimum wage gained momentum on both sides of the country last month, with New York embracing an eventual $15 an hour for the state’s 200,000 fast-food workers and the huge University of California system announcing the same raise for its employees.
Wednesday, August 5
Chicago Man, Exonerated of Murder, Fatally Shot on West Side
A Chicago man, exonerated after serving 17 years in prison, was killed during an alleged “bad” drug deal, officials said. Alprentiss Nash, 40, was fatally shot in the chest when he allegedly attempted to rob another man last week, Chicago Police said. Nash and Paul Vukadinovic, 30, allegedly exchanged gunshots July 28th in the 400 block of South Paulina Street, police said. Nash was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Cook County Board of Review Launches Assessment Appeals with State of The Art Digital Appeals Processing System
The Cook County Board of Review, the highest volume assessment appeals board in the country, launched its state of the art Digital Appeals Processing System (DAPS) for the 2015 property assessment appeals session. The Digital Appeals Processing System will transform the paper-based Board appeals process into a digital workflow that will make filing appeals easier for taxpayers and will create a more transparent, efficient, and thorough process, which will save Cook County residents thousands of dollars.
Head Start Marks a Half Century of Service in the U.S. this Summer
Recognizes name on manuscript. Understands letter forms, big and small. And colors, paints and pastes. Those were some of the benchmark tasks I completed as a 5-year-old in the first year of the Head Start program in 1965. I was just one of millions of low income children helped by Head Start. The program celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer.
Thousands Pray to Stop Violence in Chicago
As a nurse at Northwestern University hospital, Desiree Smith sees her share of gunshot victims.
Four Dyett School Supporters Arrested at City Hall
Four protesters supporting Dyett High School as a “green tech” school were arrested after staging a sit-in at City Hall, officials said.
Ex-Federal Prosecutor Becomes First Woman to Chair Chicago Police Board
Lori Lightfoot is a familiar face in law enforcement. She was a federal prosecutor. She once ran Chicago Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards. But last week, the openly-gay, African-American woman broke new ground as the first female to head the Chicago Police Board.
Fallen Black Firefighters to be Recognized at Chatham Park
In 1983, Chicago Firefighter, Sidney Brown, thought children were inside of a burning South Side home. So, he rushed in to save them but became trapped in an attic in the house at 119th and State streets.