Wednesday, March 25
Auction of delinquent Cook County property taxes postponed indefinitely
A Cook County Circuit Court Judge has postponed the Annual Tax Sale of delinquent properties scheduled to begin May 8, 2020, because of the spread of the new coronavirus, Treasurer Maria Pappas said on Wednesday, March 24, 2020.
Womanish Pop Up to explore what women love
month pop-up. Dionna said they don’t want to keep it open for a long extended time because they want to keep it new, fresh and inclusive.
SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE TO COPE WITH CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS
Small businesses are trying to stay afloat in the midst of coronavirus, COVID-19. With social distancing, self-quarantining and closures, businesses are trying to navigate and make decisions that will keep everyone safe.
How You Can Be Counted in the 2020 Census
The 2020 Census is here. Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau is required to count every person living in the United States. Th e census shapes every part of our lives – the places we work and the stores where we shop, to the services that keep our families healthy, safe, and thriving. Forms have already begun arriving in homes, all during a period of uncertainty created by COVID-19. Our hope is that you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe during this time. Know that you can practice social distancing to keep your loved ones safe and still respond to the census.
Residents want more input in CDF expansion project
The Chicago Area Confined Disposal Facility, located at Calumet Harbor on the Southeast side of Chicago is set to reach capacity by 2022. To deal with this, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has come up with a proposal to expand the current facility
VILLAGE OF ROBBINS HOSTS TOWN HALL TO ADDRESS CORONAVIRUS
Tyrone Ward, mayor of Robbins, hosted a town hall meeting to provide information about the novel coronavirus as a way to answer residents’ questions and concerns. The meeting also included a presentation from Cook County Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. Terry Mason.
AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois Suspends Gathering Activities to Protect Older Adults
AgeGuide (http://www.ageguide.org/), the Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Illinois, as directed by the Illinois Department on Aging, has suspended all gathering activities for older adults in DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties until further notice amidst the rapid spread of COVID-19. Illinois older adults are among the highest risk population group for becoming seriously ill from COVID-19.
Fifth Third Expands Down Payment Assistance to $7,500 for Qualified Buyers
Fifth Third Bank, National Association, recently announced an expansion to its Down Payment Assistance program that will now help pay up to $7,500 toward a down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers. The program provides an affordable option for low-income families and those purchasing homes in low-income communities.
Clothing line looks to create movement
In 2019, Kiara N. Jones created the God Is Bigger clothing line. She said it was an idea God gave her randomly while she was sitting in her new members class at her church. The goal was to show her faith through fashion. But now, with the coronavirus, COVID-19, and the uncertainty, it has become a message for people to lean on.
Hawaiian Sunsets Launches Kids Umbrellas with UV Protection
Just in time for the spring rain and the sunny summer months, Hawaiian Sunsets recently launched a series of umbrellas for children that according to a press release, not only protect them from the rain, but also the damaging Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. These new line of kids umbrellas supplement their original line of umbrellas for women with UV protection. The kids umbrellas are currently available in three fun animal designs with 3D ears that automatically pop up when open.
Chicago Police Department Set To Move Classroom Training Operations To South Shore
This year, if all goes as planned, a shuttered high school in South Shore would be used for the next two years by the Chicago Police Department to provide sensitivity and conflict resolution training when dealing with the public.
State and city programs provide resources to help prevent homelessness
Two programs, one in the City of Chicago’s Family and Support Services, and another from the Illinois Department of Human Services, are designed to help residents and provide them with rental assistance and resources as a way to help them stay in their apartments after they experience a crisis.
CORONAVIRUS HAVING DEVASTATING IMPACT ON LOCAL RESTAURANTS
The coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating impact on local restaurants scrambling to keep their doors open after Gov. JB Prtizker suspended dine-in service until the end of the month.
AMA joins collaborative to improve health on the West Side
American Medical Association is now a partner in a mission to improve health outcomes and close health gaps on the West Side of Chicago.
BOURBON DRINK CREATED TO HONOR CHATHAM RESIDENT AND POLITICAL WHIZ BRIAN SLEET
A Park Manor business owner teamed up with Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) two weeks ago to start selling “1792: Bottled in Bond” in honor of their good friend and Chatham resident the late Brian Sleet.
Friday, March 20
Lecrae Partners with Love Beyond Walls To Plant Portable Wash Stations Around Atlanta Metro Area
Multi Grammy Award-winning platinum selling artist, Lecrae has partnered with Love Beyond Walls to plant portable hand washing stations around the Atlanta Metro Area for homeless and displaced people to clean their hands in response to Coronavirus (Covid19). The initiative kicked off this past Thursday March 19th at Love Beyond Wall’s Center located at 3270 East Main Street, College Park, GA 30337. Lecrae joined the Love Beyond Walls team to assemble the sinks after which they where filled with water, loaded on trucks, and distributed to key locations frequented by the homeless in the Atlanta Metro Area.
Wednesday, March 18
Map Tracks Coronavirus Outbreak In Near Real Time
Th e Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering has built and is regularly updating an online dashboard for tracking the worldwide spread of the coronavirus outbreak that began in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Next Step Announced in Sale of Former Howe Development and Tinley Park Mental Health Centers
Governor JB Pritzker and Senator Michael E. Hastings recently announced an important step forward in the future sale of the former Howe Development Center and Tinley Park Mental Health Center property.
MARIJUANA USE DURING PREGNANCY INCREASINGLY COMMON, LINKED TO STRESSFUL LIFE EVENTS
A new study has found that women who experience more stressful life events in the year before childbirth have greater odds of marijuana use before and during pregnancy.
UPS’ ‘Circle of Honor’ Recognizes The Company’s Safest Drivers
UPS recently announced the induction of 1,316 men and women into an elite group of UPS drivers who have not had an avoidable accident for 25 years or more. With those new inductees, the Circle of Honor now includes 10,411 of UPS’s active brown-clad drivers.
Sunshine Week: Fighting a virus with truth and transparency
As the scope and threat of the coronavirus pandemic becomes clear, people all over the world hunger for two things: an effective vaccine and truthful information about the disease. The former may be more than a year away, but the latter is critical to stemming the pandemic in the meantime.
Englewood Community Pushing to Reopen Shuttered Green Line Train Station
A recent groundbreaking at 63rd Street and Racine Avenue for Phase I of an economic development plan, “Go Green on Racine,” that includes opening a fresh produce store this fall; converting a nearby vacant, 16,500 square-foot building into a 12-unit apartment complex, and repurposing the former Granville Woods Academy building, 6206 S. Racine Ave., into a recycling facility
National Museum of African American Music Announces Grand Opening Date
After more than 20 years in development, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is ready to open its doors to music lovers of all ages. The 56,000 square foot facility located in the heart of downtown Nashville will officially open to guests on Thursday, September 3, 2020 kicking off a Labor Day weekend packed with grand opening events that will help introduce NMAAM to Nashville and the world.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC CONTINUES MISSION
Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness believes in integrated health and is continuing the mission it started 17 years ago at the Chicago Heights Community Health Clinic, located on 1536 Vincennes Ave. Aunt Martha’s acquired the site after St. James Hospital approached them about taking it over. Aunt Martha’s President and CEO Raul Garza said the payer exchange moved from being largely commercial insurance to Medicaid.
LOCAL OFFICIALS HOST MEETING ABOUT 2020 CENSUS
Greg Mitchell, 7th ward Alderman; Leslie Hairston, 5th Ward Alderman; and Bill Lowry, District 3 Cook County Board Commissioner, participated in a community meeting about the 2020 Census on Thursday, March 12, at the Quarry Event Center, 2324 E. 75th St.
IDHS Launches LetsTalkCannabisIL.com
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) recently announced the launch of a statewide public awareness campaign and website that provide go-to resources for health and safety information about legal cannabis use in Illinois.
Chicago In Tune Kickoff Event Takes Place On May 21
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently joined the Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and members of Chicago’s music and arts and culture scene to kick-off the 2020 Year of Chicago Music.
WOODLAWN ALDERMEN DIVIDED OVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING ORDINANCE
A proposed Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance crafted by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration has two aldermen representing the South Side community at odds over it.
Thursday, March 12
State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza to headline Quad County Urban League’s Women’s Empowerment Summit (WES)
6th Annual event to focus on women mentoring women
State Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza, Illinois Appellate Court Presiding Justice Cynthia Y. Cobbs, State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford, Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller and Sylvie Legere, president of the Policy Circle are among the headliners for the Quad County Urban League’s (QCUL) sixth annual Women’s Empowerment Summit (WES) on Friday, March 13th at the Chicago Marriott Southwest Hotel in Burr Ridge. The theme of this year’s WES is Women Being Heard and Giving Voice: 100 Years of Disruption. Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. and there will be a closing reception at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11
Illinois gears up for voting
Election season is upon us. And, while early voting began on Monday, March 2, the big day for Illinois voters is set for Tuesday, March 17.
Economic Development Spurred by Englewood Produce Store
A recent groundbreaking for a new produce store in Englewood kicked off a largely economic development plan for one corner location. A vacant lot currently stands at the corner of 63rd Street and Racine Avenue but will soon be occupied by a series of new developments expected to jump-start the community, contends Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), whose ward includes the site along with the West Englewood neighborhood.
Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hosts Name the Robot Contest
Hospital’s surgery team encourage STEM learning among Southland students through an introduction to robotic technology
Hazel Crest, Illinois – Kindergarten through 12th grade students living and attending school in the south suburbs are invited to help Advocate South Suburban Hospital name its brand-new surgical robot used to assist physicians in performing minimally-invasive procedures.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Commits $1 Million To Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”) recently announced that it has signed a $1 million agreement with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), a national organization dedicated to promoting educational excellence among students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).
Chicago Area Project Celebrates 86 Years of Building Safe and Sustainable Communities
86 Years of Building Safe and Sustainable Communities was the theme of the Chicago Area Project (CAP) 86th Anniversary Celebration and Awards Reception held on February 20, 2020 at Malcolm X College in Chicago. The event was MCed by Radio Legend and CAP Board Member Richard Steele and co-hosted by TV Personality Merri Dee and Youth Representative Karlyn Boens. Attendees were welcomed by young CAP Youth Ambassadors and by Malcolm X President David Sanders
PARTNERSHIPS HELP CURB CRIME IN ROBBINS
The Village of Robbins has seen a decrease in crime throughout the last three years. Leaders point to upgrades in telecommunications and hiring of police personnel, as well as stronger policing strategies. Criminal homicide has decreased 29 percent, robbery has decreased 28 percent, burglary has decreased 5 percent and theft has decreased 26 percent, with an overall decrease in violent crime of 17 percent.
The 37th Annual Chicago Blues Festival in Millennium Park June 5–7
Experience Blues Music “in the Key of Chicago” at the 37th Annual Chicago Blues Festival happening Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, in Millennium Park (201 E. Randolph St.) and Sunday, June 7, at Maxwell Street Market (800 S. Desplaines St.)
CANDIDATES FOR ILLINOIS 13TH SENATE DISTRICT PARTICIPATE IN FORUM
Indivisible Chicago South Side hosted a 13th District Candidate Forum that included Illinois State Senator Robert Peters and challenger Ken Thomas on Monday, March 2, at First Unitarian Church of Chicago, 5650 S. Woodlawn.
Clerk of Circuit Court Candidate wants to expand access to justice
Richard Boykin is probably best known for his opposition of the sweetened tax during is tenure as a Cook County Commissioner. Boykin is one of five candidates running for Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, to fill the position which was recently held by Dorothy Brown.
ALDERMAN AND PARK MANOR COMMUNITY SPLIT ON PROPOSED MARIJUANA FACILITY
A proposed marijuana facility in Park Manor, which would be located near an elementary school, has residents at odds with the alderman who said he supports the development.
FULL SERVICE GAS STATIONS WOULD RETURN UNDER PROPOSED STATE LAW
Not since the late 1970s has Chicago had a full-service gas station, but under proposed state legislation that would change next year.
City Of Chicago Grants $700K To Local Organizations To Boost Participation In The 2020 U.s. Census
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot recently announced $700,000 in grant funding for 32 community-based organizations to support the City’s efforts in educating and engaging residents about the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census.
Event at the South Shore Cultural Center Draws More Than 300 Diverse Businesses
The Illinois Tollway hosted a “Seize the Opportunity” information and networking event recently to highlight opportunities for diverse, minority and women-owned companies to make use of the agency’s business assistance and support resources and to learn how to successfully do business with the Tollway as well as other state agencies.
Antilynching Legislation keeps legacy of slain in forefront
Airicka Gordon-Taylor was emotional when she found out the Antilynching Legislation had been passed by the United States House of Representatives on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Wednesday, March 4
VIRTUAL REALITY DR. KING EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY AT DUSABLE MUSEUM
The much-anticipated Dr. Martin L. King Jr. exhibit, The March, opened to the public last Thursday and will run until November at the DuSable Museum of African American History.
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR SOUTH SHORE CORRIDOR STUDY
South Shore residents have until Wednesday, March 18, to submit public comment on the South Shore Corridor Study. The study, which includes East 75th and East 79th streets between Stony Island and the lakefront, is focused on housing, retail and transportation in the area.
MAYOR ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF CHOOSE TO CHANGE
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, along with Interim Chicago Police Department Superintendent Charlie Beck, Chicago Public School CEO Dr. Janice Jackson, Dr. Sybil Madison, deputy mayor for education and human services, announced an expansion to the Choose to Change program at Wendell Phillips Academy High School, 244 E. Pershing Road
Raw Sugar Launches ‘Unfiltered by Raw Sugar’ Personal Care Collection
Raw Sugar Living has just launched a new brand extension, ‘Unfiltered’. Expanding their mission to promote clean and healthy living, Raw Sugar figured out how to provide an elevated in-home premium spa experience – affordably. Unfiltered is created with 95% naturally-derived ingredients plus botanicals – made with only the essentials.
Manhood Further Developed for Young Fathers By Dovetail Project
As a husband and father. Sheldon Smith said he has made it his mission in life to help young fathers become better men by providing them with parenting, financial literacy, educational, and life skills through his nonprofit organization.
Aramark Good Cause Coffee to Benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America
Each year, Aramark provides over one billion cups of coffee and 400 million cold drinks to workplaces around the country. This year, Aramark is donating a portion of sales from javia®, its private label coffee, and Reserve by javia, its new, premium line, to Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
graveyard shift On Stage Now At The Goodman Theatre
Rising stars playwright korde arrington tuttle and director Danya Taymor reunite for graveyard shift, following its appearance as a developmental production in the Goodman’s 2018 New Stages Festival.
WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER?
Mixing drinking water with chlorine, the United States’ most common method of disinfecting drinking water, creates previously unidentified toxic byproducts, says Carsten Prasse from Johns Hopkins University and his collaborators from the University of California, Berkeley and Switzerland.
UIC names rising data scientist to TransUnion endowed professorship
“Big data” is getting a big boost in the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Liberal Arts and Sciences through a new professorship endowed by TransUnion, a leading global information and insights company.
Half of U.S. Adults Have Been Targeted by Impostor Scams, Says AARP Survey
Impostor scams continue to target large numbers of Americans, and as the federal government launches the 2020 Census, a majority may be susceptible to phony Census correspondence or telephone calls, according to results of a survey released recently by the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
Illinois State Police Forensic Laboratories Post Case Assignments And Completion Rates Online
Springfield, Ill. – As a new measure of transparency and accountability, the Illinois State Police Forensic Services Command unveiled to the public a forensics dashboard showing the number of case assignments and average completion times.
SAUK VILLAGE SCHOOL RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Wagoner Elementary School in Sauk Village is the National Teach Kindness Challenge Champion. The students learned about the honor at an assembly on Monday, Feb. 24. The school was chosen out of 650 schools throughout the United States.
Project Hope continues to make impact in community
A program that began more than 30 years ago is still changing the lives of pregnant and parenting teenage girls and young women. Project Hope began with Maureen Hallagan and her mother, Kay, who had been doing some volunteer work at Marillac. They wanted to do a teen care program. And, what began as a three-year pilot program, became Project Hope.
OSFM Encourages Illinoisans to Purchase Approved Smoke Alarms
The Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall is reminding Illinoisans of the importance of having approved smoke alarms. Illinois law requires that smoke alarms in dwelling units are listed by an approved third-party testing organization. The Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60) outlines requirements for smoke alarms in dwelling units (one- and two-family homes).
Congressman Rush hosts ‘Coffee and Conversation’
Congressman Bobby Rush hosted a “Coffee and Conversation” event on Friday, Feb. 21, at Pearl’s Place, 3901 S. Michigan Ave. During the event, Rush talked about economic development, workforce development, campaign challengers and his support of former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Bevel to Fund College Access Initiatives for Chicago’s Renowned Urban Prep Academies
Known for their 100% college acceptance rate each year, Urban Prep Academies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates three open enrollment public charter high schools in high-need communities in the city of Chicago.
League of Chicago Theatres and ComEd now accepting applications for the 2020 Powering the Arts grant program
The League of Chicago Theatres and ComEd are now accepting applications for the 2020 ComEd Powering the Arts grant program to help local arts institutions reach audiences that otherwise would not have access to the arts. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to nonprofit arts and cultural institutions located within ComEd’s service territory in northern Illinois. Eligibility details and applications are available at LeagueOfChicagoTheatres.org/ComEdPoweringTheArts/ and due by 5 p.m. Central time Friday, March 13, 2020.